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 as the Son of God who will baptize the people with the Holy Spirit and will 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.
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Even as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face,
Who will prepareThy way;
Who will prepare
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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; he 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). 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 with 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 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; he 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). 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 with 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 follow the One who will come. That is why he is the messenger who tells people to come to follow the righteous One.
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John came, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
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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.
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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 about John, who he 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 the life differently than everybody in that time.
This verse clearly tells us about John, who he 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 the life differently than everybody in that time.
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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. People came to him to be baptized, but he proclaimed someone else higher than him. John was a humble man.
Here, it is clear that John admits himself to be below. People came to him to be baptized, but he proclaimed someone else 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.
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And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
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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
Here, we have a compressed 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 tearing open is like when you put a cloth on the 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 tearing open is like when you put a cloth on the 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.
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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's purpose is to capture each individual thing the Lord encountered (that's why it is brief) and how the Lord Himself faced challenges as humans do. In this passage, the Bible shows how the Lord walked through temptations for forty days alone in the wilderness. Both Gospels of Matthew and Mark have similar ways of showing the events, just different points of view.
“He was with the wild beasts.” This portion is an addition to the Gospel of Mark to show that the Lord Jesus was in the wilderness alone. 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's purpose is to capture each individual thing the Lord encountered (that's why it is brief) and how the Lord Himself faced challenges as humans do. In this passage, the Bible shows how the Lord walked through temptations for forty days alone in the wilderness. Both Gospels of Matthew and Mark have similar ways of showing the events, just different points of view.
“He was with the wild beasts.” This portion is an addition to the Gospel of Mark to show that the Lord Jesus was in the wilderness alone. 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.
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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 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, the time for the Son of God to work began. This time was the point of time set out by the Father for the Son of God to start the work on earth, and the time has come to fulfill 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 talks about the work of the Son, that He came 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 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, the time for the Son of God to work began. This time was the point of time set out by the Father for the Son of God to start the work on earth, and the time has come to fulfill 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 talks about the work of the Son, that He came 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.
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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.
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And straightaway having left the nets, they followed Him .
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And going on a little further, He saw James the Zebedee, and John his brother, and they were adjusting the nets in the boat.
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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 refers to the generation before the person to let us see. If the sons do good, the father is also mentioned.
“And straightaway …” Pay attention to the fact that Simon, Andrew, James, and John left everything just by calling. They did not see miracles, but after hearing the Lord’s call, they left everything and followed, and that is why they are mentioned here to show their faithfulness.
In those times, fisherman was a commoner’s job. The disciples were also commoners, but they had a special call that referred to their hearts, not to their work.
“James the Zebedee.” Sometimes, the Bible refers to the generation before the person to let us see. If the sons do good, the father is also mentioned.
“And straightaway …” Pay attention to the fact that Simon, Andrew, James, and John left everything just by calling. They did not see miracles, but after hearing the Lord’s call, they left everything and followed, and that is why they are mentioned here to show their faithfulness.
In those times, fisherman was a commoner’s job. The disciples were also commoners, but they had a special call that referred to their hearts, not to their work.
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And they go into Capernaum; and straightaway on the Sabbath, having entered into the synagogue, He was teaching.
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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 where the people of God go, they will always build a synagogue as a place of gathering to worship.
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And straightaway there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
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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 .
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And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be silent, and come out of him.
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And the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
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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 the Lord Jesus ordered the unclean spirit by mouth 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 the Lord Jesus ordered the unclean spirit by mouth 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.
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And the report of Him went out straightaway, everywhere into all the surrounding region of Galilee.
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And straightaway, having come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
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Now Simon’s mother-in-law was laying sick of a fever. And straightaway, they speak to Him about her.
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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. Also, notice right away that there is no copy from Matthew in the Gospel of Mark; here, in the Gospel of Mark, 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 copy portions; all it is given by the Holy Spirit as the Living Word to each of the writers. The writers did not copy from each other; they wrote down what the Holy Spirit dictated to them, and that is why it 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. Also, notice right away that there is no copy from Matthew in the Gospel of Mark; here, in the Gospel of Mark, 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 copy portions; all it is given by the Holy Spirit as the Living Word to each of the writers. The writers did not copy from each other; they wrote down what the Holy Spirit dictated to them, and that is why it is called the Living Word.
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And evening having come, when the sun went down, they brought to Him all who were sick, and those being possessed with demons.
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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). Many places in the Bible confirm that the Lord Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and 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. The Sabbath day ends at this time, and they can continue with normal daily activities. Therefore, after the Sabbath was over, people came to the Lord Jesus to seek 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). Many places in the Bible confirm that the Lord Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and 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. The Sabbath day ends at this time, and they can continue with normal daily activities. Therefore, after the Sabbath was over, people came to the Lord Jesus to seek help.
“… at the door.” This verse shows that people came to Simon’s house, where the Lord Jesus was lodged.
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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.
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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 4:42-44Luke 4:42-44.
Pay attention to what this verse says. Very early, before the day (still being night), the Lord went and prayed. If the only Son of God has to pray, then prayer is important for all believers to practice and do. 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 the day (still being night), the Lord went and prayed. If the only Son of God has to pray, then prayer is important for all believers to practice and do. If the Son of God must pray, then we humans must pray. This verse confirms that praying is important.
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And Simon and those with him followed after Him ;
Comments Mark 1:36-37
This verse shows that the Lord Jesus was alone praying. If the only Son of God always found time and went to pray, how much more should we? Here, we have a clear example.
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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.
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And He was going preaching in their synagogues in all Galilee, and casting out demons.
Comments Mark 1:38-39
These verses tell that the Lord always does the work first. The work that the Lord came to fulfill, He will do it, regardless of the time. He always goes to synagogues throughout all Galilee. If the Lord always goes to synagogues preaching and healing, the Lord always works. Think, how many times does the Bible mention when the Lord rested?
“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.
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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.
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And being moved with compassion, having stretched out His hand, He touched him, and says to him, I am willing; be you made clean.
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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.
This leper here in Mark 1:40-45 is the same leper 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; his 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 and pour our needs to the Lord, but seek the will of the Lord first and see what the Lord’s will is for us.
This leper here in Mark 1:40-45 is the same leper 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; his 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 and pour our needs to the Lord, but seek the will of the Lord first and see what the Lord’s will is for us.
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And He strictly charged him, and straightaway sent him out,
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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 to all humans, with all the mighty works the Lord Jesus performed, but first, He follows the rules the Father has set. What did the Lord Jesus tell the man to do first? To “offer for his cleansing” what the Law has commanded. The Lord Jesus did not come to follow but to fulfill the Law, yet He always follows the Law.
Here, in these verses, it shows to all humans, with all the mighty works the Lord Jesus performed, but first, He follows the rules the Father has set. What did the Lord Jesus tell the man to do first? To “offer for his cleansing” what the Law has commanded. The Lord Jesus did not come to follow but to fulfill the Law, yet He always follows the Law.
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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 for the Lord will go to the solitary place. This was supposed to be done so that only the chosen hearts that are calling for the Lord 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 for the Lord will go to the solitary place. This was supposed to be done so that only the chosen hearts that are calling for the Lord 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.