John - Mark 1:4-6
John's clothing (See Zech. 13:4.), his diet, and the
wilderness location were all reminders of the prophets of Israel's past and of the wilderness wanderings of Israel. In John's day Gentile converts to Judaism were
baptized. Surprisingly, John was baptizing Jews. He was calling them to radical
repentance, to turn from a rebellion of sin back to God. When Mark said the
wholecountry he exaggerated to make his point. God was beginning to stir the hearts of his people and large numbers were responding. The way was being prepared for the Messiah. See
WCF 28.1;
WLC 165
Preparing- Mark 1:7-8
John knew that he was preparing the way for the Lord himself. And John knew the Messianic Lord was far
more powerful than he was. John also knew that the work of the Lord was greater too. The Lord would baptize with the Holy Spirit. See the article on the Holy Spirit. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4, 38-39).
Messiah's Baptism. - Mark 1:9-11
Nazareth was a small agricultural town in Galilee. It was Jesus' boyhood home on the road from the major city of Sepphoris to Samaria. When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit descended on him. He was anointed and equipped for his messianic ministry. At the same moment the
voice of the Father came out of heaven. The voice combined two Old Testament passages. Psalm 2:7 affirmed that Jesus was the royal Son of God. Isaiah 42:1 added the thought that the Father was pleased with his messianic suffering servant. Together they present the thought that was so perplexing to the Jews of Jesus' day. How could the royal Messiah fulfill his victorious calling if he was to suffer?
Messiah's Temptation - Mark 1:12-13
Messiah's Temptation. Mark mentioned the
Spirit for the third time in the first 13 verses of the Gospel. The Spirit is only mentioned 3 more times in all the rest of the Gospel. In these opening verses Mark stressed that the long promised Spirit of God (Ezek. 37:14; Joel 2:28, 29) was present in the life and ministry of Jesus. This Spirit
compelled Jesus to confront the satanic powers of evil in the wilderness. The word translated
compelled is a strong word that is often used to describe
casting out demons. The Spirit powerfully directed the Son of God into the wilderness to begin his ministry to lead the people of God through the wilderness to their promised salvation. The history of God's people was about to be changed forever.
Messiah comes - Mark 1:14–8:26
The Messiah comes with powerful words and deeds. In this section of the Gospel Jesus demonstrated his authority and power over sickness, the natural world, religious traditions, and demonic forces. People repeatedly responded in fear and amazement.
Early Ministry- Mark 1:14–3:6
The Early Ministry in Galilee. Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, a mountainous region of northern Palestine.
The Call of the Disciples - Mark 1:14-20
Mark's story begins with the call of four of the disciples. Later Mark will focus again on all of the disciples. Their response to Jesus is an important theme in Mark's gospel.
The gospel is the good news. - Mark 1:14-15
The
gospel is the
good news. It is the announcement that the
kingdom of God is near! In its fullest sense the kingdom of God is the eternal rule of God among his people in the new heavens and new earth. Jesus could proclaim its nearness because as the Messianic King he offered its blessings. In the storyline of the four gospels the kingdom is present in the ministry of Jesus, but the fullness of its presence will not be realized until his return in glory. See the article on the kingdom of God. The proper response to that good news is to
believe and
repent. See
WCF 15.1
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