Gospel of Action
Written to Gentiles about 64 AD
Written by Mark, nephew of Barnabus
Mark tells Peter's story
Includes no genealogy
Key Word "Immediately"
Key Verse: Mark 10:43-45 (Char. of Greatness)
Mar 10:43 But it will not be so among you*. _But_ whoever shall be desiring to become great among you*, he will be your* servant.
Mar 10:44 "And whoever of you* is desiring to become first, he will be slave of all.
Mar 10:45 "For even the Son of Humanity did not come to be served, _but_ to serve, and to give His life [as] a ransom [or, price of release] for [or, in the place of] many."
Mark 1:1-13
Starts out "The beginning of the gospel..." It starts with the story of John the Baptist---Jesus was about 30, as was John. They were cousins. Maybe the quote of Isaiah is actually where "the ball got started to roll"
Mar 1:2 As it has been written in the prophets, "Look! _I_ am sending My messenger before Your face , who will prepare Your way before You." [Mal 3:1]
Mar 1:3 "A voice of [one] shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of [the] LORD! Be making His paths straight!'" [Isaiah 40:3]
It appears that Mark is really starting with the explanation of how Jesus ministry began.
The Gospel of Mark was written for a Gentile audience yet he quotes Jewish scripture. (Mal. 3:1 and Isa. 40:3) Mark only quotes a portion of the text in Isaiah.(Isa 40:3-6)
Isa. is referencing the custom that when the king is coming to a town all the roads are levelled and made flat before him. Major road construction. (Mal 3:1)
This refers to the tradition that Elijah (because he didn't die) would come back and be the one to formally announce the Messiah. That is why the Pharisees asked John, (John 1:21) if he was Elijah, Moses or the Messiah. In the end times two witnesses are to come Rev 11 (possibly Moses and Elijah) The Jews believed that the Messiah would come as a conquering king so it was difficult to accept Jesus because he came as a suffering servant and will at the end of time come as king. The OT talks about the Messiah as both servant and king and alot of the Messianic references mix both in the passage, making it difficult to sift out which is which. To the Jews it would seem that there were two Messiahs, not that the same Messiah would come twice in two different roles.
John was baptizing--this seemed to be common among itinerant teachers of this time. Baptism symbolized dying to the old way of doing things and being born/resurrected into beginning a new way of life. The Jews believed only God could forgive sins so this may somehow be tied to Yom Kippur which was the time Jews spent searching their lives and preparing for the yearly day God erased their sins (Rosh Hashanna) There has been some speculation that Jesus actually was born around the Feast of Succoth (Tabernacles) especially since the feast focuses on the remembrance of God being with the Children of Israel in the Wilderness. One argument for Jesus being born about then is that it was still warm enough for the shepherds to still be keeping their sheep in the fields. Remember that Jesus' other name was "Emmanuel" (God with us). If indeed Jesus had been born about this time one might also note that Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanna also happened around the same time.
Why do you think it is significant of Mark to mention John's food and clothing? Perhaps because Elijah also wore similar clothing. (2Ki 1:7-8)
Mark says EVERYONE from Jerusalem and around came out to see John the Baptist preach. I'm sure not everyone, but it probably seemed like it because of the large number of those baptized. I wonder how John's preaching affected their "after baptism" life or if they just went on as usual. The reference to John eating locusts and wild honey probably was a way of saying that he came "in the spirit of Elijah", but since Mark was writing to Gentiles how would that diet be received by them? John (Lk 1:15-16)
The fact that John would not drink is an indication that he would take the nazarite vow (like Samson) which indicated that as long as he was under the vow he would be considered a prophet. "Nazirite" means "set apart as sacred, dedicated, vowed" (Nu 6:2-8)
The vow also meant he did not cut his hair---must have looked like a wild man. Interesting that Jesus was not a Nazirite (he drank wine) yet the purpose of taking the vow was to be consecrated/dedicated to God.
I wonder what the people thought about John saying the other one who comes will baptize with the Holy Spirit? John's was a baptism of repentance---what was the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Jesus came all the way from Nazareth to be baptized by John. Nazareth in Galilee--(Galilee is Hebrew for heathen circle). Nazareth derives from a Hebrew word meaning "shoot or sprout". Which is interesting when you look at Isa 11:1.
Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod (sometimes translated shoot) out of the stem, of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
Or perhaps Nazareth came from Nazir meaning a separated Jew who had taken an ascetic vow of holiness (nazirite vow). It was located about 16 miles from the Sea of Galilee and was an agricultural town with no trade route therefore considered inconsequential. Remember Nathanael asking, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1:46).
John said he was not worthy to even untie the shoes of the One who he was announcing. It was the lowest servant who removed the superior's shoes and washed his feet (remember the foot washing story, when Peter threw a fit?) John is saying he is lower than the lowest servant in regards to the one he is announcing.
