Mark 1
Summary. . In Chapter 1, we have an eight-point summary. 1) The announcement of the messenger of the Lord. John the Baptist is the messenger of the Lord. He announces the arrival of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, who will baptize the people with the Holy Spirit and take away the sins of the world. 2) The Lord Jesus is an example for all believers; all must be baptized in the water as a follower of the Lord Jesus, no exception. 3) The Lord Jesus, in His humanity, has been tested and tempted by Satan himself; the Lord prays to win the temptations. 4) John is put away, and the Lord Jesus starts proclaiming the Gospel of God. The Bible tells us that there is only one begotten Son of God; the Lord Jesus is the begotten Son of God, and He is the Gospel of God. 5) The Lord Jesus called His first disciples. They were fishermen, and they responded to the call immediately. 6) The Lord Jesus has authority and power over the dark. Here, all had seen His authority and power when He commanded the unclean spirit to leave a man; this has shown power in the Word He spoke. 7) The Lord Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law by touching. She was sick with a fever, and the Lord Jesus took her by her hand, and the fever left her. 8) The Lord Jesus did not come to follow but to fulfill the law, yet He always follows the law. The Lord Jesus heals a leper and commands him to make the offering required by the law for his cleansing.
[2]
Even as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face,
Who will prepareThy way;
Who will prepare
[3]
The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Prepare the way of theLord ,
MakeHis paths straight.
Prepare the way of the
Make
Comments Mark 1:2-3
See also Comments Matthew 3:1-11 and Comments Luke 3:2-16.
“My messenger.” John is the messenger of the Lord. The Lord chose John to announce the coming of the Mighty One; John is the messenger of the Lord.
“Before Thy face” refers to the coming of the Lord Jesus.
“Who will prepare Thy way” means John’s message. He always announces to the One who is coming after him and that he himself, John, is not worthy (see verse 7). And that is why the Lord chose John. John always humbled himself and accepted who he was, below; he never lifted himself up to be at the same level as the Lord. John calls for repenting and waiting for the One who is coming. John himself is the voice that cries in the wilderness. John tries to tell people that there is only one way to be saved, and that is to go straight to the Lord; there is only one way to be saved: to follow the One who will come. That is why he is the messenger who tells people to come to follow the righteous One.
“My messenger.” John is the messenger of the Lord. The Lord chose John to announce the coming of the Mighty One; John is the messenger of the Lord.
“Before Thy face” refers to the coming of the Lord Jesus.
“Who will prepare Thy way” means John’s message. He always announces to the One who is coming after him and that he himself, John, is not worthy (see verse 7). And that is why the Lord chose John. John always humbled himself and accepted who he was, below; he never lifted himself up to be at the same level as the Lord. John calls for repenting and waiting for the One who is coming. John himself is the voice that cries in the wilderness. John tries to tell people that there is only one way to be saved, and that is to go straight to the Lord; there is only one way to be saved: to follow the One who will come. That is why he is the messenger who tells people to come to follow the righteous One.
[4]
John came, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
[5]
And were going out to him all the region of Judaea, and all they of Jerusalem, and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
[6]
And John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and he was eating locusts and wild honey.
Comments Mark 1:6
See also Comments Matthew 3:1-11.
This verse clearly tells us who John was and how he lived his life. He was separated from the world, and that was why he could hear the voice of the Lord. He lived his life differently from everybody else at that time.
This verse clearly tells us who John was and how he lived his life. He was separated from the world, and that was why he could hear the voice of the Lord. He lived his life differently from everybody else at that time.
[7]
And he preached, saying, He comes after me who is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy having stooped down to untie the strap of His sandals.
Comments Mark 1:7
See also Comments Matthew 3:11.
Here, it is clear that John admits himself to be below the One who comes after him. People come to him to be baptized, but he proclaims someone else to be higher than him. John was a humble man.
Here, it is clear that John admits himself to be below the One who comes after him. People come to him to be baptized, but he proclaims someone else to be higher than him. John was a humble man.
