The Beginning of the Servant’s Ministry. (1:1-13) 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
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.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the
remission of sins.
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.
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;
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.
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and
was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the
Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
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11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom
I am well pleased.
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.
Introduction to the Gospel:
This is the good news about Jesus who is Messiah, Son of God, and the coming deliverer of Israel. (1:1)
His Forerunner. (1:4-8)
John is the messenger spoken of through Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah 40:3) proclaiming the deliverer which Israel should prepare to meet. (1:2-3) Isaiah 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.
John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness as the prophetic messenger proclaiming a gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (1:4) All of the people of Jerusalem and Judea were going out to John and being baptized in the Jordan river confessing their sins. (1:5)
John was dressed like the prophet Elijah [2 Kings 1:8; Malachi 3:1; Zechariah 13:4].
(1:6)
2 Kings 1:8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of
leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
Malachi 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 his temple, even the
messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the
LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 13:4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be
ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear
a rough garment to deceive:
John was proclaiming that One was going to follow him Who was greater than he in that He will perform a baptism of the Holy Spirit. (1:7-8) His Baptism. (1:9-11)
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Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee to the wilderness-Jordan area where John was baptizing and was baptized by John. (1:9)
When Jesus came up from John's baptism, the Father confirmed him as being His Messiah/Servant [cf. Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 42:1]. (1:10-11)
Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son;
this day have I begotten thee.
Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul
delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the
Gentiles.
His Temptation. (1:12-13)
Immediately after Jesus' baptism and confirmation by the Father, the Holy Spirit impelled Him to go into the wilderness. (1:12) Jesus was tempted by Satan forty days in the wilderness. (1:13a) After the temptation Jesus was shown to be the new Adam who is at rest with nature (wild animals) and is ministered to by angels. (1:13b) Mark accentuates terse but significant parallels between the first and Second Adam in his two-verse temptation account. An analogy may be drawn between the first Adam and the second Adam. Jesus, after the fall, regains the harmony with creation that the original Adam once had. Therefore, Jesus can bring with Him this harmony for all to enjoy as He sets up His kingdom.
Jesus opens paradise closed to the first man.
Old Adam – In Paradise.
New Adam – In the wilderness.
Old Adam - Rules over the animals.
New Adam - Is among wild animals.
Old Adam - Is tempted by Satan and succumbs.
New Adam – Is tempted by Satan and overcomes temptation victoriously.
Old Adam - Is guarded against by an angel.
New Adam - Is ministered to by angels.
The Servant’s Ministry in Galilee. (1:14–6:6a)
Cycle One: Jesus’ Early Galilean Ministry. (1:14–3:6) Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
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Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:
repent ye, and believe the gospel.
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.
Mark 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to
become fishers of men.
Mark 1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
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.
Mark 1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the
ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he
entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that
had authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he
cried out,
Mark 1:24 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.
Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Mark 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice,
he came out of him.
Mark 1:27 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.
Mark 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region
round about 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.
Mark 1:30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of
her.
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.
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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.
Mark 1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
Mark 1:34 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.
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.
Mark 1:36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
Mark 1:37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
Mark 1:38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach
there also: for therefore came I forth.
Mark 1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast
out devils.
Mark 1:40 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.
Mark 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched
him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
Mark 1:42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from
him, and he was cleansed.
Mark 1:43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
Mark 1:44 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.
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.
