Mark 1:14-39

The First Stage in the Ministry of Jesus. (1:14-39).

Now that He had been especially empowered and had determined the path that He would tread Jesus leaves the wilderness behind and goes out among men in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14), after John's imprisonment, to proclaim the good news from God in Galilee. His purpose was to proclaim that ‘the Kingly Rule of God is at hand' (Mark 1:14), to begin the establishment of His band of Apostles with a view to spreading His word (Mark 1:16), to teach with the authority of the One on Whom the Spirit had come (Mark 1:22) and to reveal His power over evil spirits (Mark 1:23) and over sickness and disease (Mark 1:29) as He went through all the cities of Galilee (Mark 1:35). That it was an urgent mission is made clear (Mark 1:38), and its two main aims were to be the preaching of the Kingly Rule of God and the casting out of evil spirits (Mark 1:39). The battle for the world's soul had commenced in earnest.

Had it not been for John's Gospel (John 3:22 to John 4:42) we might have seen this as His first activity. But this may well be because Mark sees this movement into Galilee as being the first stage in the establishment of Jesus'  own  ministry in contrast with John's and is concerned with this and with the further stage of the calling and appointing of the Apostles. If Jesus' ministry alongside John was seen as Jesus assisting in John's ministry, for He was careful not to supersede John and withdrew when He began to overshadow him (John 4:1), Mark may well not have been concerned to draw attention to it as it had little to do with his purpose. He is in a hurry to deal with the main ministry of Jesus and is depicting a triumphant movement forwards. He is concerned to demonstrate that Jesus is the Son of God.

Alternately, but less likely, for he must surely have enquired into what had gone on in the period between Jesus' baptism and John's imprisonment, it may be that he was not aware of what had gone before. It is far more likely, however, that it is rather a deliberate choice on the part of Mark so that He can move immediately on to Jesus own unique ministry, proclaiming that the Kingly Rule of God was within reach. The preparations were over, the forerunner had broken the ground, and now the great reality had come. What came in between could be seen as irrelevant. It may be accepted that Mark's knowledge of the period may have been scanty (Peter may not have been present at much of it) but the fact that Mark carefully states that this was after John had been imprisoned indicates that he knew that there was a gap to be considered.

Analysis of 1:14-39.

a Now after that John was delivered up, Jesus comes into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingly Rule of God is at hand, repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14).

b Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow Him and become fishers of men (Mark 1:16).

c They go into Capernaum and immediately on the sabbath day He enters into the synagogue and teaches (Mark 1:21).

d They are astonished at His teaching because He teaches them as One having authority, and not as the scribes (Mark 1:22).

e Jesus delivers a man with an unclean spirit by commanding it to come out of him (Mark 1:23).

d And they are all amazed, insomuch that they question among themselves, saying, “What is this? a new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him” (Mark 1:27).

c The report of him goes out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee round about (Mark 1:28).

b They then enter the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John, and Jesus heals Simon's wife's mother who then ministers to them. And at evening, when the sun had set, they bring to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed with devils, and He heals them all and will not allow the devils to speak because they know Him (compare Mark 3:11) (Mark 1:29).

a Jesus insists on going on to the next towns to preach there as well, because that is the reason why He has come, and He goes into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons (Mark 1:35).

Note that in ‘a' Jesus comes into Galilee and proclaims the good news of the Kingly Rule of God, and in the parallel does so throughout Galilee revealing God's Kingly Rule by casting out demons. In ‘b' Jesus calls four disciples to become fishers of men, and in the parallel He enters Simon's house with the four, and there He reveals His power to heal and cast out evil spirits. In ‘c' He teaches in a synagogue of Capernaum, and in the parallel the report about Him goes out throughout Galilee. In ‘d' they are astonished at His teaching and authority, and similarly in the parallel. Centrally in ‘e' Jesus delivers a man from possession by an unclean spirit.