A dove landed on Jesus after coming up out of the water when baptized. Why a dove? We use the dove as a symbol of peace--Noah sent out a dove. The Jewish rabbinic interpretation of Gen
1:2 was that the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters "like a dove" therefore, the Jews would connect the dove descending on Jesus as being the Spirit of God and of the Isa 61:1-3 anointing of the Holy Spirit.
The voice came from heaven. There was more than one time that the voice came from heaven.
The voice and baptism were public and served to establish Jesus' identity.
Jesus was sent by the Spirit into the desert. He was there 40 days, being tempted by Satan. There was a couple of other times that the number 40 comes up.
40 days and nights of rain with Noah in the ark.
40 years the Israelites spent in the wilderness.
Moses on Mt. Sinai 40 days and nights
Spies searching out the land 40 days Nu 13:25
David reigned 40 years
Solomon reigned 40 years
40 lavers (baths) made for the Temple
Elijah ate what the angel gave him then journeyed 40 days and nights to Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God
After the resurrection, Jesus was on earth for 40 days.
Comparison between the different Gospel accounts
Luke gives the info to date when John was preaching.
John the Baptist began his ministry in the "fifteenth year" of Tiberius according to the Syro-Macedonian calendar, between October 20, 27AD and October 9, 28AD. Pontius Pilate arrived in Caesarea at about that time, by the fall of 27. John was thirty years of age from about July of 26AD to July of 27AD, and he would likely have begun his ministry by the autumn of 27.
It was the custom for a Levite to begin his official ministry for the Lord when he became thirty years old. John the Baptist was a Levite, as was his father, Zacharias. He was a Nazarite (Luke 1:15), and "he lived in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel." (Luke 1:80) His public appearance would have been soon after he reached thirty years of age, as, "from thirty years and upward even to fifty years old" the Levites were to enter the service of the Lord (Num. 4:35).8 Josephus (Ant. VII 14:7) confirmed that the Levites were numbered "from thirty years old to fifty." John would not have delayed much past his thirtieth birthday and would have begun his ministry by the fall of 27AD.
Based on Luke's use of the Syro-Macedonian calendar it was established that John the Baptist began his ministry between October 20, 27AD and October 9, 28AD. This was the "fifteenth year of Tiberius." John began his ministry after the arrival of Pontius Pilate, by the fall of 27AD. John baptized Jesus soon thereafter, and the traditional date of January 6 is here used. This date is supported by an understanding of Luke's usage of Jesus being "about thirty years" old at that time, and the thirty years are exact by the Jewish or Syro-Macedonian calendars. The chronology will proceed using January 6, 28AD as the probable date for the baptism of Jesus. This will place the first Passover of Jesus' ministry in 28AD.
According to Josephus (Antiquitates, XVIII, iv, 3), Caiphas was appointed High-Priest of the Jews by the Roman procurator Valerius Gratus, the predecessor of Pontius Pilate, about A.D. 18 (Ant., XVIII, ii, 2), and removed from that office by the procurator Vitellius, shortly after he took charge of affairs in Palestine, A.D. 36 (Ant., XVIII, iv, 3). During this period the famous Annas, father-in-law of Caiphas (John 18:13), who had been high-priest from A.D. 6 to 15, continued to exercise a controlling influence over Jewish affairs, as he did when his own sons held the position. This explains the rather puzzling expression of Luke 3:2, epi archiereos Anna kai Kaiapha (under the high-priest Annas and Caiphas; cf. Acts 4:6). Caiphas was certainly the only official high-priest at the time St. Luke refers to, at the beginning of the public life of Christ; but Annas still had his former title and a good deal of his former authority.
What was John preaching?
Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord,make his paths straight.
Mar 1:7 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.
Luk 3:9 -18
Joh 1:15: John 1:29-31)
If John the Baptist were to be around today doing the same things and saying the same things, how would you react? What do you think the media would have to say? Would you be likely to follow someone who ate bugs and honey, didn't cut his hair and lived out in the desert? Would you have taken him seriously or would you be one of those who tried to commit him for insanity? How do you think his message of repentance would be received in our society? What do you think the current church leaders would try to do? (Anything different than the Scribes and Pharisees?) Okay, now Jesus shows up on the scene and John baptizes him. Some people say they heard a voice and saw a bird land on him. What do you think the news headlines would be that day? Was this a case of mass hypnosis? Would you have gone out to the desert to see John? How would you determine that he really was sent from God as opposed to just a person with issues? Do you think the government might consider placing him on the list as being a potential terrorist? Really look at what he is saying---could that be taken the wrong way? Why do you think the people flocked to see John? Why were the Jews upset with him? In today's words, what was John's message? John the Baptist "prepared the way" for Jesus. Has someone done that for you, or have you done that for someone? How might you "make the rough places plain..." for someone? How might the fact that John and Jesus were cousins affect how you might react to him today? Would you let John baptize you? Think about how the press would view someone like John.
