STUDY SERIES ON MARK

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK

LESSON 5
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

MARK 4:1-20

Introduction:

Remember that Jesus was early in His Galilean ministry. He had organized His Church and was in the process of teaching His disciples.

“Jesus began to teach in parables. We know that He had not hitherto done so, both by the surprise of the Twelve, and by the necessity which He found, of giving them a clue to, the meaning of such teachings, and so to “all the parables.” His own ought to have understood. But He was merciful to the weakness which confessed its failure and asked for instruction.” –Expositor’s Bible Commentary.

This parable reveals to us the kind of results we will see when we faithfully sow the word of God in the hearts of men. This should encourage us to know that we will be disappointed in some of the results. The results will not always be good, but there will be some good results in the good ground hearers. We are to faithfully sow the word, and leave the results to the Lord of the harvest.

I. THE PRESENTATION OF THE PARABLE. vs. 1-12

A. The Place Where He Taught, vs. 1-2.

1. The meaning of parables.

a. A placing of one thing by the side of another, juxtaposition, [juxta = side by side] as of ships in battle.

b. Metaphorically a Parable is:

1) A comparison of one thing with another, likeness, similitude, an example by which a doctrine or precept is illustrated.

2) A narrative, fictitious, but agreeable to the laws and usage of human life, by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God’s kingdom are figuratively portrayed.

3) An earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

4) A pithy and instructive saying, involving some likeness or comparison and having perceptive or admonitory force.

5) A proverb. In a parable, there is a comparison of something in the natural world, being used to teach spiritual truth.

2. Proverbs or parables were given to an estranged or alienated people.

a. They were used in the Old Testament in regard to the estrangement of God’s people. “ESTRANGE often implies replacement of love or belonging by apathy or hostility.” —Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary.

b. In the New Testament parables are only used in the gospels, and never in the church epistles.

c. The last time a parable is mentioned is in John 10:6, “This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.”

3. The SEA speaks of SINFUL HUMANITY, Revelation 17:15, “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”

a. The Beast [Devil], Revelation 13:1, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”

b. The blood of a dead man, Revelation 16:3, “And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.” See also Daniel 7:1-3.

4. It is SIGNIFICANT that in the NEW HEAVEN and the NEW EARTH, there will be NO MORE SEA, Revelation 21:1, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

5. Jesus was there TO TEACH, v. 1; Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” This is a ministry that Jesus has committed to his churches, and most churches are failing to do it.

6. He was on the SHIP TO SPEAK, and they were on the SHORE TO LISTEN.

7. He taught them DOCTRINE, v. 2.

a. Many people today DO NOT WANT DOCTRINE.

b. They want ENTERTAINMENT, EXCITEMENT, and the things that PLEASE THE FLESH, 2 Timothy 4:2-4, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

8. Many scriptures reveal the IMPORTANCE of SOUND doctrine, 1 Timothy 4:13, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

a. The need to continue in sound doctrine, 1 Timothy 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

b. The time will come of a falling away from sound doctrine, 2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”

c. In many gathering at the church not even a devotion is given, Titus 2:1, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.”

B. The Parables that He Taught, vs. 3-12.

Note: In this passage we can begin to understand the meaning of parable. He used these common and ordinary experiences in farming, and then he brought along side the spiritual condition of people. Thus He could illustrate the spiritual truth they needed to learn.

1. The SOWER is Christ, His apostles, His church, the God called preachers, and every Christian that spreads the gospel. This should encourage us what to expect from different kinds of people, when we sow the Word.

2. The WAYSIDE hearers, v. 4; 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.” The fowls are a symbol of evil.

3. The STONY GROUND hearers, vs. 5-6; Mark 4:16-17, “And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 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.”

4. The THORNY GROUND hearers, v. 7; Mark 4:18-19, “And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 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.”

5. The GOOD GROUND hearers, v. 8; 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.”

6. THE QUESTION of the disciples, v. 10; Matthew 13:10, “And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?”

7. THE MYSTERY of the kingdom, vs. 11-12; Matthew 13:13-15, “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

8. We LEARN that parables were USED TO REVEAL TRUTH to some, and at the same time CONCEAL TRUTH from others, Isaiah 6:9-10, “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”

II. THE EXPLANATION OF THE PARABLE, vs. 13-20.

A. The Wayside Hearers, vs. 13-15.

1. The SEED is the WORD of God, v. 14. The Word must be RECEIVED IN MEEKNESS if the soul is to be saved, James 1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

2. The WAYSIDE hearers are the WAYWARD HEARTS of men, v. 15.

Note: “The great truth here taught is, that hearts all unbroken and hard are no fit soil for saving truth. They apprehend it not (Matthew 13:19, “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.”) as God’s means of restoring them to Himself; it penetrates not, makes no impression, but lies loosely on the surface of the heart, till the wicked one—afraid of losing a victim by his “believing to salvation” (Luke 8:12, “Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”)—finds some frivolous subject by whose greater attractions to draw off the attention, and straightway it is gone.” —Jamison, Fausset, Brown Commentary.

3. The FOWLS of v. 4 represent SATAN, v. 15; Luke 8:5, “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.” When a farmer plants his corn, the crows and other birds are there to gobble up the seed that is exposed.

4. Satan TAKES AWAY THE WORD of God from their hearts, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Note: People hear God’s message, but they leave church and go out into the world. Out there the devil will use sports, movies, TV, and the many other things of the world to rob their hearts of the saving gospel. —E. L. Bynum

B. The Stony Ground Hearers, vs. 16-17.

1. The STONY GROUND hearers have SIN HARDENED HEARTS, v. 16; Ezekiel 33:31-32, “And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.”

