Mark 1:1 ¶ The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
As I read through this first chapter, it became obvious that Mark is framing snapshots of the ministry of Jesus. Based on the writings of Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis, scholars note that his writings are probably a product of the teaching of the Apostle Peter. According to many sources, Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp, described Papias as a “hearer of John and a companion of Polycarp.”
The “gospel” is the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Why was this such good news? It is because His coming to earth as a man marked the end of the old covenant based on the law and the beginning of the new covenant, salvation by grace through faith.
The name Jesus emphasizes the truth that Jesus came as a man. Christ is the name that denotes Jesus as the promised Messiah. “Son of God” testifies that His origin is of God, the self-existent eternal LORD of creation.
Guzik provided an interesting bit of information: “When Bible translators go to a people who have never had the Scriptures in their own language, they usually begin by translating the Gospel of Mark. Mark is the most translated book in all the world. One reason is because it is the shortest Gospel; but the other reason is because this Gospel was written for people unfamiliar with first century Judaism. Mark wrote it for the Romans.”
Mark 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mark 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Mark quotes from Malachi and Isaiah…
Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me….”
Isaiah 40:3 “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.”
…as he introduces the ministry of John the Baptist. John’s ministry was to prepare the hearts of the people to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Both the wilderness (Mark) and the desert (Isaiah) describe a place that is desolate. I believe this is a reference to the spiritual desolation that marked the people of Israel at that time. Yes, the temple was the center of their society and the practice of “religion” was in full swing; but it had become a religion of legalism, of going through the motions with no understanding of the heart, no true spiritual connection with God.
The Greek word “LORD” in verse three affirms the deity of Jesus as He who is supreme in authority. It was interesting to see the Greek root for the word “paths”; it states, “in a passive or horizontal posture.” In other words, it is a reference to submission. I think it is referring to a ministry of urging the people to turn from their sin and submit to the LORD. The following verse falls right in line with this thought.
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark 1:5 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.
John baptized and preached the baptism of repentance for deliverance from sins. His ministry was located in an area along the Jordan River, and people came to him from throughout Judea and Jerusalem to hear his message. Many confessed their sins and were baptized. Confession is the act of acknowledging or admitting that one is a sinner and needs forgiveness.
It should be noted that John was the first prophet of God to come on the scene since Malachi. There had been a marked silence of God and no prophets had spoken for about 400 years. Little wonder that he quickly garnered so much attention.
Reminder: Other scripture reveals that John was the cousin of Jesus. John’s mother Elisabeth was the cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Luke 1:34–36 “Then said Mary unto the angel….And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.”
Mark 1:6 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;
Mark 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.
Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
John was a unique man. His clothing was made of camel’s hair, and he wore a belt of animal skin about his hips. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. John was very careful to declare that he was just a messenger sent to declare the coming of one of whom he was not even worthy to stoop down and remove his shoes.
Guzik again provides some insight: “John says this because in his day, the rabbis taught that a teacher might require just about anything of his followers, except to make them take off his sandals. That was going too far! But John says that he is not even worthy to do this for Jesus.”
John described his baptism as one of water, while the one that he spoke of would baptize with the Holy Ghost. The Greek word for “baptized” makes reference to immersion, “to make fully wet.” The comparison would infer that baptism with the Holy Ghost would immerse one completely under the power of the Holy Ghost, the very Spirit of God. Both baptisms were done in response to the desire of the person being baptized—in repentance of one’s sins and in desiring to yield to God as LORD.
Mark 1:9 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Mark 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
The time came when Jesus came from his hometown of Nazareth in the Galilee to be baptized of John in the Jordan. Jesus didn’t come to be baptized in repentance of sin because He was sinless. John knew that.
Matthew 3:13–14 “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?”
Jesus came to be baptized so that God could affirm Him as the One about whom John was preaching.
John 1:29–34 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 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. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”
Verses 10-11 are directly related to the account in the Apostle John’s gospel.
All three persons of the trinity were manifest in some way at Jesus’ baptism—Jesus in the flesh, the Holy Spirit as a dove, and God the Father as He spoke.
It should be noted that before Jesus ever officially began His public ministry God the Father declared that He was “well pleased” with His “beloved Son.”
Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
The Spirit of God immediately compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness to a solitary place. It was there that the faith of the man Jesus would be tested and proven. We know from other scripture that He fasted during the 40 days that He spent there and are told how Satan tempted Him.
