The Gospel according to Mark
by
J.W.Weeda
Introduction
This is a verse by verse study of the book of Mark
The one who wrote down this book about the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ is Mark. He was also called John. His official name is John Mark. He was the son of the sister of Barnabas. He described the Lord Jesus Christ as the Servant of God the Father.
Chapter 1
Mark 1 verse 1: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
Verse 1: The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Gospel means Good News, glad tidings. The whole book is the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth till the crucifixion and the resurrection of the Lord and after He was risen and told His disciples what to do after He would be not with them but with His Father in heaven on the right hand of the Father.
Mark 1 verse 2: As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Verse 2: Maleachi spoke about this in Maleachi 3 verse 1. We read there : Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and theLord, 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. The prophet Maleachi spoke about John the Baptist. John the Baptist was God's messenger and send to prepare Christ's way. In Matthew 11 verse 10 we read: For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. In Isaiah 40 verse 3 we read: The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of theLord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. John was the first in the four gospels who brought the Good News to the people. He was the one in the wilderness and crieth to the people of Israel. They had to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.
Mark 1 verse 3: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Verse 3: In John 1 verse 23 we read:He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. This was John the Baptist!
Mark 1 verse 4: John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Verse 4: John baptized people in the wilderness. He preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Israel must repent to the Lord because they had turned away from God! That's why John the Baptist preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark 1 verse 5: 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.
Verse 5: Think about this verse! All the inhabitans of the land of Judaea and they of Jerusalem came to John. Jewish people and were baptized of him in the river of Jordan. John the Baptizer baptized them all! He didn't baptize by immersion, that was impossible! So much people to immerse! It was sprinkling persons what we read also in the Old Testament. They were baptized and confessed their sins. They made known their sins. People felt quilty and repented to confess their sins and be baptized. It was belief and works: that was the Gospel which John the Baptist preached.
Mark 1 verse 6: And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
Verse 6: This is how John was dressed like this: camel's hair and a girdle of a skin upon his hips. He ate locusts and wild honey. Wild honey was very healthy and in locusts there is a lot of egg white. A good meat substitute
Mark 1 verse 7: And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
Verse 7: John the Baptist preached this: One came after him Who is stronger or mightier than me. I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose His shoes. In Matthew 3 verse 11 we read this: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mark 1 verse 8: I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Verse 8: Here Mark mentioned only that the Lord Jesus Christ shall baptize the people with the Holy Ghost and he mentioned not with fire. Many of these people followed later the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 1 verse 9: And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Verse 9: In the days John the Baptist preached unto the folk Israel that they had to repent and be baptized the Lord Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and He was baptized of John in Jordan. Why was the Lord Jesus Christ baptized? He was no sinner like men who were sinners? Ah it was to be one with the folk Israel. We have read in Matthew 3 verse 13, 14 and 15 this: Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. It was to fulfil all righteousness, to be one with Israel. He had to fulfil all righteousness and that is the answer why He did this. He had to undergo this. He, the Lord Jesus Christ had to humble Himself before God the Father, to obey His Father and be baptized by John. He was/is without sin yet He was washed as if He had been polluted but wasn't.
Mark 1 verse 10: And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him:
Verse 10: When the Lord came out of the water John the Baptist saw the heavens were opened. He saw the Spirit like a dove descending upon the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 1 verse 32 and 33 we read:And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. This was a sign for John the Baptist and he spoke this to the people what he had seen. It was the glory of God which John saw.
Mark 1 verse 11: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Verse 11: After that a voic from God the Father came from heaven and said: Thou art my beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased. What does this mean? The word beloved not only declares affection but it also carries the meaning of the only One. The Father's announcement from heaven reminds us of Psalm 2 verse 7:I will declare the decree: theLord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Mark wrote this book not about just any Jewish servant. No he wrote this book about the very Son of God Who came from heaven to die for the sins of the world.
Mark 1 verse 12: And immediately the spirit driveth Him into the wilderness.
Verse 12: The Spirit that descended upon Him like a dove led Him into the wilderness, the desert. The evil spirits were busy with the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ Himself was tempted in the desert. This is not only to teach us, also to driect us whither to go for succour when we are tempted.
Mark 1 verse 13: And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him.
Verse 13: The Lord Jesus Christ was 40 days in the wilderness, in the desert. Can you imagine, 40 days! I was for half a week in my life in the desert. 40 days that is a long time!! He could endure this because He is God Himself. The desert can be very hot during the day. At night it becomes cold outside in the desert. The Lord Jesus Christ was there because He was tempted of satan. He was there also with the wild beasts and the angels, the good spirits ministered unto Him so they were busy about Him.
