Mark 1

1:1-8

Mark starts out his gospel account by using a hyperlink back to the prophets. He uses a passage from Isaiah about a messenger and tells how this is the beginning of the good news. 

He then introduces this messenger as John the Baptist. John comes before Jesus but he makes sure the people know, Jesus is coming and he is bringing the Holy Spirit. 

1:9-12

Mark transitions to a story about Jesus being baptized by John. Then, being led by the Spirit, he goes into the wilderness (a place of chaos- hints the note of wild animals) to be tempted by Satan. 

1:14-15

Mark comes right out at the beginning of his account to record exactly what Jesus was here for. Mark assumes the reader has been waiting for the Messiah, the one the prophets have spoken of. So he makes known that this is the time they’ve been waiting for. The kingdom of God is here and we should repent and believe. 

1:16-20

Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, two fisherman, to be his disciples. James and John also follow him and even leave their father in the boat! Jesus is now gathering disciples to prepare people for the kingdom being preached which he just announced was here. 

1:21-28

Jesus starts teaching in the synagogue and impresses everyone. There is a difference between him and the teachers of that time that people notice. He also drives out demons here, Jesus’ first act Mark records. This is to show that Jesus even has authority over evil and that he is who he says he is. People start talking and soon the whole region has heard of him. 

1:29-34

Jesus goes back with the four disciples mentioned above and he heals Simon’s mother-in-law. Once everyone hears of what Jesus can do, they all start to go to him for healing. Jesus wanted to keep his identity a secret, which is why he would not let the demons speak. Mark even shows us that the demons knew who he was, which creates a contrast between them and humans who don’t believe.

1:35-39

Jesus goes off to pray by himself. He even left at dark so no one would follow him. This allows us to see how important prayer is, even Jesus did it. He then tells the disciples they should go and preach since that is why he came. So he goes throughout Galilee doing so. 

1:40-45

Jesus heals a man with leprosy. Since this man had leprosy, he was announced unclean and was not to get near people. This man obviously had enough faith because he knew he could heal him, if he was willing. Jesus was willing and healed him. 

However, Jesus tells the man not to tell anyone, but to go to the priests and follow the law. Instead, the man goes out freely and spreads the news. The exact opposite of what he was told. As a result, Jesus kept outside of the towns and the people started coming to him from all places. 

Chapter 2

2:1-5

The crowds around Jesus were growing by the day. They were so large that people were standing outside the house he was in just to hear him preach. Four men carried a fifth poaralyzed man and they worked hard to get him to Jesus. They dug a hole in the roof and lowered the man down. Jesus then forgives the mans sins. 

2:6-7

The teachers of the law, the antagonists of this story, hear Jesus and think to themselves that Jesus is a fake. They never say this out loud. They only think it. 

2:8-12

Jesus then knows what they are thinking and asks them a question. Jesus point is that he wants to make it known that he does have authority to forgive sins because he is the Son of God (v.10). He not only forgives the man, but heals him and the man walks in front of everyone as a witness. The people are amazed. 

2:13-14

Jesus now calls Levi, a tax collector to be his disciple. Jesus is strategically picking his disciples. Those who are poor (fisherman) and those who are outcasts and hated in society (tax collectors). 

2:15-17

Jesus then goes to Levi’s house to have dinner. There are lowly people here. Tax collectors, sinner, people who are despised in society. Jesus is having dinner with them which shows affiliation with the group of people. The teachers of the law want to know why Jesus is doing such a thing, as if it is beneath them. 

Jesus then gives them their answer. He has come to save those who are lost, who need to find their way to Jesus. 

2:18-21

There were some disciples of John the Baptist’s and Pharisees who were fasting but Jesus and his disciples were not. When questioned, Jesus tells them that since he is with them, there is no need to fast because He is giving new meaning to the laws of Moses. Jesus is warning them of a change that is coming. He uses a patch and wineskins to describe this. 

2:23-24

The Pharisees noticed Jesus’ disciples working on the Sabbath, something that is forbidden in the law of Moses. The same law that Jesus claims to follow. 

Jesus then asks them about a story in their Scriptures that they well know. A story about David doing something unlawful (eating consecrated bread). 

