Mark is my favorite gospel because he is so vivacious in his writing and being the youngest of the gospel writers, it shows. His full name is Mark John. Mark is his Latin name and John is his Hebrew name. He is a cousin to Barnabas and companion to Paul until Acts 15:37-39. Let’s see our titles for this chapter. Verses 1-8 Repentance preached. Verses 9-11 The Baptism of Jesus. Verses 12-13 The temptation of Jesus. Verses 14-20 Jesus calls four fishermen. Verses 21-28 Jesus casts out demons. Verses 29-34 Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law. Verses 35-39 Jesus on a preaching tour. Verses 40-45 Jesus heals a leper. Mark 1 and verse 1 reads.
Mark 1:1] The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
Here is half the declaration for Baptism, Jesus is the Son of God.
Mark 1:2] As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
[3] The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
As it is written by Isaiah the prophet in Isaiah 40 and verse 3 reads.
Isa.40:3] The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
It is important to see here that the one who cries in the wilderness (being John the Baptist) prepares the way for our God. Jesus is God with us, Emmanuel.
Isa.40:4] Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
[5] And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
What is written will happen exactly as it is written. Prophesied also in Malachi 3 and verse 1 reads.
Mal.3:1] Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to this temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
He shall come to this temple, and will bring a New Covenant. A New Testament.
Mal.3:2] But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
His blood will cleanse the people.
Mal.3:3] And he shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
As fire purifies silver, the slag spins off. Don’t overlook the offering made in righteousness. God himself, his only begotten Son, can be the only sacrifice made for sins. Written for our admonition long ago in so many places in God’s Word. Back to Mark 1 and verse 4 reads.
Mark 1:4] John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Here is the other half of the declaration for Baptism. First, we must declare that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Second, we must repent of our sins. The baptism gives us forgiveness of sins on repentance.
Mark 1:5] And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
The people knew he was a prophet, and they came to be baptized by him. This is what was meant by; Prepare the way of the LORD, and make straight the highway for God.
Mark 1:6] And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
Here are the food and clothing of a prophet.
Mark 1:7] And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
[8] I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Here is baptism. Jesus, the Son of God, died and was put into the tomb, the going under the water. And on the third day he rose again through resurrection, the coming out of the water. John baptized with water but Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit. Here is how we can understand the church is many members of One body, that being Christ. Let’s go to 1Corinthians 12 and verse 12 reads.
1Cor.12:12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
[14] For the body is not one member, but many.
That should help with understanding being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Back to Mark 1 and verse 9 reads.
Mark 1:9] And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Born in Bethlehem but after returning from Egypt, Joseph resided in Nazareth. As prophesied, he would be called a Nazarene. Mat.2:23.
Mark 1:10] And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
This was a sign that the LORD gave to John the Baptist alone, no one else saw this but John.
Mark 1:11] And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
This does not mean that Jesus received the Holy Spirit at this time, but that this is the LORD’s public statement. The Holy Spirit was with Jesus at conception. Fulfilling Psalms 2 and verse 7 reads.
Psa.2:7] I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Back to Mark 1 and verse 12 reads.
Mark 1:12] And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
[13] And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Mark does not go into the details of the temptation in the wilderness, but we just finished the book of Matthew and he gave a very good study on that in Mat.4:1-11.
Mark 1:14] Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
John the Baptist was put in prison because although Herod liked his teachings, his wife did not. John taught that it was against God’s Word that Herod would take his brother’s wife for himself. John the Baptist’s job was done, he fulfilled his duties for the LORD in making his paths straight and teaching repentance for sins. Jesus preached the good news, that the kingdom (the king and his dominion) had come.
Mark 1:15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Repent and believe the Son of God has come. This was prophesied in Daniel 9 considering the seventy weeks of Daniel’s vision. A very interesting and complicated prophesy, Daniel 9 and verse 25 reads.
Dan.9:25] Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
[26] And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
I know that is complicated, and so much is needed for that to be understood. We will get to that study in time, but for now, know that it was prophesied over 400 years earlier in Daniel while Judah was in captivity. Back to Mark 1 and verse 16 reads.
Mark 1:16] Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
This Simon is called Peter, he was the first to be called by Jesus, he would be the one that Jesus would build his church on. All these disciples who would be called apostles (sent ones) were chosen by the LORD long ago in the first earth age. if you have the Key of David, then you also are chosen and called from the first earth age. Let’s go to Jeremiah 1 and verse 4 reads.