2. They HEAR the word BUT only in a SHALLOW and SUPERFICIAL WAY, v. 16; Mark 6:20, “For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.”

Note: Most modern day evangelism is geared to reach this kind of hearer. The use of entertainment, shallow contemporary music, audiovisuals, no preaching on sins, and no demand for repentance, will produce the stony ground hearers. —ELB

3. With NO REAL ROOTS, they cannot long endure, v. 17; John 8:31, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, IF ye CONTINUE in my word, then are ye MY DISCIPLES INDEED;”

4. They CANNOT STAND AFFLICTION and PERSECUTION, v. 17; Matthew 11:6, “And blessed is he, whosoever shall NOT BE OFFENDED IN ME.”

5. These FAIR WEATHER HEARERS cannot stand the PRESSURE, v. 17; 1 Thessalonians 3:4, “For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.”

Note: v. 6, “But when the SUN [of affliction] was up, it was SCORCHED; and because it had no root, it WITHERED AWAY.” The least little thing will offend them. They stumble easily and are prone to let anything lead them to sin.

C. The THORNY GROUND Hearers, vs. 18-19.

1. They are HINDERED by the THORNS that REPRESENT THE SINFUL POWER of the world, v. 18; Genesis 3:17-19, “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

Note: These folks “are of worldly dispositions; who are immoderately careful and anxious about the things of this life, and are bent upon acquiring earthly riches, and gratifying their carnal and sensual appetites.” —John Gill’s Expositor.

2. They are hindered by the CARES OF THIS WORLD, v. 19a; Luke 21:34, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Surfeiting = excess or overindulgence in eating or drinking.

3. They are hindered by the DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, v. 19b; 1 Timothy 6:9-10, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

a. Riches have wings, Proverbs 23:5, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

b. They are a “sore evil,” Ecclesiastes 5:13, “There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.”

4. They are HINDERED by the LUST of OTHER THINGS, v. 19c. Luke 8:14, “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are CHOKED with cares and riches and PLEASURES of this life, and bring NO fruit to PERFECTION.”

5. They are HINDERED by the WORD BEING CHOKED and not BEARING FRUIT, v. 19d; John 15:2, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he TAKETH AWAY: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

D. The GOOD GROUND Hearers, v. 20; Matthew 13:23, “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that HEARETH the word, and UNDERSTANDETH IT; which also BEARETH FRUIT, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

1. The good ground is the HEART that has been PREPARED TO RECEIVE the gospel, Luke 8:15, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

2. They HEAR and RECEIVE the word, Psalms 119:47, “And I will DELIGHT MYSELF in thy commandments, which I have loved.”

3. They BEAR FRUIT with VARYING DEGREES of success: “some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.”

a. We are able to WALK WORTHY of our Lord, Colossians 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

b. We are PLEASING to the Lord in our lives, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”

4. Fruit bearing is CONCRETE PROOF of one’s salvation, John 15:3-5, “Now ye are CLEAN through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch CANNOT bear fruit OF ITSELF, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye ABIDE IN ME. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth MUCH FRUIT: for without me ye can do nothing.”

5. God’s children ARE TO BEAR FRUIT, Galatians 5:22-23, “But the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

a. Fruitful in EVERY GOOD WORK, Colossians 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in EVERY good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

b. We are NOT to be UNFRUITFUL in the KNOWLEDGE of Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 1:8, “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall NEITHER be BARREN NOR UNFRUITFUL in the KNOWLEDGE of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Outline by E. L. Bynum; Revision by Art Davison

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Where did Jesus teach in this lesson?

2. What does the sea symbolize in the Bible?

3. What does the seed symbolize?

4. Who is the sower?

5. Describe the way side hearers.

6. Describe the stony ground hearers.

7. Describe the thorny ground hearers.

8. Describe the good ground hearers.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK

LESSON 4

JESUS FOUNDS HIS CHURCH

MARK 3:1-35

Introduction:

“Although Mark leads us into the same main thought as Matthew, closing with Israel at the end of this chapter as Matthew at the end of the twelfth, and then in each the Sower, yet there is a great difference besides the leaving out the birth, and the like. There is no dispensational development. It is historical, to the same effect of what was then taking place, but no developed principles of relationship, nor what will be true in the last days. You have no Kingdom, as it is now developed, after the parable of the Sower, but we have Christ personally active at the beginning, and, at the end, the harvest… It is much more historical [than the other Gospels]. We have the facts as they then occurred, with their then bearing on His rejection, and Israel’s state.” —Eclectic Notes for the Gospel of Mark.

I. THE SERVANT DISPLAYS HIS DEITY. vv. 1-12

A. The Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand. vv. 1-6

1. He entered the synagogue, perhaps in Capernaum where he had before cast out the unclean spirit; but not on the same day, v. 1a; Luke 6:6, “And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.”

2. The withered right hand is typical of the sinner’s INABILITY to work for God, v. 1b.

Note: “Withered” or dry; the juices were dried up, the nerves and sinews contracted, so that it was of no manner of use to him: Luke says, it was his right hand, which was so much the worse; and means not only his hand, but the whole arm. —John Gill’s Expositor.

3. As the CRITICS WATCHED Jesus,

a. They ALSO WATCH BELIEVERS today, v. 2; Psalms 37:32, “The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.”

b. They watched TO SEE IF He would HEAL on the Sabbath day, Luke 6:7, “And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.”