Mark 1 verse 14: Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Verse 14: Mark doesn't mention what exactly happened in the desert when our Lord was tempted by satan. This we can read in Matthew chapter 4 verses 1 till 12. After this John the Baptist was put in prison. Why was he in prison? The reason we can read in Mark 6 verses 16 and 17. In Matthew 14 verse 3 and 4 we read: For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. The Lord Jesus Christ came into Galilee and preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. This is a different Gospel than the Gospel of the Grace of God Acts 20:24 for today for us as members of the Body of Christ. The Gospel of the Kingdom was for Israel.
Mark 1 verse 15: And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Verse 15: Christ was preaching there in Galilee and gives the people in Galilee notice of it namely the time prefixed is now at hand. The time was ripe before the Kingdom of God would come to earth. What must the folk do? Repent and believe the Gospel. By repentance Israel must lament and forsake their sins. By faith under this Dispensation of Grace we as members of the Body of Christ now, receive the forgiveness of sins.
Mark 1 verse 16: Now as He walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
Verse 16: The Lord Jesus Christ walked by the sea of Galilee. A couple of years ago my wife and me were in Israel and we stayed at the sea of Galilee 2 days. What a beautiful and quiet area and when you see the small beaches near the sea there you think immediately about our Lord Jesus Christ that He walked or stood by the sea of Galilee 2000 years ago!! The Lord saw Simon and Andrew his brother. They were fishermen and casted the net into the sea.
Mark 1 verse 17: And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
Verse 17: And the Lord after seeing these brothers who were fishermen said to them: Come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men. With other words your work as fisherman you can leave and follow Me and I will make you that you reach people with the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Mark 1 verse 18: And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
Verse 18: Immediately Peter and Andrew forsook their nets. They stopped with fishing and followed Him litteraly. The call of the Lord to them was very strong or intense. They couldn't refuse His call. It was such a haunting voice!
Mark 1 verse 19: And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
Verse 19: The Lord walked a little bit further by the sea of Galilee and He saw James and his brother John who were the sons of Zebedee. They too were fishermen and were busy in the ship to make their nets.
Mark 1 verse 20: And straightway He called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Verse 20: The Lord immediately called the two sons of Zebedee James and John and they left their father in the ship with all the servants who were hired by their father and went litteraly after Him. His appearance must have been something special because the persons He called they immediately followed Him litteraly.
Mark 1 verse 21: And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Verse 21: The Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples went into Capernaum. On the Sabbath day they entered the synagogue of the Jews and He taught the people there in the synagogue. He taught them God's Word and everyone in that place was listening to Him.
Mark 1 verse 22: And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Verse 22: The people who were gathered in the synagogue and listened to Him were amazed at His doctrine. Why? He taught them as one who had authority and not what the scribes them learned and how they learned the people. They came with the Lord and gave the people a lot of rules to keep them and this came across as authoritarian.
Mark 1 verse 23: And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out
Verse 23: In the synagogue was a man who was possessed from the devil. The Scripture says here unclean spirit. This man cried out in the synagogue. Because of that he got all the attention of those who were there. In Luke 4 verse 33 we read the same verse: And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice. In the time when our Lord Jesus Christ was on earth you had a lot of people who were demon possessed or had a spiirt of an unclean devil.
Mark 1 verse 24: Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Verse 24: The devil was speaking through this man: let us alone, let us be in this man. What have we to do with thee Jesus of Nazareth. You came to destroy us. The devil himself who was in that man knew exactly who the Lord Jesus Christ was and spoke of Him as the Holy One of God. He didn't believe in Him but acknowledged Him!
Mark 1 verse 25: And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Verse 25: The Lord Jesus Christ reproved the unclean spirit and said to him: stop speaking to me, be silent and come out of this man. We see in the next verse(s) this happen.
Mark 1 verse 26: And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
Verse 26: The unclean spirit ripped the man and after this the spirit cried with a loud voice and came out of that man. Only the Lord could do such a wonder, miracle. He had/has the power to do that because He was and is God Himself. This is also what the people wondered. We read that in the next verse.
Mark 1 verse 27: And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
Verse 27: The Jewish people in the synagogue saw everything He did and were astonished and asked themselves this: what is this and the new doctrine He teached us? And with what authority He commandeth these unclean spirits that they obeyed Him. They had never seen such a miracle before and heard never this doctrine He teached the people.
