Blog
Episode notes, devotionals, and Bible study writing — 41 posts and counting.
41 posts · page 1 of 2
The Gospel of Mark — Introduction
It was not Mark that brought me here. It was Daniel. This is the introduction to the Berean Post series on the Gospel of Mark — why we study it, how we read it, and what the first readers would have understood.
The Gospel of Mark — Background & Distinctives
In this episode of Studies in the Gospel of Mark, we step back to look at the unique shape and voice of Mark’s Gospel. Who was John Mark? Why does this Gospel read so urgently compared to Matthew, Luke, or John? And what would the first readers — especially in a Roman context — h
Mark 1:1 — The Beginning of the Gospel
In the very first verse of the Gospel of Mark, we encounter a profound proclamation: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." This simple yet powerful line sets the stage for a revolutionary narrative. Understanding the Greek words used in this passage, especially "beginning" and "gospel," reveals insights that connect to the greater biblical panorama, including the opening chapters of John and Genesis.
Mark 1:2 — The Jewish Expectation of the New Covenant
The first chapter of the Gospel of Mark opens with a striking declaration about the messenger preparing the way for the Lord. This introduction is vital for grasping the Jewish expectation of the New Covenant and its significance for people living in the first century. Understanding this anticipation enriches our comprehension of the New Testament message, especially amid the backdrop of diverse Old Testament prophecies about renewal, restoration, and the awaited Messiah.
Mark 1:2–8 — John the Baptist: A Voice Crying in the Wilderness
When we explore the Gospel of Mark, particularly in verses 1:2–8, we meet a remarkable figure: John the Baptist. While often overshadowed by Jesus’ impactful ministry, John stands out as a bold voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing souls for transformation. This post dives into the importance of John’s prophetic role, his unique lifestyle, and the profound message he brought to the people. It urges us to reflect on our own call to prepare for Christ amid our modern wilderness.
Mark 1:9–11 — The Baptism of Jesus
It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Mark 1:12–13 — The Temptation of Jesus
Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.
Mark 1:16–20 — Jesus Didn't Start With a Stage
Mark 1:16–20
Mark 1:21–22 — When Truth Walked Into the Synagogue
Jesus didn’t begin with the Temple. He didn’t begin by confronting Caesar. He began by walking into a synagogue on the Sabbath, in a small town called Capernaum — and speaking with authority that shocked everyone who heard Him.
Mark 1:21–28 — When the Kingdom Broke the Silence
Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
Mark 1:29–31 — Synagogue to Sickroom
Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
Mark 1:32–39 — When the Sun Went Down
Where We Are in the Story
Mark 1:35–39 — Mission Over Momentum
Episode Notes The night before, Jesus’ ministry looks unstoppable — crowds pressing, healings flowing, demons shrieking. By any measure, this is “momentum.” But at daybreak, He does something shocking: He walks away.In Mark 1:35–39, Jesus trades applause for prayer, success for s
Mark 1:40–45 — When Clean Hands Touch the Cursed
When I study the Gospels, I don’t want to skim the surface. I want to step into the world of the first hearers, to see what they saw, to feel what they felt. Only then can I understand what the text is really saying. So let me invite you to do the same with me. Let’s place ourselves in the world of the first century. Let’s imagine what it would have been like to live as a leper — cut off from family, banished from worship, forced to shout “Unclean!” with every breath. And then, in that world, let’s hear the story Mark tells us.
Mark 2:1–12 — Breaking Through the Roof
“And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
Mark 2:13–17 — The Call No One Saw Coming
Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, ‘How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard it, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Mark 2:13–17, NKJV)
Mark 2:18–22 — The Bridegroom, the Fast, and the Wineskins
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, ‘Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?’
Mark 3:1–6 — Stretch Out Your Hand
“And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Step forward.’ Then He said to them, ‘Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.” Mark 3:1–6 NKJV
Mark 3:6–13 — The Nations at the Shore
Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.” But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known. - The New King James Version (Mk 3:6–13).
Mark 3:13–19 — The New Sinai
And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house. - The New King James Version (Mk 3:13–19).
Mark 3:20–21 — When Family Thinks You've Lost Your Mind
Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.”— Mark 3:20–21 (NKJV)
Mark 3:22–27 — How Can Satan Cast Out Satan?
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.”— Mark 3:22–27 (NKJV)
Mark 4 — From Miracles to Parables
We’ve been following the story of Jesus through the opening chapters of the Gospels, watching His ministry unfold with growing momentum. Up to this point, the focus has been on His actions — calling disciples, healing the sick, casting out demons, and facing rising opposition. But now the story shifts. From here, Jesus begins to teach in a new way: through parables.