THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL

Passage: Mark 1:1-8

Key verse: 4

NIV

John the Baptist Prepares the Way(A)

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b](B) 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”[c](C)—
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”[d](D)

4 And so John the Baptist(E) appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance(F) for the forgiveness of sins.(G) 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist,(H) and he ate locusts(I) and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.(J) 8 I baptize you with[e] water, but he will baptize you with[f] the Holy Spirit.”(K)

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 1:1 Or Jesus Christ. Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean Anointed One.
  2. Mark 1:1 Some manuscripts do not have the Son of God.
  3. Mark 1:2 Mal. 3:1
  4. Mark 1:3 Isaiah 40:3
  5. Mark 1:8 Or in
  6. Mark 1:8 Or in
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, (A)the Son of God.[a]

2 (B)As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,[b]

(C)“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way,
3 (D)the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    (E)‘Prepare[c] the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,’”

4 (F)John appeared, baptizing in (G)the wilderness and proclaiming (H)a baptism of (I)repentance (J)for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, (K)confessing their sins. 6 Now John was (L)clothed with camel's hair and (M)wore a leather belt around his waist and ate (N)locusts and (O)wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, (P)“After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 (Q)I have baptized you with water, but (R)he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 1:1 Some manuscripts omit the Son of God
  2. Mark 1:2 Some manuscripts in the prophets
  3. Mark 1:3 Or crying: Prepare in the wilderness
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF MARK

John Mark grew up in Jerusalem in a Christian home. He was influenced by Peter, and Peter's eyewitness accounts of Jesus must have been the chief source of his Gospel. Mark may have been the young man who streaked away on the night Jesus was arrested (14:51,52).

He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but the hardships of the serving life proved too much for him, so he turned back in Pamphylia. Later, when his cousin Barnabas wanted to take him on the next journey, Paul refused; Paul and Barnabas split up over this issue. Later, Mark came to know Jesus personally and he became a useful man. Paul wrote, 'Get Mark ...he is helpful to me.' (2Ti 4:11)

Mark 1

:45 is the key verse of this gospel. After Mark was changed into a faithful servant of Jesus, he saw Jesus as the Suffering Servant spoken of in Isaiah's prophecies (Isa 52:13-53:12). He wrote about Jesus who served sinners by teaching repentance and faith, and who served the sick and demon-possessed crowds with his healing touch and his powerful word. He trained twelve disciples by being with them until they could learn his shepherd heart, and serve the crowds. He served us by shedding his blood on the cross as a ransom sacrifice for sin.

1. The gospel begins with prophecy (1-3)

God spoke through his prophet Isaiah about Jesus and his forerunner John some 7

years before their birth. God promised that he would send a messenger to prepare the way for the Messiah. John came to fulfill this prophecy and show that God is faithful to keep his promises.

2. The gospel begins in the wilderness (4a,6)

John was the voice in the wilderness. He wore simple clothes and ate simple food. His working place was not a luxurious office. He did not depend on money; he simply obeyed the word of God and preached that people should repent of their sins. He heralded the coming of the Lord.

3. The gospel begins with repentance (4b-8)

Those who hear the word of God, confess their sins, and ask God's mercy can welcome the Savior. He baptizes with the Holy Spirit. He forgives sins and gives life.

Prayer: Lord, may your gospel come with power into this wilderness world and into my heart.

One Word: Prepare the way for the Lord