Introduction
Thus far, we have covered fairly small, bite-sized chunks of scripture that were very rich in theological truth. We dug deep and found that buried beneath the surface, was the richness of Christ and the gospel. Now, we will pick up the pace as the text allows. Here, we will pick up exactly where our study left off previously. As we read, we will see that the context of the content from the previous edition will greatly carry over into this one. So consider freshening up on the context of Mark 1. I hope that this study blesses you.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the historical context surrounding the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
- Describe what the author meant when he said that Jesus was proclaiming the gospel.
- Explain what Jesus meant by proclaiming, “The kingdom of God is at hand.”
- Recognize the unique authority with which Jesus taught in the synagogue.
- Explain how Jesus’ casting out of an unclean spirit revealed His divine authority.
study Content: Verse-by-Verse
Jesus Begins His Ministry
LO:1
1:14-15 – Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
- Since the time that Jesus was baptized and went into the wilderness to Pray, John was arrested by Roman authorities (This will later be shown to be fulfillment of prophecy). Here we can see that Jesus is on his return trip from travelling to the Jordan, possibly closer to Jericho in the south. After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to the wilderness to pray as he was tempted by Satan. Now, Jesus is returning to Galilee, a region closer to home. However, we will see further down that Jesus is not heading toward Nazareth but along the Sea of Galilee toward Capernaum.
- As Jesus is heading toward his destination, he was stopping to preach the gospel in Galilee.
Note: Jesus gives us a key piece of the apologist’s tool box. Observe that Jesus’ ministry began and consisted of preaching a message that said, “Repent and believe” – Jesus’ preaching was of turning away from sin and responding to the call of his message. Your homiletic strategy is incomplete without preaching repentance.
LO:2
Note: Here, we have a second to pause and address an issue. Some raise issue with the fact that Mark says that Jesus is “proclaiming the gospel“. The issue raised against this passage would be that “the gospel” has not happened yet, so how can Jesus being proclaiming it? However, upon further inspection, there is actually no issue here at all. The problem is the way one who sees this issue is inferring their own meaning of what it means to proclaim the gospel. When they read, what they are hearing in their head is: “Jesus is preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.” But this is not what the passage is saying. Though, the complete gospel is about the fullness of Christ’s fulfillment of our sins, if we return to the text, we can see that the flow of the text is pointing to a much easier understanding. Mark is referring to the gospel as “The coming of the kingdom of God, therefore repent and believe this message.” This means that the gospel in this context refers to the proclamations of the coming gospel, much like John The Baptist proclaimed.
LO:3
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand”
- When Jesus says that the kingdom of God is at hand, in context, we can draw a clear directive from the first passage in Mark to this passage. Jesus is proclaiming the fulfillment of the words of the prophecies of scripture. As we’ve covered in previous editions, God is drawing His people unto Himself.
- Though, it may not be fully understood at this time by the hearers, Jesus is proclaiming the coming of the covenant of grace.
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
1:16-20 – Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
- This calling of his first disciples depicts the common, working, fishermen becoming taking their first step in their apostolic ministry.
- It is not said whether they were simply drawn by the command of their creator, or were moved through devout faith because of Jesus’ teachings. There are clues in the gospel according to John this crew had encountered Jesus before. But we can be sure that none of these men knew even half of what The Lord had in store for their lives.
Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit
1:21-22 – And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
LO:4
- They recognized something was different about Jesus’ teaching. This wasn’t just a Rabbi teaching from their scripture, but one who was speaking with an authority that startled them.
- Christ’s teachings were not purely academic or examination of traditions, such as the teachings from the scribes. They were taught will full authority. This is not exactly defined in the text but it is likely that it is referring to teaching as though the scripture were the word’s of God. Much of scribal teaching was focused on the legal and traditional natures of the scripture rather than the applications that we see Jesus use.
1:23-24 – And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”
- “Unclean Spirit” refers to a demon.
- The demon was tormented by Christ’s presence. Some say that the demon used the title, “Holy One of God” as a way of attempting to exercise power over Jesus. It is possible that this demon was speaking out of its fear, causing a scene and interrupting the teaching, knowing the authority Jesus carries.
LO:5
- Christ’s identity established as “Holy One of God” and authority to cast out Demons with only a word, points directly to his divinity.
Note: It is here, I’d like you to ask, “What is Mark telling us about Christ?” Yes, Jesus is teaching with authority but being called, “Holy One of God“. That is a significant, especially coming from a demon. This is a fallen angel, a supernatural being making this declaration. This is a recognition of Christ’s deity.
- Hebrews 1:4-5 – “Having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him. ” Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire. ” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.“
1:25-28 – But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and scrying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
- Jesus demonstrates His divine authority in front of His audience by casting out the demon.
Key Take Aways
- John was arrested by Roman authorities. Jesus is returning to Galilee, along the Sea of Galilee toward Capernaum and beginning His ministry.
- The gospel in this context refers to the proclamations of the coming gospel, much like John The Baptist proclaimed.
- Jesus is proclaiming the coming of the covenant of grace.
- Christ’s teachings were not purely academic or examination of traditions, such as the teachings from the scribes. They were taught will full authority.
- Christ’s identity established as “Holy One of God” and authority to cast out Demons with only a word, points directly to his divinity.
Conclusion
This was by far the largest section of scripture covered in this series to date. We will continue to uncover deep theological truths as we continue through Mark, but for now, we get to enjoy walk through the text. A lot of exciting topics are just over the horizon. Here soon, we will see Markian sandwiches (intercalations) appear, a common literary device in Mark that we will uncover starting about chapter 2. But for now, this is where we must say goodbye.
I pray that this study blesses you as you read.
-In Christ
Leave a Reply