1.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
The beginning of the gospel - The word “gospel” literally signifies good news, and particularly the good tidings respecting the way of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ. Some have understood the word “gospel” here to mean “history” or “life - the beginning of the history,” etc.; but Mark says nothing of the early life of the Saviour. The word “gospel” here has reference rather to the preaching of John, an account of which immediately follows, and means the beginning of the good news, or annunciation respecting the Messiah. It was very customary thus to prefix a title to a book.
The Son of God - This title was used here to attract attention, and secure the respect of those who should read the gospel. It is no common history. It does not recount the deeds of man - of a hero or a philosopher - but the doctrines and doings of the Son of God. The history, therefore, “commands” respect.
2.
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4.
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
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.
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;
7.
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.
8.
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
9.
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10.
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11.
And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
12.
And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
13.
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
14.
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Now after that John was put in prison - John was imprisoned by Herod, Matthew 14:3.
Jesus came into Galilee - He left Judea and went into the more retired country of Galilee. He supposed that if he remained in Judea, Herod would also persecute him and attempt to take his life. His time of death had not come, and he therefore prudently sought safety in retirement. Hence, we may learn that when we have great duties to perform for the church of God, we are not to endanger our lives wantonly. When we can secure them without a sacrifice of principle, we are to do it. See Matthew 24:16.
15.
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
The time is fulfilled - That is, the time for the appearance of the Messiah, the time so long foretold, has come. “The kingdom of God is at hand.” See the notes at Matthew 3:2.
Repent ye - Exercise sorrow for sins, and turn from them.
And believe the gospel - Literally, trust in the gospel, or believe the good tidings - to wit, respecting salvation. See the notes at Matthew 4:17.
16.
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.
17.
And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
18.
And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
19.
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.
20.
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
21.
And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
22.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
23.
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24.
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.
25.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26.
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27.
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.
28.
And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
29.
And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30.
But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
31.
And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
32.
And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33.
And all the city was gathered together at the door.
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.
35.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
36.
And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37.
And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
38.
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 said unto them ... - This was said in answer to their “implied” request that he would go and meet the multitudes. “Since the anxiety to hear the truth is so great, since such multitudes are waiting to hear the word, let us go into the next towns,” etc.
Next towns - Towns in the neighborhood or vicinity of Capernaum. He proposed to carry the gospel to them, rather than that multitudes should leave their homes and attend him in his ministry. The word here rendered “towns” denotes places in size between “cities” and “villages,” or large places, but without walls.
For therefore came I forth - That is, came forth from God, or was sent by God. Luke, says Luke 4:43, “for therefore am I sent.” Compare John 16:28; “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world.” The meaning of this verse therefore is, “Since multitudes press to hear the word, let us not remain here, but go into the neighboring towns also: for I was sent by God not to preach at Capernaum only, but “throughout Judea,” and it is therefore improper to confine my labors to this place.”
39.
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
And he preached in their synagogues - See Matthew 4:23.
All Galilee - See Matthew 1:22.
And cast out devils - See Matthew 4:24.
40.
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.
41.
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
42.
And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
43.
And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
44.
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.
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.