The Amazing Jesus

The Gospel of Mark

Many of us have been taught to think of the gospels as a focused retelling of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Matthew presents Jesus as the King, Mark presents Jesus as the Son of Man, Luke presents him as the the Servant and John presents Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus the King, Jesus the Son of Man, Jesus the Servant and Jesus the Son of God.

But then I listened to John MacArthur teach on the last few verses of Mark’s gospel and he presented the idea of Mark’s Gospel simply being called: The Amazing Jesus. And that sent me into a frenzied study about the life of Mark and a number of even more frenzied word studies in the gospel of Mark and that’s what I’d like to share with you this morning.

The author: John Mark

James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995).

Philemon--A.D. 60-62 Colossians--A.D. 60-62 Acts--A.D. 62 1 Timothy--A.D. 62-64 Titus--A.D. 62-64 1 Peter--A.D. 64-65 2 Timothy--A.D. 66-67

Acts 12:11–16 ESV

11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.

amazed 1239 so astounded as to be overwhelmed

Acts 12:25 ESV

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Acts 15:37–39 ESV

37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

Philemon 23–24 ESV

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

Colossians 4:10 ESV

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),

2 Timothy 4:11 ESV

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

1 Peter 5:13 ESV

She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.

Mark lost his sense of amazement, he was overcome with fear, but he was restored and regained his perspective of what Jesus is able to do in and through and for His children. And then he writes a gospel that

And so the theme of this morning’s message is this:

Everything Jesus says and does is amazing. Have YOU lost YOUR awe of the one who died and rose again? Have YOU forgotten that he is both a Mighty and a Miracle working Savior?

The Amazing Jesus: Mark 1:1-28

The first thing that you may notice is the obvious use of the word, Immediately in Mark, which means “right away”

Astonished (Mark 1:22; 6:2; 7:37; 10:26; 11:18)

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 1605 ἐκπλήσσω

1605 ἐκπλήσσω [ekplesso /ek·place·so/] v. From 1537 and 4141; GK 1742; 13 occurrences; AV translates as “be astonished” 10 times, and “be amazed” three times. 1 to strike out, expel by a blow, drive out or away. 2 to cast off by a blow, to drive out. 2A commonly, to strike one out of self-possession, to strike with panic, shock, astonish. 3 to be struck with amazement, astonished, amazed.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.219 ἐκπλήσσομαι

25.219 ἐκπλήσσομαι: to be so amazed as to be practically overwhelmed—‘to be greatly astounded.’ ἐκπλησσόμενος ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ τοῦ κυρίου ‘for he was greatly astounded at the teaching of the Lord’ Ac 13:12.

Mark 1:22 ESV

And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 6:2 ESV

And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?

Mark 7:37 ESV

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Mark 10:26 ESV

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”

Mark 11:18 ESV

And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

Authority (Mark 1:22; 1:27; 2:10; 3:15; 6:7; 11:28; 11:29; 11:33; 13:34)

1849 ἐξουσία [exousia /ex·oo·see·ah/] n f. From 1832 (in the sense of ability); TDNT 2:562; TDNTA 238; GK 2026; 103 occurrences; AV translates as “power” 69 times, “authority” 29 times, “right” twice, “liberty” once, “jurisdiction” once, and “strength” once. 1 power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases. 1A leave or permission. 2 physical and mental power. 2A the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises. 3 the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege). 4 the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed). 4A universally. 4A1 authority over mankind. 4B specifically. 4B1 the power of judicial decisions. 4B2 of authority to manage domestic affairs. 4C metonymically. 4C1 a thing subject to authority or rule. 4C1A jurisdiction. 4C2 one who possesses authority. 4C2A a ruler, a human magistrate. 4C2B the leading and more powerful among created beings superior to man, spiritual potentates. 4D a sign of the husband’s authority over his wife. 4D1 the veil with which propriety required a women to cover herself. 4E the sign of regal authority, a crown. Additional Information: For synonyms see entries 970, bia; 1411, dunamis; 1753, energeia; 2479, ischus; and 2904, kratos.See entry 5820 for comparison of synonyms.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 76.12 ἐξουσία, ας

76.12 ἐξουσίαf, ας f: the power to do something, with or without an added implication of authority—‘power.’ ἡ γὰρ ἐξουσία τῶν ἵππων ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν ἐστιν καὶ ἐν ταῖς οὐραῖς αὐτῶν ‘the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails’ Re 9:19; ἔχειν ἐξουσίαν ἐκβάλλειν τὰ δαιμόνια ‘to have the power to drive out demons’ Mk 3:15. It is also possible to understand ἐξουσία in Mk 3:15 as meaning ‘authority,’ and in a number of instances it is difficult to determine whether the focus is upon the power which an individual has or a granted authority to do something which naturally implies strength or power (see 37.35–37.38).