Mark 1 verse 28: And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about
Galilee.
Verse 28: Per direct His fame (alle the miracles He did and what He told the people) became known in the region of Galilee. This was a sort word of mouth. Everyone in that area came to know this very fast.
Mark 1 verse 29: And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Verse 29: After this healing in the synagogue in Carpernaum The Lord with His 4 disciples who followed Him went out of the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew his brother. Also James and John entered the house. Peter had not only a house but was also married. We read further on what happened in the house of him.
Mark 1 verse 30: But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
Verse 30: Peter's mother in law was there in the house but she lay sick of a fever. And Peter and Andrew told the Lord that she was ill of fever, very serious. Fever in general could be very bad and deadly.
Mark 1 verse 31: And He came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
Verse 31 The Lord Jesus Christ saw her lying and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Immediately the fever was gone because the fever left her. She was healed and strengthened. She, the mother in law of Peter, was so glad and able to serve the Lord and the disciples. Serving was most of the time for a woman in a house to give people to drink, to eat. Caring for the inner man.
Mark 1 verse 32: And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils
Verse 32: It's striking that people had heard a lot of Him and knew that the Lord Jesus Christ was in the house of Peter and that He could do a lot of miracles and healing. So they brought to Him all that had diseases and them that were possessed with devils. They knew because of the synagogue they had seen that He could casting out devils.
Mark 1 verse 33: And all the city was gathered together at the door.
Verse 33: This was so amazing: the whole city of Capernaum was gathered together at the door of the house of Simon. Everyone of the city was there because of the Lord Jesus Christ Who could do healing, casting out devils, miracles. They wanted to see more. The Jews desired always signs otherwise they didn't believe. We see in the next verse what happened.
Mark 1 verse 34: And He healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew Him.
Verse 34: The Lord Jesus Christ healed many persons who were sick with different diseases. He cast out many devils. He let not the devils to speak to Him because they knew Him. Why not? Because He wanted not from these devils witnesses.
Mark 1 verse 35: And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Verse 35: In the morning after this healings the Lord went out and departed to a quiet place and there He prayed to His Father. Secret prayer must be made secretly. The time the Lord prayed was in the morning after the Sabbaths day. It was for Him important to be alone with His Father and talking to Him.
Mark 1 verse 36: And Simon and they that were with him followed after Him.
Verse 36: Simon and the other disciples saw He had departed them and they followed the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 1 verse 37: And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
Verse 37: Simon and the other disciples found Him and said to Him this: all men seek for thee. In fact He was much wanted. They were proud that their Master was become so populair already and would Him appear n public because it was their own city they came from. What was the answer of the Lord to this?
Mark 1 verse 38: And He said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
Verse 38: The Lord answered them: Let us go into the next towns that I may preach also there because that is the purpose of My coming. In the next verses we read that they did this.
Mark 1 verse 39: And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
Verse 39: All Galilee the Lord Jesus Christ came, not only Capernaum. He preached in all Galilee in the synagogues of the Jewish people and cast out devils. A lot of people were possessed with devils in that time. The Lord hath the power to cast them out of persons. This let you see that God in Christ has all power and has also the power over satan and his angels.
Mark 1 verse 40: And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Verse 40: A man who was a leper came to the Lord Jesus Christ and begged Him and kneeled down to Him. He acknowledged that the Lord Jesus Christ was above him and could make him better. He said to Him thou canst make me clean. With a great humility he came to the Lord. He had a firm belief in the power of the Lord that He could heal him.
Mark 1 verse 41: And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
Verse 41: Here we see the Lord His humanity and divinity at the same time. He moved with compassion. What is compassion? This is to have mercy, pity. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ had for this man. He put forth His hand and touched the man and saith unto the leper: I will be thou clean. The Lord healed the man who was a leper.
Mark 1 verse 42: And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Verse 42 Soon after the Lord said I will be thou clean the leprosy departerd from the man who had this and he was clean from it. He was healed and that had done the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 1 verse 43: And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
Verse 43: The Lord was very strict and forbade the man not to say someone that he was healed by the Lord Jesus Christ. Why was this? Answer that would much increase the crowd that followed the Lord Jesus Christ which it was too great already. He would do it with as little noise as might be.
