Mark 1:1 Introduction…Beginning of good news about Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:2-8 Ministry of John the Baptist: Quote from prophet Isaiah. John was baptizing, preaching a baptism of repentance.

Mark 1:9-11 Jesus came to John to be baptized. Heavens were torn open, Spirit descended, voice came from heaven.

Mark 1:12-13 Spirit drove Jesus into the desert. Jesus was in desert 40 days and angels attended him.

Mark 1:4-3:12 First Disciples and First Work

Mark 1:14-20 John was in prison; Calling the disciples. Jesus called Simon and Andrew, James and his brother, John. All left their nets and followed immediately.

Mark 1:21-28 First Sabbath healing – in Capernaum. Jesus was teaching in synagogue. Man was possessed by evil spirit. Jesus commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. People were amazed, news spread quickly.

Mark 1:29-31 Healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. The fever left her and she served them.

Mark 1:32-34 Jesus healed many people after the Sabbath.

Mark 1:35-39 Jesus got up early, went off to pray. Simon found him, said everyone was looking for him. Jesus went into surrounding villages.

Mark 1:40-45 Healing of a leper. Leper approached him, asked if he was willing to heal him. Jesus touched him and said, “Be clean!” Told man to go to priests, offer required sacrifices.

Mark 2:1-12 Healing of paralytic. Many people were gathered in a house. Four friends made an opening in the roof, let down their friend. Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven.” Scribes accused him of blasphemy. Jesus healed the man. People were amazed.

Mark 2:13-17 Jesus eats with sinners. Jesus invited Levi (tax collector) to follow. Later Jesus had dinner with Levi and his friends. Pharisees were outraged (sinners were unclean).

Mark 2:18-22 Issue of fasting. Pharisees demanded to know why Jesus’ disciples did not fast. Jesus replied with parable of bridegroom, unshrunken cloth, and new wine.

Mark 2:23-28 Gleaning grain on the Sabbath. Jesus and his disciples picked grain on Sabbath. Pharisees were upset. Jesus replied with story of David eating consecrated bread.“ Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

Mark 3:1-6 Healing a man with shriveled hand on Sabbath. Pharisees were watching him. Jesus said, “Is it lawful to do good or to do evil on Sabbath?” Pharisees went out and began to plot how they might kill Jesus.

Mark 3:7-12 Great crowds followed Jesus; he healed them all.

Mark 3:13-6:6 Appointment of Apostles and Extension of Labor

Mark 3:20-21 Jesus’ family wanted to take him home (“he is mad”).

Mark 3:22-30 Teachers of the law accused him of being possessed. Jesus said, “How can Satan cast out Satan?”

Mark 3:31-35 Jesus’ family called him. Jesus redefined family.

Mark 4:1-34 Parables About the Kingdom of God

Mark 4:1-9 Parable of the sower. Many types of ground; some seeds sprouted, others did not. “He who has ears to hear let him hear.”

Mark 4:10-12 Secret of the kingdom given to those "inside”. Others relegated to remaining “outside”.

Mark 4:13-20 Explanation of parable for disciples.

Mark 4:21-23 Parable of lamp. “Whatever is hidden will be disclosed.”

Mark 4:24-25 Parable of measure. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Mark 4:26-29 Parable of seed growing secretly. Seed mysteriously produced a crop

Mark 4:30-32 Parable of mustard seed. Smallest seed yet grew into large bush.

Mark 4:33-34 Summary statement.

Mark 4:35-41 Stilling the storm. Later that day, Jesus and disciples got into a boat to cross the lake. Storm came up; Jesus was asleep. Disciples were fearful and woke him up. Jesus asked, “Do you still have no faith?” and then stilled the storm. Now disciples were terrified.

Mark 5:1-20 Healing of the man at Gerasene. Man was possessed, ran to Jesus. Demons cried out, went into the pigs. Pigs rushed over the bank, drowned in the lake. Man was free. People tending the pigs were terrified, as was the whole town. Asked Jesus to leave.

Mark 5:21-24 Introduction to Jairus, plight of his daughter. Jesus went to heal her

Mark 5:25-34 On the way, hemorrhaging woman interrupted Jesus. Jesus stopped when she touched him and was healed. He pronounced her clean.

Mark 5:35-43 During interruption, Jairus’ daughter died. Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid, but to believe (just like the woman). Jesus raised the daughter.

Mark 6:1-6 Rejection in his Hometown. People just couldn’t get past the fact he was a carpenter’s son. They took offense at him. Jesus could not do any miracles there. (This time Jesus was amazed – at their lack of faith).

Mark 6:7-8:30 Cooperating in Service

Mark 6:7-13 Sending out of the Twelve. He sent them out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits. They were very effective.

Mark 6:14-16 Questions came up regarding Jesus’ identity. Herod heard about him, thought he was John the Baptist raised up.