Jer.1:4] Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[5] Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
[6] Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
[7] But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Think of Matthew 24 and Mark 13, the LORD will give to us in that hour what to speak because it is not us that speak, but the Holy Spirit, when we are delivered up to Satan in the end times.
Jer.1:8] Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
[9] Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
Our destinies are given to us in this book of Mark in chapter 13, we’ll get there soon. Back to Mark 1 and verse 17 reads.
Mark 1:17] And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
[18] And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
A simple “Follow me” is all it took. I believe they too were given a sign from God to look for.
Mark 1:19] And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
[20] And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
James and John were called also, knowing this had to be the Christ that they were waiting for, left their father Zebedee. Zebedee was a Levite, he was married to Salome, another sister to mother Mary, making James and John cousins to Jesus.
Mark 1:21] And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
[22] And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
I would love to have been there. The Word of God teaching the very Word right in the temple of God on the sabbath day. Remember these Pharisees and scribes who are teaching in these synagogues at this time are Kenites. They will kill our LORD Jesus Christ.
Mark 1:23] And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
[24] Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
First, we have a person with an unclean spirit right in the middle of the synagogue, how is this possible unless the truth was never spoken in that synagogue. Proving the Kenites were running the show. Then I want you to notice that they knew his name The Holy One of God, the Messiah. They know they are given this earth age to possess all that they can. But they are suddenly concerned thinking Jesus has come with wrath and not with Salvation. In other words, they could not discern the two advents.
Mark 1:25] And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
[26] And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
[27] And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
The Truth had finally come into this synagogue, and they had witnessed the Christ right before them. Let’s go to Psalms 40 and verse 7 reads.
Psa.40:7] Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
[8] I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
[9] I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
[10] I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
And in Hebrews 10 and verse 6 reads.
Heb.10:6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
[7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
[8] Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
This is written in Hosea 6:6 and it reads.
Hos.6:6] For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Back to Hebrews 10 and verse 9 reads.
Heb.10:9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
[10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
This is speaking to the covenants, the first being with a blood ordinance that the second, Christ being the Lamb of God became. Notice it is said for once and all time. It is sacrilegious to sacrifice now. It also said in verse 27 that even the spirits are obedient to him. Did you know that Jesus gave this authority to you and me as well? Let’s go to Luke 10 and verse 19 reads.
Luke 10:19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
[20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Back to Mark 1 and verse 28 reads.
Mark 1:28] And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
His fame spread throughout Galilee.
Mark 1:29] And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
[30] But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
We learn here that Peter was married, but it is not written if he had children.
Mark 1:31] And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
As for me and my house we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15.
Mark 1:32] And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
It seems that Jesus was always working, never to catch a break.
Mark 1:33] And all the city was gathered together at the door.
[34] And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
Never let them speak, but rebuke them and send them back to the Father. For what you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and what you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Mat.18:18. Also notice there is a difference between those that have a devil and those who are sick. Some today say that a sick person has a devil, they are liars and have no truth in them.
Mark 1:35] And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
When you pray to the Father, seek him alone. Do not give loud prayer to be heard of others, this is a sign of being holier than thou, an abomination to the LORD. Jesus shows us here that it is good to plan your day.
Mark 1:36] And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
[37] And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
[38] And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
Jesus is on a mission, to spread the Word of God, and to go to as many places as possible. To preach in their synagogues, teaching and healing and to cast out devils.
Mark 1:39] And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
[40] And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Now a leper cannot be around other people, but his faith was great and Jesus will have compassion on him.
Mark 1:41] And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
[42] And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Jesus spoke and he was healed.
Mark 1:43] And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
[44] And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Jesus gave him a strict order to go to the priest for a reason. Here is the law of Moses concerning a leper. Leviticus 14 and verse 1 reads.
Lev.14:1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[2] This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest:
[3] And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper;
[4] Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
[5] And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:
[6] As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:
[7] And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.
You see, the priest should have been able to cleanse this leper, but they couldn’t. And Jesus wanted them to see the power of the LORD had come to this man. But this man in his joy, did not do as Jesus had told him to. Back to Mark 1 and verse 45 reads.
Mark 1:45] But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
Jesus would be busy still teaching, but not so much in that city. He needed to be out in the desert to have room to teach, heal and cast out devils. He would not be staying in one place too long anyways. Great study, let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible