Mark 1
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The beginning of the Gospel - It is with the utmost propriety that Mark begins the Gospel dispensation by the preaching of John the Baptist, he being the forerunner of Jesus Christ, and the first proclaimer of the incarnated Messiah. Gospel - for the meaning of the word see the preface to Matthew. Son of God - To point out his Divine origin; and thus glancing at his miraculous conception. This was an essential character of the Messiah. See Mat 16:16; Mat 26:63; Luk 22:67, etc.
Open source ↗PREACHING AND BAPTISM OF JOHN. ( = Mat 3:1-12; Luke 3:1-18). (Mar 1:1-8) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God--By the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ here is evidently meant the blessed Story which our Evangelist is about to tell of His Life, Ministry, Death, Resurrection, and Glorification, and of the begun Gathering of Believers in His Name. The abruptness with which he announces his subject, and the energetic brevity with which, passing by all preceding events, he hastens over the ministry of John and records the Baptism and Temptation of Jesus--as if impatient to come to the Public Life of the Lord of glory--have often been noticed as characteristic of this Gospel--a Gospel whose direct, practical, and singularly vivid setting imparts to it a preciousness peculiar to itself. What strikes every one is, that though the briefest of all the Gospels, this is in some of the principal scenes of our Lord's history the fullest. But what is not so obvious is, that wherever the finer and subtler feelings of humanity, or the deeper and more peculiar hues of our Lord's character were brought out, these, though they should be lightly passed over by all the other Evangelists, are sure to be found here, and in touches of such quiet delicacy and power, that though scarce observed by the cursory reader, they leave indelible impressions upon all the thoughtful and furnish a key to much that is in the other Gospels. These few opening words of the Second Gospel are enough to show, that though it was the purpose of this Evangelist to record chiefly the outward and palpable facts of our Lord's public life, he recognized in Him, in common with the Fourth Evangelist, the glory of the Only-begotten of the Father.
Open source ↗Mark 1:1 mar 1:1 mar 1:1 mar 1:1The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,.... Not that the Gospel first began to be preached at this time, for it was preached by Isaiah, and other prophets before; and long before that, was preached unto Abraham; yea, it was preached as early as the times of our first parents, in Eden's garden; and is indeed that mystery, which was hid in God before the creation of the world; and was ordained before that was, to the glory of the saints: but the sense is, that this narrative Mark was about to write, began with the ministry of John the Baptist, and of Christ; which was a Gospel one, and was the beginning of the Gospel dispensation, in distinction from the legal one: the law and the prophets were until John, and they ceased and ended in him; when the , "the world to come", the kingdom of God, or Gospel state, took place. The design of this evangelist, is not to give an account of the genealogy of Christ, of his conception and birth, of what befell him in his infancy, or of any actions and sayings of his from thence, to his appearance in Israel; but to give an account of his ministry and miracles, sufferings and death: which is introduced with the preaching and baptism of John his forerunner, and which he chiefly intends by "the beginning of the Gospel": he first points out Christ, who is the author and substance, as well as the great preacher of the Gospel; the sum of which is, that he is Jesus, the Saviour and Redeemer of lost sinners; the Christ, the Messiah, that was to come; the Mediator between God and man, the prophet that has declared the whole mind and will of God; the great high priest, who has offered himself a sacrifice for his people, made peace, procured pardon, brought in everlasting righteousness, and obtained eternal rede…
Open source ↗We may observe here, I. What the New Testament is - the divine testament, to which we adhere above all that is human; the new testament, which we advance above that which was old. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God, Mar 1:1. 1. It is gospel; it is God's word, and is faithful and true; see Rev 19:9; Rev 21:5; Rev 22:6. It is a good word, and well worthy of all acceptation; it brings us glad tidings. 2. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the anointed Saviour, the Messiah promised and expected. The foregoing gospel began with the generation of Jesus Christ - that was but preliminary, this comes immediately to the business - the gospel of Christ. It is called his, not only because he is the Author of it, and it comes from him, but because he is the Subject of it, and it treats wholly concerning him. 3. This Jesus is the Son of God. That truth is the foundation on which the gospel is built, and which it is written to demonstrate; for is Jesus be not the Son of God, our faith is vain. II. What the reference of the New Testament is to the Old, and its coherence with it. The gospel of Jesus Christ begins, and so we shall find it goes on, just as it is written in the prophets (Mar 1:2); for it saith no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said should come (Act 26:22), which was most proper and powerful for the conviction of the Jews, who believed the Old Testament prophets to be sent of God and ought to have evidenced that they did so by welcoming the accomplishment of their prophecies in its season; but it is of use to us all, for the confirmation of our faith both in the Old Testament and in the New, for the exact harmony that there is between both shows that they both have the same divine original. Quotations are here borrowed from two prophecies -…
Open source ↗1:1 Mark opens with an introduction. This Gospel is about Jesus. With every account in Mark, one should ask, “What is Mark teaching about Jesus in this passage?” • Good News, a frequent term in Mark (see 1:14-15; 8:35; 10:29; 13:10; 14:9), is frequently translated gospel. See study note on Mark 1:15. • The Hebrew word mashiakh (Messiah) is equivalent to the Greek term christos (Christ). Both words mean “anointed.” In the Old Testament, priests (Exod 28:41; Lev 16:32; 21:10), kings (2 Sam 1:14, 16; 19:21; Ps 2), and prophets (1 Kgs 19:16) were anointed with oil to indicate the Lord’s presence, blessing, and authority for the tasks to which God called them. As time went on, Israelites increasingly looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, “the Anointed One,” a descendant of David who would be Israel’s king. The first-century political connotations of this title were such that Jesus avoided openly declaring that he was the Messiah (see Mark 3:11-12; 8:27-30; 14:61-63; 15:2, 26; John 4:25-26). • the Son of God: This title emphasizes Jesus’ unique relationship with God the Father (Mark 1:11; 9:7; 12:4-6; 14:61-62).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