He then tells them that He is Lord of the Sabbath which means that he is the fulfillment of the Sabbath because he is true rest.  

Chapter 3

3:1-3 

Jesus here is going to prove that he is Lord of the Sabbath like he explained in the last part of chapter 2. Jesus enters the synagogue and the leaders were watching him closely. If he healed this man with a shriveled hand, he would be guilty of working on the Sabbath. Jesus has the man stand so everyone can see what is about to happen. 

3:4-6

Jesus asks the leaders a trick question. Is it right to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil? Jesus is the master of trick questions. They can’t say it is right to do evil because that is sin. So the only answer is to do good. But they don’t say a word in response because they know they are wrong. 

Jesus heals the man but then the Pharisees go out with another political group, the Herodians, and begin their plot to kill Jesus. Ironic since Jesus asked if it is better to save or kill a life on the Sabbath just before this. This plot didn’t spark because of this event, their anger has boiled from the healing of the paralytic man, Jesus eating with sinners, and working on the Sabbath. It has all led to this. 

3:7-12

Jesus tried to withdraw from the crowds but they keep following him from all over the region. The evil spirits are the first to confess who Jesus was as the Son of God. He then tells them not to reveal who he was because the time has not yet come. 

3:13-19

Jesus appoints the 12 disciples. He calls those he wanted and they come. They had three jobs mentioned here. To be with Jesus, to be sent out to preach and to drive out demons. 

3:20-30

Jesus’ family takes him and the disciples in. The teachers of the law come and say that he is the prince of demons which is why he is casting out these demons. But Jesus responds by saying that Stan cannot drive himself out. Satan would not oppose himself or he would be finished. Jesus then uses a parable where Satan is the strong man and the man (Satan) must first be tied up before robbing (casting out of demons). 

Jesus then addresses the “unforgivable sin” in vv. 29-30. The unforgivable sin Jesus says, is attributing miracles and power given by the Spirit to evil spirits instead. Attributing the work of God to the work of Satan. 

3:31-35

Jesus’ family arrives and they tell Jesus that they are there. But Jesus takes this opportunity to extend the idea of family to those who believe in him. 

Chapter 4

4:1-20

The crowd is so large that Jesus gets in a boat and teaches the crows from the water while the crowd is on shore. He teaches them through parables. The first parable is the parable of the Sower. You can learn about it in-depth here. 

4:21-23

Jesus uses a lamp as a metaphor. A lamp is used to give light not hide it. In the same way, Jesus is revealing and being revealed truth. 

4:24-25 

Whatever we do with this truth Jesus is revealing to us is so impactful. We can either further the kingdom with the truth or we reject it and the truth is taken from us. 

4:26-29

For more on the parable of the growing seed, click here.

4:30-34

For more on the parable of the mustard seed, click here.

4:35-41

This is the first miracle Jesus performs with creation. It shows his Lordship over God’s creation. Jesus was sleeping, quite comfortable, when a violent storm came up on the sea. The disciples woke Jesus up and he calmed the storm. Jesus questioned their faith in Him and they were terrified. 

Chapter 5

5:1-5

Jesus is now going to encounter a man who is possessed by a demon. Jesus has announced how the kingdom of God is here and he is encountering evil right away. The description of the man is horrifying, depicting how dehumanized the human has become because of the demon. 

5:6-10

The demon confesses who Jesus is as the Son of God. Then the demon tells Jesus that his name is Legion, which could suggest many demons were in possession of the man. The demon realizes the power that Jesus has. 

5:11-17

Jesus sent the demons into a herd of pigs nearby. The pigs ran off a cliff and drowned. The people’s reaction was fear because they were encountering a power they had never seen. The loss of pigs was also probably rather expensive and therefore they asked Jesus to leave. 

5:18-20

Jesus tells the man to go to his family and testify what the Lord has done. He goes to the Ten cities and tells people what Jesus did. 

5:21-24

Another crowd follows Jesus when he crossed the lake. A synagogue ruler named Jairus comes and falls before Jesus’ feet. He asks him to place his hands on his daughter who is very ill. Jesus goes with ihm.