Note: They were “watching” on the sly “that they might find HOW to accuse him,” so the use of the Greek terms. “They were determined to make a case against Jesus. They felt sure that their presence would prevent any spurious [phony] work on the part of Jesus.” —A. T. Robertson’s Word Pictures of the NT.

4. Knowing their thoughts the Lord calls the man, v. 3; Luke 6:8, “But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.”

a. Thus the sinner MUST HEAR and OBEY the WORD of the Lord, v. 3;

b. Now the attention of the people is on the man with the withered hand.

5. A TWO-PRONGED QUESTION the critics could NOT answer, v. 4;

a. If a man have a sheep fallen into a pit on the Sabbath, Matthew 12:11-12, “And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.”

b. Another occasion where the Lord shames His critics, Luke 13:15-17, “The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.”

6. His anger at their hardness of heart, v. 5a; Ephesians 4:26, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”

a. Jesus found HARDNESS of heart among the COMMON people, John 12:37-40, “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.”

b. And He found hardness of heart among His OWN DISCIPLES also, Mark 6:52, “For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.”

7. Notice the humility and faith of this man, v. 5b. Consider the order of the man’s healing:

a. Stand forth, v. 3.

b. Stretch forth, v. 5.

c. Restored whole, v. 5. The Greek aorist tense indicates immediate healing.

8. The conspiracy to destroy Christ, v. 6.

a. The Pharisees went out and held a council against the Lord, Matthew 12:14, “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.”

b. They were filled with madness, Luke 6:11, “And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.”

Note: Herodians — Upholders of the Herodian dynasty, regarding it as the safeguard against direct pagan rule which the Jews loathed, and also as the best compromise between the ancient faith and pagan civilization. Hence they were said to look upon Herod the Great, Antipus, and Agrippa successively as Messiah. Thus, those of the Herod Dynasty forerunners of the coming antichrist, and like the Old Testament antichrist, Antiochus Epiphanes, {Daniel 8, 11} they paved the way to apostasy by an introduction of Greek refinements, theaters, etc., and a blending of honours to pagan gods along with the recognition of Jehovah and the law. —Fauset’s Bible Dictionary.

The Pharisees and Herodians were actually enemies, but against Jesus they unite. The Herodians were more of a political party, as they wanted a return of the reign of the Herods. —E. L. Bynum.

B. The Healing of the Multitudes. vv. 7-12

1. Jesus withdrew to the sea, v. 7a.

2. Multitudes follow because of His mighty works, vs. 7b-8.

3. Preparation was made for large crowds, v. 9. A number of times Jesus spoke to large crowds from a ship. The water makes a good sounding board.

4. The crowds PRESS in for healing, v. 10.

5. The UNCLEAN SPIRITS recognize Him, v. 11. 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

6. The unclean spirits charged not to make known who he was, v. 12. The crowds that followed him might make the Roman government to think he was leading a revolution.

II. THE SERVANT ESTABLISHES HIS CHURCH. vv. 13-21; Matthew 10:1-4

A. The Place of the Calling, v. 13; Luke 6:12, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

1. It was in a mountain, v. 13a. Near Capernaum, being solitary, and a place of recess and retirement, He went “to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

2. After praying all night Jesus extended a SOVEREIGN CALL, v. 13b, “whom He would.”

Note: Whether by personal invitation or through the disciples Jesus invites or calls to himself a select number out of the vast crowds by the sea, those whom he really wished to be with him.

3. It was an EFFECTUAL CALL, v. 13c “they came unto Him.”

B. The PURPOSE of the Calling. vv. 14-15

1. To ORDAIN twelve “APOSTLES” [Gr. “to send”] thus, “missionaries,” v. 14a, Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

Note: Why he chose twelve we are not told, probably because there were twelve tribes in Israel. It was a good round number at any rate. They were to be princes in the new Israel, Matthew 19:28, “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” —A. T. Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament.

2. That they should be WITH HIM constantly, v. 14b.

NOTE: That they should be with him; constantly, in private and in public; be taken into his family, and reckoned such; be his familiars, and privy to all his affairs; HEAR all his discourses, and see his miracles; that so they might be TRAINED up and FITTED for the GREAT WORK he designed them for: —John Gill’s Expositor.

3. That He might SEND THEM forth as MISSIONARIES, vv. 14c-15.

a. They would be sent forth TO PREACH, v. 14d; Luke 9:2, “And he sent them TO PREACH the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”

b. They would have POWER TO HEAL and cast out devils, v. 15, Mark 16:20, “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

Note: To have power to heal—and to cast out devils The business of a minister of Christ is, 1st. To PREACH the Gospel. 2dly. To be the PHYSICIAN of SOULS. And, 3dly. To WAGE WAR with the devil, and DESTROY his kingdom. —Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

4. That He might ESTABLISH His Church. Although it is not stated here, yet the Scriptures prove it, 1 Corinthians 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

a. They were FIRST in the Church, and these same men are later associated with the Jerusalem Church.

b. There are MANY PROOFS that the Church was STARTED BEFORE the day of Pentecost.

5. This Church would then BE ABLE to carry out His work AFTER He went back to the heavenly Father, Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be WITNESSES UNTO ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

C. The PEOPLE of the Calling, vv. 16-19

1. They were apostles, but they DISCIPLES FIRST, Luke 6:13, “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.”

a. Disciple means a follower, learner or pupil of another, John 8:31, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”

b. Apostle means a messenger, one sent forth with orders, Luke 6:13, “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”

2. They were all saved EXCEPT JUDAS, John 12:4, “Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,”

3. They were from DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS such as fishermen and a tax collector.

D. The Problems of the Calling, vv. 20-21.

1. Such a crowd came that there was no place for eating, v. 20; 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.”

2. Friends misunderstood Him, v. 21; Greek: “They who were of Him.” Family.

3. They thought He was beside Himself, v. 21; 2 Corinthians 5:13, “For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.”