It was at His weakest point that Satan came to tempt Jesus. Three times he tried to get Jesus to go against God’s will and sin. He knew that Jesus was hungry so he tempted Him to prove He was the Son of God by turning the stones into bread instead of waiting for God’s provision. He took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and tempted Him to prove He was the Son of God by jumping off and calling the angels to rescue Him. Finally, he offered to give Jesus rule over the kingdoms of the world if He would but worship him (in essence trying to get Him to bypass the cross). Each time Jesus answered Satan by quoting scripture and standing firm in His faith and obedience to the Father. It was after Satan left him that the angels came and ministered to Jesus.
Matthew 4:2–11 “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
I think that the LORD is still sending His angels as ministering spirits to those in need of spiritual encouragement and strength. That seems to be one of their main responsibilities.
Hebrews 1:13–14 “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
I wonder how many times I have benefitted from such ministry without recognizing that fact. There have definitely been times while driving that I think angels intervened.
I almost skipped over the mention of the wild beasts around Jesus. I think the point being made is that they proved to be no threat to Jesus. It seems that they innately recognized their Creator.
Wiersbe: “The first Adam was tested in a beautiful garden and failed, but Jesus was tempted in a dangerous wilderness and won the victory.”
Mark 1:14 ¶ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
John was very bold in preaching against sin and was not the least bit concerned about being politically correct or for his personal safety. Eventually, this led to his imprisonment and death. We learn more from Matthew.
Matthew 14:3–10 “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. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.”
I’m sure this is not what John expected nor is it what we would expect. Yes, it caused John to question the LORD, and that is understandable from our limited perspective.
Matthew 11:2–3 “Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?”
We know that he stayed strong in his faith because of the testimony of Jesus concerning him.
Matthew 11:7 “And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John…. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist….”
Just as with John, it is not wrong for us to question God about what He allows in our lives. Just as Jesus told John, we are to look to the scripture for strength and encouragement. I always cling to the truth declared in two places in scripture in those times.
Isaiah 55:8–9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Mark now turns his attention to the ministry of Jesus. He went to Galilee and began preaching the good news about the kingdom of God. He declared that the kingdom of God was approaching for those who would repent of their sins and believe His message.
So what is the kingdom of God? It is a term identifying the realm where God rules over men who have yielded themselves to Him as LORD and Savior. Only those that choose to repent of their sins and believe/trust His message of salvation will get to enjoy the eternal blessings of that kingdom.
Mark 1:16 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.
Mark 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
Mark 1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
Mark 1:19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
Mark 1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Mark’s next snapshot is a description of the calling of Jesus’ first four disciples—Simon, Andrew, James and John. They were all fishermen doing business on the Sea of Galilee. These four men, two sets of brothers, responded to the call of Jesus by immediately stopping what they were doing and following Jesus. This was a voluntary act of accepting Jesus as their rabbi, their spiritual leader/teacher. The indication is that James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were part of quite a successful business venture with their father since they had hired servants.
Courson: “Of the twelve men Jesus called, at least seven were fishermen. To be a fisherman, one must possess patience and perseverance—qualities as valuable in fishing for men as in fishing for fish.”
Mark 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Jesus and His disciples went to Capernaum; and, as custom allowed, He went into the synagogue and taught. His teaching amazed those who heard Him because He taught with authority—quite different from how the scribes taught.
Mark 1:23 ¶ And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mark 1:24 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.
In the synagogue that day was a man with an unclean spirit. I couldn’t help but think, “Why was he there? You’d think that was the last place he would choose to be.”
The spirit cried out through the man telling Jesus to leave them alone. They even knew that He was Jesus of Nazareth. They feared that He had come to destroy them since they knew that He was “the Holy One of God.”
I assume that the usage of the plural was in reference to the man and the spirit.
Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Mark 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
Mark 1:27 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.
Mark 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
Jesus rebuked the spirit, telling him to be quiet and come out of the man. The spirit, of course, had to obey Him and caused the man to convulse and yell as he came out of him. The people in the synagogue were amazed at what they had witnessed and began to talk among themselves. This was something new. They had never witnessed one who could command unclean spirits with such authority and compel them to obey. It wasn’t long before the news traveled throughout the whole region around the Galilee.
Mark 1:29 ¶ And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Mark 1:30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
Mark 1:31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
When they left the synagogue, Jesus and His four disciples went to the home of Simon and Andrew. They told Jesus that Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Jesus took the sick woman by the hand and lifted her up. She was healed immediately and began to serve them.
We will see over and over again that much of Jesus’ ministry was to perform miracles of healing, giving proof that He was the Messiah by His power over the forces of nature and the spirit world.
Mark 1:32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
Mark 1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
Mark 1:34 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.
After the sun went down, freeing them from Sabbath restrictions, people from all around gathered around the house, bringing all those who were suffering from diseases and those that were possessed with devils. It seemed that the whole city was gathered at the door. Jesus healed many that were sick of various diseases and cast out many devils. He did not allow the devils to speak out and tell who He was.