Mark 1 verse 44: And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Verse 44: The Lord gave the healed instructions and commandments what to do next. He said unto Him. Don't tell anybody that you are healed by Me but go thy way. Show yourself to the priest and offer for your healing the things which Moses commanded and this is for a testimony for them. Did this man obeyed these instructions of our Lord? The answer is no because we read in the next verse this:
Mark 1 verse 45: But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
Verse 45: The healed man didn't obey the words of the Lord and published it everywhere where he came that the Lord had healed him so that the Lord couldn't enter anymore a city in Galilee. He went to desert places and there they came to Him from every place.
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Mark chapter 2
Mark 2 verse 1: And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
Verse 1: After some days the Lord Jesus Christ was again in Capernaum and the people of Capernaum came to know that He was in a house.
Mark 2 verse 2: And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
Verse 2: Near the house there were a lot of people, so much that there was not enoughroom to receive them all in the house and He preached the Word of God to them all namely the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Mark 2 verse 3: And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
Verse 3: There came 4 men and carying one person laying on a sort kind of bed. That person was paralyzed and sick.
Mark 2 verse 4: And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
Verze 4: These 4 man with the bed and laying on the bed the man with the palsy couldn't reach Him because of the crowd before the house. Then they saw that the roof of the house whereunder the Lord spoke to the people. They uncovered the roof and broke it up. After that they let down the bed wherein the sick man of the palsy was laying on. They believe really that He, the Lord could heal this man probably their friend who was sick.
Mark 2 verse 5: When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Verse 5: The Lord saw their faith they had in Him that He could heal the man laying on the bed sick of the palsy. He said to this man: son, thy sins be forgiven. He was the only One Who could do this: to forgive sins because He was and is God Himself.
Mark 2 verse 6: But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Verse 6: Among the people who were certain scribes, in the house who were listening to the Lord what He said to this sick of the palsy man laying on the bed, and reasoned in their hearts. In the next verse we read what they thought.
Mark 2 verse 7: Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Verse 7: These scribes falsely accused the Lord Jesus Christ for blashemy because He had said that this man who was sick his sins were forgiven. They didn't believe in Him so they didn't understand that the Lord Jesus Christ was God Himself. They said who can forgive sins but God only? In the next verses you will read what will happen after this reasoning.
Mark 2 verse 8: And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Verse 8: The Lord knew exactly what these scribes reasoned in their own spirits, in themselves! After this He asked them this: why reason ye these things that I blasheme in your hearts? Probably they didn't know who He was and is. God knows every thinking of men. In Psalm 139 verse 1 and 2 we read this: Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Mark 2 verse 9: Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
Verse 9: After that the Lord said to them what is easier thy sins be forgiven or to say arise and take up thy bed and walk? They didn't know what to answer this queston from the Lord. It was not only healing from sickness, the Lord could also forgive sins because He was and is God Himself.
Mark 2 verse 10: But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Verse 10: That they may know. The they are the scribes, the people who watched and heard what He said to the one who was sick of the palsy. That they from that moment may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins. He, the Lord Jesus Christ was and is God Himself.
Mark 2 verse 11: I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
Verse 11: Then the Lord said to the sick person this: Arise and take up thy bed and go thy way into thine own house. What happened we read in the next verse.
Mark 2 verse 12: And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Verse 12: Directly after this saying of the Lord the man arose and took up his bed and went forth before the people. The people were dismayed because never they had seen this before. This was unique in their thinking and seeing.
Mark 2 verse 13: And He went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.
Verse 13: After the healing of the sick man and forgiving his sins the Lord Jesus Christ went again to the sea side. All the mutitude of men came to Him and the Lord learned them God's Word, the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Mark 2 verse 14: And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed Him.
Verse 14: He passed the sea side probably and there He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the receipt of custom because he was a publican. Now publicans were not loved by the people of Israel. We shall study this in the next verses. The Lord said to Levi this: Follow me (literal). Levi arose and followed the Lord Jesus Christ literal.
Mark 2 verse 15: And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
Verse 15: The Lord Jesus Christ sat in the house of Levi, the son of Alphaeus and there were in the same house a lot of publicans and sinner and they sat together with Him and His disciples. There were many who followed the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 2 verse 16: And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
Verse 16: The scribes and Pharisees saw the Lord Jesus Christ sit together with the publicans and sinners and eat with them in the house of Levi. And these scribes and Pharisees said to His disciples this: how is it that He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? How is that possible? They wondered about this. These scribes and Pharisees acoording to the law and their own laws never sitted together with publicans and sinners.