Introductory Summary: Jesus’ Message in Galilee. (1:14-15) John was taken into custody. (1:14a) After John was arrested, Jesus went north into Galilee proclaiming the good news from God. (1:14:b) The content of Jesus' good news was that this was the fulfilled time when God's rule was present, thus the people should repent and believe in the good news. (1:15)
A Call to Four Fishermen. (1:16-20)
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Setting: Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee. (1:16a) Jesus saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, fishing and exhorted them to follow Him as disciples in order to fish for people, and they immediately followed Him. (1:16b-18) Jesus went a little farther and saw James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee mending their nets, and exhorted them to follow Him as disciples, and they immediately left their work and followed Him. (1:19-20)
Authority over Demons and Disease. (1:21-45)
An Exorcism in the Synagogue. (1:21-28)
Setting: The disciples and Jesus enter the town of Capernaum (to the north-west of the Sea of Galilee), and Jesus entered a synagogue on the Sabbath to teach. (1:21) Response to Jesus' Teaching: The people were amazed at Jesus' authoritative teaching which was unlike the scribes. (1:22)
A Demon Cast Out. (1:23-26) As the people were being amazed with Jesus' teaching, a man with an unclean spirit cried out. (1:23) The unclean spirit asked Jesus whether this was the proper time for Him as God's representative (Holy One of God) to destroy them. (1:24) Jesus rebuked the spirit and ordered the unclean spirit to be quiet and to come out of the man. (1:25) The unclean spirit violently came out of the man. (1:26) The Response to Jesus' Work. (1:27-28) The people were all amazed. (1:27a) The people debated among themselves about the nature of Jesus' words and works and recognized his authority. (1:27b) The people wondered as to nature of Jesus' words and works. (1:27c) The people recognized Jesus' new teaching to be with authority as he commanded unclean spirits, and they obeyed Him. (1:27d) The news about Jesus spread out into the surrounding district of Galilee. (1:28) The Healing of Simon’s Mother-in-Law. (1:29-34)
Setting: Immediately after coming out of the synagogue of Capernaum, Jesus, and his disciples (including James and John) came into the house of Simon and Andrew and spoke to Jesus about Simon's sick mother-in-law. (1:29-30) Jesus healed Simon's mother-in-law and she served them. (1:31) On the evening of the sabbath when it was
"legal" for the people to move with their ill, the whole city gathered at the door with the sick and demonized. (1:32-33) Jesus healed many of the sick and cast out many demons forbidding them to testify to his identity. (1:34) A Solitary Prayer. (1:35-39)
On the morning following the sabbath Jesus went out early to pray and was found by Simon and his companions. (1:35-37a) When they told Jesus that everyone was looking for Him. He expressed is desire to go into other towns in Galilee so that He 22
may preach his message as he desired. (1:37b-38) Jesus preached and cast out demons in the synagogues throughout Galilee. (1:39)
The Cleansing of a Leper. (1:40-45)
Setting: a leper came to Jesus begging him to make him clean if he was willing. (1:40) Jesus was filled with compassion, expressed his willingness to cleanse the leper, and cleansed him. (1:41-42) Jesus warned the leper not to tell others what had occurred to him until he was proclaimed clean by the priest in accordance with the Law of Moses.
(Lev. 14:2-7) as a testimony to them. (1:43-44) Because the man did not obey Jesus, but went out proclaiming his healing freely, Jesus could not minister openly among the people, and had to go to the unpopulated areas, but the people kept coming to him from everywhere. (1:45)
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Confrontations with Religious Leaders. (2:1–3:5)
Mark 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised
that he was in the house.
Mark 2:2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was
no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the
word unto them.
Mark 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne
of four.
Mark 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they
uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the
bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy
sins be forgiven thee.
Mark 2:6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their
hearts,
Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God
only?
Mark 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned
within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Mark 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven
thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
Mark 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive
sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Mark 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine
house.
Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them
all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it
on this fashion.
Mark 2:13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted
unto him, and he taught them.
Mark 2:14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the
receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
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Mark 2:15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many
publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were
many, and they followed him.
Mark 2:16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and
sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with
publicans and sinners?
Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no
need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance.
Mark 2:18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they
come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but
thy disciples fast not?
Mark 2:19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast,
while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them,
they cannot fast.
Mark 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from
them, and then shall they fast in those days.
Mark 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the
new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
Mark 2:22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth
burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine
must be put into new bottles.
Mark 2:23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath
day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
Mark 2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath
day that which is not lawful?
Mark 2:25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he
had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
Mark 2:26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high
priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and
gave also to them which were with him?
Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man
for the sabbath:
Mark 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Mark 3:1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there
which had a withered hand.
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Mark 3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day;
that they might accuse him.
Mark 3:3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
Mark 3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to
do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved
for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand.