The word “many” stood out to me. Why didn’t it say “all?” Did the “many” sick and the “many” possessed comprise the “all?” I tend to think so.
Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Well before sunrise the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray.
This has always been a wonder to me, but then I remember that He was functioning as the man Jesus through the empowerment of the Spirit—just as we are empowered to do. The important difference is that Jesus had no sin nature to deal with in the process. I am sure He was strengthened and encouraged from the time of fellowship spent with His heavenly Father.
Mark 1:36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
Mark 1:37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
Mark 1:38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
Mark 1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
The four disciples went out to look for Jesus. When they found Him, they told Him that everyone was looking for Him. He told them that they should go into the neighboring towns because He needed to preach in those towns as well. So He traveled throughout the Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and casting out devils.
It stands out to me that there were a great many people recognized as possessed by devils. I can’t help but think that the same is true today, but that we simply don’t know how to so discern. We know that sickness is a consequence of sin, but scripture also indicates that demonic possession can cause one to be mute, deaf, blind, epileptic, etc.
Mark 1:40 ¶ 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.
Mark 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
Mark 1:42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Mark 1:43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
Mark 1:44 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.
Mark 1:45 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.
Mark’s next snapshot is of a leper that came to Jesus on bended knees declaring that he knew that Jesus could make Him clean if He wanted to. Jesus was moved with pity for the man and reached out to touch him, telling him that He did want to and pronouncing him clean. As soon as He spoke, the man’s leprosy disappeared. Jesus then told the man to go to the priests and make the sacrifices called for in the law as recorded by Moses. He also told him not to talk to others about what He had done for him; He wasn’t yet ready to make a public declaration of who He was. The man couldn’t help himself; I think he was just too overjoyed. He talked about it so much that Jesus could no longer go into the city (for fear of being mobbed I am sure). He stayed out in the desert places, and the people came from everywhere to see Him.
One more insight from Guzik: “The people of Jesus day went further than the Old Testament told them to. Back then, they thought two things about a leper: you are the walking dead and you deserve this because this is the punishment of God against you. Jewish custom said that you should not even greet a leper. Custom said you had to stay six feet from a leper.”
Jesus not only greeted the leper, He also touched him. That touch did not make Jesus unclean. That touch simultaneously made the leper clean and whole again.
Mark 2:1 ¶ And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
Mark 2:2 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.
Eventually, Jesus and His disciples returned to Peter’s house in Capernaum. Almost immediately, so many people gathered there that they ran out of room and no one else could get near Him. Jesus then proceeded to preach the word to them, to talk to them about the Old Testament scriptures.
Mark 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
Mark 2:4 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.
Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
A group of four men brought a friend who was sick of the palsy (paralyzed), obviously hoping that Jesus would heal him. When they couldn’t get through the crowd, they got up on the roof and removed a portion of it so that they could lower the bed upon which their friend lay. When Jesus saw the evidence of their faith (referencing the man and his four friends), He told the paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven. That certainly wasn’t what they were expecting to hear, I am sure; they expected to hear Him tell the man to get up and walk.
Mark 2:6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Mark 2:8 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?
Mark 2:9 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?
Mark 2:10 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,)
Mark 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
Mark 2:12 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.
The words of Jesus really bothered some of the scribes who were there; they reasoned in their hearts that Jesus was speaking blasphemy because only God can forgive sins. When Jesus realized in His spirit (through the revelation of the Holy Spirit) what they were thinking, He asked them why they were thinking such thoughts. In my opinion, that should have made them recognize that they were dealing with someone very special; He could even read their minds. Shouldn’t this at least have made them consider the fact that He might be the promised Messiah? After all, these men were supposedly those most knowledgeable about the scriptures, and the prophecies of Daniel had identified the timeframe of His coming.
Jesus reasoned (my paraphrase), “Is it easier to tell a paralyzed man his sins are forgiven than to tell him to get up and walk? As a testimony to you that I have the power to forgive sins, I command you (paralyzed man) to pick up your bed and go home.” And he did!
Everyone was amazed and began praising God. They talked among themselves about how they had never seen such a miracle.
Jesus often referenced Himself as the “Son of man.” Some commentators point to Daniel 7 since that is the term used there to describe Him when He is seen being given the rule of His eternal kingdom.
Daniel 7:13–14 “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
Wiersbe: “Forgiveness is the greatest miracle that Jesus ever performs. It meets the greatest need; it costs the greatest price; and it brings the greatest blessing and the most lasting results.”
I believe that Jesus lived as the perfect man while here on earth. Everything He did in the realm of the supernatural I believe He did through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is only as the perfect man that Jesus qualified as the only acceptable sacrifice for our sin. I am reminded that He possessed the gifts of the Spirit without limitation.