III. THE SERVANT TEACHES DOCTRINE vv. 22-35

A. Jesus Charged with Using Satan’s Power, vv. 22-30.

1. The accusation made, v. 22; Matthew 10:25, “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?”

a. Even His enemies could see that He cast out devils, Matthew 9:34, “But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.”

b. Beelzebub is a different spelling of Baalzebub, which means, “LORD OF FLIES,” 2 Kings 1:1-3, 6, 16, “Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. 2 And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease. 3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? 6 And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. 16 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.”

c. In v. 22, he is called the prince of devils. BEELZEBUB means, “lord of the house,” which is a name of Satan, the prince of evil spirits.

2. His answer is given in PARABLES, vv. 23-27; Psalms 49:4, “I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.”

a. He called the Jerusalem scribes to Himself as one desirous that they should be convinced and asked, “How can Satan cast out Satan?” v. 23.

b. If Satan was divided against himself, his kingdom could not stand, vv. 24-26; James 3:16, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

1) The strong man is Satan or devils, v. 27; Isaiah 49:24, “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?”

2) The house is the poor sinner who is possessed.

3) Christ BINDS the strong man. v. 27; Isaiah 49:25, “But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”

3. The awesome sin, vv. 28-30.

a. They committed this UNFORGIVABLE sin by saying that Jesus did His work by the POWER of an UNCLEAN SPIRIT.

b. They saw His person and His work, yet they BELIEVED NOT.

c. A saved person is SEALED and CANNOT COMMIT THIS SIN, Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are SEALED unto the day of redemption.”

d. This passage is not a refuge for the Charismatics, tongues speakers, and snake handlers.

1) They are FAKERS, FALSE TEACHERS, and HERETICS and are NOT doing the work of God at all.

2) It was a SIN to ATTRIBUTE the true work of the Holy Spirit TO SATAN.

3) IS IT NOT ALSO A SIN of the same magnitude TO DO SATAN’S WORK and THEN ATTRIBUTE THAT WORK TO THE HOLY SPIRIT?

B. Jesus Changes Relationships, vv. 31-35

1. His mother and half brothers were outside calling Him, vs. 31-32.

a. Friends had tried to hinder Him in v. 21.

Note: “Not his spiritual friends, his disciples and followers, that believed in him; but his kinsmen, …who were so according to the flesh; when they heard where he was, and what a crowd was about him, so that he could not so much as take the necessaries of life for his refreshment and support.” —John Gill’s Expositor.

b. Now His own fleshly relatives are there to hinder, whether they meant to do so or not.

Note: “A pathetic picture of the mother and brothers standing on the outside of the house thinking that Jesus inside is beside himself and wanting to take him home. They were crowded out.” —A. T. Robertson’s Word Picture of the New Testament.

2. Spiritual relationship is more important than physical relationship, vs. 33-35; Luke 2:49, “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

3. Our DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES to Christ and His church are NOT TO BE NEGLECTED, just TO PLEASE FAMILY members. Many Baptists do not seem to understand this.

—Outline by E. L. Bynum; Revision by Art Davison

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Why were some in the synagogue watching Jesus?

2. How did He respond to their criticism?

3. Why was He angry with them?

4. Why did multitudes follow Him?

5. Why did He ordain the twelve?

6. Why do we believe that at this time He established the Church?

7. Where did the scribes say that He got His power?

8. How did Jesus answer their accusation?

9. Why cannot a saved person commit the unforgivable sin?

10. Who does Jesus say are His mother and brother?

11. Recite the memory verse.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK

LESSON 3
THE SERVANT PROVES HIS DEITY

MARK 2:1-28

Memory Verse: 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.”

Introduction:

It is important that you memorize and remember the key verse of this book. Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

The crowds came to see the sick healed and demons cast out, but most of them were not interested in the truth that He preached.

“After he had been preaching in the synagogues throughout Galilee, and after he had spent some days in prayer, and private retirement in desert places: and it was noised that he was in, the house; a report was spread throughout the city that he was in the house of Simon and Andrew, where he was before, and where he used to be when in Capernaum.” —John Gill’s Expositor.

I. THE PALSIED MAN’S SINS ARE FORGIVEN vv. 1-12

A. “As He Was Preaching the Word,” vv. 1-2; Psalms 40:9, “I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.”

1. The kind of NOISE by the MULTITUDES that needs to be made, v. 1; 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.”

2. The KIND of preaching that NEEDS TO BE DONE, v. 2:

a. Preach the WORD, 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

b. To EVERY creature, Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

i. NO CITY of that day HEARD MORE GOSPEL and saw more miracles than Capernaum.

ii. NO CITY received GREATER CONDEMNATION. WHY? Because they REMAINED IN their UNBELIEF, Matthew 11:23-24, “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”

B. He Pronounced the FORGIVENESS OF SINS, vv. 3-5.

1. The UNKNOWN FOUR carry the palsied man, v. 3; Luke 5:18, “And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.”

Note: In this case his palsy was a blessing, without it his sins might not have been forgiven. (Christians like these four are needed today).

2. The MEANS THEY USED to get him in, v. 4; Luke 5:19, “And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.”

Note: We too need to use every Scriptural means to get people to Jesus.