Mark 1:22 ESV

And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:27 ESV

And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

Mark 2:10 ESV

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—

Amazed (Mark 1:27; 10:24; 10:32)

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 2284 θαμβέω

2284 θαμβέω [thambeo /tham·beh·o/] v. From 2285; TDNT 3:4; TDNTA 312; GK 2501; Four occurrences; AV translates as “be amazed” twice, and “be astonished” twice. 1 to be astonished. 2 to astonish, terrify. 2A to be amazed. 2B to be frightened.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.209 θαμβέομαι

25.209 θαμβέομαι: (derivative of θάμβος ‘astonishment,’ 25.208) to experience astonishment as the result of some unusual event—‘to be astonished, to be startled, to be amazed.’ ἐθαμβήθησαν ἅπαντες, ὥστε συζητεῖν πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς λέγοντας ‘the people were so astonished that they started saying to one another …’ Mk 1:27; ἐθαμβοῦντο, οἱ δὲ ἀκολουθοῦντες ἐφοβοῦντο ‘they were astonished, while those who followed were afraid’ Mk 10:32.

Mark 1:27 ESV

And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

Mark 10:24 ESV

And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!

Mark 10:32 ESV

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him,

Amazed (Mark 2:12; 3:21; 5:42; 6:51)

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 1839 ἐξιστάνω, ἐξιστάω, ἐξίστημι

1839 ἐξιστάνω, ἐξιστάω, ἐξίστημι [existemi /ex·is·tay·mee/] v. From 1537 and 2476; TDNT 2:459; TDNTA 217; GK 2012 and 2013 and 2014; 17 occurrences; AV translates as “be amazed” six times, “be astonished” five times, “bewitch” twice, “be beside (one’s) self” twice, “make astonished” once, and “wonder” once. 1 to throw out of position, displace. 1A to amaze, to astonish, throw into wonderment. 1B to be amazed, astounded. 1C to be out of one’s mind, besides one’s self, insane.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.220 ἐξίστημι ἐξιστάνω

25.220 ἐξίστημι ἐξιστάνω: cause someone to be so astounded as to be practically overwhelmed—‘to astonish greatly, to greatly astound, to astound completely.’ γυναῖκές τινες ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐξέστησαν ἡμᾶς ‘some of the women of our group completely astounded us’ Lk 24:22; ἐξιστάνων τὸ ἔθνος τῆς Σαμαρείας ‘he astounded the people of Samaria’ Ac 8:9.

Mark 2:12 ESV

And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Mark 3:21 ESV

And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

Mark 5:42 ESV

And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

Mark 6:51 ESV

And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,

Fear (Mark 4:41)

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 5401 φόβος

5401 φόβος [phobos /fob·os/] n m. From a primary phebomai (to be put in fear); TDNT 9:189; TDNTA 1272; GK 5832; 47 occurrences; AV translates as “fear” 41 times, “terror” three times, and translated miscellaneously three times. 1 fear, dread, terror. 1A that which strikes terror. 2 reverence for one’s husband.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.251 φόβος, ου

25.251 φόβοςa, ου m: a state of severe distress, aroused by intense concern for impending pain, danger, evil, etc., or possibly by the illusion of such circumstances—‘fear.’ ἀπελθοῦσαι ταχὺ ἀπὸ τοῦ μνημείου μετὰ φόβου καὶ χαρᾶς μεγάλης ‘with fear and great joy they quickly left the tomb’ Mt 28:8; ἐν παντὶ θλιβόμενοι—ἔξωθεν μάχαι, ἔσωθεν φόβοι ‘troubled in every way, conflicts without and fears within’ 2 Cor 7:5. In a number of languages there is no noun-like word for ‘fear.’ Accordingly, expressions containing such a noun in Greek must often be restructured so that the corresponding semantic unit may be expressed by a verb. Therefore, instead of ‘fear,’ one may have expressions such as ‘be afraid’ or ‘to fear.’ Instead of ‘fears within’ (2 Cor 7:5), one may translate ‘in our hearts we were afraid.’

