MARK 1:1-8
“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and
great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come” (Acts
26:22).
DEEPER STUDY # 1
(1:1) Jesus (iesous): Savior; He will save. The Hebrew form is Joshua (yasha), meaning Jehovah is salvation; He is the Sa-
vior (Mt.18:11; Lk.19:10; Ro.8:3; Gal.1:4; Heb.2:14-18; 7:25).
DEEPER STUDY # 2
(1:1) Christ (christos): the words “Christ” (christos) and “Messiah” are the same word. Messiah is the Hebrew word and
Christ is the Greek word. Both words refer to the same person and mean the same thing: the Anointed One. The Messiah is
the Anointed One of God. Matthew says Jesus “is called Christ” (Mt.1:16); that is, He is recognized as the Anointed One of
God, the Messiah Himself.
In the day of Jesus Christ, people feverishly panted for the coming of the long-promised Messiah. The weight of life was
harsh, hard, and impoverished. Under the Romans, the people felt that God could not wait much longer to fulfill His promise.
Such longings for deliverance left the people gullible. Many arose who claimed to be the Messiah and led the trusting follow-
ers into rebellion against the Roman State. The insurrectionist Barabbas, who was set free in the place of Jesus at Jesus’ trial,
is an example (Mk.15:6f).
The Messiah was thought to be several things.
1. Nationally, He was to be the leader from David’s line who would free the Jewish state as an independent nation and
lead it to be the greatest nation the world had ever known.
2. Militarily, He was to be a great military leader who would lead Jewish armies victoriously over all the world.
3. Religiously, He was to be a supernatural figure straight from God who would bring righteousness over all the earth.
4. Personally, He was to be the One who would bring peace to the whole world.
Jesus Christ accepted the title of Messiah on three different occasions (Mt.16:17; Mk.14:61; Jn.4:26). The name “Jesus”
shows Him to be man. The name “Christ” shows Him to be God’s Anointed One, God’s very own Son. Christ is Jesus’ offi-
cial title. It identifies Him officially as Prophet (Dt.18:15-19), Priest (Ps.110:4), and King (2 Sam.7:12-13). These three offi-
cials were always anointed with oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit who was to perfectly anoint the Christ, the Messiah (Mt.3:16;
Mk.1:10-11; Lk.3:21-22; Jn.1:32-33).
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(1:2) John the Baptist—Prophecy: there is the promise of God to send a messenger, a forerunner to prepare the way for
His Son. God promised through Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets:
“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me” (Mal.3:1; cp.
Mt.11:10).
Isaiah, the most famous of the Old Testament prophets, predicted:
“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in
the desert a highway for our God” (Is.40:3; cp. Mt.3:3).
Thought 1. The Old Testament and the New Testament are one in purpose. They both point toward “the gospel” of
Jesus Christ.
Thought 2. A significant fact is seen here. God knows exactly what is needed to bring the gospel to man. He knew that
a forerunner was needed; therefore, He planned and promised to send a forerunner. So it is with every man. God knows
what is needed to bring the gospel to all of us. However, the responsibility to respond and to obey rests with us.
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
and sent forth his servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my
dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the mar-
riage” (Mt.22:2-3).
“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent
his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now
ready” (Lk.14:16-17).
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we
pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor.5:20).
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I
will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev.3:20).
“I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending
them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings”
(Jer.35:15).
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(1:3-5) John the Baptist—Ministers—Baptism: the mission of God’s messenger was threefold.
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