Mark 1:1-5 & Introduction
Introduction
The Book of Mark is attributed to John Mark who was the son of a Mary of
Jerusalem. The date of the writing is placed between 64 and 68 A.D. The
authorship is confirmed by Papias in 135 A.D. who mentions Mark as the author
along with Justin Martyr in 150 A.D. and Irenaeus. It is believed that Mark
wrote the Gospel in Rome. Mark presents Jesus as doing more than speaking and
gives the picture of Jesus being the powerful Son of God who had the ability to
override the natural laws in favor of a miracle.
Mark 1:1 (KJB)
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
Mark is the only one who describes his work as the “Gospel.” He begins His
gospel with a short description of John’s ministry and the baptism of Jesus and
then immediately after His baptism, Jesus is driven by the Holy Spirit into the
wilderness to face the temptations of Satan. Mark does not go into the
particulars of the temptations. It must be understood that the Holy Spirit has
inspired the books of Luke, Matthew, and Mark, otherwise known as the “synoptic
Gospels” individually even though there is some cross over in the writings. Mark
does not begin his Gospel with the birth of Jesus but begins it at His baptism
and then goes right into His ministry. He initially declares that Jesus is the
Son of God. The titles of “Christ” and “Son of God” also declare the two most
important confessions in the book of Mark. Peter confesses Jesus to be the
Christ and the Centurion at the crucifixion confesses Him to be the Son of God.
Mark 1:2 (KJB)
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,
which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mark now cites two Scriptures which fulfill the ministry of John the Baptist.
The first citation is from Malachi 3:1 where it states that the Lord is going to
send His messenger before Him.
(Mal 3:1 KJV) Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way
before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even
the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith
the LORD of hosts.
John was born about six months before Jesus and had begun His ministry bringing
the gospel of repentance. He was to declare the way of the Lord for a period of
time before Jesus came to be baptized and start His ministry. John’s commission
was special as he was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ. The one who was
coming was God incarnate. He was to prepare the hearts of the people to receive
their Messiah.
Mark 1:3 (KJB)
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make
his paths straight.
This was also a fulfillment of the prophet Isaiah of about 750 years before.
(Isa 40:3 KJV) The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the
way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. John
was the one who fulfilled because he had cried out with the gospel of repentance
and introduction in fulfillment of Isaiah. If we look at Isaiah 40:9, we will
see a much clearer picture of the enunciation. (Isa 40:9 KJV) O Zion, that
bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that
bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not
afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Here is a straight
declaration of the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ who would be coming to Judah.
Mark 1:4 (KJB)
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the
remission of sins.
The ministry of John was a ministry of repentance from sin. The word
“repentance” in the Greek carries with it the meaning of “a change of one’s
mind.” However, many claim it is a prerequisite for salvation and that is not
true. True repentance comes from God. (2 Tim 2:25 KJV) In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them
repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; Once God saves a person,
repentance, that is, a change of the mind comes with it. We no longer view sin
the same way, instead we view sin as sin and not “fun.” We look at righteousness
and holiness in a different light. The Kingdom of Heaven being at hand is
speaking about the fact that in three years, the Lord Jesus Christ will go to
the cross and then 50 days later the Holy Spirit will be given and that will
begin the Kingdom of God on earth. (Luke 17:21 KJV) Neither shall they say,
Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. This
is not speaking of any type of mythical thousand year reign of Christ but is
speaking of salvation. When one receives salvation, the Kingdom of God is living
within them. (Acts 19:3-4 KJV) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye
baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. {4} Then said Paul, John verily
baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they
should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
There were many people who had heard the ministry of John and had repented
physically of their sins but were not saved. The Apostle Paul had met with some
of these people and gave them the true way of salvation and then they became
saved.
Mark 1:5 (KJB)
And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and
were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
John was beginning to draw crowds to his baptizing and preaching. People from
all over the area had come to hear him and inquire of him. They were coming from
Jerusalem, and all of Judaea which meant that there would have been many people
gathering. The entire region surrounding the Jordan also came and that could
have meant people were coming from all the way up from the Sea of Galilee all
the way down to the Dead Sea. This meant that John was now beginning to draw
crowds. John’s ministry was to be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ and
that is why he was baptizing with water and the teachings of repentance. People
were confessing their sins. This confession was a verbal confession according to
the word in the Greek. In other words, they were confessing their sins out loud
so others would hear it. For John, baptism was the outward sign of confession of
sin. He would not baptize unless there was a confession of sin to go along with
it.