The Ministry of Jesus in Galilee

Mark 1:16—8:30

A New King (1:16—3:6).

Kingdom is Near (1:15)

  1. Popularity (1:16-45).

    1. First Disciples Called (1:16-20).

      1. Mark records the initial calls of only five disciples (Peter, Andrew, James, and John, also Matthew/Levi).

        1. Matthew and Luke concur.

        2. John adds calling of Philip and Nathanael (Bartholomew).

        3. It appears that Jesus likes calling brothers: Peter/Andrew, James/John, Matthew/James (both sons of Alphaeus); though Thomas is a Twin and we’re not sure of his brother.

      2. This was not out of the blue as Mark suggests (or even Matthew and Luke).

        1. John informs us that Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptist.

        2. Andrew was looking for this Messiah along with John the Baptist.

        3. Andrew may have even witnessed Jesus’ baptism (John 1:35-42).

        4. There was a previous encounter between Jesus and Peter as well where Jesus calls Him “Cephas,” that is “Peter.”

      3. Mark calls him Simon up until Mark 3:16 when the disciples are called, then he calls him Peter throughout the rest of the gospel.

        1. Jesus calls him Simon in Mark 14:37, calling him out for his weakness.

        2. Still, as Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee, He calls them, and they follow Him immediately.

        3. Luke records a miracle accompanying this event as well, the amazing catch of fish—James and John witness this, too, being fishing partners with Simon.

      4. Many sermons have been preached from Mark 1:17.

        1. They were to becoming fishers of men—are we?

        2. How are we to become fishers of men?

      5. James and John were on their father Zebedee’s boat.

        1. They were mending their nets while Jesus was helping Peter and Andrew catch fish.

        2. James and John did not leave their father high and dry—at least Zebedee had hired servants to help.

      6. Whatever the case, they were willing to leave their livelihoods and their families to follow Jesus.

        1. Peter reiterates this in Mark 10:28. Jesus’ response is in Mark 10:29-31.

        2. What are we willing to give up to follow Him?

        3. Note that Peter still had a house and a family he did not leave (Mark 1:29-31).

      7. Why choose these men? Smelly fishermen? (At least a third of His disciples, and all of His inner circle.)

    2. Capernaum Synagogue (1:21-28).

      1. First mention of Capernaum in Mark—Jesus’ base of operations (Matt. 4:13).

        1. He appears to stay in or around Capernaum, at least according to Mark, until 4:34.

        2. Capernaum is translated from “village of Nahum,” though no clear connection to the minor prophet.

        3. It was founded after the Babylonian Captivity in the Intertestamental Period.

        4. It had a population of ~1500 people, so that was the potential number of people who witnessed the events on this Sabbath Day.

      2. It was the Sabbath, the last day of the week, a day to keep/remember.

        1. On this day, the Jews were to rest, and it also became a day of worship.

        2. The Jews developed the idea of the synagogue in Babylonian Captivity so they could still worship when away from their homeland.

        3. Going to the synagogue is not unlike going to church.

        4. In the synagogue, they had a chest with the scrolls in it, along with a raised platform and desk for the readers and teachers, lamps, and benches for the congregation.

        5. It is believed that ancient Christian worship services were modeled after synagogue worship, which is not too dissimilar from our own.

        6. Those who were asked to speak in the synagogue were rabbis, scribes, or even a special visitor (e.g. Acts 13:14-15) – Jesus qualified as a special visitor.