5:25-29

When the crowd presses around Jesus, a woman approaches. She has been bleeding for 12 years, no doctors can help and she has probably heard of Jesus who can heal. So she believes just by touching his clothes she will be healed. She touched his cloak and she was healed. 

5:30-34

Jesus feels the power leave him and then asks who touched him. The disciples are bewildered by this question because there are so many people around that they are all probably touching each other and running into one another. 

Jesus keeps looking though and the woman come before him in fear. Jesus then tells the woman that her faith has healed her and that her suffering is now over. Another example that the kingdom of God is among them. 

5:35-36

Jairus’ men come from his house and tell them that his daughter is dead. Jesus was on his way but she is now dead. Jesus ignores this comment and tells the father to believe. 

5:37-43

Only Peter, James and John follow Jesus to the house. Everyone was crying but jesus tells them that she is only asleep and then their crying turns to laughter. He makes them all leave, takes the girl by the hand and tells her to get up. The girl stands up and walks around. She was also twelve. Once again he tells them not to say anything and orders them to give her something to eat.

Chapter 6 

6:1-6

Jesus goes back to his hometown of Nazareth and does what He does best. Teach. The people are amazed at his teachings but some take offense to him. He was known as a carpenter, another way to say a common person that made him no different from them. 

Jesus then points out that a prophet is not welcome in his hometown and their lack of faith prevents Jesus from doing miracles there. 

6:7-13

Jesus taught around the villages and then sent his disciples out two by two and he gives them authority over evil spirits. He gives them special instructions on when to stay and when to leave and they preach repentance. 

6:14-29

This is the story of how John the Baptist was beheaded. Mark gives a glimpse of the past as to how it all took place. Which is why presently, Herod feels that Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead. Herod becomes fearful that the prophet he killed has come back.

6:30-34

Jesus brings the disciples and invites them to come with him to a quiet place since they have returned from traveling. The crowds followed him and He had compassion on them and began to teach them.

6:35-38

The disciples, seeing what time it was, request that Jesus send the people away so they can eat. But Jesus tells his disciples to give them something. The disciples cannot believe Jesus’ absurd request with trying to feed such a loud crowd. They didn’t have that money and ti would be so much food. So they find out they have five loaves of bread and two fish. These loaves were small and one person could eat several at a time. This shows how small and insignificant the food was to feed the large crowd. 

6:39-44

The people sit down in groups, Jesus gave thanks for the loaves and broke them. Then the disciples hand out the loaves as well as the fish. They people were full and the disciples pick up leftovers. Twelve baskets for twelve disciples. More than 5,000 were fed here because that number only includes men. 

6:45-50

Jesus sends the disciples out and goes to pray. While they were in the boat, Jesus comes to them on the water and they think he is a ghost. 

6:51-56

He climbs in the boat with them and he calms the storm they were in. They didn’t understand the last miracle and if they would, they would have not been afraid. When they get out of the boat, people recognized Jesus and came to him and brought the sick to him. Wherever he went, they placed the sick among him and all who touched him were healed. 

Chapter 7

7:1-4

The pharisees see some of Jesus’ disciples eating without washing their hands. Mark gives a note here that the Jews washed their hands ceremonially before they ate in case they came in contact with someone or something unclean. 

7:5-8

The Pharisees approach Jesus about this and ask why the disciples do not obey these traditions. Jesus calls them hypocrites and quotes from the prophet Isiaiah 29:13. Their rules are made up from man, they are not God’s commands. Jesus tells them they are holding to their own traditions instead of God’s, yet they claim to obey God’s commands. 

7:9-13

Jesus then attacks another one of their traditions. It is about honoring their father and mother. They let some sons give all their offerings to God instead of using the monetary funds to help their parents as the law commands. With this, they do not obey God’s law but have made up their own rules. 

7:14-23

Jesus here offers us more insight into what being unclean is really all about. It is not about what we eat, or if they eat with unwashed hands. Jesus also declares all food clean here. But what Jesius focuses on is what we say and do, that is what makes us unclean. All the evil we think and do is what leads us to being unclean in God’s eyes. 

