Markus 1

1 Dies ist der Anfang des Evangeliums von Jesus Christus, dem Sohn Gottes,

2 wie geschrieben steht in den Propheten: "Siehe, ich sende meinen Engel vor dir her, der da bereite deinen Weg vor dir."

3 "Es ist eine Stimme eines Predigers in der Wüste: Bereitet den Weg des HERRN, macht seine Steige richtig!"

4 Johannes, der war in der Wüste, taufte und predigte von der Taufe der Buße zur Vergebung der Sünden.

5 Und es ging zu ihm hinaus das ganze jüdische Land und die von Jerusalem und ließen sich alle von ihm taufen im Jordan und bekannten ihre Sünden.

6 Johannes aber war bekleidet mit Kamelhaaren und mit einem ledernen Gürtel um seine Lenden, und aß Heuschrecken und wilden Honig;

7 und er predigte und sprach: Es kommt einer nach mir, der ist stärker denn ich, dem ich nicht genugsam bin, daß ich mich vor ihm bücke und die Riemen seiner Schuhe auflöse.

8 Ich taufe euch mit Wasser; aber er wird euch mit dem Heiligen Geist taufen.

9 Und es begab sich zu der Zeit, daß Jesus aus Galiläa von Nazareth kam und ließ sich taufen von Johannes im Jordan.

10 Und alsbald stieg er aus dem Wasser und sah, daß sich der Himmel auftat, und den Geist gleich wie eine Taube herabkommen auf ihn.

11 Und da geschah eine Stimme vom Himmel: Du bist mein lieber Sohn, an dem ich Wohlgefallen habe.

12 Und alsbald trieb ihn der Geist in die Wüste,

13 und er war allda in der Wüste Tage und ward versucht von dem Satan und war bei den Tieren, und die Engel dienten ihm.

14 Nachdem aber Johannes überantwortet war, kam Jesus nach Galiläa und predigte das Evangelium vom Reich Gottes

15 und sprach: Die Zeit ist erfüllet, und das Reich Gottes ist herbeigekommen. Tut Buße und glaubt an das Evangelium!

16 Da er aber am Galiläischen Meer ging, sah er Simon und Andreas, seinen Bruder, daß sie ihre Netze ins Meer warfen; denn sie waren Fischer.

17 Und Jesus sprach zu ihnen: Folget mir nach; ich will euch zu Menschenfischern machen!

18 Alsobald verließen sie ihre Netze und folgten ihm nach.

19 Und da er von da ein wenig weiterging, sah er Jakobus, den Sohn des Zebedäus, und Johannes, seinen Bruder, daß sie die Netze im Schiff flickten; und alsbald rief er sie.

20 Und sie ließen ihren Vater Zebedäus im Schiff mit den Tagelöhnern und folgten ihm nach.

21 Und sie gingen gen Kapernaum; und alsbald am Sabbat ging er in die Schule und lehrte.

22 Und sie entsetzten sich über seine Lehre; denn er lehrte gewaltig und nicht wie die Schriftgelehrten.

23 Und es war in ihrer Schule ein Mensch, besessen von einem unsauberen Geist, der schrie

24 und sprach: Halt, was haben wir mit dir zu schaffen, Jesus von Nazareth? Du bist gekommen, uns zu verderben. Ich weiß wer du bist: der Heilige Gottes.

25 Und Jesus bedrohte ihn und sprach: Verstumme und fahre aus von ihm!

26 Und der unsaubere Geist riß ihn und schrie laut und fuhr aus von ihm.

27 Und sie entsetzten sich alle, also daß sie untereinander sich befragten und sprachen: Was ist das? Was ist das für eine neue Lehre? Er gebietet mit Gewalt den unsauberen Geistern, und sie gehorchen ihm.

28 Und sein Gerücht erscholl alsbald umher in das galiläische Land.

29 Und sie gingen alsbald aus der Schule und kamen in das Haus des Simon und Andreas mit Jakobus und Johannes.

30 Und die Schwiegermutter Simons lag und hatte das Fieber; und alsbald sagten sie ihm von ihr.

31 Und er trat zu ihr und richtete sie auf und hielt sie bei der Hand; und das Fieber verließ sie, und sie diente ihnen.

32 Am Abend aber, da die Sonne untergegangen war, brachten sie zu ihm allerlei Kranke und Besessene.

33 Und die ganze Stadt versammelte sich vor der Tür.

34 Und er half vielen Kranken, die mit mancherlei Seuchen beladen waren, und trieb viele Teufel aus und ließ die Teufel nicht reden, denn sie kannten ihn.

