Mark 14 begins the best known section of the gospel. We will rapidly study how Jesus was betrayed, arrested, put on trial, crucified and then resurrected in triumph. While many may know some of the details in these passages, they remain extremely important when used in evangelism. Two points will deserve particular emphasis: First, Jesus’... Continue Reading →

Mark 12 began with Jesus giving the parable of the vineyard. Significantly, in the parable once the tenants of the vineyard killed the master’s son Jesus declared that the master would “come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others” (vs. 9). In both this parable and in the cursing of the fig... Continue Reading →

From the very first verse of his account of Jesus’ life, Mark emphasized Jesus’ status as the promised king. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” is not merely an introductory sentence, but a declaration that Jesus is the fulfillment of Psalm 2.7-8: “I will tell of the decree: The... Continue Reading →

As we’ve noted numerous times in our study, at the beginning of His public ministry Jesus proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1.15). But who would be in the Kingdom? Mark chapter 10 helps to answer that question. Notes from the... Continue Reading →

We have noted throughout our study that while the disciples believed in Jesus, they still struggled with their faith. So, while Peter accurately confessed that Jesus is the Christ (Mark 8.29), he failed to accept Jesus’ mission of the cross (Mark 8.31-33). This lesson is significant because all disciples will have numerous moments where our... Continue Reading →

In these two chapters we will see Jesus restore the hearing of a deaf man (Mark 7.31-37) and restore the sight of a blind man (Mark 8.22-26). The magnitude of what Jesus accomplished is summed up by the reaction of the people: “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and... Continue Reading →

On the surface chapter 6 may seem to contain a series of unconnected stories from the life of Jesus. However, when read together I think we will find a common theme: faith. Recall that when Jesus began proclaiming the gospel, He urged the people to “repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1.15). Faith was,... Continue Reading →

The Kingdom is central in Mark’s presentation of the gospel. Recall that in the first chapter we see Jesus proclaiming, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1.15). The authority of Jesus, the King, is then exhibited in both His teaching and His... Continue Reading →

In our first lesson we saw how Jesus not only preached that “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1.15), but proved it. His authority was seen in both His teaching (Mark 1.22) and His powerful works (Mark 1.27,32-34). Truly, He is the “Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1.1). So, why would anyone... Continue Reading →

I always appreciate when someone gets right to the point and that’s exactly what Mark did at the beginning of his gospel account: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1, ESV) Most of us know that the term “gospel” can be literally translated as “good news”, but often... Continue Reading →