making the scriptures plain

Notes

Mark’s account of Jesus’ life on earth was secondhand, most probably gleaned from Peter’s words, as Mark was a follower of Peter. His contribution is concise, with a lot of pace. We get a sense of time moving ever swiftly forward. Mark is the only gospel in which Jesus’ remark ‘ the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath’ is recorded. Only in Mark is Jesus himself called a carpenter.

Something marvellous was about to happen. First John the Baptist came, preparing the way for the Messiah in fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah (chapter 40:3) and Malachi (chapter 3:1). He baptised people on repentance of their sins, and prophesied that One mightier than he was coming, One who would baptise with the Holy Ghost rather than with water.

Then Jesus came. During His baptism a voice from Heaven declared Him to be His beloved Son. The Spirit that then descended on Him drove Him into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, where His companions wild beasts and ministering angels.

Thus prepared for ministry, Jesus began to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God. He began to call disciples to Himself, the first ones being the simple fishermen Simon and Andrew, John and James. He taught with authority, often in parables, challenging His hearers to understand the hidden meaning, and then explaining to His disciples in private. He taught and healed the sick and demon-possessed and quickly attracted a huge following of people from all around Galilee.

Jesus was moving around from village to village for ‘therefore came I forth’. But at this stage He sought to keep His fame from spreading. The demons that He cast out of people knew Him. After all He was their creator before their fall. But He told them to keep quiet about who He was. When He healed a man affected by leprosy, He told him to keep it secret. But the man broadcast the news of his miraculous healing and more and more people flocked to Jesus. Even though He began to stay in remote places, still the people came to Him. He was causing a sensation.

Jesus, as One of the Godhead, had authority to forgive sins. When He saw the faith of the paralysed man’s friends, He told him his sins were forgiven. But scribes who had come to listen to Him thought He was speaking blasphemy.

The scribes and Pharisees asked Him why He ate with tax collectors and sinners and why His disciples didn't fast. He said He came to call sinners to repentance not the righteous, and the bridegroom's friends were feasting with Him whilst He was with them.

He further antagonized the scribes and Pharisees by allowing His disciples to pick some heads of grain on the Sabbath day. But He preached that the Sabbath was made on account of us humans, to serve us, not the other way round. And He preached that He was in charge of it anyway!

Jesus knew He only had three short years to complete His mission on earth, as planned by the Godhead. The foundation needed to be put in place quickly. The crowds swelled daily as He continued to teach and heal and He began to establish His ministry. He replicated Himself by ordaining the twelve disciples. From that time on they were to set aside everything else to be with him. He would send them out to preach and to heal. They were also given authority to drive out demons.

He was causing such a stir that scribes came down from Jerusalem and said He must be demon-possessed to cast out demons. But Jesus replied, 'How can Satan cast out Satan?' Even friends and family tried in vain to get Him to rest.

But He was excited and purposeful, continuing in His appointed role as developer of a new religious order built on the Jewish system of sacrifices. In this He carried out His Father’s will perfectly, with passion and skill. Present truth was being revealed by the One who would be the true sacrifice of which the animal sacrifices were a symbol.

In different ways He began to offend the religious leaders of the day, forgiving a paralysed man his sins rather than telling him to get up, calling Himself the Son of man and declaring that He was Lord, even of the Sabbath. He healed the sick and demon-possessed on the Sabbath. After He healed a man with a withered hand in the synagogue on a Sabbath day, the Pharisees began to plot to kill Him. But He continued His mission, teaching that the kingdom of God is all about God’s Word and how we receive it. If we allow God to plant it in our hearts and nurture it, it will have an energy of its own like a sprouting seed and will produce a wonderful crop – a harvest of souls!

One by one He had called all His twelve disciples and He had ordained them as His special companions and coworkers. After seeing Jesus calm the wind and waves, they began to realise that they were followers of Somebody very, very exceptional.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God

Mark.1.1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
Mark.1.2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mark.1.3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Mark.1.4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark.1.7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
Mark.1.8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan

Mark.1.9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

Mark.1.10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Mark.1.11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The Spirit driveth him into the wilderness

Mark.1.12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Mark.1.13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Mark.1.14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 

Mark.1.16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Mark.1.17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
Mark.1.18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
Mark.1.19 And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

Mark.1.20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

Jesus heals demoniac

Mark.1.21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Mark.1.22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Mark.1.23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark.1.24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

Hold thy peace, and come out of him

Mark.1.25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Mark.1.26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
Mark.1.27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
Mark.1.28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

Into the house of Simon and Andrew

Mark.1.29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

Jesus heals Peters mother in law

Mark.1.30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
Mark.1.31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

They brought unto him all that were diseased

Mark.1.32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
Mark.1.34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Jesus prays

Mark.1.35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark.1.36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
Mark.1.37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

And he preached in their synagogues

Mark.1.38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
Mark.1.39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

Jesus heals a leper

Mark.1.40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Mark.1.41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

As soon as he had spoken

Mark.1.42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Mark.1.43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

In desert places: and they came to him from every quarter

Mark.1.44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

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.

He preached the word unto them

Mark.2.1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
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.

Jesus heals and forgives the paralytic

Mark.2.3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
Mark.2.4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

Son, thy sins be forgiven thee

Mark.2.5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Mark.2.6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Mark.2.7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

Mark.2.8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

Arise, and take up thy bed

Mark.2.9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
Mark.2.10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Mark.2.11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
Mark.2.12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

Sitting at the receipt of custom

Mark.2.13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.
Mark.2.14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

Eating with publicans and sinners

Mark.2.15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

Saw him eat with publicans and sinners

Mark.2.16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
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.

Thy disciples fast not

Mark.2.18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
Mark.2.19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Mark.2.20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

The Son of man is Lord of the sabbath

Mark.2.23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
Mark.2.24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
Mark.2.25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
Mark.2.27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Mark.2.28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Healing on the sabbath

Mark.3.1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
Mark.3.2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

Mark.3.3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
Mark.3.4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

Took counsel with the Herodians

Mark.3.5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Mark.3.6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

Withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea

Mark.3.7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
Mark.3.8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.

Teaching to multitudes

Mark.3.9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
Mark.3.10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
Mark.3.11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
Mark.3.12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

He ordained twelve

Mark.3.13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.

Mark.3.14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Mark.3.15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
Mark.3.16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;

James the son of Zebedee

Mark.3.17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
Mark.3.18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Mark.3.19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

The multitude cometh together again

Mark.3.20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
Mark.3.21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

Can Satan cast out Satan

Mark.3.22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
Mark.3.23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
Mark.3.30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

Jesus' mother and bretheren

Mark.3.31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
Mark.3.32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
Mark.3.33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
Mark.3.34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mark.3.35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Teaching in parables

Mark.4.1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
Mark.4.2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear

Mark.4.9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark.4.10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
Mark.4.11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mark.4.13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel?

Mark.4.21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

He expounded all things to his disciples

Mark.4.24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Mark.4.26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mark.4.30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mark.4.33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
Mark.4.34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

The wind and the sea obey him

Mark.4.35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
Mark.4.36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Mark.4.37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mark.4.38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Peace, be still

Mark.4.39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark.4.40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Mark.4.41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?