The Book of Mark

Links to all of the notes associated with each verse are accessed here. For reference, the NIV text is used here to show the verses. You can reference the Greek and Latin translations from the notes pages. My progress through the book is indicated by the number of Chapters shown: the canonical Mark has sixteen chapters.

Chapter 1

Chapter Summary

The chapter begins with John the Baptist declaring in word and action that the people of Judea, especially those of Jerusalem, are doomed, and predicts the coming of Caesar. Jesus of Galilee is anointed by Caesar to deliver this message to Judea, and is thus given vast amounts of authority to do so. Jesus goes to the heart of the rebellion against Rome and speaks directly to the Zealots and rebellious fishermen, convincing many to return to Rome and sending away those who disagree.

Another Jesus, a rebel, begins to gather members for his house and attends to the synagogues throughout Galilee, attempting to gather followers and reject vigilantes. He attracts all of the townspeople to his door as he speaks and addresses the great number of rebels in the area.

A third Jesus appears on the scene with miraculous healing powers. About this time, folks are beginning to mistake the various Jesuses for each other.

This story reflects a time when General Vespasian was touring Galilee with a legion and crushing the fishing villages that had sided with the Zealots. Not long after this, Vespasian was tapped to become the emperor, beginning the Flavian dynasty.

Table of Scenes

SceneVersesSubject
Prophetic Old Testament reference1-3Mars
John the Baptist preaches to Judea4-8John the Baptist
Jesus of Galilee anointed by God9-11Jesus Anointed
Jesus of Galilee in the wilderness12-13Jesus Anointed
First four Apostles gathered14-20Jesus Rebel
Unclean Spirit in the synagogue21-28Jesus A & Jesus R
Healing of Simon’s Mother-in-Law29-31Jesus Rebel
Healing of the crowds32-34Jesus Anointed
Jesus Poops35-37Jesus Rebel
Teaching throughout Galilee38-39Jesus Rebel
Healing of the Leper40-45Jesus Physician
The Text, with notes
  • The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [Notes…]

  • As it is written in the Prophets:  “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” [Notes…]

  • “A messenger is calling out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.’ ” [Notes…]

  • And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [Notes…]

  • Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. [Notes…]

  • Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. [Notes…]

  • And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. [Notes…]

  • I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” [Notes…]

  • It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. [Notes…]

  • And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. [Notes…]

  • Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” [Notes…]

  • Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. [Notes…]

  • And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. [Notes…]

  • Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [Notes…]

  • and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” [Notes…]

  • And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. [Notes…]

  • Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” [Notes…]

  • They immediately left their nets and followed Him. [Notes…]

  • When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. [Notes…]

  • And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him. [Notes…]

  • Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. [Notes…]

  • And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. [Notes…]

  • Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, [Notes…]

  • saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” [Notes…]

  • But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” [Notes…]

  • And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. [Notes…]

  • Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” [Notes…]

  • And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee. [Notes…]

  • Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [Notes…]

  • But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. [Notes…]

  • So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. [Notes…]

  • At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. [Notes…]

  • And the whole city was gathered together at the door. [Notes…]

  • Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. [Notes…]

  • Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. [Notes…]

  • And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. [Notes…]

  • When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” [Notes…]

  • But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” [Notes…]

  • And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. [Notes…]

  • Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” [Notes…]

  • Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” [Notes…]

  • And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, [Notes…]

  • and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” [Notes…]

  • However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction. [Notes…]

Chapter 2

Chapter Summary

The Anointed Jesus and Rebel Jesus meet when the later is dropped through the ceiling of the former’s home. This interaction is followed by Rebel Jesus returning to the sea shore to raise rebellion.

Pharisees become upset that Anointed Jesus eats at the wrong times and with the wrong people when he is eating like Romans, with Romans. Jesus responds with aphorisms about the role of a doctor, social activity during weddings, rules regarding fiber arts and winemaking, in which he indirectly says unflattering and unpleasant things about Judeans.

This is followed by Pharisees finding fault with Rebel Jesus for his followers gathering grain on the Sabbath, for which Rebel Jesus presents a ludicrous defense from scripture.

Table of Scenes

SceneVersesSubject
Healing the paralytic1-12Jesus A & Jesus R
Teaching by sea shore13-14Jesus Rebel
Pharisees complain about dinner guests15-17Jesus Anointed
Pharisees complain about not fasting18-22Jesus Anointed
Pharisees complain about gathering grain23-28Jesus Rebel

The Text, with notes