35 Und des Morgens vor Tage stand er auf und ging hinaus. Und Jesus ging in eine wüste Stätte und betete daselbst.

36 Und Petrus mit denen, die bei ihm waren, eilten ihm nach.

37 Und da sie ihn fanden, sprachen sie zu ihm: Jedermann sucht dich.

38 Und er sprach zu ihnen: Laßt uns in die nächsten Städte gehen, daß ich daselbst auch predige; denn dazu bin ich gekommen.

39 Und er predigte in ihren Schulen in ganz Galiläa und trieb die Teufel aus.

40 Und es kam zu ihm ein Aussätziger, der bat ihn, kniete vor ihm und sprach: Willst du, so kannst du mich wohl reinigen.

41 Und es jammerte Jesum, und er reckte die Hand aus, rührte ihn an und sprach: Ich will's tun; sei gereinigt!

42 Und als er so sprach, ging der Aussatz alsbald von ihm, und er ward rein.

43 Und Jesus bedrohte ihn und trieb ihn alsbald von sich

44 und sprach zu ihm: Siehe zu, daß du niemand davon sagest; sondern gehe hin und zeige dich dem Priester und opfere für deine Reinigung, was Mose geboten hat, zum Zeugnis über sie.

45 Er aber, da er hinauskam, hob er an und sagte viel davon und machte die Geschichte ruchbar, also daß er hinfort nicht mehr konnte öffentlich in die Stadt gehen; sondern er war draußen in den wüsten Örtern, und sie kamen zu ihm von allen Enden.

Markus 1 Commentary

Chapter 1

Mark was a sister's son to Barnabas, ( Colossians 4:10 and Acts 12:12 ) shows that he was the son of Mary, a pious woman of Jerusalem, at whose house the apostles and first Christians ( 1 Peter. 5:13 ) evangelist is supposed to have been converted by that apostle. Thus Mark was closely united with the followers of our Lord, if not himself one of the number. Mark wrote at Rome; some suppose that Peter dictated to him, though the general testimony is, that the apostle having preached at Rome, Mark, who was the apostle's companion, and had a clear understanding of what Peter delivered, was desired to commit the particulars to writing. And we may remark, that the great humility of Peter is very plain where any thing is said about himself. Scarcely an action or a work of Christ is mentioned, at which this apostle was not present, and the minuteness shows that the facts were related by an eye-witness. This Gospel records more of the miracles than of the discourses of our Lord, and though in many things it relates the same things as the Gospel according to St. Matthew, we may reap advantages from reviewing the same events, placed by each of the evangelists in that point of view which most affected his own mind.

The office of John the Baptist. (1-8) The baptism and temptation of Christ. (9-13) Christ preaches and calls disciples. (14-22) He casts out an unclean spirit. (23-28) He heals many diseased. (29-39) He heals a leper. (40-45)

Verses 1-8 Isaiah and Malachi each spake concerning the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the ministry of John. From these prophets we may observe, that Christ, in his gospel, comes among us, bringing with him a treasure of grace, and a sceptre of government. Such is the corruption of the world, that there is great opposition to his progress. When God sent his Son into the world, he took care, and when he sends him into the heart, he takes care, to prepare his way before him. John thinks himself unworthy of the meanest office about Christ. The most eminent saints have always been the most humble. They feel their need of Christ's atoning blood and sanctifying Spirit, more than others. The great promise Christ makes in his gospel to those who have repented, and have had their sins forgiven them, is, they shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost; shall be purified by his graces, and refreshed by his comforts. We use the ordinances, word, and sacraments without profit and comfort, for the most part, because we have not of that Divine light within us; and we have it not because we ask it not; for we have his word that cannot fail, that our heavenly Father will give this light, his Holy Spirit, to those that ask it.

Verses 9-13 Christ's baptism was his first public appearance, after he had long lived unknown. How much hidden worth is there, which in this world is not known! But sooner or later it shall be known, as Christ was. He took upon himself the likeness of sinful flesh; and thus, for our sakes, he sanctified himself, that we also might be sanctified, and be baptized with him, ( John 17:19 ) . See how honourably God owned him, when he submitted to John's baptism. He saw the Spirit descending upon him like a dove. We may see heaven opened to us, when we perceive the Spirit descending and working upon us. God's good work in us, is sure evidence of his good will towards us, and preparations for us. As to Christ's temptation, Mark notices his being in the wilderness and that he was with the wild beasts. It was an instance of his Father's care of him, which encouraged him the more that his Father would provide for him. Special protections are earnests of seasonable supplies. The serpent tempted the first Adam in the garden, the Second Adam in the wilderness; with different success indeed; and ever since he still tempts the children of both, in all places and conditions. Company and conversation have their temptations; and being alone, even in a wilderness, has its own also. No place or state exempts, no business, not lawful labouring, eating, or drinking, not even fasting and praying; often in these duties there are the most assaults, but in them is the sweetest victory. The ministration of the good angels is matter of great comfort in reference to the malignant designs of the evil angels; but much more does it comfort us, to have the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

