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 1:9 mean?

Explanation

Mark 1:9 focuses on a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus of Nazareth , his baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. This event marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.

The verse illustrates Jesus' initiation and the endorsement of his mission by divine authority.

The literal meaning of the verse is straightforward: it tells us that Jesus traveled from Nazareth, which is in the region of Galilee, to be baptized by John in the Jordan River.

The deeper significance lies in the act of baptism itself.

It symbolizes purification and the willingness to turn away from sin.

Baptism by John also had a specific focus on the preparation for the coming kingdom of God, thus Jesus entering these waters symbolized his full embrace of his role as the one who will inaugurate this kingdom.

Furthermore, Jesus' baptism signifies his solidarity with the human condition and his humility. Although traditionally seen as sinless, Jesus participated in a ritual meant for the repentance of sins, showing his willingness to identify with the sinful nature of humanity he came to save.

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Historical Context

John the Baptist was a widely recognized prophet at the time, known for his preaching of repentance and for the baptism he administered in the river Jordan.

The location of the Jordan and its significance in Jewish history , as the boundary crossed by the Israelites into the Promised Land , would not have been lost on the people of that era.

Nazareth, on the other hand, was a small and relatively insignificant village in Galilee. Jesus' journey from a humble origin to seek baptism by John was likely seen as remarkable.

Furthermore, the historical context underscores the anticipation of a Messiah among the Jewish people and a period where baptism had become a significant expression of Jewish piety.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints offer varied insights on this verse.

From a Christian standpoint, Jesus' baptism is often seen as the affirmation of Jesus as the Son of God, especially considering the subsequent verses where a voice from heaven declares him as such.

From a Trinitarian perspective, the event is of profound importance because it features the appearance of the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus (in the next verses) and the voice of God the Father from heaven, thus showing the unity and distinctness of the persons of the Trinity in a single event.

Some non-trinitarian interpretations may focus less on this aspect and more on the symbolism of Jesus submitting to righteousness and providing an example for believers to follow.

Practical Applications

The baptism of Jesus offers several practical applications for believers. It serves as an example of humility and obedience, showing that if Jesus deemed it necessary to be baptized, believers should also participate in this rite as a public statement of faith and repentance.

Additionally, it demonstrates the importance of preparing oneself for the tasks God has called an individual to accomplish. As Jesus began his public ministry with an act of submission to God's will, so should believers also consecrate themselves to God's service.

Cross-References

Matthew 3:13-17: "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him."
Luke 3:21-22: "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,"
John 1:29-34: "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
Acts 2:38: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the verse uses the word "βαπτίζω" (baptizó), which means to immerse, submerge, or baptize.

This reflects the practice of baptism by immersion, which was the common practice during the time.

The use of "Ναζαρὲτ" (Nazaret) emphasizes Jesus' origin from Nazareth, while "τοῦ Ἰορδάνου" (tou Iordanou) locates the event in the River Jordan, a significant geographical and historical site in Jewish tradition.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In various ancient cultures, water rites and purification rituals were common.

The act of baptism, seen in early Jewish Mikvah practices, can be compared to these.

Water often symbolizes cleansing, rebirth, and new beginnings across multiple religious traditions.

In this context, Jesus' baptism would have resonated with many contemporary religious and cultural narratives while also establishing a new direction specific to Christian doctrine.

Scientific Perspectives

While there is little direct intersection with modern scientific understandings, the description of Jesus' baptism reflects the importance of water in sustaining life and its use in ritualistic cleansing.

Environmental science acknowledges the significance of clean water sources, such as the Jordan River, which held both practical and symbolic importance in the region.

Commentaries

Various Biblical scholars and theologians have interpreted Mark 1:9 through diverse lenses.

Some focus on the historical implications of Jesus coming from a humble place like Nazareth. Others emphasize the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies or see the baptism as a crucial act that sets the stage for Jesus' divine mission.

Reformed commentaries often mention the representation of Jesus' righteousness being imputed to believers through the act of baptism, whereas Catholic interpretations may highlight it as a model for the sacrament of Baptism, which inducts believers into the life of the Church and cleanses them from Original Sin.

Contemporary scholars might also explore the social and political implications of Jesus aligning himself with John the Baptist, who was calling for radical change and critiquing the established powers of his time.

Mark 1

Mark 1

What does Mark 1:9 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 1:9 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?