Mark 1

[JLG]

With mark, the approach is different as it starts before the birth of Jesus with john the Baptizer who is preparing the road for Jesus baptizing the people in symbol of repentance in all Judea. And he baptizes Jesus in the Jordan and after that something like a dove appears above Jesus and the heavens part and a voice coming from the heavens saying that Jesus is his son the beloved and approved. Then Jesus goes to the wilderness and he is tempted by Satan for 40 days. John is arrested and Jesus goes into Galilee preaching the good news of God and the Kingdom of God and he tells the future Apostles to follow him that is Simon, Andrew, James, John. Then Jesus goes to the synagogue and start to teach. Then a possessed man speaks about Jesus as the Holy one of God asking if he has come to destroy them. And Jesus tells him to shut up and the spirit goes out of the man. And the people are astonished. And everybody starts to speak about him in Galilee. Then he cures Simon’s mother-in-law. Later many people who are ill or possessed are brought to him but Jesus prevents the demons to speak about him. The next day he goes to another place to preach because, as he says, that’s why he has come. Then he cures a leper. And he tells the man not to say anything and but go to the priest. But he tells everybody and more people come to Jesus.

 

[JLG]

Mark 2

Jesus goes back to Capernaum to speak about the word and there is no room left. A paralytic is carried by four men but they can’t reach Jesus so they remove the roof above Jesus to reach him. And he cures him and he gets up and walks so everybody is astonished. Wherever he goes the people follow him. Jesus tells Levi to become one of his followers. Another day he dines with sinners and tax collectors. Scribes and pharisees are arguing about that. Jesus answers to them saying that those who are ill need a physician not those who are strong. John’s disciples and Pharisees who practice fasting ask Jesus why his disciples don’t do it. He answers them that they don’t because Jesus is with them but when he won’t be with them they will do it. During the sabbath, Jesus disciples start to pluck the heads of grain to eat but the Pharisees tell Jesus it is prohibited. Then Jesus tells them about David and his men who did it when in need. And Jesus adds that the Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath. There we see the continuity of the Old Testament because the Jews ( Pharisees) keep complaining all the time, they try to find small mistakes, they don’t speak with their hearts, they are following the path of their ancestors, their hearts are dry without compassion, they are limited in their minds, selfish, only arguing for arguing, being living evidence of the guilt of their ancestors, empty-minded, in a word ridiculous, just wanting to control people’s minds, completely blind and leading others to the pit.

 

[JLG]

Mark 3

Jesus enters another time into a synagogue and there is a man with a withered hand. It is during the Sabbath and some Pharisees are watching what he is going to do. If he cures him then they will accuse them. It’s a shame, they are selfish, non human, just thinking of their own interests, definitely the mentality of the old Testament, completely far away from God, they are condemning themselves by such thoughts and they will pay an expensive price with the destruction of Jerusalem and becoming slaves. In fact, they are slaves in their minds and in their hearts, completely human, unfortunately, it seems we hear the usual sad chorus. By curing the man Jesus condemns them and their selfishness and their short-sightedness. Then they try to hold council with the followers of Herod to kill him because Jesus clearly demonstrates who they are. Then Jesus goes to the sea with his disciples and a great multitude follows them. So he goes on a boat to leave a distance between him and the people. And he cures many people. Then he goes up a mountain with twelve disciples, he calls them apostles. They would accompany him and preach and expel demons. They are Simon (Peter), James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas who will betray him. Jesus goes into a house and the crowd follows him so they can,’t even eat a meal. So his relatives come and seize him. Some scribes from Jerusalem say that he expels demons with the authority of Beelzebub. And Jesus answers them by saying that when a kingdom becomes divided against itself, it can’t stand. And he gives them many similar images. His mother and brothers come to him but Jesus says whoever does the will of God is his brother and sister and mother.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

