Mark
General notes
Chapter 1
Note ‘beginning’. Perhaps a reference to Genesis? St John’s parallel certainly is one.
- Matthew Βίβλος γενέσεως Book of Generations, a repeated phrase in Genesis
- Mark Ἀρχὴ Beginning/head/chief
- Luke 1.2 ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς from the beginning.
- John Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος In the beginning/head was the word
‘Gospel’ is used right in the first verse (of probably the first Gospel written). So it must have had a meaning before the Gospel. And in Greek gospels (in the plural) where used for the good news about a triumph or similar. A general/king etc was coming to the city and the gospels told of his deeds, what he did for the people of the city (liberated them, etc. Note Mark emphasis on Jesus casting out demons) and what we expected of them. (See Fr Damick’s Arise, O God: The Gospel of Christ’s Defeat of Demons, Sin, and Death)
The prophet Isaiah spoke of John the Baptizer, who called people to repentance and prepared the way for Jesus.
Locust and wild honey: calling to mind a Nazarite.
God the Father affirms his Son Jesus in his baptism and the Spirit hovers like a dove.
After this experience Jesus is driven out into the wilderness to be tempted. So often we too need to be on our guard for temptation after a spiritual experience. Note also the reversal of Eden.
Jesus calls his disciples
While Jesus is preaching, a demon recognizes him. This becomes a theme in Mark’s gospel; the devils know who Jesus is but the desciples do not. messianic-secret
Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law.
Jesus continues to spread his ministry, and it involves freeing people from the oppression of demons. “But he didn’t let the demons speak, because they recognized him.” 1.34 CEB
Jesus also heals a man with leprosy, freeing him from that disease. But he commands him to follow the Torah of Moses and present himself to a priest.