Comments Mark 1:8
See also Comments Matthew 3:11.
Here, the meaning is clear: why John is the messenger, and who will give the Holy Spirit. John admits that he himself does not have that authority, but the One who comes after him has the authority to give the Holy Spirit.
Here, the meaning is clear: why John is the messenger, and who will give the Holy Spirit. John admits that he himself does not have that authority, but the One who comes after him has the authority to give the Holy Spirit.
[9]
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
[10]
And straightaway going up from the water, He saw the heavens tearing open, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon Him .
Comments Mark 1:9-11
These verses give us a concise account of the baptism of the Lord Jesus by John. See also Comments Matthew 3:13-17, Comments Luke 3:21-22, and Comments John 1:32-34.
“Heavens tearing open.” This heaven’s tearing open is like when you put a cloth on top of something, and that cloth is torn apart, and you can see everything. Heavens are like a cover, and here, they were torn open for the Lord Jesus to see His home. The Lord Jesus could always access His home, but here, now in human form, He could see His home.
“Heavens tearing open.” This heaven’s tearing open is like when you put a cloth on top of something, and that cloth is torn apart, and you can see everything. Heavens are like a cover, and here, they were torn open for the Lord Jesus to see His home. The Lord Jesus could always access His home, but here, now in human form, He could see His home.
[13]
And He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And He was with the wild beasts; and the angels were ministering to Him .
Comments Mark 1:12-13
See also Comments Matthew 4:1-11, and Comments Luke 4:1-13.
The Gospel of Mark is brief, yet its purpose is to capture each individual thing the Lord had encountered and to show how the Lord Himself faced challenges, as humans do. In this passage, the Bible shows how the Lord walked through forty days of temptation alone in the wilderness. Both Gospels of Matthew and Mark present the events in similar ways, just from different points of view.
“He was with the wild beasts.” This portion is an addition to the Gospel of Mark that shows that the Lord Jesus was alone in the wilderness. There were no humans around Him, just wild animals. The Lord Jesus can be with wild animals; no animal will harm Him; His peace goes to all.
The Gospel of Mark is brief, yet its purpose is to capture each individual thing the Lord had encountered and to show how the Lord Himself faced challenges, as humans do. In this passage, the Bible shows how the Lord walked through forty days of temptation alone in the wilderness. Both Gospels of Matthew and Mark present the events in similar ways, just from different points of view.
“He was with the wild beasts.” This portion is an addition to the Gospel of Mark that shows that the Lord Jesus was alone in the wilderness. There were no humans around Him, just wild animals. The Lord Jesus can be with wild animals; no animal will harm Him; His peace goes to all.
[15]
and saying, The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near; repent and believe in the gospel.
Comments Mark 1:14-15
See also Comments Matthew 4:12-17 and Comments Luke 3:19-20.
“Proclaiming the Gospel of God.” The Gospel of God refers straight to the Son of God. The Bible tells us that there is only One begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, and He is the Gospel of God.
“The time has been fulfilled.” When the Lord Jesus mentions, “the time has been fulfilled,” He refers to the time when John was put away. The work of John was a turning point in pointing out when and what would start. When things happened to John, it was the time for the Son of God to begin His work on earth. This time was the point in time the Father set out for the Son of God to begin the work on earth; the time has come to fulfil the Father’s will. John and the Lord Jesus had their own time to do the Father’s will on earth.
“And the kingdom of God has drawn near” refers to when the Lord Jesus Himself is on earth and gives the Gospel to humans. He tells humans to repent, believe in the Gospel, and come to the Lord. That is why the kingdom of God is at hand, because the Lord Himself is on earth. Now the Lord Jesus speaks about the work of the Son: He comes to give Himself instead of humans. God Himself has paid the price by His Own blood: repent so you can enter into the kingdom of God.
“Proclaiming the Gospel of God.” The Gospel of God refers straight to the Son of God. The Bible tells us that there is only One begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, and He is the Gospel of God.
