Mark 1:12-33

Temptation of Jesus

Mark 1:12–13 ESV

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

Having received the royal accolades of heaven, Jesus immediately faced the fierce assaults of hell.

Rather, it underscores the reality that the Spirit was in control—perfectly leading Jesus to fulfill each element of the Father’s plan.

But the angels also ministered to Him by their very presence, which served as confirmation that the Father who sent them was still well pleased with His Son.

Jesus proclaims the Gospel

Mark 1:14–15 ESV

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Galilee Explanation

Kingdom explanation

Repent and Believe that Messiah is here

Jesus calls disciples

Mark 1:16–20 ESV

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Jesus promised that He would make them become fishers of men, an analogy they would have immediately understood. Instead of casting nets for fish, they would be trained to preach the gospel for the purpose of gathering in sinners

Jesus casts out demon in synagogue

Mark 1:21–28 ESV

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 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.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Synagogue

One of the primary functions fulfilled by the synagogue was the public reading and exposition of Scripture, a practice that went back at least to the time of Nehemiah. A policy known as “freedom of the synagogue” allowed any qualified man in the congregation to deliver the exposition of the Old Testament passage. That privilege was often extended to visiting rabbis, as it was on this occasion to Jesus.

Unclean Spirit

Jesus heals

Mark 1:29–33 ESV

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door.