Mark 1:1-20
Q.1. Where did Mark begin his presentation of the Gospel? Who was John the Baptizer? About what was John’s ministry? What impact did he have? How would the ministry of Jesus surpass John’s? – (Mk.1:1-8)
MATTHEW: Wrote the life of Christ, especially for the Jews, revealing Jesus Christ as their long-awaited Messiah. MARK: Wrote the life of Christ, revealing Jesus as the obedient Servant of God. It was written especially to the Roman world. LUKE: Wrote the life of Christ, revealing Jesus as the perfect Man, emphasizing His humanity. Written by Luke, a Greek, to the Greek world. JOHN: Wrote the life of Christ, revealing Jesus as the Son of God, stressing His deity. Mark began his Gospel by quoting the prophecy of Isaiah about the ministry of John, the Baptizer. Mark told us that John was the herald and messenger, sent to prepare God’s people for the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mk.1:1-3). This he did by – preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mk.1:4). John was a rugged prophet, like Elijah, who lived out in the wilderness. His ministry was located north of Jerusalem, in the Jordan River valley (Mk.1:5-6 c.f. Mal.4:5-6). He pointed to One much greater than himself. He anticipated the coming of the Messiah, Who – will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mk.1:7-8). All the people of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem, flocked to be baptized by him (Mk.1:5).
Q.2. Who baptised Jesus? What unique signs accompanied the baptism of Jesus? What were the circumstances of Christ’s temptation? – (Mk.1:9-13)
Matthew reported that John protested when Jesus came to be baptized by him (Mt.3:13-15). Several signs accompanied Christ’s baptism – 10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; 11 and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (Mk.1:10-11). John reported later about these signs – 31 I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” (Jn.1:31-34). Following the Father and the Holy Spirit’s endorsement, Jesus was thrust out to do battle with Satan in the wilderness of Judea, where – He was with the wild beasts, and the angles were ministering to Him (Mk.1:13). The apostle John wrote – The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn.3:8). A life of faith is a life of tests.
Q.3. When did Jesus begin His ministry? What message did He preach? What brought the Kingdom of God near? How could people benefit from the Gospel? – (Mk.1:14-15)
The beginning of Christ’s ministry coincided with the arrest of John the Baptizer (Mk.1:14). Jesus preached the Gospel of God (Mk.1:14). This message was vastly different from the religion of the Jews of His day. It brought liberty to the religious captives (Mk.1:27 c.f. Lk.4:14-21). The nation was occupied by the Roman Empire, but Jesus claimed that the Kingdom of God was at hand. He was the King of that Kingdom, and entrance could be gained through repentance and believing the Gospel (Mk.1:15). His call to repent and believe indicated that He was not speaking about a physical, but spiritual kingdom. His teaching in what is known as the “Sermon on the Mount”, laid down these spiritual principles (c.f. Matthew Chpts.5-7).
Q.4. Where did Jesus begin His ministry? What was His call to His first disciples? How were they related? How did they respond to His call? – (Mk.1:16-20)
Jesus began His ministry around Nazareth and the region of Galilee. Typical of Mark’s dynamic style, he recorded the call of the first disciples (Mk.1:16-20). The other Gospel writers insert other incidents in the process of these calls (c.f. Lk.5:1-11; Jn.1:29-51). Mark told the call of two sets of brothers – Peter and Andrew, and James and John (Mk.1:16 & 19). The call by Jesus was insightful – “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” (Mk.1:13). Peter and Andrew were actually fishing, whereas James and John were mending their fishing nets (Mk.1:16, 19). All of them followed Jesus immediately, and went into service with Him (Mk.1:18, 20).