“The time has been fulfilled.” When the Lord Jesus mentions, “the time has been fulfilled,” He refers to the time when John was put away. The work of John was a turning point in pointing out when and what would start. When things happened to John, it was the time for the Son of God to begin His work on earth. This time was the point in time the Father set out for the Son of God to begin the work on earth; the time has come to fulfil the Father’s will. John and the Lord Jesus had their own time to do the Father’s will on earth.
“And the kingdom of God has drawn near” refers to when the Lord Jesus Himself is on earth and gives the Gospel to humans. He tells humans to repent, believe in the Gospel, and come to the Lord. That is why the kingdom of God is at hand, because the Lord Himself is on earth. Now the Lord Jesus speaks about the work of the Son: He comes to give Himself instead of humans. God Himself has paid the price by His Own blood: repent so you can enter into the kingdom of God.
[16]
And passing by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
[18]
And straightaway having left the nets, they followed Him .
[19]
And going on a little further, He saw James the Zebedee, and John his brother, and they were adjusting the nets in the boat.
[20]
And straightaway He called them; and having left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, they went after Him .
Comments Mark 1:16-20
See also Comments Matthew 4:18-22, Comments Luke 5:2-11, and Comments John 1:40-42.
“James the Zebedee.” Sometimes the Bible will refer to the generation before the person to let us see. If the sons do good things, the father will also be mentioned.
“And straightaway …” Pay attention to the fact that they (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) left everything just by calling. They did not see the miracles, but hearing, when they received the call, they left everything and followed; that is why they are mentioned here, to show their faithfulness.
In those times, commoners did the job of fishermen; it was a commoner’s job; the disciples were commoners, but they had a special call that referred to the heart, not the work they did.
“James the Zebedee.” Sometimes the Bible will refer to the generation before the person to let us see. If the sons do good things, the father will also be mentioned.
“And straightaway …” Pay attention to the fact that they (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) left everything just by calling. They did not see the miracles, but hearing, when they received the call, they left everything and followed; that is why they are mentioned here, to show their faithfulness.
In those times, commoners did the job of fishermen; it was a commoner’s job; the disciples were commoners, but they had a special call that referred to the heart, not the work they did.
[21]
And they go into Capernaum; and straightaway on the Sabbath, having entered into the synagogue, He was teaching.
[22]
And they were astonished at His teaching; for He was teaching them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
Comments Mark 1:21-22
See also Comments Matthew 7:28-29 and Comments Luke 4:31-32.
In the majority of places in the land that people of God go, there they will always build a synagogue as a place of gathering to worship.
[23]
And straightaway there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
[24]
saying, What have we to do with Thee , Jesus of Nazareth? Did Thou come to destroy us? I know who Thou are, the Holy One of God .
[25]
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be silent, and come out of him.
[26]
And the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
[27]
And they were all amazed, so they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this new teaching? With authority, He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him !
Comments Mark 1:23-27
See also Comments Matthew 7:28-29 and Comments Luke 4:33-37).
“And Jesus rebuked him.” This rebuke clearly shows that by mouth the Lord Jesus ordered the unclean spirit to come out; as the Word comes out of the mouth of the Lord, all things obey Him. Here it clearly shows the authority of the Lord Jesus, and the people have seen His authority.
“And Jesus rebuked him.” This rebuke clearly shows that by mouth the Lord Jesus ordered the unclean spirit to come out; as the Word comes out of the mouth of the Lord, all things obey Him. Here it clearly shows the authority of the Lord Jesus, and the people have seen His authority.
[28]
And the report of Him went out straightaway, everywhere into all the surrounding region of Galilee.
[29]
And straightaway, having come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
[30]
Now Simon’s mother-in-law was laying sick of a fever. And straightaway, they speak to Him about her.
[31]
And having come near, He raised her up, having laid hold of her hand, and the fever left her, and she began to minister to them.
Comments Mark 1:29-31
See also Comments Matthew 8:14-15 and Comments Luke 4:38-39.
