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Mark 1: Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry
What is the greatest of all the good news concerning Jesus?
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Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, Son of God.
King James
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
How did Mark know that John the Baptizer was the fulfillment of prophecy?
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Isaiah 40:3–5 Listen! Someone is shouting, “Clear a path in the wilderness, for the Lord our God is coming. Fill the valleys and flatten the mountains. Straighten the curves and smooth the rough places. The glory of the Lord will appear for all to see. God has spoken. It will surely come to pass.”
Mark 1:2 It is written in the prophets, Listen! I will send my messenger before you to prepare the way.
King James
Isaiah 40:3–5 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. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
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.
In John’s preaching repentance and forgiveness, why was the wilderness worth mentioning?
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Mark 1:4–5 From the wilderness, John came preaching that people should repent and be forgiven by God for their sins. People came from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and the Jordan valley to see and hear John. They confessed their sins and were baptized in the Jordan River.
King James
Mark 1:4–5 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 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.
What reasons did people have for coming to John’s baptism?
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Matthew 3:7 When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming, he said, “You bunch of snakes. Who warned you to flee God’s judgment?”
11:7 As the two left, Jesus asked the people about John. “What did you go into the wilderness to see? A reed blown over by the wind?”
Mark 1:5–6 People came from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and the Jordan valley to see and hear John. They confessed their sins and were baptized in the Jordan River. He wore camel’s hair clothing with a leather belt around his waist and lived on a diet of locusts and wild honey.
King James
Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
Mark 1:5–6 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. 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;
Where did John’s baptisms take place?
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Mark 1:5 People came from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and the Jordan valley to see and hear John. They confessed their sins and were baptized in the Jordan River.
John 3:23 John the Baptizer was at Aenon near Salim because the water there was plentiful, and people were constantly coming to be baptized.
King James
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 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
What was unusual about John’s apparel?
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Mark 1:6 He wore camel’s hair clothing with a leather belt around his waist and lived on a diet of locusts and wild honey.
King James
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;
How did John know about the one who would follow him?
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Mark 1:7–8 “One is coming after me,” he cried, “who is so great I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
King James
Mark 1:7–8 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. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Where was John when Jesus came to be baptized?
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Mark 1:9 Jesus left Nazareth in Galilee, came to the Jordan River, and was baptized by John.
King James
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.
What did John see and hear when Jesus rose from the water?
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Mark 1:10–11 As Jesus came up out of the water, the sky opened, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove, lighting upon him. A voice spoke from above: “You are my son, whom I love. I am well pleased with you.”
King James
Mark 1:10–11 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Why didn’t Jesus begin his ministry immediately after baptism?
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Mark 1:12–13 Immediately after his baptism, the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan. For forty days, Jesus lived among the wild animals, and angels cared for him.
King James
Mark 1:12–13 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
In caring for Jesus, what did the angels do?
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Mark 1:12–13 Immediately after his baptism, the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan. For forty days, Jesus lived among the wild animals, and angels cared for him.
King James
Mark 1:12–13 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
What were the main parts of Jesus’ good-news message?
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Mark 1:14–15 After John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the good news of the Kingdom of God. “The time promised by God has finally come. Repent and believe the good news.”
King James
Mark 1:14–15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
What motivated Peter and his brother, and John and his brother, to immediately leave their fishing businesses and follow Jesus?
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Mark 1:16–20 As Jesus walked along the seashore of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the water, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once, they left their nets and followed him.
A little farther up the shore, he saw James and his brother John, Zebedee’s sons, in a boat, mending their nets. As soon as he called, they left their father and the hired servants and followed him.
King James
Mark 1:16–20 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. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. 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. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
How did Jesus have the opportunity to teach at the Capernaum synagogue? What distinguished his teaching from others?
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Mark 1:22 People were amazed. The authority with which he spoke was nothing like the teachers of the Law.
King James
Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
Why did the man with an evil spirit scream at Jesus? How did he know who Jesus was?
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Mark 1:23–26 A man possessed by an evil spirit screamed in torment. “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” he said. “I know who you are, the Holy One sent from God. Have you come to destroy us?”
“Silence!” Jesus said. “Come out of him.”
The evil spirit shrieked and violently shook the man before leaving.
King James
Mark 1:23–26 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 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. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
If the Pharisees cast out evil spirits, why were the people amazed when Jesus delivered the possessed man in the synagogue?
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Matthew 12:27 “If Beelzebub is my power over evil spirits, by whom do your followers cast them out? They prove you are using a double standard of judgment.”
Mark 1:27–28 People were astonished and asked one another, “What is going on? What powerful new teaching is this? Even the evil spirits obey him.”
The news quickly spread throughout the region of Galilee.
King James
Matthew 12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
Mark 1:27–28 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. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
How many people were living at Peter’s house?
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Mark 1:29–31 After leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John to the home of Simon Peter and Andrew, where Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a burning fever, and they told him about her. Jesus went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. At once, the fever left, and she began to prepare dinner for them.
King James
Mark 1:29–31 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
Why did people bring the sick and possessed “after sunset”? How many were there?
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Mark 1:28 The news quickly spread throughout the region of Galilee.
1:32–33 After sunset, people brought all the sick and possessed. The whole town had gathered outside the door.
King James
Mark 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
1:32–33 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door.
If Jesus healed “many,” does that mean that some were not made well or delivered? Why?
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Mark 1:34 Jesus healed many who suffered from various diseases. Because the evil spirits knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak but commanded them to go.
King James
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.
Why didn’t Jesus allow evil spirits to speak? Where did he command them to go?
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Mark 1:34 Jesus healed many who suffered from various diseases. Because the evil spirits knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak but commanded them to go.
King James
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.
Why did Jesus need a secluded place to pray?
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Mark 1:35 Before daylight the next morning, he left for a secluded place, where he prayed.
King James
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.
How difficult might finding Jesus have been? Why were they looking for him?
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Mark 1:36–37 Later, Simon Peter and his companions went to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
King James
Mark 1:36–37 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
Why did Jesus say he needed to go to other towns?
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Mark 1:38–39 “I must also preach in the other towns,” Jesus said. “That is why I came.”
So he continued to travel all over Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and delivering people from evil spirits.
King James
Mark 1:38–39 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
Did Jesus heal everyone he wanted to? Why?
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Mark 1:40–42 A leper kneeled before Jesus, begging. “Sir, you could make me well if you wanted to.”
“I want to.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched him. “Be cleansed.”
Immediately, all signs of the leprosy disappeared.
King James
Mark 1:40–42 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. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Why did Jesus command the leper not to tell anyone but see the priest?
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Mark 1:43–44 Jesus dismissed him with strict orders: “Do not tell anyone about this. Show yourself to the priest, and offer the sacrifices, taking two birds as commanded by Moses. Your healing will become public record so you will no longer be regarded as a leper.”
King James
Mark 1:43–44 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; 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.
Why didn’t the leper do what Jesus commanded?
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Mark 1:45 Instead, the man went into the town and told everyone what had happened.
As the report of Jesus’ power rapidly spread, large crowds gathered to hear his teaching and ask for healing of their diseases. No longer could Jesus openly enter a town without being surrounded by large crowds. Even in the country, people from everywhere kept coming to him.
King James
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.