Joel Johnson | Biblical History & Theology

  As we continue our series on the gospel of Mark, we come to the commencement of Jesus’ ministry. We pick up in Mark 1:14, following the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and the temptation in the wilderness — essential preparatory steps before Jesus’ ministry could begin.  “After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” And at once they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets. Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.”  (BSB) Verses 14 a...

  Introduction After Jesus calls his first disciples — the four fishermen Simon, Andrew, James and John — Mark describes the opening actions of Jesus’ ministry. He has already provided an abstract of Jesus’ message in verses 14 and 15 of Mark 1; here he provides more details of specific accounts.  “Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. The people were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. Suddenly a man with an unclean spirit cried out in the synagogue: “What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked the spirit. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” At this, the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and came out with a loud shriek. All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He c...

An ivory plaque of Mark the evangelist Mark 1:1-8 reads (my translation): 1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God.  2 Just as it was written in Isaiah the prophet,  “Look! I send my messenger before your face, Who will clear the road for you;  3 A voice shouting in the desert, Prepare the road of the Lord, Make his paths straight.”  4 John the Baptiser appeared in the desert, announcing a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  5 And all from the region of Judea and all the Jerusalemites were coming out to him, and they were being baptised by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.  6 And John was clothed in camel hair and a leather belt around his waist and he was eating locusts and bush honey.  7 And he was announcing, “One more powerful than me is coming after me, who I am not fit to bend down and loosen his sandal strap.  8 I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you in the Holy Spirit.  ...