Exegesis Of Mark 1:14-15
“Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'”
NASB
These verses mark a significant transition in Jesus’ ministry. With John the Baptist’s arrest, Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, preaching the good news (gospel) of God. Jesus declares that the time is fulfilled, indicating that the long-awaited kingdom of God is near. He calls for repentance and belief in the gospel, emphasizing the need for a change of heart and a response to the message of salvation that he brings.
Exegesis Of Mark 1:16-20
“As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and went away to follow Him.”
NASB
In these verses, Jesus calls his first disciples, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, fishermen. Jesus’ call is immediate and authoritative, as he tells them to follow him, promising to make them fishers of men. The response of Simon and Andrew is immediate; they leave their nets and follow Jesus. Jesus then calls James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who are also fishermen. Like Simon and Andrew, James and John immediately respond to Jesus’ call, leaving their father and their work to follow him.
Exegesis Of Mark 1:21-28
“They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, ‘What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’ And Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’ Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.”
NASB
In these verses, Jesus enters the synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath and begins to teach. His teaching astonishes the people because he speaks with authority, unlike the scribes. During his teaching, a man with an unclean spirit confronts Jesus, acknowledging him as the Holy One of God. Jesus rebukes the spirit and commands it to leave the man, demonstrating his authority over evil spirits. The people are amazed at Jesus’ power and authority, and news about him spreads rapidly throughout the region of Galilee.
The Final Exegesis of Mark 1:14-28
This passage highlights Jesus’ authority as a teacher and preacher and the immediate and transformative impact of his ministry on those who encounter him. Even the unclean spirits acknowledge him as the Holy One of God.
Breaking Down The Context, Theology, & Personal Application
Genre: The Gospel of Mark is a Greco-Roman biography, focusing on the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes action and presents Jesus as a powerful and authoritative figure.
Textual Criticism: Mark 1:14-28 is well-attested in the manuscript tradition, with few significant variations among ancient manuscripts.
Literary Context: Mark 1:14-28 continues the narrative of Jesus’ early ministry in Galilee. It follows immediately after the introduction of Jesus’ baptism and temptation in the wilderness (Mark 1:9-13) and serves to demonstrate Jesus’ authority and power through his teachings and casting out spirits. This passage also introduces the calling of the first disciples, emphasizing their immediate and radical response to Jesus’ call.
Historical Context: Mark’s Gospel was likely written during a time of persecution of Christians in Rome, possibly during the reign of Nero in the 60s AD. The reference to John the Baptist’s imprisonment in verse 14 reflects this historical context, as John was likely arrested and executed by Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. The mention of Capernaum as a location for Jesus’ ministry is historically accurate, as Capernaum was a prominent town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Literary Context: Mark 1:14-28 continues the narrative of Jesus’ early ministry in Galilee. It follows immediately after the introduction of Jesus’ baptism and temptation in the wilderness (Mark 1:9-13) and serves to demonstrate Jesus’ authority and power through his teachings and casting out unclean spirits. This passage also introduces the calling of the first disciples, emphasizing their immediate and radical response to Jesus’ call.
Breaking it down: Highlight the important parts. Pay attention to the dialogue, repeated words, or phrases. Verses 16 and 21 are in bold and would be the paragraph break. If you use the NASB, you will notice that. That is why the above is grouped that way. This is how I would highlight Mark 1:14-28 Then, write a brief summary of each paragraph. Write a final conclusion using your summary of each paragraph.
Jesus Preaches in Galilee
14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.
17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow * Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.
20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.
21 They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach.
22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24 saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are-the Holy One of God!”
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him.
27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.