Verses 14-22 Jesus began to preach in Galilee, after that John was put in prison. If some be laid aside, others shall be raised up, to carry on the same work. Observe the great truths Christ preached. By repentance we give glory to our Creator whom we have offended; by faith we give glory to our Redeemer who came to save us from our sins. Christ has joined these two together, and let no man think to put them asunder. Christ puts honour upon those who, though mean in this world, are diligent in their business and kind to one another. Industry and unity are good and pleasant, and the Lord Jesus commands a blessing on them. Those whom Christ calls, must leave all to follow him; and by his grace he makes them willing to do so. Not that we must needs go out of the world, but we must sit loose to the world; forsake every thing that is against our duty to Christ, and that cannot be kept without hurt to our souls. Jesus strictly kept the sabbath day, by applying himself unto, and abounding in the sabbath work, in order to which the sabbath rest was appointed. There is much in the doctrine of Christ that is astonishing; and the more we hear it, the more cause we see to admire it.

Verses 23-28 The devil is an unclean spirit, because he has lost all the purity of his nature, because he acts in direct opposition to the Holy Spirit of God, and by his suggestions defiles the spirits of men. There are many in our assemblies who quietly attend under merely formal teachers; but if the Lord come with faithful ministers and holy doctrine, and by his convincing Spirit, they are ready to say, like this man, What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth! No disorder could enable a man to know Jesus to be the Holy One of God. He desires to have nothing to do with Jesus, for he despairs of being saved by him, and dreads being destroyed by him. See whose language those speak, that say to the Almighty, Depart from us. This unclean spirit hated and dreaded Christ, because he knew him to be a Holy One; for the carnal mind is enmity against God, especially against his holiness. When Christ by his grace delivers souls out of the hands of Satan, it is not without tumult in the soul; for that spiteful enemy will disquiet those whom he cannot destroy. This put all who saw it upon considering, What is this new doctrine? A work as great often is wrought now, yet men treat it with contempt and neglect. If this were not so, the conversion of a notorious wicked man to a sober, righteous, and godly life, by the preaching of a crucified Saviour, would cause many to ask, What doctrine is this?

Verses 29-39 Wherever Christ comes, he comes to do good. He cures, that we may minister to him, and to others who are his, and for his sake. Those kept from public ordinances by sickness or other real hinderances, may expect the Saviour's gracious presence; he will soothe their sorrows, and abate their pains. Observe how numerous the patients were. When others speed well with Christ, it should quicken us in seeking after him. Christ departed into a solitary place. Though he was in no danger of distraction, or of temptation to vain-glory, yet he retired. Those who have the most business in public, and of the best kind, must yet sometimes be alone with God.

Verses 40-45 We have here Christ's cleansing of a leper. It teaches us to apply to the Saviour with great humility, and with full submission to his will, saying, "Lord, if thou wilt," without any doubt of Christ's readiness to help the distressed. See also what to expect from Christ; that according to our faith it shall be to us. The poor leper said, If thou wilt. Christ readily wills favours to those who readily refer themselves to his will. Christ would have nothing done that looked like seeking praise of the people. But no reasons now exist why we should hesitate to spread the praises of Christ.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO MARK

This is the title of the book, the subject of which is the Gospel; a joyful account of the ministry, miracles, actions, and sufferings of Christ: the writer of it was not one of the twelve apostles, but an evangelist; the same with John Mark, or John, whose surname was Mark: John was his Hebrew name, and Mark his Gentile name, Ac 12:12,25, and was Barnabas's sister's son, Col 4:10, his mother's name was Mary, Ac 12:12. The Apostle Peter calls him his son, 1Pe 5:13, if he is the same; and he is thought to have wrote his Gospel from him {a}, and by his order, and which was afterwards examined and approved by him {b} it is said to have been wrote originally in Latin, or in the Roman tongue: so say the Arabic and Persic versions at the beginning of it, and the Syriac version says the same at the end: but of this there is no evidence, any more, nor so much, as of Matthew's writing his Gospel in Hebrew. The old Latin copy of this, is a version from the Greek; it is most likely that it was originally written in Greek, as the rest of the New Testament.

{a} Papias apud Euseb. Hist. l. 3. c. 39. Tertull. adv. Marcion. l. 4. c. 5. {b} Hieron. Catalog. Script. Eccles. p. 91. sect. 18.