Mark 1:1-20
Q.1. Where did Mark begin his presentation of the gospel? Who was John the Baptizer? What was the theme of 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 informed us that John was the herald and messenger, sent to prepare God’s people for the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (see 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 (see 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 hear and be baptized by him (see 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 (see 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). Later on, John reported 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 recorded that – 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 that will be tested.
Q.3. When did Jesus begin His ministry? What message did He preach? What would bring the Kingdom of God nearer? 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 (see Mk.1:14). Jesus preached the gospel of God (see Mk.1:14). This message was vastly different from the religion of the Jews of His day. It brought liberty to the religious captives (see 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 (see 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 (see Matthew Chpts.5-7).
Q.4. Where did Jesus begin His ministry? What call did He give 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 (see Mk.1:16-20). The other Gospel writers insert other incidents in the process of these calls (see Lk.5:1-11; Jn.1:29-51). Mark reports on the call of two sets of brothers – Peter and Andrew, and James and John (see 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 (see Mk.1:16, 19). After making arrangements for their businesses, all of them followed Jesus immediately, and went into service with Him (see Mk.1:18, 20).