3. The FAITH they had, v. 5a; Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

4. His sins forgiven. v. 5b; John 9:1-3, “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2-And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3-Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”

a. The Lord recognized the problem – sin, 1 Corinthians 11:30, “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”

b. Jesus dealt with the problem, v. 5; Psalms 32:1, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

Note: “The Jews believed that not only death but all disease was the consequence of sin. “There is no death without sin, nor any chastisement without iniquity;” and that “no diseased person could be healed of his disease till his sins were blotted out.” —Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge.

5. These four men are a GOOD EXAMPLE of being “fishers of men;” Matthew 4:19, “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

a. They had CONCERN for the man and wanted to see him helped.

b. They had FAITH that Jesus could help him, v. 5; Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

c. They DID NOT SIMPLY PRAY about it, but they WERE MOVED TO DO SOMETHING.

d. Difficult CIRCUMSTANCES did not defeat them.

e. They DID NOT put off their work until tomorrow.

f. They USED their God given INGENUITY.

g. They DID NOT MIND the physical and financial COST.

C. Jesus Proves His Own Identity, vv. 6-12.

1. The Scribes reasoned out of their UNBELIEVING HEARTS, rather than the Scriptures, v. 6; Luke 5:21, “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

a. This was the CHARGE BEFORE the SANHEDRIN because Jesus said that He was the Son of God, Mark 14:64, “Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.”

b. They had their THEOLOGY RIGHT, BUT failed to RECOGNIZE the Son of God, Micah 7:18, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”

2. Only God can FORGIVE SINS, v. 7.

a. FORGIVENESS of sin was the GREATEST MIRACLE, Exodus 34:6-7, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”

b. He does it for HIS OWN SAKE, Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

Note: “For mine own sake”– In the pardon of sin God can draw no reason but from his own infinite goodness. —Adam Clarke’s Commentary by Gary Gallant. Psalms 79:9, “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.”

c. There is NO OTHER God LIKE HIM, Micah 7:18, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” Ezekiel 33:11, “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

3. Jesus PERCEIVED their wicked reasoning, v. 8.

a. Jesus LOOKED INTO their HEARTS, Luke 16:15, “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

b. He KNOWS what is in man, John 2:24-25, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”

4. The PURPOSE of healing miracles, vv. 9-10; John 20:30-31, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

a. This miracle PROVES that the Son of man was THE SON of God, v. 10; Acts 5:31, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

b. “Son of man,” is a MESSIANIC TITLE, and Jesus used it about 80 times in the four gospels.

Note: Title of Jesus, “Son of Man” == Matthew – 29 times; Mark – 14 times; Luke – 24 times; John – 13 times.

It refers to the Messiah, Daniel 7:13-14, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

5. The man COMMANDED to rise, take up his bed and walk. vv.11-12.

a. The bed had once borne him, now it is borne by him.

b. Palsy was a disease that showed the helpless condition of the sinner.

c. The healing of his body is an illustration of the healing of his soul, Psalm 103:3, “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.”

6. The scribes were FORCED TO ADMIT they had NEVER SEEN ANYTHING like that before, v. 12; John 9:32, “Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.”

II. THE TAX COLLECTOR CALLED vv. 13-22

A. Jesus Calls a Preacher, vv. 13-14.

1. Jesus taught the multitude, v. 13; 1 Timothy 3:2, “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”

Note: He DID NOT ENTERTAIN them or merely talk with them.

2. His providential [foresight] PASSING by, v. 14a;

3. His providential SEEING of Levi (Matthew), v. 14b.

4. His providential CALLING, v. 14c.

Note: Levi was a publican (a tax collector). They worked for the Romans and were hated by the Jews. He was given a new calling and a new name. “Matthew” means, “gift of God.” Note also that Matthew was a disciple of John the Baptist, Acts 1:21-22, “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”

B. The Sick Need A Physician, vv. 15-20.

1. The feast at Levi’s house, v. 15; Luke 5:29, “And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.”

a. Many publicans and sinners sat with Jesus; Luke 15:2, “And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

b. They had been invited by Levi, no doubt that they might HEAR the Word.

2. The critics see Him there. v. 16.

a. They were spies and not invited guests.

b. They were in the tradition of the false prophets, who cried peace, when there was not peace, Jeremiah 6:14, “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.”

c. They were deceitful and self-righteous men, Isaiah 65:5, “Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.”

3. The sick need a physician, the well do not, v. 17a;

Note: Jesus for the sake of argument accepts the claim of the Pharisees to be righteous, though, as a matter of fact, they fell very far short of it. Elsewhere (Matthew 23:1ff.) Jesus shows that the Pharisees were extortionate and devoured widows’ houses and wore a CLOAK OF PRIDE and HYPOCRITICAL RESPECTABILITY. —A. T. Robertson’s Word Pictures.

Luke 16:15, “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

a. Jesus considered them as PATIENTS and as the great physician,

b. He made them WHOLE and PAID THE BILL HIMSELF.

4. Sinners are called to REPENTANCE, v. 17b; Luke 13:5, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

5. Jesus was criticized because His disciples DID NOT FAST, vv. 18-20.

Note: Probably Levi’s feast happened on one of the weekly fast-days (second and fifth days of the week for the stricter Jews). So there was a clash of standpoints. The disciples of John sided with the Pharisees in the Jewish ceremonial ritualistic observances. John was still a prisoner in Machaerus; this Black Fortress, was built by Herod the Great in the gorge of Callirhoe.

C. FALSE doctrine NOT to Be PATCHED with Truth, vv. 21-22.

1. The old garment and the old bottle are APOSTATE JUDAISM.

2. The new cloth and the new wine are TRUE CHRISTIANITY.

3. We are NOT TO MIX things that are ESSENTIALLY different. Jesus came to teach NEW TRUTH, NOT TO PATCH UP THE OLD, Luke 5:36, “And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.”

