Frameworks:
Mark's Gospel, chapter 1
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each
verse we have also added in italic a description of what is happening)
CHAPTER
1
v.1-3
Message & Messenger
v.4,5
Fulfilment in John the Baptist
v.6-8
John's Lifestyle & Message
v.9-11
The Baptism of Jesus
v.12,13
A Testing Time for Jesus in the Wilderness
v.14,15
John's departure & start of Jesus' Ministry
v.16-20
Jesus' First Disciples Called
v.21-28
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
v.29-31
Jesus Heals Simon's Mother-in-law
v.32-34
Jesus Heals Many
v.35-37
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
v.38,39
Jesus goes preaching
v.40-45
Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
v.1-3
Message & Messenger
v.1
(what this is all about) The
beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son
of God,
v.2
(having been prophesied) as
it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger
ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—
v.3 (this is what John would do)
“a voice of one calling
in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight
paths for him.”
v.4,5
Fulfilment
v.4
(outworking of prophecy) And
so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching
a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
v.5
(so) The whole
Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to
him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan
River.
v.6-8
John's Lifestyle & Message
v.6
(John's lifestyle) John
wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around
his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
v.7,8
(John's message)
And this was his message:
“After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose
sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I
baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with ] the
Holy Spirit.”
v.9-11
The Baptism of Jesus
v.9
(because John was there) At
that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and
was baptized by John in the Jordan.
v.10,11
(what happened) Just
as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn
open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And
a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with
you I am well pleased.”
v.12,13
A Testing Time for Jesus in the Wilderness
v.12
(then) At once
the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness,
v.13
(Jesus' experience) and
he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by
Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended
him.
v.14,15
John's departure & start of Jesus' Ministry
v.14
(later) After
John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming
the good news of God.
v.15
(Jesus' message)
“The time has come,” he
said. “The kingdom of
God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
v.16-20
Jesus' First Disciples Called
v.16
(location & opportunity) As
Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother
Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
v.17
(Jesus' call)
“Come, follow me,” Jesus
said, “and I will send
you out to fish for people.”
v.18
(their response) At
once they left their nets and followed him.
v.19
(and others)
When he had gone a little
farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a
boat, preparing their nets.
v.20
(they too went with him) Without
delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the
boat with the hired men and followed him.
v.21-28
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
v.21
(Jesus synagogue preaching activity) They
went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into
the synagogue and began to teach.
v.22
(response to him) The
people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as
one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
v.23,24
(also demonic response) Just
then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit
cried out, “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!”
v.25
(Jesus' response) “Be
quiet!” said Jesus sternly.
“Come out of him!”
v.26
(the reaction) The
impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with
a shriek.
v.27
(further response of the people) The
people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What
is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders
to impure spirits and they obey him.”
v.28
(consequences) News
about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
v.29-31
Jesus Heals Simon's Mother-in-law
v.29
(rest/hospitality opportunity) As
soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and
John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
v.30
(a problem)
Simon's mother-in-law was
in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her.
v.31
(Jesus' immediate response) So
he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever
left her and she began to wait on them.
v.32-34
Jesus Heals Many
v.
32 (further consequences) That
evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick
and demon possessed.
v.33,34
(Jesus heals and delivers) The
whole town gathered at the door,
and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove
out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because
they knew who he was.
v.35-37
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
v.35
(Jesus' ‘quiet time') Very
early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left
the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
v.
36,37 (interruption)
Simon and his companions went to
look for him, and when
they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
v.38,39
Jesus goes preaching
v.38
(positive response) Jesus
replied, “Let us go
somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also.
That is why I have come.”
v.39
(widening ministry) So
he travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and
driving out demons.
v.40-45
Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy
v.40
(faith hears and comes) A
man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If
you are willing, you can make me clean.”
v.41
(Jesus' compassionate response) Jesus
was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man.
“I am willing,” he
said. “Be clean!”
v.
42 (result) Immediately
the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
v.43,44
(directions) Jesus
sent him away at once with a strong warning:
“See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself
to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded
for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
v.
45 (disobedience and consequences) Instead
he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a
result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside
in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.