Gospel of Mark: Chapter 1 Notes

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Gospel of Mark: Chapter 1 Notes The Gospel begins by telling the reader exactly who Jesus is and what this is going to be about: Jesus is the Son of God and this is a story about Good News! Mark’s Gospel is one of movement, action, Jesus always seems to out in front of us, beaconing us to follow. Mark uses lots and lots of action verbs in his writing about Jesus. The prologue of Mark (the first half of chapter 1 before Jesus begins his public ministry) is very brief. There is no birth narrative, no genealogies connecting Jesus to important historical Jews. No mention of Joseph, Mary, angels, and barely any mention of John the Baptist. Very little detail is given about Jesus’ baptism, his temptations in the wilderness or his calling of the first disciples. This is because these stories are not what is important to Mark. What is important: Mark 1:15 – “Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Good News of God and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.” “Near”ness has to do with proximity, time, and in turning the world upside down from the way things are expected to be. This is a charge for all of creation, not just humanity. The Kingdom of God is near as long as Christ is with us. Everybody and Everything should recognize this! A very important theme that runs throughout the gospel is Mark’s Messianic Secret. Jesus is very hush hush about his miracles, healing, and exorcisms. In some cases, he explicitly tells people, demons, recipients of healing not to say anything about what he has done. Why? This is a question that we’ll revisit many times this Fall. Interesting note – Mark 1: 30 is evidence that the disciples were married. Or at least Simon Peter was. Sometimes illness is coupled with possession and other times they are separate from each other. .

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The Gospel of Mark
The Gospel of Mark A Living Word Independent Bible Study The Gospel of Mark Part 7 Mar k 3:7-19 A Living Word Independent Bible Study Mark 2:1 through 3:6 forms a very clear “subsection” of Mark’s Gospel. REVIEW We’ve now seen Jesus healing, exorcising demons, even forgiving of sins. Mar k 1:1-3:6 We have also seen escalating conflict over forgiving sins, associating with the wrong people, not fasting, and being perceived as disrespectful of the Sabbath. All of this has resulted in Jesus’ opponents beginning to plot to kill him. Beginning in 3:7, there is a clear shift in tone from the controversy narratives that precede it. The section from 3:7 through 3:12, while advancing the story, also summarizes what Jesus has been doing up to now. There are no specific stories in this section, only generalities. “his disciples” This includes ALL followers of Jesus – soon, we will see Mark 3:7 ( NIV) some of these followers designated “apostles”, from among the MANY “disciples”. Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, “to the lake” and a large crowd from We are starting to see that this is a very frequent place for Galilee followed. Jesus to visit! He went there in 1:16 and 2:13 previously. “large crowd from Galilee followed” Just as in 1:37; 1:45; and 2:13! This will continue to be the case going forward! “When they heard” News is spreading even more widely, by word of mouth. Mark 3:8 ( NIV) “from Judea, …” When they heard all he Six areas are listed where people came from to see Jesus.
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I Introduction to the Gospel of Mark
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Reflection Points on Mark 1:1-15
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