Question 1

What does “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” mean?

Accepted Answer

This opening line tells you that what follows is the start of the story of good news centered on Jesus, who is called the Christ (the chosen Savior) and the Son of God. It is not just news about teachings or miracles. It is about who Jesus is and what God is doing through him. The “beginning” includes John the Baptist’s work, Jesus’ baptism and testing, and the first acts of preaching, calling disciples, and healing, which all reveal this good news in action.

Question 2

Why did John the Baptist preach baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins?

Accepted Answer

John preached in the wilderness calling people to turn from their sins and be baptized as a sign of that turning. His message was that people needed a changed heart and life to be ready for the one coming after him. The washing with water was an outward sign of an inner change. People came, confessed their sins, and were baptized, showing they agreed with God about their guilt and wanted a new start. This prepared them to receive Jesus, who would bring deeper cleansing by the Holy Spirit.

Question 3

Why was Jesus baptized and what is the meaning of the voice from heaven?

Accepted Answer

Jesus had no sins to confess, yet he came to be baptized with everyone else. By doing this he joined himself to the people he came to save and showed that he accepted the path the Father had given him. When he came up from the water, the heavens opened, the Spirit came down like a dove on him, and a voice said, “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.” This shows that God publicly owns him as his Son, is pleased with him, and sets him apart for his saving work.

Question 4

Why did the Spirit drive Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan?

Accepted Answer

Right after the honor of his baptism, Jesus was sent by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, where Satan tempted him. This shows that temptation itself is not sin, and that God allowed his Son to face what we face. Jesus enters the battleground against evil at the very start of his work. He is among wild beasts, yet cared for by angels. Though Mark does not list each temptation, it is clear that Jesus stands firm. This prepares him for ministry and shows he is able to help those who are tempted.

Question 5

What does it mean that “the time is fulfilled” and “the kingdom of God is at hand”?

Accepted Answer

When Jesus begins preaching in Galilee, he says, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” “The time is fulfilled” means that the long waiting period, spoken of by the prophets, has reached its moment. “The kingdom of God is at hand” means God’s saving rule has drawn near in a new way in Jesus himself. Because of this, people are called to turn from sin and trust this good news. It is a call to a changed life and a new trust in God’s work.

Question 6

Why did Simon, Andrew, James, and John leave everything to follow Jesus?

Accepted Answer

These four men were working fishermen when Jesus called them. He said, “Come after me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” They left their nets, and James and John even left their father in the boat. This shows the kind of response Jesus calls for: a real break with old priorities to follow him. His word had such authority that they obeyed at once. Becoming “fishers of men” means their work would now be to bring people to God, just as they once gathered fish from the sea.

Question 7

What does this passage show about Jesus’ authority over teaching and demons?

Accepted Answer

In the synagogue at Capernaum, Jesus teaches in a way that shocks the people. They say he teaches as one who has authority, not like the scribes. His words are living and carry weight. When a man with an unclean spirit cries out, Jesus rebukes the spirit and commands it to come out. The spirit must obey, even while causing a final fit. The crowd sees that his teaching and his power go together. Even unclean spirits know who he is, but he does not let them speak for him.

Question 8

Why did Jesus heal so many people but tell demons and the healed leper to be quiet?

Accepted Answer

Jesus healed many sick people and drove out many unclean spirits, yet he did not allow the spirits to speak because they knew who he was. He would not have evil spirits as his witnesses. When he cleansed the leper, he told him to tell no one but to show himself to the priest and offer what Moses commanded. Jesus cared about obedience to God’s law and did not seek fame. The man spread the news anyway, and as a result Jesus could not enter towns openly but stayed in lonely places, while crowds still came to him.

Question 9

What does Jesus’ early morning prayer in a solitary place teach us?

Accepted Answer

After a day full of teaching, casting out unclean spirits, and healing many people, Jesus got up very early, went to a lonely place, and prayed. Even though everyone was looking for him, he chose first to be alone with his Father. When his followers found him and told him that all were seeking him, he said they must go on to the next towns to preach, because that was why he had come. This shows that his work flowed from prayer, and that his main task was to preach, not just to meet every local demand.

Question 10

What is the meaning of Jesus touching and cleansing the leper?

Accepted Answer

A leper came to Jesus, kneeling and saying, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Lepers were unclean and kept apart from others. Jesus was moved with compassion, reached out his hand, touched him, and said, “I will; be clean.” At once the leprosy left him. This shows both Jesus’ pity and his power. Instead of uncleanness passing to Jesus, cleansing passes to the man. Jesus sends him to the priest to follow the law, which would be a witness to them that God’s power to cleanse had truly worked in this man’s life.

Mark 1:1

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

The Mission of John the Baptist

Preaching of John the Baptist

The Baptism of Jesus

The Temptation and Preaching of Jesus

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

The First Disciples

Jesus Expels an Unclean Spirit

Jesus Heals at Peter’s House

Crowds Healed

Jesus Prays and Preaches

The Leper’s Prayer

The Mission of John the Baptist

Preaching of John the Baptist

Cross References

Mark 1:1

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

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The Mission of John the Baptist

Preaching of John the Baptist

The Baptism of Jesus

The Temptation and Preaching of Jesus

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

The First Disciples

Jesus Expels an Unclean Spirit

Jesus Heals at Peter’s House

Crowds Healed

Jesus Prays and Preaches

The Leper’s Prayer

The Mission of John the Baptist

Preaching of John the Baptist

Cross References