Notice that not all the events presented in the Gospels are given in chronological order, according to the traveling way of the Lord Jesus. Also, notice right away that there is no copy from the Gospel of Matthew in the Gospel of Mark. For example, here it shows “they speak to Him about her” sickness, which is not given in Matthew. The account is the same in all the gospels, as the Holy Spirit gives it, but the details in Mark and Matthew are different. The whole Bible has no copied portions; each Gospel is given by the Holy Spirit as the Living Word to each of the writers. The Gospel writers did not copy from each other; they wrote down what the Holy Spirit dictated to them, and that is why the Bible is called the Living Word.
Notice that not all the events presented in the Gospels are given in chronological order, according to the traveling way of the Lord Jesus. Also, notice right away that there is no copy from the Gospel of Matthew in the Gospel of Mark. For example, here it shows “they speak to Him about her” sickness, which is not given in Matthew. The account is the same in all the gospels, as the Holy Spirit gives it, but the details in Mark and Matthew are different. The whole Bible has no copied portions; each Gospel is given by the Holy Spirit as the Living Word to each of the writers. The Gospel writers did not copy from each other; they wrote down what the Holy Spirit dictated to them, and that is why the Bible is called the Living Word.
[32]
And evening having come, when the sun went down, they brought to Him all who were sick, and those being possessed with demons.
[33]
And all the city was gathered together at the door.
Comments Mark 1:32-33
See also Comments Matthew 8:16-17, and Comments Luke 4:40-41.
The Lord Jesus and the disciples went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day (see verse 29). In many places in the Bible, it confirms that the Lord Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and that the Lord will always participate in and teach on the Sabbath when people gather together to glorify the Lord. After preaching in the synagogue, the Lord stayed to answer people’s questions, and then they went to Simon’s house.
“And evening having come …” When people do the Sabbath day, after the sun goes down, people can do something else. They can go and continue their daily activities; the Sabbath day ends at that time. After the Sabbath day was over, people came to the Lord Jesus seeking help.
“… at the door.” This verse shows that people came to Simon’s house, where the Lord Jesus was lodged.
The Lord Jesus and the disciples went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day (see verse 29). In many places in the Bible, it confirms that the Lord Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and that the Lord will always participate in and teach on the Sabbath when people gather together to glorify the Lord. After preaching in the synagogue, the Lord stayed to answer people’s questions, and then they went to Simon’s house.
“And evening having come …” When people do the Sabbath day, after the sun goes down, people can do something else. They can go and continue their daily activities; the Sabbath day ends at that time. After the Sabbath day was over, people came to the Lord Jesus seeking help.
“… at the door.” This verse shows that people came to Simon’s house, where the Lord Jesus was lodged.
[34]
And He healed many who were sick with diverse diseases, and He cast out many demons; and He would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him .
Comments Mark 1:34
This verse clearly shows the Lord Jesus’ authority and power above the dark side. The dark knows Him, but they can’t talk unless He gives them permission. The dark stays under the Lord Jesus’ authority; they know who has authority above them.
[35]
And very early, still being night, having risen up, He went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Comments Mark 1:35
For verses 35 to 39 see also Luke 4:42-44.
Pay attention to what this verse says. Very early, before daylight, still being dark, the Lord Jesus had gone and prayed. If the only Son of God has to pray, then prayer is important for all believers to practice. If the Son of God must pray, then we humans must pray. This verse confirms that praying is important.
Pay attention to what this verse says. Very early, before daylight, still being dark, the Lord Jesus had gone and prayed. If the only Son of God has to pray, then prayer is important for all believers to practice. If the Son of God must pray, then we humans must pray. This verse confirms that praying is important.
[36]
And Simon and those with him followed after Him ;
Comments Mark 1:36-37
These verses shows that the Lord Jesus is praying alone. If the only Son of God always finds time and goes to pray, how much more should we? Here we have a clear example.
[38]
And He says to them, Let us go by another way into the next towns, so that I may preach there also; for, for this I came forth.
[39]
And He was going preaching in their synagogues in all Galilee, and casting out demons.