7:24-30

This is a fantastic story about a woman who was a Greek comes to Jesus and begs him to heal her daughter of demons. Jesus’ reply is an interesting one and probably refers to the fact that Jesus came to the Jews first, not outsiders. But the woman’s reply about even dogs (Gentiles) can eat the crumbs, meaning even they can receive what Jesus was offering. Jesus then tells the woman that her daughter has been healed and she goes home to find it true. 

7:31-37

Jesus then leaves and heals a man near the Decapolis. He was deaf and can hardly speak. Jesus puts his fingers in his ears, spits on him and then touches his tongue. The man could then hear and speak clearly. Jesus tells them not to tell but they do just the opposite. Isaiah 35:5-6 being done here. 

Chapter 8

8:1-4

This story is going to mirror the original story of the feeding of the 5,000. The disciples do not know where they can get enough food to feed all these people. You may ask yourself, “Don’t they remember what Jesus just did for more people?”. This question shows their lack of faith.

8:5-10

They had seven loaves, the number meaning complete. Could be a reflection that Jesus is the bread of life and seven proves he is enough. Jesus does the same thing as last time, gives thanks and the disciples distribute it. There were seven baskets of leftovers. This shows that the people had enough. 

8:11-13

Jesus encounters some people who wanted to test him. They wanted a miraculous sign but Jesus wouldn’t give them one because of their unbelief

8:14-16

On the other side, the disciples only brought one loaf with them. Jesus tells them to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod. But the disciples do not understand. They think Jesus is saying this because they have no bread. Jesus tries to get them to understand by reminding them of how many basketfuls of leftovers they picked up those two times. Jesus wants them to understand that He is the one that provides and they should look to Him. 

8:22-26

Jesus heals a blind man at Bethsaida. Jesus lays hands on the man twice and heals his sight. Jesus is still doing what the prophet Isaiah spoke about, giving sight to the blind. Jesus gives yet another warning about telling people. 

8:27-30

As they were traveling, Jesus asked his disciples a question, “Who do people say I am?”. They give different responses about who the people say he is. Elijah, John the Baptist, or just a prophet. Then he asks a more important question , “Who do you say I am?”. Peter answers with the Messiah. He tells them not to tell anyone. 

8:31-38

Jesus tells the disciples that he is going to suffer and die. Peter does not like this and rebukes Jesus. Then Jesus rebukes him and tells him that he is not thinking about God but only about himself. We must deny ourselves, and stop making ourselves the center of everything and be willing to suffer for Jesus. Jesus says that some will not die before God’s kingdom comes with power. This is probably referring to the transfiguration that takes place next. 

Chapter 9

9:1-13

This is an amazing encounter where Jesus’ glory is revealed to the disciples. Moses and Elijah appear before Jesus. A link to what was said earlier about Jesus fulfilling the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah). More emphasis is put on Elijah in the latter verses. The teachers say Elijah must come first but Jesus says he has already come. He was already here and they did not listen tom. Nor will they listen to Jesus. 

9:14-32

When they reached the other disciples, a crowd gathered. A father who’s boy was demon-possessed came to Jesus. Turns out, the disciples couldn’t drive it out. The father asks Jesus if he can do anything. Jesus tells him anything is possible for the one who believes. Jesus expels the demon and the boy stands up.

 Once away from everyone, the disciples ask why they couldn’t drive it out. Jesus says that kind of demon could only be driven out by prayer. A sign that they may have forgotten where their power to drive out demons came from. Jesus tells them that he is going to be killed and rise again but they do not understand. 

9:33-37

The disciples were no doubt arguing about who was greater and social statuses. Jesus reminds them that in the kingdom, the first will be last and the last will be first. God’s kingdom is different from our world’s systems of power and status. 

9:38-41

The disciples stop a man from casting out demons. They wanted their group to be exclusive. If they do it in the name of Jesus, then they are with them. 

9:42-50

We should not cause anyone to stumble and we should not let ourselves stumble. We should remain salty, meaning that we should continue to follow Christ and then we will be at peace. 

