Mark: The Preparation

Mark 1:1-15

Chapter 1

  1. Mark 1:1

  2. Mark 1:2-3

  3. John’s mission in a nutshell (1:4-8).

    1. Mark 1:4-5

    2. John’s attire was reminiscent of Elijah (1:6).

      1. Elijah is said to have been hairy (or worn a hairy garment) with a leather belt (2 Kgs 1:8).

      2. Elijah’s regular diet was not mentioned, but he was sustained by a cake baked on coals and a jar of water given by the Lord in the desert (1 Kgs 19:5-6).

      3. Whatever the case, this and his fiery preaching (Luke 3:7-20) was meant to remind the people of the prophet Elijah.

      4. Elijah had been prophesied to return (Mal. 4:5), and he did in the form of John the Baptist.

      5. We see that in some places John denied being Elijah, but Jesus affirmed that he was (Luke 1:17; John 1:21; Matthew 11:13-14; 17:10-13).

    3. John pointed to Christ (1:7).

      1. This shows immense humility concerning his place in relation to Jesus.

      2. His preaching was fiery, yet he still knew his place.

      3. Jesus said of him that there was none greater than him, yet he still viewed himself so much lower than Jesus, and rightfully so (Matt. 11:11; Luke 7:28).

      4. What’s interesting is that in all this time, John never performed a miracle to persuade the people (John 10:41).

      5. Yet the people viewed him as a prophet (Mark 11:32).

      6. Interestingly enough, the same divine confirmation that Jesus had upon beginning His ministry was the same divine confirmation John received.

    4. John contrasts his baptism with that of Christ’s (1:8).

      1. John baptizes with water—in the Jordan River.

      2. That does not mean that the baptism we have today is not in water (Acts 8:38f).