And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Concerning the Healing and Forgiveness of a Paralyzed Man. (2:1-12) Setting: Jesus returned to Capernaum after several days and was speaking the word a large crowd gathered at a house [Simon's?]. (2:1-2) Four men, carrying a paralytic, were not able to enter through the door because of the crowd, so they let him down through the roof to Jesus. (2:3-4) Seeing the faith of the men, Jesus told the paralytic that his sins were forgiven. (2:5) Some of the scribes were accusing Jesus in their hearts of blaspheming by proclaiming the forgiveness of the man's sins since only God could forgive sins. (2:6-7) Jesus perceived the accusations of the accusations of the Pharisees and physically healed the paralytic in order to demonstrate that he had spiritual authority on earth to forgive men of their sins. (2:8-11) When the paralytic arose, took up his bed and went out before all of the people, they were amazed, and glorified God affirming that they had not ever seen anything like what had occurred. (2:12)
Concerning the Calling of a Tax Collector. (2:13-14) Setting: Jesus is again by the Galilee seashore (where he last called disciples to follow Him; cf. 1:16) and is teaching the multitudes who have come to Him. (2:13) As Jesus passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting in his tax office, invited him to follow him, and Levi followed. (2:14)
Concerning the Conflict Over Company. (2:15-17)
Setting: After some time, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner at Levi's house among many sinners and tax-gatherers that were following Jesus. (2:15) The scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus' disciples why Jesus was dining with such people. (2:16) When Jesus overheard the question of the religious leaders, he affirmed that He had come, as a physician, to help those who were sick--who were sinners, and not those who thought that they were "righteous". (2:17) Concerning the Conflict Over Fasting. (2:18-22)
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Setting: The disciples of John, and the Pharisees were fasting. (2:18a) The Pharisees came and asked Jesus why it was that John's disciples fast, but His disciples do not.
(2:18b) Likening Himself to a bridegroom, and his disciples to attendants, Jesus explains to the Pharisees that his disciples do not fast because He is with them but will fast when He is taken away from them. (2:19-20)
Jesus uses two images to make His argument. He uses the imagery of mending to argue that His presence cannot be combined with the older Pharisaic system because it will destroy the old system, and ruin the new (2:21) and He uses the imagery of wine in wineskins to argue that to try and put his message into the form of the old message would ruin them both; Jesus' message must be placed into a completely new system.
(2:22)
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Concerning the Conflict Over Sabbath/Healing and the Authority of Jesus.
(2:23–3:5)
Plucking Grain on the Sabbath. (2:23-28)
Setting: On the Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples were passing through grain fields, and his disciples began to pick heads of grain as they walked. (2:23) The Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples were breaking the Sabbath law. (2:24) Jesus then set about to correct the strict view of the Pharisees. He affirmed that He, as the Lord of restoration, was restoring the proper sense of the Sabbath which was to bring about rest for mankind. (2:25-27) Jesus cited the example of David that the Scripture did not enforce such a rigid interpretation of the law as the Pharisees because David was not condemned for his actions. (cf. 1 Samuel 21:1-6)
1Samuel 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was
afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man
with thee?
1Samuel 21:2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded
me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business
whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my
servants to such and such a place.
1Samuel 21:3 Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread
in mine hand, or what there is present.
1Samuel 21:4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread
under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept
themselves at least from women.
1Samuel 21:5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women
have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of
the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were
sanctified this day in the vessel.
1Samuel 21:6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there
but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the
day when it was taken away.
Jesus proclaims the essence of the Sabbath law as being for the benefit of man. (2:27) In view of the above principal Jesus proclaims Himself as the One who will restore the proper sense of the Sabbath as He brings about the true Sabbath rest for man.
(2:28)
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Healing on the Sabbath. (3:1-5)
Jesus entered a synagogue on the Sabbath where there was a man with a withered hand and the religious leaders were watching to see whether He was going to heal on the sabbath. (3:1-2)
Jesus had the man with the withered hand come forward, and asked the religious leaders whether it was lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm--to save a life or to kill. (3:3-4a)
When the religious leaders would not answer, Jesus was angered and grieved at their response, and healed the man with the withered hand. (3:4b-5) The Pharisees Response:
Rejection of Jesus. (3:6) The Pharisees responded by leaving the synagogue and taking counsel with the Herodians about how to destroy Jesus. (3:6) Cycle Two:
Jesus’ Later Galilean Ministry. (3:7–6:6a)
Introductory Summary:
Jesus’ Activity in Galilee. (3:7-12)
Mark 3:7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great
multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
Mark 3:8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and
they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things
he did, came unto him.
Mark 3:9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because
of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
Mark 3:10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to
touch him, as many as had plagues.
Mark 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried,
saying, Thou art the Son of God.
Mark 3:12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.
Setting: Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples. (3:7a) A great multitude of people came to the sea to be healed by Jesus because they had heard of His marvelous 29
work. (3:7-12) The great multitude of people heard of all that Jesus was doing and came to Him from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea (N-S), beyond the Jordan, and Tyre and Sidon (NW). (3:7b-8) Jesus had his disciples prepare a boat for Him from which He was to speak to them because of their crowding around Him for healing.
