THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK
LESSON 2
THE SERVANT ABOUT HIS WORK
MARK 1:21-45
Memory Verse: Mark 1:22, “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”
Introduction:
Again we call your attention to the word “straightway” which is from the Greek word “eutheos.” It is also translated “anon,” “immediately,” “forthwith,” and “as soon.” It occurs 40 times in Mark, but only 15 times in Matthew, 8 times in Luke, and 4 times in John. Keep in mind that each of these books is much longer than Mark. The Servant ofJehovah was sent to do a work. He began His ministry immediately and continued until He had finished the work.
The scene of this part of the chapter is Capernaum, a Galilean city on the western border of the lake of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), which became the Lord’s “own city” after He was expulsed from Nazareth, Matthew 4:13, “And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:” With the Lord in Capernaum were his four disciples he had just called, Simon and Andrew, James and John.
I. A DEMON CAST OUT IN THE SYNAGOGUE vs. 21-28
A. His Teaching in the Synagogue, vs. 21-22
1. The synagogues were a CENTER of APOSTATE RELIGION.
a. How FITTING that He BEGAN HIS MINISTRY in a synagogue where He was then REJECTED, Luke 4:16-30.
1) What He read filled the Jews with WRATH, Luke 4:28-30, “And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,”
2) Why He was rejected:
1st. They saw that the cases in His reading applied to themselves, because they would not receive the miraculous evidences of his mission.
2nd. That he would direct his attention to others, and not to them.
3rd. That the Gentiles were objects of God’s compassion, and that God often showed more favor to a single Gentile than to multitudes of Jews in the same circumstances.
b. His HEADQUARTERS is now in CAPERNAUM and he IMMEDIATELY (straightway) ENTERED a synagogue, Matthew 4:23, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”
2. He taught them, that is, he immediately began to teach, v. 21;
a. Jesus was a preacher for OVER A YEAR when he began to teach in the Capernaum synagogue.
b. His REPUTATION had PRECEDED him, Luke 4:14, “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.”
Note: The service consisted of PRAYER, PRAISE, READING of scripture, and EXPOSITION by any rabbi or other competent person. Paul was often invited to speak at such meetings.
3. They were ASTONISHED at His doctrine. v. 22a; Luke 4:32, “And they were ASTONISHED at his doctrine: for his word was with power.”
Note: Describing the amazement of the audience, “meaning strictly to strike a person out of his senses by some strong feeling, such as fear, wonder, or even joy.” —-Gould.
a. He taught with AUTHORITY FROM GOD, v. 22b; Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”
1) He spoke with the wisdom of God, Luke 21:15, “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”
2) No man ever spoke as Jesus did, John 7:46, “The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.”
Note: Jesus “spoke as from himself, AS ONE SENT OF GOD, that had an AUTHORITY FROM HIM, and was INDEPENDENT OF MAN; and this was what they had NOT OBSERVED IN OTHERS, and WONDERED AT IT.” —John Gill’s Expositor.
b. The SCRIBES had NO AUTHORITY so they GAVE THEIR OPINIONS and the statement of others, v. 22c.
Note: “Here is the GRAND DIFFERENCE between the teaching of SCRIBES and PHARISEES, the SELF-CREATED or MAN-MADE MINISTERS, and THOSE whom GOD SENDS.” —Adam Clarke’s Commentary.
c. They were like the MODERN-DAY RELIGIOUS TALK SHOWS.
B. His DELIVERING POWER in the Synagogue, vs. 23-28.
1. UNCLEAN SPIRITS were COMFORTABLE in the MIDST OF FALSE RELIGION, v. 23; Luke 4:33, “And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,”
2. BUT They were UNCOMFORTABLE in the presence of Jesus. v. 24.
a. The unclean spirits KNEW WHO He was, “the Holy one of God,” Matthew 8:29, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”
b. Jesus KNEW who THEY WERE and THEY KNEW He would someday DESTROY them, 1 John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.”