Mark 6:17-29 Flashback to death of John the Baptist. Herod’s wife had issues with John’s disapproval of her marriage. Her daughter danced for Herod at his birthday banquet. Herod offered her “anything you ask”. The daughter asked for the head of John the Baptist. Her wish was granted despite the king’s distress. (He needed to save face among his guests). John’s disciples buried him.

Mark 6:30-44 The feeding of five thousand (a banquet in the wilderness). The disciples returned from their mission. Jesus left with them for some solitude, but followed by a crowd. He had compassion on the crowd and taught them many things. It got late. Disciples wanted the crowd dismissed. Jesus fed them with five loaves and two fishes. They had 12 baskets filled with leftovers.

Mark 6:45-52 Jesus walks on the water. After sending the disciples off in a boat, Jesus went to pray. During the night, he went out to the disciples on the water. They were terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost. Jesus said, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” After Jesus got into the boat with them, the disciples were completely terrified -- “for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened” .

Mark 6:53-56 Summary of healings at Gennesaret

Mark 7:1-13 Dispute over unwashed hands. Pharisees challenged Jesus on proper hand washing techniques. Jesus responded by challenging them on other traditions.

Mark 7:14-23 Jesus declared all food clean.

Mark 7:24-30 Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman (If all foods are clean, maybe all people are too…). Gentile woman asked for healing for her demon possessed daughter. Initially Jesus refused, but the woman persisted. Woman accepted his mission to Jews first, and would settle for crumbs. Jesus marveled at her understanding and healed her daughter.

Mark 7:31-37 Symbolic healing of deaf and dumb man: If Jesus can heal physical deafness; there is hope for spiritual deafness as well.

Mark 8:1-10 Feeding of four thousand. Jesus was still in Gentile territory; great crowd followed him for three days. Disciples could not imagine where they could ever get enough food. (This is after they’ve witnessed 5000 fed in a similar situation). Jesus fed 4000 with 7 loaves and a few small fish 7 baskets were filled with leftovers.

Mark 8:11-13 Pharisees request a sign from heaven (Apparently, feeding thousands in the wilderness didn’t impress them).

Mark 8:14-21 Leaven of the Pharisees and the disciples. Disciples and Jesus were in a boat; disciples had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees. Disciples were fixated on not having enough bread (This is after they’ve witnessed two extraordinary feedings). Jesus accused them of having hardened hearts. “Do you have eyes but fail to see…?”

Mark 8:22-26 Symbolic healing of a blind man at Bethsaida.

Mark 8:27-30 Peter confesses Jesus as Messiah.

Mark 8:31-33 Jesus’ first prediction of His death. Peter rebuked him. Jesus said, “Get thee behind me, Satan.”

Mark 8:34-9:1 Qualifications for discipleship. Must take up their cross and follow.

Mark 9:2-8 The Transfiguration: Jesus, Peter, James, and John went up the mountain. Jesus’ clothes became dazzling white; Elijah and Moses appeared. Peter didn’t know what to say so he offered to build three shelters. Voice from heaven told them to listen to Jesus.

Mark 9:9-13 Explanation of coming of Elijah. Fulfillment of scripture

Mark 9:14-29 Healing of a boy with an evil spirit. Crowd was arguing with disciples. Man asked for healing for his son; disciples could not heal him. Jesus walked up and said, “O faithless generation…” Man asked for healing; Jesus said he only needed to believe. Men said, “I believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Jesus healed the boy. Disciples asked why they could not heal him. “This kind can come out only by prayer”

Mark 9:30-37 Second prediction of death. Disciples didn’t understand and were afraid to ask. Among themselves, the disciples argued about which was greatest. Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last”. Jesus put a small child in their midst to make his point.

Mark 9:38-42 Someone was using Jesus’ name to drive out demons. Jesus refused to stop him

Mark 9:43-50 Additional requirements for discipleship. Remove any temptations. Lesson on saltiness.

Mark 10:1-12 Teaching on divorce. God intended the two would become one flesh. No exceptions for infidelity.

Mark 10:13-16 Disciples try to prevent the children from coming to Jesus. Jesus rebuked disciples; blessed the children.

Mark 10:17-31 Rich young man and the kingdom of God. Young man kept all the commandments. Jesus told him to sell all, then “Come, follow me.” Young man went away sad. Disciples reminded Jesus they had given up everything. Jesus promised eternal life.

Mark 10:32-45 Third prediction of death. James and John asked to sit at Jesus’ right and left hands (places of honor). Other disciples were upset. Jesus said if they wanted to be great, they had to first be servants.

Mark 10:46-52 Healing of another blind man (Bartimaeus). (Near Jericho – roughly 15 miles SE of Jerusalem).

Mark 11:1-14:42 Sacrifice Approached

Mark 11:1-11 Jesus’ triumphal entry. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt. People sang, Hosanna! Stayed at Bethany for the night.

