Mark 1:1-8:26 Summary

The prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled when John the Baptist began preaching in the wilderness. When Jesus came to be baptized by John a voice from heaven declared, “You are my dearly loved son.” After John was arrested, Jesus began preaching the good news of God saying, “The kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the good news!” Jesus traveled around Galilee calling disciples, teaching in the synagogues, casting out evil spirits, healing the sick, and spending time alone in prayer (1). The news about Jesus spread quickly, but the Pharisees were skeptical. They criticized Jesus for forgiving sins, eating with tax collectors and sinners, having overindulgent disciples, and employing an overly lenient attitude toward Sabbath observance (2). After Jesus healed a man in a synagogue on the Sabbath, the Pharisees began to plot with Herod’s supporters about how to kill Jesus.

Jesus took his disciples to a mountain and appointed twelve to be apostles. But Jesus’ family was very worried. They tried to bring Jesus home for they thought that he was crazy while the Pharisees accused Jesus of being possessed by Satan. When Jesus’ mother and brothers returned, Jesus refused to see them, declaring that those who did God’s will were his true family (3). Jesus taught the crowds using parables, but only explained their true meaning to his disciples in private. One evening, they were crossing a lake when a great storm arose. The disciples feared for their lives, but Jesus rebuked the storm and the water was suddenly calm; the disciples were terrified (4). When they reached shore, a demon-possessed man approached them. Jesus cast out the evil spirit, but the crowd was terrified and begged Jesus to leave. He obliged and returned to the other side of the lake where he healed two women, one who had been suffering for twelve years and the other a twelve-year-old girl (5). When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, the people dismissed him, so he traveled between villages teaching. He sent the apostles out in pairs to heal the sick, exorcise demons, and proclaim the good news. At this time Herod Antipas had John the Baptist executed. When the disciples returned, Jesus hoped to talk with them in private, but the crowds found them. Taking compassion on the crowds, Jesus taught them. Then he took five loaves of bread and two fish, blessed them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. Five thousand families were fed! Jesus then went off to pray while the disciples left in the boat. Later that night, Jesus approached them, walking on the water; the disciples were terrified (6).

One day, the Pharisees criticized the disciples for not following their ancient traditions. Jesus quoted scripture as he criticized the Pharisees for elevating their traditions above the Law. Then a Gentile woman came to Jesus, asking him to heal her daughter. Jesus was reluctant because she was a Gentile, but she used her wits to convince him (7). As Jesus continued his ministry the crowd again became very large, so Jesus took seven loaves of bread, blessed them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. Four thousand families were fed! The Pharisees then asked for a sign, but Jesus rebuked them and privately warned his disciples not to listen to them. When they arrived at Bethsaida, Jesus healed a blind man (8).