3. This is the cry of those estranged from God, v. 24; James 2:19, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
4. The two-fold rebuke of Jesus, v. 25:
a. “Hold thy peace;” evidently Jesus refused to receive the demon’s testimony in reference to the proclamation concerning Christ, Psalms 50:16, “But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?”
b. Next He commanded him to come out.
3. The devil does not easily give up his victims but a stronger was there, v. 26; Luke 11:22, “But when a STRONGER than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he TAKETH FROM HIM ALL HIS ARMOUR wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.”
Note: The rage which the unclean spirit expressed at Christ; He cried out, as one in an agony, at the presence of Christ, and afraid of being dislodged; thus the devils believe and tremble, have a horror of Christ, but no hope in him, nor reverence for him. —Matthew Henry.
4. They question concerning His doctrine and authority. v. 27. Jesus used no incantations nor magic words as do he exorcists.
5. Immediately His fame spread. v. 28.
II. A FEVER CASE HEALED IN THE HOME vs. 29-31
A. The House which He entered, v. 29.
1. It was the house of Simon Peter.
2. This is no doubt the dwelling place of Christ, Matthew 4:13, “And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:” Matthew 9:1, “And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.”
B. The Woman that He Healed, vs. 30-31.
1. She was Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, v. 30a.
a. The Catholics falsely claim that Peter was the first Pope. This verse proves that Peter had a wife.
b. Further proof he had a wife, 1 Corinthians 9:5, “Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?” Cephas is another name for Simon Peter.
2. They immediately tell Christ of her condition, v. 30b. She must have been very sick.
a. The Lord will sustain us, Psalm 55:22, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
b. He cares for us, 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
c. We are admonished to make our needs known to the Lord, Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
3. She was immediately healed by the touch of Jesus, v. 31a; Psalms 103:1-3, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;”
4. Her healing was complete, for she then served them, v. 31b. There was no lingering weakness or disability present.
III. MANY CURED AT THE DOOR, vs. 32-34
A. The Occasion of the Healing, v. 32
1. It was after the close of the Sabbath, which was at sunset. Remember it was the Sabbath (v. 21) and the Jews kept a quiet Sabbath, but now at sundown the Sabbath was over.“
Note: The Sabbath, originally instituted for man at his creation, is of permanent and universal obligation. The physical necessities of man require a Sabbath of rest. He is so constituted that his bodily welfare needs at least one day in seven for rest from ordinary labor. Experience also proves that the moral and spiritual necessities of men also demand a Sabbath of rest.” —Easton’s Bible Dictionary.
2. The diseased and demon possessed were brought to Him, Matthew 8:16-17, “Then the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”
Note: “Brought” here means “to bear a burden.” They COULD NOT BEAR a burden ON THE SABBATH DAY, but the Sabbath ENDED AT SUNDOWN.
B. The Place of the Healing, vs. 33-34
1. The whole city gathered at the door of Peter’s house, v. 33.
Note: “Mark alone mentions this vivid detail. He is seeing with Peter’s eyes again. Peter no doubt watched the beautiful scene with pride and gratitude as Jesus stood in the door and healed the great crowds in the glory of that sunset. He loved to tell it afterwards.” —A. T. Robertson’s NT Word Pictures.
2. He healed ALL THOSE with many diseases, v. 34a.
3. He cast out many devils, v. 34b.
4. He DID NOT ALLOW the devils to SPEAK because they knew Him; this SHOWED HIS GREAT POWER, v. 34c; Mark 3:12, “And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.”
Note: In heaven BEFORE THEIR FALL, they knew Him, NOW He does not want them to reveal anything about Himself. TO ALLOW THE DEVILS TO TESTIFY of Him might have led to His being charged with being in a league with them. They knew him BUT NOT AS SAVIOUR, James 2:19, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: THE DEVILS ALSO BELIEVE, AND TREMBLE.”
IV. HIS PRAYING AND PREACHING IN GALILEE, vs. 35-39
A. His PRAYING MINISTRY, vs. 35-37
1. He prayed very early, v. 35a; Psalms 5:3, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”
Note: The greek word means THE LAST WATCH OF THE NIGHT from three to six A.M. How can we say we have no time to pray?
