Mark · Lesson 2
The Beginning of the Gospel
Setting
Mark opens with a bold claim that Jesus is “the Son of God” (). He then gets right into the story of the gospel, starting with John the Baptist, who preached a “baptism of repentance” () in preparation for the One who was greater. While John was setting the stage, Jesus prepared Himself in the wilderness.
Did you know?
1. Gospel (): The English word comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “the story concerning God.” The Greek word used in the New Testament (euaggelion) means literally, “good news.” The term appears frequently in Paul’s epistles. 1
2. The prophecy in (quoting ) was written about 700 years before John the Baptist was born. 2
3. Wilderness/desert (): The Greek word is used more to convey a sense of a solitary or lonely place. 3 Here, Mark is referring to the region west of the Dead Sea.
4. John (): The name is derived from the Hebrew expression that means, “the Lord is gracious.” It was given by an angel of the Lord ().
5. Baptize (): Derived from the Greek word baptismos, which means, “to dip,” “to immerse,” or “to submerge.” 4
6. John centered his ministry in the “all the land of Judea” () in the southern part of Palestine, while Jesus began His ministry around Galilee () in the northern part of Palestine. Because of John’s work, people later came all the way from Judea to see Jesus ().
7. Camel’s hair such as a camel and used it as clothing. (): The poor treated the skin of a dead animal 5
8. Locusts (): Considered clean food under the Mosaic law (), but not part of the everyday diet. 6
9. Sandal strap (): Sandals were insignificant things (). The simplest form consisted of a plain sole of leather, bound to the feet by a leather thong. 7 It was a very lowly task to carry or loosen another’s sandal.
10. Nazareth (): Literally, “Sanctified.” A small town atop a hill () in the southern part of Galilee. It was Jesus’ hometown (). It was so obscure that it was never mentioned in the Old Testament. 8
11. Jesus traveled about 18 miles (30 kilometers) to be baptized (from Nazareth to Jordan).
12. John the Baptist witnessed the vision of the Holy Spirit appearing like a dove ().
Outline
- Beginning of the Gospel of the Son of God
- John the Baptist
- Prophesied to prepare a way for the Lord
- Baptism of repentance
- John’s dress and diet
- Preached about one who is greater
- Baptism of Jesus
- Heaven opened and Holy Spirit descended like a dove
- A voice from heaven: “You are My beloved Son”
- Temptation of Jesus
- Holy Spirit sends Jesus into the desert
- 40 days in the desert with wild animals; angels attended him
Questions
On the whole lesson
Describe “gospel” in your own words.
When did your faith in Jesus Christ begin? How did you come to know Jesus?
What did each of the following do to prepare for Jesus’ ministry? a. God? b. John? c. Jesus?
In this passage, what are the things and/or events related to the wilderness?
What did John come to do?
What was the people’s response to his preaching?
Compare John’s way of dress and diet to that of a prophet. (cf. ; ; ).
What role does prophecy play in this paragraph? Compare “John came” (4) with “Jesus came” (9).
How does the fulfillment of prophecies help the reader know who Jesus is?
What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?
What is the difference between Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit and John’s baptism with water?
Today, who plays the role of John the Baptist?
· Baptism of Jesus
If Jesus had no sins to repent of, why did He let John baptize Him?
What happened immediately after Jesus was baptized?
What was the significance of this event?
List the characteristics of a dove. What was a dove used for in the Old Testament?
Why does the Holy Spirit appear like a dove (10)? What else does the Holy Spirit appear as in the Bible?
What is the Holy Spirit like to you? How would you describe the Holy Spirit?
· Temptation of Jesus
Why did the Holy Spirit send Jesus into the desert immediately after His baptism?
What do the “wild beasts” (13) symbolize?
Why do you think Mark does not state how Jesus was tempted, nor that Jesus overcame temptation?
When you are in a difficult situation, how do you know whether or not it is the will of the Holy Spirit? How do you get through it?
What are the “wild beasts” in your faith? How do you overcome them?
Sources
- StudyLight.org (2001-2003). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 22, 2003 from http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb
- StudyLight.org (2001-2003). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 22, 2003 from http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb
- Hastings, James. (Eds.). Dictionary of the Bible. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1963
- Unger, Merrill F. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1988, pp. 142.
- StudyLight.org (2001-2003). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 22, 2003 from http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb
- StudyLight.org (2001-2003). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 22, 2003 from http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb
- Hastings, James. (Eds.). Dictionary of the Bible. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1963, pp. 224.
- Hastings, James. (Eds.). Dictionary of the Bible. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1963, pp. 691.