Comments Mark 1:38-39
These verses tell us that the Lord Jesus always does the work of the Father first. The work that the Lord Jesus came to fulfill, He will do it, regardless of the time. He always goes to synagogues throughout all Galilee. If the Lord Jesus always goes to synagogues, preaching and healing, then the Lord always works. Think, how many times does the Bible mention the Lord taking rest?
“By another way.” When the verse says, “by another way,” it means going around and not straight through the main roads.
“By another way.” When the verse says, “by another way,” it means going around and not straight through the main roads.
[40]
And a leper comes to Him , beseeching Him , and kneeling down to Him , and saying to Him , If Thou are willing, Thou are able to make me clean.
[41]
And being moved with compassion, having stretched out His hand, He touched him, and says to him, I am willing; be you made clean.
[42]
And straightaway the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean.
Comments Mark 1:40-42
See also Comments Matthew 8:1-4, and Comments Luke 5:12-14.
The leper in Mark 1:40-45 is the same as the one in Matthew 8:1-4 and Luke 5:12-14. This leper has shown to humans that he seeks first the will of the Lord towards him. Even though by his own will he wants to be clean, he seeks first the will of the Lord, what the Lord wants for him. The humble heart he has, it has been shown out: “If Thou are willing, Thou are able to make me clean.” We all should do the same way: come with our needs, pour our needs to the Lord, but seek the will of the Lord first, what the Lord’s will is for us.
The leper in Mark 1:40-45 is the same as the one in Matthew 8:1-4 and Luke 5:12-14. This leper has shown to humans that he seeks first the will of the Lord towards him. Even though by his own will he wants to be clean, he seeks first the will of the Lord, what the Lord wants for him. The humble heart he has, it has been shown out: “If Thou are willing, Thou are able to make me clean.” We all should do the same way: come with our needs, pour our needs to the Lord, but seek the will of the Lord first, what the Lord’s will is for us.
[43]
And He strictly charged him, and straightaway sent him out,
[44]
and says to him, See you say nothing to no one, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
Comments Mark 1:43-44
See also Comments Matthew 8:1-4.
Here, in these verses, it shows all humans that with all the mighty works the Lord Jesus performed, but still the Lord Jesus first follows the rules the Father has set. What has the Lord Jesus told the man to do first here? To offer for his cleansing, as it has been commanded, as the Bible has said. The Lord Jesus did not come to follow but to fulfil the law, yet He always follows the law.
Here, in these verses, it shows all humans that with all the mighty works the Lord Jesus performed, but still the Lord Jesus first follows the rules the Father has set. What has the Lord Jesus told the man to do first here? To offer for his cleansing, as it has been commanded, as the Bible has said. The Lord Jesus did not come to follow but to fulfil the law, yet He always follows the law.
[45]
But having gone out, he began to proclaim it much, and to spread the matter abroad, so that He was no longer able openly to enter into a city; but He was outside in solitary places, and they were coming to Him from every quarter.
Comments Mark 1:45
See also Comments Matthew 9:31.
This situation was supposed to happen, and the way it happened was to bring people’s hearts to the Lord. Those hearts that search the Lord Jesus will go to the solitary places. This was supposed to be done so that only the chosen hearts that are calling for the Lord Jesus will go to seek Him.
This situation was supposed to happen, and the way it happened was to bring people’s hearts to the Lord. Those hearts that search the Lord Jesus will go to the solitary places. This was supposed to be done so that only the chosen hearts that are calling for the Lord Jesus will go to seek Him.
Life and Faith Applications. 1) Each true follower of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, must be baptized in the water and acknowledge Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as their Lord and Savior. 2) The Lord Jesus, the Son of God, always finds time to pray to the Father; the Lord Jesus is our Lord and our example to follow; therefore, we should always find time to pray and glorify the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. 3) Bring all our needs to the Lord, but seek first the will of the Lord in everything. 4) If the Lord calls us to serve Him in any capacity, we should respond immediately and do the work He calls us to do. Amen!