With mark, the approach is different as it starts before the birth of Jesus with john the Baptizer who is preparing the road for Jesus baptizing the people in symbol of repentance in all Judea. And he baptizes Jesus in the Jordan and after that something like a dove appears above Jesus and the heavens part and a voice coming from the heavens saying that Jesus is his son the beloved and approved. Then Jesus goes to the wilderness and he is tempted by Satan for 40 days. John is arrested and Jesus goes into Galilee preaching the good news of God and the Kingdom of God and he tells the future Apostles to follow him that is Simon, Andrew, James, John. Then Jesus goes to the synagogue and start to teach. Then a possessed man speaks about Jesus as the Holy one of God asking if he has come to destroy them. And Jesus tells him to shut up and the spirit goes out of the man. And the people are astonished. And everybody starts to speak about him in Galilee. Then he cures Simon’s mother-in-law. Later many people who are ill or possessed are brought to him but Jesus prevents the demons to speak about him. The next day he goes to another place to preach because, as he says, that’s why he has come. Then he cures a leper. And he tells the man not to say anything and but go to the priest. But he tells everybody and more people come to Jesus.

mark is a great book ! I find it more straight forward than the other gospel accounts

 

[JLG]

ok personally I think interesting to analyze all the gospels at the same time to make it more visual and give more relief. it is interesting to think about the different visions. I also like to read them having in mind the Old Testament, it seems more realistic and powerful as if we could see what happens in front of our own eyes, as if Jesus was in front of us and speaking to us.

 

[JLG]

Mark 4

Jesus preaches by the sea and he stays on a boat because there are too many people. And he teaches them by illustrations. He tells them about different seeds, some which are eaten by the birds, others without proper roots and wither, others can’t produce fruit because of thorns and those which get good soil produce a lot of fruit. Then the disciples ask Jesus the meaning and before explaining, he wonders how they can understand the other illustrations if they don’t understand this one. And Jesus tells them about different types of people who get to know god’s Word and finally leave it but the seeds which get the good soil are the people who listen God’s Word and receive it and bear fruit, it doesn’t mean going to the restaurant and choosing on the menu, there is only God’s Word and God’s way, it is as simple as that, there is only one way, even if people go to all directions! Maybe that’s why many people don’t like to read the Old Testament because there they see people taking all roads except God’s road, of course it’s easier and all the time God repeats the same chorus this is the way why do you take the wrong way? STRANGE! Speaking about god’s kingdom, Jesus speaks about a crop and about harvesttime. And Jesus compares it to a mustard grain which starts from the tiniest to the greatest of other vegetable plants with great branches for birds to find shadow. Illustrations for the people, explanations for his disciples. Then at night, they go to the other shore of the sea. Then a violent windstorm breaks out with many waves crashing into the boat and the boat is about to sink. And Jesus is sleeping quietly. So his disciples wake him up. Then Jesus stops the wind and he asks them why they are so afraid and about their faith but his disciples are more afraid when they see Jesus controlling the elements.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

ok personally I think interesting to analyze all the gospels at the same time to make it more visual and give more relief. it is interesting to think about the different visions. I also like to read them having in mind the Old Testament, it seems more realistic and powerful as if we could see what happens in front of our own eyes, as if Jesus was in front of us and speaking to us.

yes the ot prophetic words about Jesus is what the gospel is made of, it’s all those things he promised coming to pass

“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:44-48‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus was born of a virgin like they said

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the gospel is that coming to pass which was spoken before of Christ Jesus


“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:22-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

he was God is the flesh like they said he would be

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6-7‬ ‭

he received the spirit and speak Gods word of judgement and truth like the prophets said

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42:1, 3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭51:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:3‬ ‭

Christ fulfilled all the prophets and law and psalms said he would be and do like receiving the spirit at a baptism and preaching the gospel he was anointed to preach

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all that mourn; For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:1-2, 11‬ ‭KJV‬‬


Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and prophets and what they foretold

“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah, And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:17-18, 21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the ot is important for understanding the gospel for sure but we have to understand it’s prophetic , not the reality it was foretelling the reality to come in Jesus and the gospel

 

[JLG]

In the Old Testament we see few faithful men who are incredible examples of faithfulness and the Israelites who as a people had everything and lost everything, they had God's commandments and they opposed God, what a pity! In the Gospels we see Jesus' disciples living daily at his side and receiving his teaching, and yet they didn't understand, they needed his death to start to understand his teaching! Isn't that strange? Were they blind? And the israelites were supposed to teach their children about God!