Chapter 10

10:1-12

The Pharisees come to Jesus asking if divorce was lawful or not. This question was what John the Baptist preached against Herod about. Jesus knew Moses had given a law to appease their stubborn will. Jesus claims that marriage was a forever union based on the unity of genesis 1 creation. It is adultery to remarry after divorce. 

10:13-16

We must receive the kingdom like little children. Happy and joyful with excitement. Jesus lays hands on them and blesses them. 

10:17-31

A rich young man asks what he must do to gain eternal life. Theman followed the law of Moses, but he had pride in that he loved his wealth. It was the one thing that kept him from loving God wholeheartedly. Those who truly follow Jesus will be rewarded. 

10:32-34

Jesus’ third and final prediction of how we will die and rise again. 

10:35-45

This is a link back to chapter 9 where the disciples wanted to know who was the greatest. They still did not understand. James and John will suffer as Jesus will but he cannot grant them to sit next to him and glory. Jesus flips the value system of this world upside down and says that the servant among humans will be the greatest.  

10:46-52

This is a story about a man named Bartimaeus receiving his sight because he was blind. His faith heals him. Jesus is about to enter Jericho as the man calls out to him “Son of David”. A foreshadow of him entering Jerusalem, the City of David. 

Chapter 11

11:1-11

Jesus enters Jerusalem. This is where the rest of the gospel takes place until his death. This is also Passion Week, and the prophecy of Zechariah 9 is fulfilled here. 

11:12-21

Jesus finds a fig tree that has no fruit on it. He curses the fig tree so that it will never produce figs again. Jesus then enters the temple in Jerusalem and finds that it is full of evil. Cheating, lying, and unlawful practices were happening in the temple. Jesus drives them out. Then, the next day the fig tree withered. A prophetic vision that concludes Israel as a fig tree and they have produced no fruit for the Lord. This could also be a sign of Jerusalem’s siege and end. 

11:22-25

Faith and forgiveness in prayer are powerful tools we can use. The mountain here could refer to Jerusalem. 

Chapter 12

12:1-12

This parable is Jesus’ way of announcing judgment on the Pharisees and rulers of Israel. They have taken the Lord’s prophets and beaten them time and time again. They are about to do the same thing to God’s Son, Jesus himself. Then God will open the kingdom to Gentile nations. He quotes from Isaiah about him being the cornerstone. 

12:13-17

Another trap set by the religious leaders. If they could get Jesus to denounce the tax, he could be arrested for resisting Roman law. If he agreed to pay the tax, the religious leaders could accuse him of siding with the Roman government. Once again, Jesus eludes the trap by giving a simple answer. Give to God what belongs to him and to Caesar as well. 

12:18-27

The Sadducees come up to Jesus and come up with a wild scenario about seven brothers marrying a widow. Jesus knows their hearts and he tells them that they don’t know the Scriptures (which they certainly did). There is no marriage at the resurrection and God is God of the living not the dead. Jesus makes it clear to them that they were wrong and their ideas about God have been clouded by errors of thinking. 

12:28-31

One of the teachers became curious from listening to the debate and asked which commandment is the most important. There’s over 600 so which is the most important. Jesus replies with the Shema. Loving God and then loving others. 

12:32-34

The man replies with a “good answer” and tells Jesus that this aspect is more important than offerings. Jesus tells him that he is on the right track of thinking. Then no one asked him more questions. 

12:35-37

Jesus takes another teaching of the leaders and turns it upside down. They claim the Messiah is David’s son. He uses a Psalm to disregard this teaching. David calls the Messiah, Lord. He is from the line of David but not his son. 

12:38-40

He tells them to beware of the leaders. They love attention and respect but they do not earn it. They act better than everyone else and love their pride. They will be punished. 

12:41-44

Jesus witnessed rich people giving small amounts and a widow giving all she had. The point is to give what we have, not leftovers.  

Chapter 13

This chapter has many interpretations. Mark records the disciples asking Jesus about when the temple will be destroyed. Matthew and Luke add in the question of the end of the age and His coming. Jesus’ response answers both. No one knows what day and time the Son will come but Jesus says all these things will happen before the generation passes, setting a time stamp on the occurrences of the events leading to the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the temple. His return, however, is left unknown as to the date.