2. He prayed in a solitary place, v. 35b.
3. He was interrupted in His praying by Peter, and his brother Andrew, together with James and John, v. 36.
4. All men seek thee, v.37; John 3:26, “And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.”
B. His PREACHING MINISTRY, vs. 38-39.
1. He was ready to accomplish His SUPREME PURPOSE of PREACHING to the surrounding towns, v. 38; Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;”
2. He preached in the synagogues, v. 39a; Matthew 4:23, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”
3. He cast out devils as out of the souls, so out of the bodies of men, whereby he CONFIRMED THE DOCTRINE HE PREACHED, v. 39b; Mark 16:20, “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”
V. A LEPER CLEANSED BY THE WAYSIDE vs. 40-45
A. The Leper Cleansed, vs. 40-42.
1. Leprosy is a PICTURE of the SIN that AFFLICTS the LOST person.
NOTE: Read the tests for leprosy in Leviticus 13 and you and you will see this truth.
a. Like sin, LEPROSY IS DEEPER than the skin, Leviticus 13:3, “And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.”
b. Like sin it SPREADS, Leviticus 13:5-8, “And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more: And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark, and the plague spread not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is but a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean. But if the scab spread much abroad in the skin, after that he hath been seen of the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen of the priest again: And if the priest see that, behold, the scab spreadeth in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a leprosy.”
c. Like sin it DEFILES and ISOLATES, Leviticus 13:44-46, “He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head. And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.”
d. Like sin it RENDERS THINGS FIT ONLY FOR THE FIRE, Leviticus 13:47, 52, “The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment; He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woollen or in linen, or any thing of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.”
e. The UNSAVED are in WORSE SHAPE SPIRITUALLY than this man was physically.
2. The LEPER CRIES for CLEANSING, v. 40.
a. Lepers were SHUT OUT of walled cities and SHUNNED BY ALL, but this one comes FACE TO FACE with the Savior, Matthew 8:2, “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”
3. The Lord MOVED with COMPASSION, v. 41; Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
a. He TENDERLY TOUCHES the man and wills him to be clean, Psalms 33:9, “For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”
b. How long it must have been since a LOVING HAND had touched this man!
4. The leprosy DEPARTS from him, v. 42; John 15:3, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”
NOTE: Leprosy is a type of sin and only the Saviour can cleanse from sin.
B. The Leper CHARGED, vs. 43-45
1. He was charged NOT TO TELL others, vv. 43-44a.
Note: “The command to report to the priests was in accord with the Mosaic regulations and the prohibition against talking about it was to allay excitement and to avoid needless opposition to Christ.” —A. T. Robertson’s NT Word Pictures.
2. He was commanded TO GO to the PRIEST, v. 44b; Psalms 122:4, “Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” Leviticus 14:2-20. Jesus did not ignore the law.
3. The man was CONSUMED with a DESIRE TO TELL others, v. 45a.
Note: “One of the best ways to spread a thing is to tell people not to tell. It was certainly so in this case. Soon Jesus had to avoid cities and betake himself to desert places to avoid the crowds and even then people kept coming to Jesus.” —A. T. Robertson.
4. The CLAMOR in the city kept Jesus in the desert, v. 45b.
By E. L. Bynum; Revision by Art Davison
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. What is the significance of the use of “straightway” in Mark?
2. Where was Capernaum located?
3. What was the difference in the way that Christ taught and the way the scribes taught?
4. What did the unclean spirit say about Jesus?
5. What two things did Christ make the unclean spirit do?
6. In whose house did Christ likely live while in Capernaum?
7. What was wrong with Simon’s mother-in-law?
8. Why did the crowd wait until after sundown to come to the door in v. 32?
9. Name two things about His prayer life in v. 35. ,
10. How do we know that the leper was cleansed by the wayside rather than in the city?
11. Quote the memory verse.
12. Quote the key verse of the book of Mark. Mark 10:45.
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