 

[JLG]

Mark 5

Going to the other side of the sea, Jesus meets a possessed man but nobody can bind him and he cries out in the tombs and in the mountains. When he sees Jesus he runs and bows down to him and he calls him Son of the Most High God and he answers Jesus that his name is Legion because there are many demons inside him and they ask Jesus to send them into the swine and they rush over the precipice into the sea and about 2,000 of them are drowned in the sea. And their herders tell everywhere about what happened. So people come and see Jesus and tell him to go away. And Jesus tells the man who was possessed to go to his relatives and tell them about what happened to him so he goes to the Decapolis and tells everybody about what happened to him. Then Jesus goes back to the other side of the sea and many people come to him. And Jairus, one of the presiding officers of the synagogue falls at his feet and asks Jesus to come and put his hands on his little daughter who is ill. So he goes with him and a great crowd follows him and presses against him. Then a woman who has had a flow of blood for 12 years touches his outer garment to get cured and she is cured all at once and Jesus realizes it and asks who has just touched him. So the woman falls down before him and tells him the truth so he tells her to go in peace. Then people come and say that the daughter has died but he tells the man to have no fear and he only let Peter and James and John to follow him. So they get into the house and Jesus ask the people why they are weeping because the little is just sleeping but the people start to laugh at him because the know she has died. And he resurrects the girl. And he tells her parents not to speak about to anybody.

 

[JLG]

Mark 6

Jesus is in his home territory and he starts teaching in a synagogue during the Sabbath and people are astonished. They don’t know how he can teach that way. He is only a carpenter. But Jesus only cures few people because a prophet is not honored in his home territory. But he keeps teaching in villages. And he sends his disciples out two by two and he gives them authority over the unclean spirits. They mustn’t carry anything and look for people who repent. And they expel demons and cure sick people. And king Herod hears about Jesus’ work. Some people say that Jesus is John the Baptizer. Herod organized a meal on his birthday and the daughter of Herodias danced and pleased Herod so he offered her whatever she wanted and she asked John the Baptizer’s head as her mother Herodias told her to get rid of John who had condemned the relationship between Herod and his brother’s wife. Jesus is with a large crowd and it is night and people haven’t eaten so Jesus multiply bread and fish so all the crowd can be fed and there were 5,000 men. Then Jesus sends his disciples to the other side of the sea and he goes to pray to a mountain. There is a lot of wind and the disciples struggle to row so Jesus go to them by walking on the sea. They think it is a vision. But Jesus tells them who he is. Then he gets up into the boat and the wind calms down. When Jesus gets into a village the people recognize him and they bring sick people. Some just touch his outer garment and are cured.

 

[JLG]

Mark 7

Pharisees and scribes gather around Jesus and they see that some of his disciples eat with unwashed hands (hands which are not washed up to the elbow). So they ask Jesus why his disciples are doing so. Jesus calls them hypocrites, they just worship with their lips but not with their hearts. They don’t teach God’s commandment but men’s traditions. Thus they make God’s word invalid. Many bad thoughts come from men which lead to sexual immorality, thefts, murders, acts of adultery, greed, acts of wickedness, deceit, brazen conduct, an envious eye, blasphemy, haughtiness and unreasonableness. Later Jesus meets a Greek woman with a possessed daughter and she asks Jesus to cure her but Jesus tells her has come for the Jews using an image and she finds the right words so Jesus cures all at once her daughter. Another time a deaf man with a speech impediment is brought to him so Jesus cures him and he can listen and speak and more people are astounded.

 

[JLG]

Mark 8

Jesus is with a large crowd but there is nothing to eat. Then he multiplies bread and fish so everybody can eat enough and there is more left. Then he takes a boat with his disciples. Then he meets some Pharisees who start arguing with him and asking signs from him. But he doesn’t show them anything and he goes to the opposite shore. And the disciples start arguing because they don’t take any bread so he tells them about the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod but they don’t understand because they think about food and Jesus about spiritual food. In Bethsaida Jesus cures a blind man and he does it in two times. While walking Jesus asks his disciples what the people think he is and they answer John the Baptist or Elijah or a prophet but his disciples say he is the Christ. But he tells them not to say it to anybody. And he starts to teach them about what he is going to suffer and being killed and risen three days later but Peter opposes him so he tells him to have God’s thoughts, not human ones. And he tells those who are following him that they must be ready to die if they want to get God’s kingdom.