ἀρχή (archḗ, G746) — (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of… εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, G2098) — a good message, i.e. the gospel Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. προφήτης (prophḗtēs, G4396) — a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) ἀποστέλλω (apostéllō, G649) — set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… πρό (pró, G4253) — "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy πρόσωπον (prósōpon, G4383) — the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that κατασκευάζω (kataskeuázō, G2680) — to prepare thoroughly (properly, by external equipment; whereas G2090 (ἑτοιμάζω) refers…
Open source ↗φωνή (phōnḗ, G5456) — a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose),… βοάω (boáō, G994) — to halloo, i.e. shout (for help or in a tumultuous way) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἔρημος (érēmos, G2048) ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimázō, G2090) — to prepare ὁδός (hodós, G3598) — a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τρίβος (tríbos, G5147) — akin to , , and the base of G5131 (τράγος), G5134 (τραῦμα)); a rut or worn track εὐθύς (euthýs, G2117) — straight, i.e. (literally) level, or (figuratively) true; adverbially (of time) at once
Open source ↗Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs, G2491) — Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… βαπτίζω (baptízō, G907) — to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament)… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἔρημος (érēmos, G2048) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κηρύσσω (kērýssō, G2784) — to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel) βάπτισμα (báptisma, G908) — baptism (technically or figuratively) μετάνοια (metánoia, G3341) — (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἄφεσις (áphesis, G859) — freedom; (figuratively) pardon ἁμαρτία (hamartía, G266) — a sin (properly abstract)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐκπορεύομαι (ekporeúomai, G1607) — to depart, be discharged, proceed, project πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole χώρα (chṓra, G5561) — room, i.e. a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants) Ἰουδαία (Ioudaía, G2449) — the Judæan land (i.e. Judæa), a region of Palestine Ἱεροσολυμίτης (Hierosolymítēs, G2415) — a Hierosolymite, i.e. inhabitant of Hierosolyma βαπτίζω (baptízō, G907) — to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament)… ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ποταμός (potamós, G4215) — a current, brook or freshet (as drinkable), i.e. running water Ἰορδάνης (Iordánēs, G2446) — the Jordanes (i.e. Jarden), a river of Palestine ἐξομολογέω (exomologéō, G1843) — to acknowledge or (by implication, of assent) agree fully
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs, G2491) — Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἐνδύω (endýō, G1746) — to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively) κάμηλος (kámēlos, G2574) — a "camel" θρίξ (thríx, G2359) — of uncertain derivation; hair καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ζώνη (zṓnē, G2223) — a belt; by implication, a pocket δερμάτινος (dermátinos, G1193) — made of hide περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὀσφῦς (osphŷs, G3751) — the loin (externally), i.e. the hip; internally (by extension) procreative power ἐσθίω (esthíō, G2068) — used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by G5315 (φάγω); to eat (usually… ἀκρίς (akrís, G200) — a locust (as pointed, or as lighting on the top of vegetation)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κηρύσσω (kērýssō, G2784) — to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) ἰσχυρός (ischyrós, G2478) — forcible (literally or figuratively) μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ὀπίσω (opísō, G3694) — to the back, i.e. aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun) ἱμάς (himás, G2438) — a strap, i.e. (specially) the tie (of a sandal) or the lash (of a scourge) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὑπόδημα (hypódēma, G5266) — something bound under the feet, i.e. a shoe or sandal εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἱκανός (hikanós, G2425) — competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
Open source ↗ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… βαπτίζω (baptízō, G907) — to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament)… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὕδωρ (hýdōr, G5204) — water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… Ναζαρέθ (Nazaréth, G3478) — Nazareth or Nazaret, a place in Palestine Γαλιλαία (Galilaía, G1056) — Galilæa (i.e. the heathen circle), a region of Palestine βαπτίζω (baptízō, G907) — to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament)… ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs, G2491) — Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εὐθέως (euthéōs, G2112) — directly, i.e. at once or soon ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō, G305) — to go up (literally or figuratively) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ὕδωρ (hýdōr, G5204) — water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… σχίζω (schízō, G4977) — to split or sever (literally or figuratively) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ὡσεί (hōseí, G5616) — as if περιστερά (peristerá, G4058) — a pigeon καταβαίνω (katabaínō, G2597) — to descend (literally or figuratively) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… φωνή (phōnḗ, G5456) — a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose),… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… σύ (sý, G4771) — thou εἶ (eî, G1488) — thou art μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἀγαπητός (agapētós, G27) — beloved υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that εὐδοκέω (eudokéō, G2106) — to think well of, i.e. approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εὐθύς (euthýs, G2117) — straight, i.e. (literally) level, or (figuratively) true; adverbially (of time) at once πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ἐκβάλλω (ekbállō, G1544) — to eject (literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἔρημος (érēmos, G2048)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἐκεῖ (ekeî, G1563) — there; by extension, thither ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἔρημος (érēmos, G2048) τεσσαράκοντα (tessarákonta, G5062) — forty ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… πειράζω (peirázō, G3985) — to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… Σατανᾶς (Satanâs, G4567) — the accuser, i.e. the devil μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… θηρίον (thēríon, G2342) — a dangerous animal ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… διακονέω (diakonéō, G1247) — to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs, G2491) — Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Γαλιλαία (Galilaía, G1056) — Galilæa (i.e. the heathen circle), a region of Palestine κηρύσσω (kērýssō, G2784) — to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel) εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, G2098) — a good message, i.e. the gospel βασιλεία (basileía, G932) — properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗Cross-references
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But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.”
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”