Mark 2 verse 17: When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Verse 17: The Lord Jesus Christ heard the words of the scribes and pharisees and said to them this: persons that are whole (righteous) have no need of the physician but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous ones but sinners to repentance according the Gospel of the Kingdom He preached to them.
Mark 2 verse 18: And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
Verse 18: After this the disciples of John the Baptist and also Pharisees were used to fast and found that strange that the disciples of the Lord didn't fast. So they asked the Lord why His disciples did not fast.
Mark 2 verse 19: And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
Verse 19: The answer in the form of a question of the Lord Jesus Christ is this: can the children of the bridechamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? Then immediately: as long they have the bridegroom (Himself) with them they cannot fast.
Mark 2 verse 20: But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
Verse 20: And He said this that the days will come when the bridegroom will be away or taken away from them (referring to Himself) then the children of the bridechamber, the disciples of Him , shall fast in the days when He is not with them.
Mark 2 verse 21: No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.
Verse 21: This similarity is often explained that the doctrine which the Lord told the people, the doctine of the Kingdom or the Gospel of the Kingdom the new piece is and also the new wine. The doctrine of the Pharisees was a made up of religious laws and this stands for the old wine here and the old garment. The Lord Jesus Christ preached something new, a new Gospel for the people of Israel.
Mark 2 verse 22: And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
Verse 22: This verse corresponds with verse 21 and this verse has the same meaning. New wine is the Gospel of the Kingdom which the Lord preached to Israel and the old bottle is the old religion under which the Pharisees and scribes lived in the time the Lord preached in Israel during His earthly ministry.
Mark 2 verse 23: And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
Verse 23: The Lord went through the corn fields with His disciples and this was on the Sabbath day. The disciples began to pluck the ears of corn.
Mark 2 verse 24: And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
Verse 24: The Pharisees saw what the disciples did on the Sabbath day and in their eyes this was not good, it was forbidden to do this on this day. So they asked Him this: why do your disciples eat the ears of corn on the Sabbath day?
Mark 2 verse 25: And He said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
Verse 25: The Lord asked them this. He had always a answer to their questions. Now He said to them: have ye never read what David did. He took the example of David the king of Israel who was hungry and also the ones who were with him. Did they know it, these Pharisees. Probably not because the Lord asked them this.
Mark 2 verse 26: How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
Verse 26: The Lord told them this example of David who went into the house of God, the temple in the days of Abiathar the hight priest and eat of the shewbread. That was forbidden because this bread was for the priest and he gave this bread also to the ones who were with him.
Mark 2 verse 27: And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Verse 27: The Sabbath day was instituted by God to give man a day of rest and not the other way around. That a human being is not slave of strict Sabbaths rules.
Mark 2 verse 28: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Verse 28: What does this mean? That the Son of man the authority has and He determines what is permitted to be done on that day. Under the Dispensation of Grace whereunder we as members of the Body of Christ live we have no Sabbath's day. In Colossians 2 verses 16 and 17 we read this: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. We as members of the Body of Christ are in Him and we have peace with Him. We can rest in the finished work of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, what He had done for us.
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Mark Chapter 3
Mark 3 verse 1: And He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
Verse 1: The Lord came again into the synagogue of the Jews. In the synagogue was a man who had a fade hand. The hand was misformed or lame.
Mark 3 verse 2: And they watched Him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse Him.
Verse 2: The Pharisees were also in the synagogue and watched Him and they asked themselves should the Lord Jesus Christ heal this man on the sabbath day because then we can accuse Him. Why they did this? Because they hated Him and would not believe in Him. They would kill Him. In their eyes He was a blashemer and a lyer.
Mark 3 verse 3: And He saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
Verse 3: The Lord commanded the man with the withere hand and said to him: stand forth! So the man did what the Lord commanded him to do.
Mark 3 verse 4: And He saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
Verse 4: Then the Lord Jesus Christ said to them. Who are them? All the people who were there in the synagogue inclusive these Pharisees. The Lord knew their thoughts and plans that they would accuse Him on the Sabbath day so He comes with this saying: it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day or to do evil , to save a man's life or to kill? All of them held their peace because they did not to answer Him. What a strong words brothers and sisters if you read this verse!
Mark 3 verse 5: And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Verse 5: After this saying the Lord looked round about on them with anger and specially these Pharisees and was also grieved for the hardness of their hearts. Then He said to the man with the whitered hand: stretch forth thine hand. The man obeyed and stretched his hand out and his hand was from that moment restored and whole as the other hand. He was healed! This was really a miracle!
