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.