 

[JLG]

Mark 9

Jesus takes Peter and James to a mountain and Jesus is transfigured and he starts shining. And Elijah and Moses appear and speak with Jesus. Then a cloud forms and a voice says that Jesus is “my Son the beloved” and all at once they disappear. And Jesus tells them not to say anything but after his rising from the death. And both discuss about the meaning of this rising of the death. And Jesus asks them the meaning of the Son of man suffering and being treated with contempt. The other disciples argue with some scribes and there is a great crowd and a man explains that he has brought his possessed son but his disciples can’t expel the demon. And he calls them “faithless generation” and cures the child. And the disciples asks him why they couldn’t expel the demon and he tells them that in this particular case a prayer is necessary. Then Jesus tells his disciples that he will be betrayed and killed and risen three days later. But they don’t understand but are afraid to ask him. It reminds me schools when youngsters don’t understand something but they don’t ask their teacher because of the other youngsters and they feel ridiculous. Here we see the difference with Job who express freely his feelings to God we may understand the importance to speak freely to God when we pray and pray with our heart and not automatically. Thus faithfulness is learned through life experience and reflecting about it and troubles. It is not automatic. It is the same with learning how to communicate with God through prayer, it must become natural like eating and drinking and sleeping, we must feel free to pray whenever we feel it, there is no appointed time. And they argue between themselves about who is greater. And later Jesus asks them why they argue about though he knows it and he tells them that to be be first it is necessary to learn how to come second and minister the others. Then John asks Jesus about a man who was expelling demons in Jesus’ name but they try to stop him because he wasn’t with them but it tells them not to saying that whoever is not against them is with them. And he tells them that it is necessary to be refined to become faithful.

 

[JLG]

Mark 10

Jesus keeps teaching crows and Pharisees keep testing him and they ask him whether it is lawful for a man to divorce a woman. His answer is clearly no. There is nothing about the possibility to divorce in case of fornication like in Matthew. But here it refers to the possibility for the Israelites to divorce a woman by giving her a certificate of dismissal at the time of Moses. Then people bring young children to touch Jesus but his disciples prevent them from doing it so Jesus reprimand them because he says that God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like them. Then a man comes to him and asks him what he must do to obtain everlasting life and Jesus tells him to respects the commandments and he also tells him to sell everything he has and follows Jesus but the man gets sad because he is very rich. So he tells his disciples it is very difficult for rich people to enter into God’s kingdom. And those who are first will be last and vice versa. As they are on their way to Jerusalem Jesus tells his disciples what is going to happen to him and that he will die and rise three days later. James and John ask Jesus to sit by him in God’s kingdom. It shows they don’t understand what he teach them about being first and last and also why they need to suffer to understand things. It is also necessary for us to have the right state of mind. And we have to work on it because we can easily lose it like the powerful of this world. In Jericho they meet a blind beggar and Jesus cures him.

 

[JLG]

Mark 11

Jesus sends two of his disciples to look for a colt and they bring it back to Jesus who sits on it. And many people celebrate Jesus who goes to the Temple and then to Bethany with the Twelve. The next day Jesus is hungry and he sees a fig tree but it has no fruit because it is not the season and he says that this tree won’t produce fruit anymore. Then they go to the Temple and Jesus fights against the merchants who sell goods inside the Temple because God’s house is a house of prayer. And the chief priests and the scribes try to find how to kill him. Then early in the morning they pass by the fig tree that Jesus cursed and peter says that it already withered. And Jesus tells them to have faith in God and they will be able to lift up mountains. And the chief priests and the scribes ask Jesus by what authority he does what he does and Jesus asks them by what authority John the baptist did his work but they don’t answer because they fear the crowds for one answer and Jesus will answer according to what they say for the other answer.

 

[JLG]

Mark 12

Jesus speaks to the crowds with illustrations. He speaks about a man who leases his vineyards to cultivators and when it is the season he sends a slave to collect some of the fruit. But the cultivators beat him and send him back empty-ended. And he keeps sending many slaves but they beat them or kill them. Finally he sends his beloved son thinking that they would respect him but they decide ti kill him to keep the inheritance. So the owner will come and kill the cultivators and give it to others. And the Pharisees want to seize Jesus but they fear the crowd. So they send more Pharisees and followers of Herod in order to catch him in his speech. So they ask him to pay head tax to Caesar so he answers them they must pay back what belongs to Caesar to Caesar and what belongs to God to God. Then they ask him about a man who dies and his wife. He has seven brothers and each one marries the woman and dies. Finally the woman dies. They ask him whose wife she is going to be in the resurrection. But he tells them that when people get back to life they are as angels in the heavens they don’t marry. And he adds that God is the God not of the dead but of the living. And he tells them of the two most important commandments, loving God with all one’s heart and soul and mind and strength and loving one’s neighbor as oneself. Then Jesus ask them why does the Christ is David’s son if David calls him his Lord. Then he tells people to be careful of the Scribes who only want to be first and are self-righteous because they will be judges severely. Then he speaks about a poor widow who gives few coins which is a lot because it is only what she has compared to those who give only their surplus.