Mark 3 verse 6: And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
Verse 6: The Pharisees then left the synagogue immediately and directly they took counsel with the Herodians against the Lord Jesus Christ how they could destroy or kill Him. Who were the Herodians? The Herodians were a Jewish political group in the New Testament who supported the Herodian dynasty often aligning with Roman rule, and are mentioned for conspiring with the Pharisees against the Lord Jesus Christ how to destroy Him.
Mark 3 verse 7: But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
Verse 7: The Lord went with His disciples to the sea. A great multitude from Galilee followed Him and also a lot of people from Judaea. In response to the united opposition the Lord simply withdrew Himself from there but couldn't prevent the great crowds of men who followed Him. The crowd of men was dangerous because they were not spiritually motivated and the authorities could accuse Him of leading a popular revolt against the Romans.
Mark 3 verse 8: And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
Verse 8: There were people from Jerusalem, there were people from Idumaea, from beyond Jordan, from Tyre and Sidon (Lebanon) a lot of people. They all heard what great things He did and came unto Him because they wanted also to see miracles and signs like healings, but did they really want to believe in Him?
Mark 3 verse 9: And He spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on Him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
Verse 9: The Lord spoke to His disciples that the small ship should wait on Him. This was because of the multitude of people who wanted to see Him because of the great things He did. To prevent the multitude of men from crowding/crushing Him. In the ship He was more safe.
Mark 3 verse 10: For He had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon Him for to touch Him, as many as had plagues.
Verse 10: The Lord Jesus Christ had healed many people. The people pressed upon Him. to touch Him as many as had plagues. Diseases are here plagues. Most of the people had faith to be healed. Everyone there who was sick had the desire to be healed by Him.
Mark 3 verse 11: And unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
Verse 11: The unclean spirits who were in persons and possessed persons. They could see because they were spirits and when they saw the Lord Jesus Christ they fell down before Him. And it's remarkable what they say that moment: Thou are the Son of God. They agreed that He was and is the Son of God! They acknowledge that He is the Son of God.
Mark 3 verse 12: And He straitly charged them that they should not make him known.
Verse 12: The Lord Jesus Christ commanded them that they should not make Him known in the whole land. Why was this? Because to much people should come to Him to be healed and see miracles He did. Already there were to much people who followed Him literal.
Mark 3 verse 13: And He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would: and they came unto Him.
Verse 13: No matter where the Lord Jesus Christ went, God's Servant, the Lord, was thronged by excited crowds. What the Lord did was this to withdraw Himself from the crowds and began to minister especially to His disciples. So He went up into a mountain and called unto Him whom He would. These disciples came to Him.
Mark 3 verse 14: And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach,
Verse 14: The Lord Jesus Christ appointed twelve disciples/apostles. Why He choose 12 apostles? Because later in the Kingdom when the Lord would reign as King of kings over Israel they will reign with Him over the 12 tribes of Israel. In Matthew 19 verse 28 we read this: And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. So the Lord send them that was the purpose to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Mark 3 verse 15: And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
Verse 15: The Lord Jesus Christ gave only these 12 disciples/apostles the power to heal the sick people and to cast out devils! There were a lot of people who were sick and there were also a lot of persons who were possessed of devils. Why was this in the time of the Lord when He was on earth? As a nation Israel disobeyed God and God had warned them if they didn't obey Him. In Leviticus 26 verse 14 we read this: But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments. All misery will come upon Israel if they didn't obey God and this happened so that we see that when the Lord was on earth in His ministry a lot of people were sick. In the coming Kingdom for the folk Israel there would be no sickness nor that people would be possessed by demons.
Mark 3 verse 16: And Simon He surnamed Peter;
Verse 16: Simon the first disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord called him Peter, that was his surname.
Mark 3 vers 17: And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
Verse 17: The sons of Zebedee were James and John. These men became the most important disciples of the Lord: Peter, James and John. Their surnames were Boanerges which means the sons of thunder.
Mark 3 verse 18: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Verse 18: Then followed Andrew, Philip, Bartholomev, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite.
Mark 3 verse 19: And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.
Verse 19: The last man the Lord choose was Judas Iscariot who would betray Him. This was all in the plan of God that one of His disciples would betray the Lord Jesus Christ. It has to be this way!