The Gospel of Mark (14) - Review of Chapter 1

This concludes our study of Chapter One of the Gospel of Mark.


So far....

We looked at ancient data describing Mark as a secretary and translator for the Apostle Peter and we noted that Peter is mentioned proportionately more than in the other Gospels (Matthew, Luke and John).

It appears that Peter was the informant for much of the material in this Gospel and the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus in John 14:26, reminded Peter of all Jesus said, and he, in turn, committed it to his companion, Mark.

In this chapter we saw:

(1) Mark begins his gospel with the brief statement:
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Christos is a Greek word meaning an "anointed royal figure." He is prophesized in the Old Testament. And He is the Savior Messiah promised and long-awaited.

So Mark places Jesus in the historic, ancient religion of Israel and also calls Him the Son of God, the name of divinity.

(2) When Jesus is baptized the Holy Spirit descends on Him as a dove. In only one other place is the Holy Spirit compared to a dove: at Creation when the Spirit hovered (or fluttered) over the face of the water.

In the Targums, the Aramaic translation of the Old Testament, the rabbis translated this portion: and the Spirit of God fluttered above the face of the waters like a dove....

(3) The Trinity (Triune God) was involved in Creation and also at the Baptism of Jesus.

The Trinity is characterized by mutually self-giving love. Each glorifies, serves and enhances each other.
And that is the way we are to be with each other, because we are His image-bearers.

(4) Jesus is led into the wilderness and tempted (tested) by Satan. It was not an accidental encounter. Mark treats Satan as a reality, not a myth.

(5) Jesus's message was: Repent and believe the good news!

Repenting means to "turn away," to "change course."

(6) Jesus said: The Kingdom of God is near!
God began renewing His kingship over His creation when Jesus came to earth. For two thousand years His kingdom has been making advances, claiming a strong foothold on this wayward planet.

Someday He will come back and ascend His throne.

(7) Jesus called His first disciples: Andrew, Peter, James and John. He wanted disciples "that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach."

(8) Jesus set up His headquarters first in Capernaum, where Peter and Andrew lived.

(9) Jesus spoke with "authority" because He is the "Author" of all knowledge and all that exists.

(10) Jesus taught at the synagogue in Capernaum, healed Peter's mother-in-law and began his ministry of casting out demons and healing diseases.

(11) In the last portion of Chapter One, Jesus displayed compassion on the leper and touched and healed him, and we see crowds of people coming to Him from all of Galilee for healing.