Mark 4:41 ESV

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Feared a great fear (afraid mega fear

Afraid (Mark 4:41; 5:15; 5:33; 5:36; 6:20; 6:50; 9:32; 10:32; 11:18; 11:32; 12:12; 16:8)

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 5399 φοβέομαι, φοβέω

5399 φοβέομαι, φοβέω [phobeo /fob·eh·o/] v. From 5401; TDNT 9:189; TDNTA 1272; GK 5828 and 5830; 93 occurrences; AV translates as “fear” 62 times, “be afraid” 23 times, “be afraid of” five times, “reverence” once, and translated miscellaneously twice. 1 to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away). 1A to put to flight, to flee. 1B to fear, be afraid. 1B1 to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm. 1B1A of those startled by strange sights or occurrences. 1B1B of those struck with amazement. 1B2 to fear, be afraid of one. 1B3 to fear (i.e. hesitate) to do something (for fear of harm). 1C to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience. Additional Information: For synonyms see entries 1605, ekplesso; 4422, ptoeo; and 5141, tremo.See entry 5841 for comparison of synonyms.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.252 φοβέομαι

25.252 φοβέομαιa: (derivative of φόβοςa ‘fear,’ 25.251) to be in a state of fearing—‘to fear, to be afraid.’ καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ μαθηταὶ ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα ‘when the disciples heard this, they fell face downward and were extremely afraid’ Mt 17:6; καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀποκτεννόντων τὸ σῶμα ‘and do not fear those who are able to kill the body’ Mt 10:28; ἐφοβοῦντο γὰρ τὸν λαόν, μὴ λιθασθῶσιν ‘they were afraid that the people might stone them’ Ac 5:26.

Mark 4:41 ESV

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Mark 5:15 ESV

And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

Mark 5:33 ESV

But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth.

Mark 5:36 ESV

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Mark 6:20 ESV

for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

Mark 6:50 ESV

for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Mark 9:32 ESV

But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Mark 10:32 ESV

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him,

Mark 11:18 ESV

And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching.

Mark 11:32 ESV

But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet.

Mark 12:12 ESV

And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

Mark 16:8 ESV

And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Alarmed (Mark 9:15; 14:33; 16:5; 16:6)

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 1568 ἐκθαμβέω

1568 ἐκθαμβέω [ekthambeo /ek·tham·beh·o/] v. From 1569; TDNT 3:4; GK 1701; Four occurrences; AV translates as “be affrighted” twice, “sore amazed” once, and “greatly amazed” once. 1 to throw into terror or amazement. 1A to alarm thoroughly, to terrify. 2 to be struck with amazement. 2A to be thoroughly amazed, astounded. 2B to be struck with terror.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.210 ἐκθαμβέομαι

25.210 ἐκθαμβέομαι: to be greatly astounded, with either positive or negative reactions—‘to be amazed, to be astounded, to be alarmed.’ καὶ εὐθὺς πᾶς ὁ ὄχλος ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐξεθαμβήθησαν ‘and immediately when all the crowd saw him, they were astounded’ Mk 9:15; εἶδον νεανίσκον καθήμενον ἐν τοῖς δεξιοῖς περιβεβλημένον στολὴν λευκήν, καὶ ἐξεθαμβήθησαν ‘they saw a young man seated at the right wearing a white robe, and they were alarmed’ Mk 16:5. In the meaning of ‘alarmed,’ ἐκθαμβέομαι may often be rendered simply as ‘to be afraid.’

Mark 14:33 ESV

And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.

Mark 16:5 ESV

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.

Mark 16:6 ESV

And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.

What should we conclude?

16:5-6 alarmed

Mark 16:8 ESV

And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

trembling - tromos

ekstasis - amazed astonished

struck with amazement - phobeo

Mark 5:18 ESV

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him.