People were flocking to Jesus because they had heard of all that He had done. (3:9-10) When the unclean spirits (demons) beheld Jesus, they would have identified Him as Messiah (Son of God), but He forbid them to speak. (3:11-12) Appointment of the Twelve Disciples. (3:13-19)
Mark 3:13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would:
and they came unto him.
Mark 3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might
send them forth to preach,
Mark 3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
Mark 3:16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;
Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he
surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
Mark 3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas,
and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Mark 3:19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an
house.
Jesus left the pressing multitude, went up the mountain (by the sea?) summoning those whom He wanted to follow Him, and they came. (3:13) Jesus appointed twelve among those who followed Him so that they might go out and preach and have authority over demons. (3:14-15)
The Twelve whom Jesus appointed were as follows:
1)
Simon (whom he later called Peter). (3:16a)
2)
James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee (whom he later called Boanerges meaning “Sons of Thunder). (3:17)
3)
Andrew. (3:18a)
4)
Philip. (3:18b)
5)
Bartholomew. (3:18c)
6)
Matthew. (3:18d)
7)
Thomas. (3:18e)
8)
James the son of Thaddaeus. (3:18f)
9)
Thaddaeus. (3:18g)
10)
Simon the Zealot. (3:18h)
11)
Judas Iscariot (who also betrayed Him). (3:19)
Accusation regarding Beelzebub, the Prince of Demons. (3:20-30) 30
Mark 3:20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much
as eat bread.
Mark 3:21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for
they said, He is beside himself.
Mark 3:22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath
Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
Mark 3:23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can
Satan cast out Satan?
Mark 3:24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Mark 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Mark 3:26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand,
but hath an end.
Mark 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except
he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
Mark 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men,
and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never
forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Mark 3:30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Setting: Jesus returned home, and the multitude gathered to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. (3:20) When Jesus’ family (3:31) heard of the situation with the multitude (that he was not eating), they came to take Him away considering Him to be emotionally disturbed. (3:21) The scribes came down to Capernaum from Jerusalem and accused Jesus of:
1)
Being possessed by Beelzebub, and
2)
Casting out demons by the power of the prince of demons. (3:22) Jesus called the people unto him (including the scribes) and spoke to them through proverbial speech (language of comparison). (3:23a) Jesus first dealt with the second accusation. Jesus questioned the possibility of Satan casting out Himself. (3:23b) Jesus affirmed that Satan could not be casting out himself because logically one knows that the division of a kingdom leads to weakness, (but Satan is strong). (3:24-26) Jesus secondly dealt with the second accusation by affirming that he is not possessed by Satan but is stronger than Satan (cf. 1:8) as He defeats his domain. (3:27) Because the scribes were saying that Jesus had an unclean spirit, He warned them that even though all sins shall be forgiven men (including blasphemies), they will not be forgiven of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. (3:28-30) The Spirit in Jesus was the Holy Spirit.
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Jesus solemnly warns that all sins shall be forgiven men (probably referring to their lack of complete recognition of his veiled Self). (3:28) He warns that they will not be forgiven for failure to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit and their attributing His work to Beelzebub. (3:29) This warning is specifically related to the historical context of those who were continually (imperfect tense) accusing Jesus of having an unclean spirit. (3:30)
Invitation to Join Jesus’ Family. (3:31-35)
Mark 3:31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without,
sent unto him, calling him.
Mark 3:32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy
mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
Mark 3:33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
Mark 3:34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said,
Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mark 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my
sister, and mother.
Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived standing outside of the house and sent word to Him.
(3:31) The multitude who were sitting around Jesus told Him that his mother and brothers were outside looking for Him. (3:32) Jesus responded to the multitude by asking them who his mother and brothers (family) were. (3:33) Looking at the multitude Jesus called them his mother and his brothers (family). (3:34) The reason Jesus called the multitude sitting around Him his family is because people who do the will of God are part of His family. (3:35)
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Invitation to Enter the Kingdom (Parables). (4:1-34)
Mark 4:1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto
him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the
whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his
doctrine,
Mark 4:3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
Mark 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls
of the air came and devoured it up.
Mark 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and
immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
Mark 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it
withered away.
Mark 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and
it yielded no fruit.
Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and
increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
Mark 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The Purpose of the Parables
Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked
of him the parable.
Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the
kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in
parables:
Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear,
and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should
be forgiven them.
Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye
know all parables?
Mark 4:14 The sower soweth the word.
Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when
they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was
sown in their hearts.
