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About this book: Mark

Mark is the shortest and fastest-moving of the four Gospels. It skips a birth story and opens with John the Baptist and Jesus' baptism, then hurries from scene to scene, often using the word immediately. Jesus teaches with authority, heals the sick, silences storms and casts out demons, yet the disciples keep misunderstanding who he is. The turning point comes at Caesarea Philippi, where Peter names Jesus as the Christ and Jesus begins to speak plainly about suffering, death and rising again. From there the story heads to Jerusalem, and nearly a third of the book covers the final week: the temple confrontation, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the trial and the cross. A Roman centurion is the one who confesses Jesus as God's Son. The book's oldest ending is the women's frightened silence at the empty tomb, and Christians have long discussed how the last verses were added. Throughout, Mark shows a Messiah who serves and gives his life for many.

Author
Church tradition names John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul; the book itself does not name its author.
Date
Usually placed c. AD 55–70, and often considered the earliest Gospel; some scholars date it a little later.
Audience
Early Christians, probably in Rome, facing pressure and suffering; often thought to include Gentile readers.

Themes

Jesus the suffering MessiahThe Son of God who servesDiscipleship and the cost of followingAuthority over sickness and evilThe secret and the confession

Outline

  1. 1:1–1:13Beginning: John, baptism and testing
  2. 1:14–8:26Ministry in Galilee
  3. 8:27–10:52The way to the cross
  4. 11:1–13:37Jerusalem and the temple
  5. 14:1–15:46Arrest, trial and crucifixion
  6. 16:1–16:20The empty tomb

Key verses

About this chapterMark begins with the good news of Jesus the Messiah, announced by John the Baptist calling people to repentance in the wilderness. Jesus is baptized, the Spirit descends, and the Father's voice affirms him; he is then tested in the desert for forty days. Returning to Galilee, he proclaims that God's kingdom is near and calls Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow. In Capernaum he teaches with striking authority, drives out an unclean spirit, heals Peter's mother-in-law and many others at evening. He prays alone before dawn, moves on to preach elsewhere, and cleanses a man with leprosy, though word spreads so widely that he must stay in remote places.

Mark begins with the good news of Jesus the Messiah, announced by John the Baptist calling people to repentance in the wilderness. Jesus is baptized, the Spirit descends, and the Father's voice affirms him; he is then tested in the desert for forty days. Returning to Galilee, he proclaims that God's kingdom is near and calls Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow. In Capernaum he teaches with striking authority, drives out an unclean spirit, heals Peter's mother-in-law and many others at evening. He prays alone before dawn, moves on to preach elsewhere, and cleanses a man with leprosy, though word spreads so widely that he must stay in remote places.

Themes

  • Good news
  • Authority of Jesus
  • Call to follow
  • Compassion for the unclean

Key verses

Audio Bible · Mark 1

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Mark 1

Berean Standard Bible45 verses · 4 min read

1This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” 3“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” 4John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 7And he proclaimed: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. ” 9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. 11And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” 12At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, 13and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him. 14After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God. 15“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” 16As 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. 17“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18And at once they left their nets and followed Him. 19Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets. 20Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him. 21Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. 22The people were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23Suddenly a man with an unclean spirit cried out in the synagogue: 24“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!” 25But Jesus rebuked the spirit. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” 26At this, the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and came out with a loud shriek. 27All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!” 28And the news about Jesus spread quickly through the whole region of Galilee. 29As soon as Jesus and His companions had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and they promptly told Jesus about her. 31So He went to her, took her by the hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed, 33and the whole town gathered at the door. 34And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. 35Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray. 36Simon and his companions went to look for Him, 37and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!” 38But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.” 39So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. 40Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” 42And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed. 43Jesus promptly sent him away with a stern warning: 44“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45But the man went out and openly began to proclaim and spread the news. Consequently, Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view, but He stayed out in solitary places. Yet people came to Him from every quarter.
Verses in Mark 1

Chapters of Mark

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