 

[JLG]

Mark 13

Jesus says that the temple of Jerusalem is going to be destroyed completely. Then some disciples ask Jesus about all these things to be concluded. And he answers that many would come on his name and mislead many. There would be wars and earthquakes and food shortage and Jesus’ disciples would be handed over to local courts and beaten in synagogues and brought in front of governors and kings for Jesus’ sake and the good news are to be preached in all nations and brother will deliver brother over to death and a father a child and children parents. Then Jesus’ disciples will have to flee to the mountains when the disgusting thing that causes desolation appear. False Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform signs and wonders. After the tribulation the Son of man will come in the clouds with great power and the angels will gather his chosen ones. Concerning that day or the hour nobody knows nor the Son but the Father. So people must keep on the watch.

 

[JLG]

Mark 14

The chief priests and the scribes are looking for a way to seize and kill Jesus. But they are afraid of the people. Then when Jesus is at Bethany dining in the house of Simon the leper and a woman puts expensive perfume oil on Jesus’ head. And someone speaks about the price of the perfume and the fact that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor. And they are annoyed with her. But Jesus says she does well in view of his burial. And she will be remembered for that. Then Judas Iscariot goes to the chief priests to betray Jesus. And Jesus tells his disciples to go and prepare the room to eat the Passover. During the meal Jesus says that one of the twelve will betray him. And after that they eat the Passover and he compares the bread they eat with his body and the wine they drink with his blood of the covenant which is to be poured out in behalf of many. Then they go to the mount of olives. There Jesus speaks about his death and the fact that his disciples will be scattered. But he will be raised up and he will meet them in Galilee. And answering Peter he says that he will disown him three times. And Jesus goes to Gethsemane with Peter and James and John and Jesus prays and tell them to keep on the watch. But the three are asleep and he tells them to keep praying and he goes to pray and again he finds them asleep. And then a third time. And Jesus says that his time has come and his betrayer has come. And Judas comes to him with a large crowd and chief priests and scribes and elders to seize him. And Judah kisses Jesus so they can seize him and take him into custody. And one cuts the ear of the slave of the high priest. And his disciples abandon him and flee except one who follows the mob but escapes when they try to seize him. Jesus is brought in front of the high priest and the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. And Peter comes to the courtyard of the high priest. And people are brought to speak against Jesus but they don’t agree. But Jesus doesn’t answer to his accusers. But when Jesus recognizes that he is the Christ the son of the Blessed One the high priest says blasphemy and they all condemn him and some spit on him and hit him. And peter denies three times that he is one of Jesus’ disciples. And Peter starts to weep remembering Jesus’ words about him.

 

[JLG]

Mark 15

The Sanhedrin hands Jesus over to Pilate who asks him if he is the King of the Jews. The chief priests accuse Jesus of many things. But he doesn’t defend himself. Pushed by the chief priests the crowd asks Pilate to free Barabbas instead of Jesus and they want Pilate to execute Jesus. And the soldiers dress Jesus in purple and put a crown of thorns on him. And they call out to him saying “greetings, you King of the Jews”. And they hit him on the head with a reed and spit on him. And they bring him to the Golgotha where they execute him with two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And the chief priests and the scribes mock him. After his death, Joseph of Arimathea , a reputable member of the Council who believes in Jesus goes to Pilate and asks him for the body of Jesus. He wraps him in a fine linen and puts him into a tomb.

 

[JLG]

Mark 16

In the last chapter of Mark, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome buy spices for Jesus’ body. But when they go to the entrance of the tomb it is open. They get in and they see a young man with a white robe and he tells them that Jesus was raised up. And they must tell it to his disciples. They will see him in Galilee. But they don’t say anything to anybody because they are afraid.