Mark 1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

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.

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;

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.

I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

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.

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

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.

And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

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.

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

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.

And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

And all the city was gathered together at the door.

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.

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

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 preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

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.

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;

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.

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.

What does Mark 1:21 mean?

Explanation

Mark 1:21 describes an event early in Jesus' ministry, where He goes into the town of Capernaum and begins teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath.

The verse highlights two important aspects of Jesus' early ministry: His teaching role and His observance of Jewish customs.

The verse indicates that Jesus’ teaching was immediate and suggests a level of authority with which He engaged the synagogue attendees.

As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that His teachings are distinct from those of the religious authorities of the time, often leading to amazement among His listeners.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Capernaum was a significant town located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

During the time of Jesus, it was known for its fishing industry and as a center of trade and communication.

The mention of the synagogue indicates a Jewish presence and organization within the community.

Synagogues were not only places of worship but also served as centers for learning and public gatherings.

The Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, was a central observance in Jewish life, making it an opportune time for Jesus to teach.

Theological Insights

The verse illustrates a number of theological themes:

Jesus the Teacher: Jesus is presented as a rabbi or teacher, which is central to the understanding of His ministry.
Divine Authority: By teaching in the synagogue, a place of established religious authority, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority in interpreting Scripture.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus’ actions in Capernaum can be seen as fulfilling Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's teaching and healing roles.

Theologically, different Christian denominations may emphasize different aspects of this event.

Some might focus on the fulfillment of messianic prophecy, while others might underline the importance of Jesus' observance of the Sabbath and his role as a teacher.

Practical Applications

The verse illustrates the importance of:

Being a Learner: Christians are encouraged to seek out teaching and become knowledgeable about their faith.
Observing Traditions: There is value in respecting and observing religious traditions and practices.
Gathering in Community: Just as Jesus taught in a communal setting, there is significance in coming together with others to learn and grow in faith.

Cross-References

Here are some verses that offer additional perspectives on these themes:

Luke 4:31-32: "And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days."
John 7:16: "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me."
Isaiah 2:3: "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "taught" is "ἐδίδασκεν" (edidasken), a verb that conveys the act of teaching, instructing, or explaining.

This term often implies a level of authority and expertise.

The immediacy of Jesus' action upon entering the synagogue is conveyed through the phrase "straightway on the Sabbath (εὐθὺς τοῖς σάββασιν)", suggesting a sense of urgency or purpose in His mission.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, there were figures who were considered teachers and spiritual leaders, such as Greek philosophers and Eastern gurus.

However, Jesus’ role as a teacher in the Jewish tradition was unique in the sense that He claimed divine authority and performed miracles to endorse His teachings. His teachings were often considered radical as they challenged established norms and presented a new understanding of religious laws.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific community generally does not comment directly on religious teachings.

However, fields such as archaeology or anthropology can provide insights into the historical and cultural context of the time and place where Jesus taught, confirming the existence of synagogues and the practice of communal learning and worship.

Commentaries

Biblical commentaries typically see this verse as a key moment in the unfolding of Jesus' public ministry. They note that Jesus' teaching on the Sabbath underscored His commitment to Jewish law while also introducing a new interpretation of it.

Scholars often discuss Jesus' authority, which is a focal theme in Mark's Gospel, and how it contrasts with the teachings of the scribes. They also explore the role that Capernaum played in Jesus' ministry as it becomes a central location for many of His works and teachings.

Mark 1

Mark 1

What does Mark 1:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 1:21 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?