John 3:34–35 “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”
Jesus lived in complete faith and dependence on the Father and was empowered and enlightened by the Holy Spirit in every way needed to help Him accomplish the purpose for which He came.
It is a fearful yet awesome truth that the LORD knows what we are thinking.
1 Chronicles 28:9 “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts….”
Psalms 44:21 “Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.”
Psalms 139:4 “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”
That truth is actually a great comfort to this child of God. I know that He knows all about me—and it is certainly not all good—yet He loves me unconditionally and wants to help me grow in conformance to the image His Son.
Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son”
Mark 2:13 ¶ And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.
Mark 2:14 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.
Mark 2:15 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.
Jesus next went again to the seashore and taught the multitude of people that had followed Him. On His way, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus (aka Matthew) collecting taxes and told him to “Follow me.” To the great surprise of the rest of His disciples I am sure, he did.
Tax collectors were not respected in society; they were looked at as traitors to their own people, getting rich at their expense as they served Rome. The NIV Study Bible adds: “Jewish tax collectors were regarded as outcasts. They could not serve as witnesses or as judges and were expelled from the synagogue. In the eyes of the Jewish community their disgrace extended to their families.”
It seems that they went to Matthew’s house where he hosted a dinner for many of his friends to meet Jesus and the other disciples. As would be expected, most of his friends were “publicans and sinners” who had followed them there.
Publican = tax collector
Mark 2:16 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?
Mark 2:17 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.
As usual, the scribes and Pharisees were keenly aware of what was happening around Jesus. When they saw Him eating with the publicans and sinners, they asked His disciples why He did so. Jesus heard the question and answered it (my paraphrase): “Those who are healthy have no need of a doctor, only those that are sick. My purpose is to call sinners to repentance; I can’t help those who do not realize they are sinners.”
Mark 2:18 ¶ 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?
Mark 2:19 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.
Mark 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
Mark noted that the disciples of John and the Pharisees fasted (according to the custom of the day). An unidentified “they” came and asked Jesus why His disciples did not fast like those of John and the Pharisees. Jesus answered (my paraphrase): “Do you expect the family and friends of the bridegroom to fast while he is with them? No. When the bridegroom is taken away, that will be the time to fast.”
Mark 2:21 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.
Mark 2:22 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.
The LORD declared that no one would use a piece of new cloth to mend an old garment because the new piece will pull away from it and make the tear worse. Neither would a man put new wine into old wineskins because the new wine would swell and cause the wineskins to burst, spilling the wine and ruining the wineskins; new wine must be put into new wineskins.
There is nothing to indicate a break between these verses and the previous ones, so what is the connection. We know that Jesus came to institute a new covenant of grace to replace the old covenant rooted in the law. This did not mean that He came to do away with the law; He came to fulfill the law.
Matthew 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
The new covenant would in essence take effect after His death, burial and resurrection. The new covenant of grace would empower a person to live in victory in such a way that the law never could. It would be through the new covenant that the LORD Jesus, the bridegroom, would receive His bride.
I loved Guzik’s way of showing how Jesus fulfilled the law: “Jesus came to introduce something new, not to patch up something old. This is what salvation is all about. In doing this, Jesus doesn’t destroy the old (the law), but He fulfills it, just as an acorn is fulfilled when it grows into an oak tree. There is a sense in which the acorn is gone, but its purpose is fulfilled in greatness.”
Mark 2:23 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.
Mark 2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
Mark 2:25 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?
Mark 2:26 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?
Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Mark 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Mark’s next snapshot was taken on a Sabbath day. Jesus and His disciples were walking through some cornfields, and the disciples began to pluck some ears of corn to eat. The Pharisees asked Jesus why they were breaking the law on the Sabbath. Jesus then answered them by reminding them what David had done when he and his men were hungry during the time when Abiathar was the high priest. He went to the house of God and asked Ahimelech (Abiathar’s father) the priest for some food. The only thing the priest had to give them was the shewbread, bread that only the priests were supposed to eat. Still, he gave them the bread after ascertaining that the men were not unfit to eat it. The hunger of the men took priority over the point of law.
Jesus then pointed out that the Sabbath was made for man’s benefit; it was meant to provide a time of spiritual and physical renewal each week. Man wasn’t made for the purpose of honoring the Sabbath. Then He declared Himself to be LORD of the Sabbath.
It should be noted that the law allowed for the actions of the disciples who were hungry.
Deuteronomy 23:25 “When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour’s standing corn.”
The law they had broken pertained to Jewish tradition established by Jewish religious leaders over quite a long period of time.