4. The modern ecumenical movement is guilty of disregarding these words of Jesus. This CONDEMNS ANY COMPROMISING WORLD RELIGION of our day.

5. Salvation is NOT A PATCHING UP of one’s life.

a. It is a complete new robe of righteousness, Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

b. We are made RIGHTEOUS IN JESUS, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

III. THE SON OF MAN IS LORD OF THE SABBATH vv. 23-28

A. The Danger of Following Human Tradition, vv. 23-24.

1. The HUNGRY DISCIPLES eat in the field on the Sabbath, v. 23.

a. The Law DID NOT FORBID the plucking and eating of a neighbor’s corn in the field. (Corn in the Bible is wheat). Deuteronomy 23:25, “When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour’s standing corn.”

b. The Law FORBIDS WORK, but NOT this kind of eating on the Sabbath day. Exodus 20:8-11, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

c. There is NO RECORD that God ever gave the Sabbath to the Gentiles.

2. The Pharisees CRITICIZE on the Sabbath day, v. 24.

a. The Jews had ADDED HUMAN TRADITION to the Law and DEBATED over the smallest trifles.

b. Example: Should an egg laid on the Sabbath be eaten. In laying the egg, the hen had worked, etc.

B. The VALUE of KNOWING the Scriptures, vv. 25-28.

1. When David and his men were hungry and fleeing for their life, they ate the SHEWBREAD which was RESERVED for the priests, vv. 25-26; 1 Samuel 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.”

2. David did what was RIGHT EXCEPT in the matter of Uriah the Hittite, 1 Kings 15:5, “Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.”

3. The Sabbath was NEVER MEANT to be DETRIMENTAL to the health and welfare of man or beast, v. 27.

NOTE: Mechilta on Exodus 31:13, “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.” says: “The sabbath is delivered unto you and ye are not delivered unto the sabbath.” “Christianity has had to fight this same battle about institutionalism. The church itself is for man, not man for the church.”—A. T. Robertson’s Word Pictures.

NOTE: By “MAN,” is NOT MEANT ALL MANKIND; for the sabbath was never appointed for all mankind, nor binding upon all; only the Jews, who are emphatically called “man,” or “men”, Ezekiel 34:30, “Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. 31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, ARE MEN, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.” —John Gill’s Expositor.

4. The Lord of the Sabbath could SWEEP OUT HUMAN TRADITION and HE DID, v. 28; Revelation 1:13, “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.”

Note: “Son of man” occurs 88 times in the New Testament and always refers to Christ.

—Outline by E. L. Bynum; Revision Art Davison

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. In what city and in what place did the healing of the palsied man take place?

2. What did Jesus later on say about this city?

3. What was this man’s main problem?

4. Relate the details of how this man was brought into the presence of Jesus.

5. What did the scribes say about the forgiveness of sins?

6. What was the purpose of healing the palsied man?

7. Give the two names of the publican who was called by Jesus.

8. What did the critics say about Jesus eating at the publican’s house?

9. Explain the lesson of the old garment, the new patch, the old bottle, and the new wine.

10. What did the disciples do in the field that so aroused the critics?

11. How did Jesus answer their criticism?

12. Recite the memory verse.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK

LESSON 1

THE COMING OF THE SERVANT

MARK 1:1-20

Memory Verse: Mark 1:17, “And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”

THE AUTHOR: God is the author of this book. 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” We do not accept the popular theory that Mark wrote his gospel first and that Matthew and Luke copied from him. Even if he wrote first, they did not copy from him, for to believe such a theory is to deny inspiration. 2 Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Neither do we accept the theory that Peter dictated this book to Mark.

THE WRITER:

• The penman was John Mark the son of a certain Mary, who was a sister of Barnabas, Acts 12:12.

• He went with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, Acts 13:5,13.

• Though failing at that time, Mark later proved himself to be faithful, Colossians 4:10-11, “Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas… if he come unto you, receive him … which have been a comfort unto me.” 2 Timothy 4:11, “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” Like Luke Mark was NOT an apostle.

THE PURPOSE:

Mark presents Christ in a different way than do the other writers:

• MATTHEW presents Christ as the KING OF THE JEWS, Matthew 2:2, “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

• LUKE presents Him as THE SON OF MAN, Luke 5:24, “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,)I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.”

• JOHN presents Him as THE SON OF GOD, John 1:33-34, “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

• MARK presents Christ as THE SUFFERING SERVANT OF JEHOVAH. Mark gives NO genealogy or family tree, for who cares about the genealogy of a servant.

? Perhaps the KEY VERSE is Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Distinctive Outlook: The Gospel of Mark is a BOOK OF ACTION, written primarily to Gentiles or to the ROMANS, a PEOPLE OF ACTION. There are a number of Latin words found in this Gospel. The words “STRAIGHTWAY” and “IMMEDIATELY” are used over 40 times in this book. Mark strives for conciseness and brevity. The other gospels serve to fill out the Marcan framework. However, Mark does contain many unique details.

I. THE FORERUNNER OF THE SERVANT —-vs. 1-8

A. The Forerunner, A Messenger, vs. 1-6; 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.”

1. The BEGINNING of the Gospel (the good news), v. 1a; Luke 2:10, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

a. John the Baptist was the FIRST PERSON in the New Testament to PREACH the gospel, Matthew 3:1, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,”

b. This shows that John was NOT AN OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET, but a New Testament PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL, Matthew 11:13, “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.”

c. The NEW DISPENSATION was considered as COMMENCING WITH the preaching of John the Baptist, Luke 16:16, “The law and the prophets were UNTIL John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”

1) The Church age, Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

2) John’s Baptism was Christian baptism, Matthew 21:25, “The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?”