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Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when
they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
Mark 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward,
when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are
offended.
Mark 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the
word,
Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts
of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the
word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an
hundred.
Mark 4:21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or
under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?
Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any
thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
Mark 4:23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Mark 4:25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him
shall be taken even that which he hath.
The Parable of the Seed Growing
Mark 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into
the ground;
Mark 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring
and grow up, he knoweth not how.
Mark 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear,
after that the full corn in the ear.
Mark 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle,
because the harvest is come.
Mark 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with
what comparison shall we compare it?
Mark 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is
less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
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Mark 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs,
and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the
shadow of it.
Mark 4:33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were
able to hear it.
Mark 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were
alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Setting: Jesus began to teach in parables a great multitude by the sea of Galilee from a boat. (4:1-2)
The Responsibility of the Hearers. (4:3-25)
The Parable of the Sower. (4:3-9) A Teaching within a Teaching: Through the parable of the soils, Jesus taught His disciples that the word will fall upon many who will not respond properly (sovereignly fulfilling the hardness of Israel), but it will fall upon those who will accept it and be fruitful (as God has given them the ability to understand).
Through the parable of the sower and the soils Jesus proclaimed, for those who wished to hear, that the farmer will sow seed upon many soils where it will die on most and thrive on some. (4:3-9) The sower (farmer) went out to sow. (4:3) In the farmer’s sowing some seed fell beside the road and the birds came and ate it up. (4:4) Some seed fell on the rocky ground, sprang up quickly (for lack of depth) and withered under the heat because it had no root. (4:5-6) Some seed fell among the thorns and was choked out. (4:7) Some seed fell upon the good soil and yielded a bountiful crop.
(4:8)
Exhortation: Jesus urged those who desired to hear to hear these words. (4:9) The Purpose of the Parables. (4:10-12)
Setting: When Jesus was alone, His followers, along with the Twelve, began to ask Him about the parables. (4:10) Jesus proclaimed to his disciples that God sovereignly allowed them to understand the mystery of God’s kingdom, but Jesus speaks to the rest in parables. (4:11) The reason those who are not disciples receive things in parables is in order to fulfill God’s purpose for the nation as it continues in its pattern of hard heartedness as was written in Isaiah 6:9-10. (4:12) The Parable of the Sower Explained. (4:13-20)
After asking His disciples if they understood the parable about the sower, He proclaimed that they would not understand the rest of the parables if they did not understand this one. (4:13) Jesus explains that the seed that the sower sows is the word. (4:14) Those on the side of the road are the ones from whom Satan takes away 35
the word which was sown in them. (4:15) Those identified with the rocky places are the ones who at first joyfully receive the work, but then when persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away because the work is not firmly rooted in them. (4:16-17) Those identified with the thorns are the ones who have heard the word but concerns of life chock it out making the word unfruitful. (4:18-19) Those identified with the good soil are the ones who hear the word, accept it, and bountifully bear fruit. (4:20)
The Parable of the Lamp. (4:21-23)
Using the imagery of a lamp, Jesus urges his listeners to understand that He has not been brought forward to be hidden, but to be revealed. (4:21) Jesus explains through the practice of men that God has not brought Jesus forth to keep Him forever hidden, but to reveal Him. (4:22) Jesus urges his listeners to hear this deeper significance.
(4:23)
Parable of the Measure. (4:24-25)
Jesus urges the listeners to take heed to what they hear. (4:24a) As one gives out (measures) the truth about the Kingdom, so will he receive from God (be measured) and even more at the future revelation of the kingdom. (4:24b) The reason Jesus warns them to hear is because there will be a future recompense for faithfulness to what they have heard in that he who has been faithful will receive more, while he who has not been faithful will receive absolute loss. (4:25)
The Parables of the Character of the Kingdom. (4:26-32)
The Parable of the Growing Seed. (4:26-29)
Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a farmer who casts seed upon the soil, and sees it grow, but does not know how it grows. (4:26-27) The soil gradually produces crops by itself. (4:28) When the crop is fully produced, the farmer harvests the crop.
(4:29)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed. (4:30-32)
Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed which is sown upon the soil.
(4:30-31) Although the mustard seed is sown as smaller than other seeds, it grows to an enormous size allowing the birds to nest in it for protection. (4:32) Conclusion. (4:33-34)
Jesus spoke the word to the people in many parables as they were able to hear it. (4:33) Although Jesus did not speak to the people without a parable, He explained everything to His own disciples in private. (4:34)
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