Only Matthew, Mark and Luke mention the temptation. John goes immediately into Jesus choosing his disciples. Matthew and Luke detail the temptation, whereas, Mark and John merely mention it.
John the Baptist was put in prison and Jesus took up where John left off. Simon (Peter) and Andrew were fisherman in the Sea of Galilee and seeing them, Jesus asked them to become His disciples. Why would someone drop their career to follow a rabbi around? Fishermen are not easily convinced to do something so drastic, especially if they had a family. It appears that Peter and Andrew were originally disciples of John the Baptist
Joh 1:35 The next day again John had stood and two of his disciples.
Joh 1:36 And having looked attentively at Jesus walking about, he says, "Look! The Lamb of God!"
Joh 1:37 And the two disciples heard him speaking, and they followed Jesus.
Joh 1:38 But Jesus having been turned and having beheld them following, says to them, "What do you* seek?" But they said to Him, "Rabbi (which [is], being interpreted, Teacher), where are You staying?"
Joh 1:39 He says to them, "Be coming and see." They came and saw where He stayed, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about [the] tenth hour [i.e. 4:00 p.m. Jewish time or 10:00 a.m. Roman time].
Joh 1:40 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two having heard from John and having followed Him.
Joh 1:41 This one finds first his own brother Simon and says to him, "We have found the Messiah!" (which is, being translated, Christ).
Since John was in prison and Peter and Andrew evidentally went back to fishing after John was put there, when Jesus, whom John had pointed out earlier as the Messiah, asked them to follow Him. They had no problem dropping everything to change their discipleship. Galilee at that time was primed for revolution and wanting the Messiah to come so badly they were eager and willing to follow the one who had the most promise.
Peter was married, James and John's father owned a fishing company.
Capernaum----home of at least 5 disciples. Located in Galilee, as was Nazareth and Bethsaida."village of Nahum" when John the Baptist was put in prison Jesus went and LIVED in Capernaum (Mt 4:12-13) Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew lived there also.
Bethsaida----birthplace of Peter, Andrew and Philip Bethsaida means "house of the hunt" founded 10 BC
Sea of Galilee--had several names, Sea of Tiberus, Sea of Gennesaret, Lake Kinneret 13miles long by 7miles wide. Fresh water lake shaped like a harp
Migdal--town near Capernaum may be where Mary Magdalene was from.
Location: Capernaum
When: Sabbath
Who: Jesus and disciples (they)
What: Teaching in the Synagogue
Reaction: Amazement
Activity: Teaching and casting out demons
The leader of the Synagogue usually chose a distinguished guest to do the weekly teaching. The usual teachers quoted important Rabbi's when they taught. Example: the reading of Scripture happens and then the teacher says, Rabbi _____ feels that this means...... Jesus taught with authority, which is another way of saying, He did not quote other teachers and Rabbis, but spoke as if He completely understood the Scripture.
The disciples haven't been learning with Jesus for very long.What do you think they were thinking as Jesus taught and then cast out demons?
Why might the man with the evil spirit start yelling? What might the people who heard him think about what he was saying? Jesus didn't appear to be ready to announce who He really was, perhaps because, since the Jews thought of the Messiah as a king coming to conquer, there would have been the wrong focus on His ministry. The evil spirit perhaps could not keep silent in the presence of Jesus. I'm thinking that Jesus' deity may have caused the evil spirit to be forced basically to bow in subjection to the higher authority. Why might Jesus have told the spirit to be quiet? More than once are spirits told to be quiet before being cast out. I'm thinking that if the spirit was allowed to continue with it's verbal attack, that the center of attention would have been on it, and not on the fact that Jesus cast it out. Because of Jesus teaching and casting out the spirits news traveled quickly all over Galilee.
Okay, what would have happened if a street person showed up in our church service and started screaming at the guest speaker?
They left the synagogue, obviously it as a Sabbath especially since Mark made it a point to say that people from all around came with sick and demon possessed AFTER sunset. Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law BEFORE sunset. Matthew doesn't put this story until after Jesus had already been around Galilee healing and after the Sermon on the Mount. Luke seems to place the story in about the same place as Mark. John doesn't seem to have the story at all. Of course, if Mark is, as suspected, telling Peter's story, it seems to reason that this story would be included. After healing her, and the people bringing those in need of healing you notice that Jesus refused to allow the demons to speak because they knew who he was?
How would the demons speaking impact Jesus mission?
No comments:
Post a Comment