Mark 1_29_39

Mark 1:29-39 Exegeses with Sermon Outline

This selection of text is a continuation from Jesus’ teaching with authority in the synagogue of Capernaum. Verse twenty eight states that immediately the news about Him went out into all the surrounding district of Galilee. His fame lead people to bring their sick and possessed to Jesus while at Peter’s home.

The verses that follow immediately after this selected text is a continuation of His preaching in Galilee and heals a man with leprosy, in these text we continue to see the authority of Jesus over doctrine, demons, and the diseased. However, we see that healing or miracle working was not His purpose but proclaiming the Gospel of God, that He is currently visiting humanity and would ultimately lay down His life for the sin of the world.

In this text we see that when Jesus is faced with throngs of people who have shallow understanding of His person He refocuses in disciplined prayer then responds to the marching orders He receives from the Father, because, He always does the things that pleases the Father.

Jesus the Physical Healer

This selection of text takes place immediately after the Sabbath synagogue service. Peter brings Jesus home with him and in likewise manner we should always bring Him home with us when we depart from Church. Customary to Sabbath traditions was a Sabbath meal and undoubted Jesus had been invited to break bread with Peter, his family, along with James and John. When Jesus arrives we learn that Peter’s mother in law was lying sick with fever, “sick with fever” is the Greek verb purĕssō which means she burned with fever. Luke adds it was a high fever (mĕgas – which means exceedingly great fever). This carries the idea of the fever being a chronic condition, perhaps she had been in bed sick for quite some time. (SEE YESHUA)

Immediately as they entered the house they (Peter, wife, Andrew, James, and John) spoke to Jesus about her sickness in hopes that He would heal her and Jesus came to her. The Greek verb came is prŏsĕrchŏmai which gives the idea that He visited with her. Note how Mark describes Jesus’ visitation with the mother and law, He came, He took her by the hand, and He lifted her up. In Marks Gospel Jesus often took the sick and afflicted by the hand as He restored them. In Mark 5:41 He took Jarious’ daughter by the hand and spoke to the dead little girl and she returned to life. In Mark 8:23 Jesus took the blind man by the hand before restoring his sight, and in Mark 9:27 He took the young boy by the hand and lifted him up as he appeared dead after the casting of violent demons. Remember Mark is describing Jesus as the servant and one who has compassion, in this event Mark captures the picture of the servant in action and the fever left her.

This is a remarkable miracle and what is even more remarkable; she got up and began to serve them the Sabbath meal. Anyone who has experienced sickness with fever can attest to the aches and pains it brings and those who have been sick for days on in realize that it takes time to get your strength and do what you are accustomed to doing. However, Luke the physician tells us that she got up immediately and served them (Luke 4:38-44). Matthew tells us she got up and served Jesus (Matt. 8:14-17).

The Greek word used for waited (ministered KJV) is diakoneō which means to serve and render assistance. We get our English word Deacon from this verb and in the N.T. it is often associated with the serving of food, (see Mark 1:13). This is complete and total healing at the hands of the Servant of God and in response to His gift Peter’s mother in law serves Him. Peters mother in law presents a model of discipleship, which requires lowly service from all, male and female.

We saw that Jesus healed a demon possessed man in the synagogue and here at Peter’s house a lowly widowed woman, Jesus care for all people even those who had a lowly place in society. There are two great reminders for us in verses 29-31, first, we never leave Jesus at the church house, we always bring Him home with us and second, He is worthy of our service.

Our text goes on to explain (32-34) that once the evening came the town people began to bring their sick and possessed to Jesus. Note, they waited until the sun went down, why? Because the Jewish new day begins around 6pm as the sun goes down and three stars can be seen in the sky the new day is official. This means they waited until the Sabbath day was over out of fear of breaking the Sabbath laws before they brought their loved ones to Jesus. Legalism ties a millstone around your neck and keeps you from God’s grace, Jesus will soon teach against these laws.

Mark tells us the towns people of Capernaum had gathered at Peter’s door. This is is certainly a form of Hyperbole but no doubt the word was out about Jesus’ authority on display earlier in the synagogue as this large and excited crowd gathered. The Greek verb phĕrō is imperfect and active, this means they were constantly bringing the sick and demonized to Jesus. Mark tells us that Jesus healed many who were sick and cast out many demons from the possessed. Luke tells us that Jesus laid His hands on each sick and possessed person and they were healed by a single touch of the Servant of God, and, as before He did not permit the demons to speak as to His identity because they make bad character witnesses.

Notice that Jesus openly healed a man of demon possession in the synagogue, then privately healed a lady from sickness, and then publicly heals a multitude of sick and demon possessed. What a mighty work of God and what compassion Jesus showed the afflicted. Even though these miracles served as demonstration of His announcement that the Kingdom of God was at hand they did not in themselves compel belief (see Matt. 11:20-24). The Bible teaches faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God and Jesus had not entered into humanity to merely heal the physically sick, His mission was much more intentional, His mission was to heal the Spiritually Sick.

Far too often we reach out for Jesus to bring physical wellness to us and we negate His true identity as the Lord and Savior who Marks portrays as the Suffering Servant who came not to be served but to serve by giving His life as ransom for the sins of many. We must focus on Jesus as soul healer and minor on Jesus as physical healer.

Jesus the Spiritual Healer

Mark continues to tell us about the events of that day, and from the text it is plain to see that Jesus is being pressed hard by those who wanted Him to work a mighty miracle for them. It is hard to know if Jesus had been to sleep that night but what Mark does tell us is that early that morning he went out to a lonely place to pray.

The word erēmos or secluded (NASB) and solitary (KJV) means an uninhabited place, desert, or a wilderness place. This word is used in 1:12 as Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Perhaps Mark is indicating a difficult time for Jesus perhaps He is being tempted with His acclaim and the pressure to heal those who hve come to Him. However Jesus finds a place to pray.

The Greek word early is lian which means exceedingly early or very much early. Scholars believe it is between 3 and 6 am. It was hard to find a quite place due to the crowds but also because of the population and the narrow streets in ancient towns, however, one could find a place in the hills outside the village if one arose early enough. Mark tells us that Jesus prayed while alone, the word praying (prŏsĕuchŏmai) is in the imperfect tense suggesting prolonged prayer. Jesus was praying fervently.

The Gospel accounts tell us that Jesus often drew apart and prayed but Mark only records Jesus praying two other times and each of these times preceded times of crisis in his life, in Mark 6:46 before walking on water and 14:32-42 in Gethsemane just before His arrest and crucifixion.

While Jesus needed to be alone with His Father in communion the crowd was still anxious for Jesus to come and continue to heal people. Peter and the disciples attempting to make good on Jesus’ popularity sought Him out. Mark uses the Greek verb katadiōkō or followed, it literally means to search eagerly or to hunt down. Peter’s intentions were good, His master seemed to be losing precious opportunities and must be brought back. But Jesus corrected Him and said it’s time to move on.