2. Mark presents Christ as THE SERVANT, nevertheless he makes it PLAIN in the FIRST VERSE that He is “THE SON OF GOD,” v. 1b; Psalms 2:7, “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”

3. The messenger, the FORRUNNER, is PROPHESIED in the Old Testament, vv. 2-3.

a. By Isaiah, 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.”

b. By Malachi, 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.”

c. What Jesus said ABOUT John the Baptist, Matthew 11:1-15:

1) This is the MESSENGER OF GOD, v. 10; 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.”

2) There was NONE BORN of women GREATER than John the Baptist, v. 11.

3) In spite of this fact “he that is LEAST in the kingdom of heaven is GREATER than he,” v. 11.

4) All the prophets and the law PROPHESIED UNTIL John, v. 13.

5) This is ELIAS (ELIJAH), whose coming was foretold, v. 14; Malachi 4:5, “Behold, I will send you ELIJAH the prophet BEFORE the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:”

4. John the Baptist’s work was TWO-FOLD, v. 4:

a. PREACHING, Matthew 3:1-3, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

1) John the Baptist preached REPENTANCE, vs. 4, 15; Matthew 3:2, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

01. Jesus preached repentance, 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.” See also Matthew 4:17; 9:13; 10:20-21; Matthew 12:41.

02. The apostles preached repentance, Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” See also Acts 3:19; 5:31; 2 Peter 3:9.

03. Paul preached repentance, Acts 17:30, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” See also Acts 19:4; 20:21.

04. Repentance and Faith was preached and was and continues to be the prerequisite for baptism, Acts 10:47, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” It is sad that this is an unpopular doctrine in our day.

2) He preached that the “Kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Matthew 3:2, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

b. Preaching BAPTISM, v. 4; Mark 1:5, 8, “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. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”

Note: Faith BEFORE baptism RULES OUT INFANT BAPTISM. You cannot preach the gospel to them, and they are unable to repent and believe. This makes it IMPOSSIBLE to SCRIPTURALLY baptize them.

5. His baptism was CHRISTIAN BAPTISM, for Christ and all His apostles were baptized by John, vs. 5a, 9; Acts 1:22, “Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”

6. Many were baptized and they CONFESSED THEIR SINS, v. 5b; John 3:5-6, “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.”

7. They were immersed in Jordan, v. 5c (No sprinkling here).

8. His SIMPLE CLOTHING, v. 6a. 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.” What a contrast between John and most modern day preachers.

9. His PLAIN DIET, v. 6b; Leviticus 11:22, “Even these of them ye may eat; the LOCUST after his kind, and the BALD LOCUST after his kind, and the BEETLE after his kind, and the GRASSHOPPER after his kind.”

NOTE: Is there anyone that would be willing to live on grasshoppers and honey, just to preach the gospel with out compromise?

B. The Forerunner’s Message. vs. 7-8

1. He EXALTED the mighty Christ, v. 7a; Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

2. He HUMBLED himself, v. 7b; Matthew 3:14, “But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?”

3. John baptized WITH WATER, v. 8a; Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the HOLY GHOST, and with fire:”

4. Christ would baptize with the HOLY GHOST, v. 8b; Acts 2:4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

a. He does not mention here the baptism of fire, for it is a baptism of JUDGMENT, Matthew 3:11-12, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” This is the work of the Son of God and not of a servant.”

b. This verse DOES NOT MEAN that John’s baptism was UNAUTHORIZED, Matthew 21:25, “The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?”

c. The New Testament Church KEPT ON BAPTIZING IN WATER AFTER Christ died and rose again. Acts 2:41, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” See also Acts 16:37; Acts19:5; Acts 22:16

II. THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION OF THE SERVANT. vs. 9-13

A. His Baptism, vs. 9-11.

1. Jesus vindicated John’s baptism by being baptized. v. 9a; Matthew 3:15, “And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.”

NOTE: Why would He travel 60 to 70 miles to be baptized if it makes no difference who does the baptizing?

2. He was IMMERSED not sprinkled in Jordan, v. 9b; Acts 8:38-39, “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

3. The Trinity approves His Baptism, vs. 10-11:

a. The Son of God ascends out of the water, v. l0a.

Note: NOT JOHN, as many think; though it was true of him, that he came up out of the water, as the administrator of the ordinance of baptism to Christ, but Christ himself; who having descended into the water, the river of Jordan, and being baptized by immersion in it by John, came up out of it; not from the river side, and up the declivity to it, but out of the river itself. —John Gill’s Expositor.

Note: The CUSTOM was that all waited until all were baptized to go to land, Luke 3:21, “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,”

b. The Spirit DESCENDS upon Him, v. l0b; John 1:32, “And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.”

c. God’s PROMISE is FULFILLED, 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.”

d. The FATHER speaks HIS APPROVAL, v. 11a; Psalms 2:7, “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”

Note: Jesus never preached, nor worked a miracle UNTIL HE WAS BAPTIZED, and neither is anyone today authorized to preach before they are scripturally baptized. Jesus NEVER SINNED and was NEVER LOST, therefore, this should surely teach us that BAPTISM IS NOT FOR SALVATION!!

