Mark Lesson 2

Memory verses for this week: Luke 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Introduction: We continue with our study of Mark Chapter 1 this week. Perhaps no chapter is more full of information (with possible exception of Genesis Chapter 1), than the first book of Mark. It covers the ministry of John the Baptist showing the fulfillment of the prophecies in Isaiah and Malachi. It takes in the first year’s ministry of Jesus. In the first part of the chapter last week, we covered the ministry of John the Baptist, the Baptism of Christ by John, the following temptations Christ faced of Satan, and we closed with the call of Peter and Andrew to come and follow Christ.

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.

Jesus chose Capernaum as the headquarters of His great Galilean ministry. This was a large commercial city and was on the main road of caravan traffic between Egypt and Damascus. Note how that on the Sabbath Day, Jesus entered into the synagogue and taught. The synagogue was a place that the Jews gathered on the Sabbath day and taught the people the Word of God. There was a substantial difference in how Jesus taught than the Pharisees and scribes. He taught them with authority, and it astonished them about his doctrine. His doctrine was true, and it was from the Father. Jesus knew more about the word of God than all the scribes because it was His words.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

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.

Mark 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

This unclean spirit inside the man has a conversation with Christ. No doubt he had possessed this man and controlled him. He knew who Jesus was… he calls him ‘The Holy One of God.’ It is sad that evil spirits recognize Jesus for who he is and many today don’t have a clue.

Acts 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

Acts 19:14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

Acts 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

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.

The people wonder at Christ and question who and what he teaches… he has power over even unclean spirits. Because of his great powers…his fame spread abroad.

In the Believers Study Bible, W. A. Criswell pointed out that Christ demonstrated his authority in several ways in chapter 1 of Mark.

As the Messiah, Jesus demonstrates His “authority” in several ways as His ministry begins: (1) He “taught them as one having authority” (v. 22); (2) He commanded demons “with authority,” and they obeyed Him (v. 27); and (3) in healing people who were sick, Jesus proved His authority over disease (v. 31). [i]

And immediately his fame spread abroad—The miracle which he had performed was—

The many who saw it published it wherever they went; and thus the fame of Christ, as an incomparable teacher, and unparalleled worker of miracles, became soon spread abroad through the land.

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.

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.

This is a very interesting verse. The Catholic Church claims that Simon Peter was the first pope, yet the doctrine seems to conflict with what they teach. It is clear that Simon was married, but they teach that the priests are not to marry. Peter certainly was not the first pope. We of the New Testament that have been saved only have one high priest, and that is Jesus Christ. And Peter was the pastor of the first church there in Jerusalem. This church was in existence many years before the Catholic church was ever formed. Jesus comes to this lady and who is very sick with the fever and heals her. It says the fever left her immediately. This proves what great love Christ had for the people. God ordained the family as the first institution long before he created the church.

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.

The Jewish Sabbath began from sunset of Friday (around 6pm) and ended on sunset of Saturday. During this time, on one could carry any burden. So as soon as the sun went down Saturday evening, the people began to bring those were sick or demon possessed to the door of Peter’s house. The news of what had happened at the synagogue with Christ had spread throughout the city. All of the city was there at Peter’s house hoping that Christ might come and heal them. And when he came out, it says that he healed many that were sick and cast out many of the demons possessing these people. It says Christ would not let the devils speak, perhaps due that they were speaking words that had their source in Satan.

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 1:37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

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.

We find Jesus going out to a solitary place to pray. If Christ needed to do this, how much more do you and I need to do this… We need to come aside and pray. We are commanded to go into the closet to pray, meaning God wants us to come aside and have time talking to him and him alone. In verse 38, Christ went into other towns for the purpose of preaching the word of God to them. While he was preaching, he took the time to cast out demons. Christ cared for everyone, and still does today. Oh that people could see him for the loving Saviour that he is.

Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Luke 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

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.

Mark 1:42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

Lepers were considered unclean and so were required to keep a safe distance from their fellow Jews. This was so that they would not contaminate them ceremonially. Certain rules existed about who could come forth for worship and you could not have contact with a leper. This leper came hurriedly to Jesus for help. Since he sensed no opposition from the Master, he continued until he knelt right in front of him. He was so near, that Jesus could reach out and touch him. The leper acknowledged the power of Jesus. He knew that Jesus could make him whole. And Christ did that very thing. Christ was moved with compassion and he puts forth his hand and tells him to be clean. All the master had to say was “I will.” What power Jesus commands.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

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.

Immediately the leprosy left the man who had come to Christ. Jesus then gives him instructions. There had only been one leper healed in the time of Elisha.

Luke 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

Jesus tells the man to go to the priest and offer for his cleansing as had been commanded in the law by Moses.

Lev 14:28 And the priest shall put of the oil that is in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the place of the blood of the trespass offering:

Lev 14:29 And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD.

Lev 14:30 And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;

Lev 14:31 Even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meat offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed before the LORD.

Lev 14:32 This is the law of him in whom is the plague of leprosy, whose hand is not able to get that which pertaineth to his cleansing.

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.

Instead of going to the priest as Christ commanded, the man goes everywhere telling others what Jesus had done for him. It was such a big thing at the time that Christ could not deal with all the people who flocked to him. It says he had to go out in the desert places since people came from every quarter. It would be a great thing if all of us who are saved would tell others about what Jesus has done for us to the extent that others would seek out the Lord like they did in this day.

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Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Practice Random Acts of Kindness. Each act spreads, and many will be blessed.

[i]W.A. Criswell, Believer’s study Bible [computer file], electronic ed. , Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1991 by the Criswell Center for Biblical Studies.

Mark Chapter 01:21-45