B. JESUS’ TEMPTATION, vs. 12-13

1. The SERVANT is DRIVEN into the wilderness to be tested, v. 12; Matthew 4:1, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”

NOTE; Mark takes a MORE FORCEFUL STYLE than the other Gospel writers. “The thought is that of STRONG MORAL COMPULSION by which the Spirit led Jesus TO TAKE THE OFFENSIVE against temptation and evil INSTEAD OF AVOIDING THEM.” —The Bible Knowledge Commentary.

2. The LENGTH of His testing. v. 13a;

a. FORTY (40) is God’s NUMBER of TESTING:

1) In NOAH’S DAY it rained for 40 days, Genesis 7:4, “For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.”

2) ELIJAH went 40 days in the strength of the meat that God gave him, 1 Kings 19:8, “And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.”

3) THE TWELVE SPIES were in the land of promise 40 days, Numbers 13:25, “And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.”

4) God gave the CITY OF NINEVEH 40 days to repent, Jonah 3:4, “And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”

5) GOLIATH had opposed Israel 40 days, 1 Samuel 17:16, “And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.”

b. Israel was IN THE WILDERNESS for 40 years, Exodus 16:35, “And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.”

c. MOSES was on the mount 40 days, Exodus 24:18, “And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.”

d. JESUS fasted and was TEMPTED for 40 days, Matthew 4:2, “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”

e. MOSES spent his FIRST 40 years in EGYPT, then he spent 40 years IN EXILE in the desert, and then he spent 40 years LEADING ISRAEL to the borders of Canaan, Exodus 7:7, “And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.”

3. The SOURCE of His temptation, SATAN, v. 13b; 1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

4. The WITNESSES of His temptation, the Beasts, v. 13c; only Mark mentions them.

Note: This “shows, that he was now in an uncultivated and uninhabited part of the desert by men, and where only the most fierce and most savage of creatures dwelt; and yet was as secure and unhurt by them, being the Lord of them, as Adam in Eden’s garden, or Daniel in the lions’ den… These creatures were more gentle to Christ, and used him better than the wicked Jews, among whom he dwelt, who are compared to lions, dogs, and “bulls” of Bashan, Psalms 22:12-13, 16, 20-21, “Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.” —John Gill’s Expositor.

5. The MINISTERS of His temptation, THE ANGELS, v. 13d; Matthew 4:11, “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”

III. THE GALILEAN MINISTRY OF THE SERVANT vs. 14-20

A. Jesus PREACHES the Gospel, vs. 14-15.

1. His MESSAGE was much LIKE John’s, v. 14; Matthew 3:2, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

2. This is the TIME PROPHESIED in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah, v. 15a. Galatians 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

3. The message: REPENT and BELIEVE, v. 15b; Acts 20:21, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

B. He Calls FISHERS of MEN, vs. 16-20.

1. These men were ALREADY BELIEVERS in the Lord, John 1:35-42.

a. These men were John the Baptist’s DISCIPLES, John 1:35-36, “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!”

b. Knowing WHO Jesus was, John’s disciples made Him their MASTER and FOLLOWED Him, vv. 37-38, John 13:13, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.”

c. John had PREPARED a people DISPOSED (WILLING or INCLINED) TO FOLLOW the Lord, Luke 1:17, “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

2. These men had a HUMBLE OCCUPATION, v. 16:

a. Their work was NOT ACCOMPLISHED by their OWN POWER, Zechariah 4:6, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

b. They were NOT CONSIDERED WISE MEN by the world’s standard, 1 Corinthians 1:26-27, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”

1) Moses was KEEPING SHEEP when God called him, Exodus 3:1, “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.”

2) Gideon was THRESHING WHEAT when he was called, Judges 6:11, “And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.”

3) Elisha was PLOWING when called to take the place of Elijah, 1 Kings 19:19, “So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.”

3. He called them to become FISHERS OF MEN, v. 17.

a. COME after me, Luke 14:27, “And whosoever DOTH NOT bear his cross, and COME after me, CANNOT be my disciple.”

b. I will MAKE you to become FISHERS of MEN, Luke 5:10, “And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt CATCH MEN.”

c. They would be casting a DIFFERENT KIND of NET, Matthew 13:47, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of EVERY KIND:”

4. Though there was NO OFFER OF SECURITY, straightway THEY FOLLOWED HIM, v. 18.

a. As SOON as He called, Matthew 4:20, “And they STRAIGHTWAY left their nets, and followed him.”

b. The POWER of His call, Matthew 19:27, “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?”

5. James and John were also BUSY men, v. 19.

a. BUSY people are the kind of people God will use, Proverbs 12:24, “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.”

b. These are FERVENT in spirit, Romans 12:11, “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”

6. They too, LEFT ALL to follow Him, v. 20; Mark 10:28-30, “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an HUNDREDFOLD NOW in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, WITH PERSECUTIONS; and in the world to come ETERNAL LIFE.”

By E. L. Bynum; Revision by Art Davison

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Who is the author of this book?

2. Who is the writer of this book?

3. What is wrong with the theory that one writer copied from the other writers of the gospels?

4. Describe the family relationships of Mark.

5. Describe the 4 ways that Christ is presented in the 4 gospels.

6. What is the key verse of Mark?

7. How was Christ identified by Mark? (v. 1)

8. Who was the messenger sent ahead of Christ to prepare the way?

9. Where is this messenger, prophesied in the Old Testament?

10. How do we know that his baptism was Christian baptism?

11. Describe the clothing and diet of the messenger.

12. How did Jesus vindicate John’s baptism?

13. Describe the approval of the trinity at Christ’s baptism.

14. How did Christ’s preaching compare with John’s in content?

15. Who were the four apostles called and what had been their occupation?

16. What did He call them to do?

17. Recite the memory verse.