Mark 11:12-26 “Cursing” of Fig Tree

Mark 11:12-14 Tree had no good fruit. Jesus said, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”

Mark 11:15-19 Cleansing of the temple. Jesus overturned all the money tables. “You have made my house a den of robbers”. Chief priests looked for a way to kill him

Mark 11:20-26 Fig tree had withered by the next morning. Jesus responded with pronouncements
“If you have faith, you will receive whatever is asked in prayer”.

Mark 11:27-33 First of four questions – Issue of Jesus’ authority. Chief priests wanted to know who authorized him to “cleanse” temple. Jesus responded by asking who authorized John the Baptist. Priests were stymied, couldn’t answer. Jesus didn’t answer their question either.

Mark 12:1-12 Parable of the unjust tenants. Landowner sent servant to collect rent from tenants. They killed him. Landowner sent several others, finally his own son. Tenants killed all. Landowner will come, kill the tenants, and give vineyard to others. Chief priests determined to kill him, knew the parable was against them.

Mark 12:13-17 Second question – Paying taxes to Caesar. Pharisees and Herodians tried to catch him in his words. Jesus knew their hypocrisy. Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, to God what is God’s”.

Mark 12:18-27 Third question – Marriage at the resurrection. Sadducees asked about the woman who married seven brothers. Jesus said the risen will not marry nor be given in marriage. Jesus also corrected their view on the resurrection.

Mark 12:28-34 Fourth question – Which is the greatest commandment? One of the teachers of the law asked which is most important commandment. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” The second is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” After this no one dared ask him any more questions.

Mark 12:35-37 Jesus asked a question about Christ being David’s son. Quoted from scripture wherein David spoke of “My Lord.” Crowd was delighted.

Mark 12:36-40 Jesus warned the crowd about the teachers of the Law. Many of them were frauds

Mark 12:41-44 Widow’s offering of two mites (Immediately follows warning of religious leaders devouring widow’s houses).

Mark 13:1-2 Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple.

Mark 13:3-4 Disciples wanted to know when it would happen and how they would know.

Mark 13:5-8 Warning against those who will deceive. Signs of the end times...wars, earthquakes, and famines.

Mark 13:9-13 Warning against persecution and betrayal by kin. Encouragement to “stand firm”. All who do will be saved.

Mark 13:14-23 Warning of “abomination that causes desolation”. Imagery is from book of Daniel where temple was profaned. Will happen again.

Mark 13:24-27 The coming of the Son of Man in clouds with power. After all that distress, Son of Man will come in power and glory. He will gather his elect.

Mark 13:28-31 Parable of the fig tree. Gets new leaves every spring – symbol of hope. The certainty of new leaves = the certainty of Jesus’ predictions.

Mark 13:32-37 The need to be watchful and awake. They must be prepared at all times since they do not know when these times will come.

Mark 14:1-2 Chief priests and teachers of the law plan to arrest and kill Jesus.

Mark 14:3-9 Anointing by unknown woman. Disciples rebuked her for “wasting” so much perfume. Jesus said she did what she could, and will be remembered for it.

Mark 14:10-11 Betrayal by Judas: Chief priests were delighted; Judas watched for an opportunity

Mark 14:12-16 Preparation of the Passover meal. Disciples entered the city and found a man carrying water. They followed him; he showed them a large upper room.

Mark 14:17-21 Jesus announces one of them will betray him. One by one, they ask, “Is it I?” Indication of self-doubt, sadness. He said it would be one who dipped bread with him.

Mark 14:22-26 The Lord’s Supper. Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it: “This is my body.” He did likewise with the cup. After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14:27-31 Jesus predicts Peter’s denial of him.

Mark 14:43-15 Sacrifice Accomplished

Mark 14:43-52 The arrest of Jesus. Judas came with an armed crowd. The signal was his kiss. The men seized Jesus; scripture must be fulfilled. All the disciples fled the scene (One young man fled leaving his garment).

Mark 14:53-65 Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin. They took Jesus to the high priest; Peter followed at a distance. False witnesses could not give same testimony. Chief priest asked Jesus directly, “Are you the Christ?” Jesus said he was; chief priest tore his clothes, accused him of blasphemy. They condemned him to death, struck him.

Mark 14:66-72 Peter’s denial of Jesus: After the third denial, he heard the cock crow and remembered Jesus’ prophecy. Peter wept bitterly.

Mark 15:1-15 Jesus’ trial before Pilate, leaders of the Jews took Jesus before Pilate. Pilate asked if he was “king of the Jews”. Jesus said, “It is as you say.” Pilate offered to release one criminal in honor of the Passover. Crowd chose Barabbas, the murderer. Crowd chanted that Jesus should be crucified. Pilate released Barabbas and turned Jesus over to be crucified.

Mark 15:16-20 Soldiers mocked Jesus.

Mark 15:21-32 The Crucifixion: Simon of Cyrene was forced to help Jesus carry his cross. Jesus was crucified at the third hour. They cast lots for his garments. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right, and the other on the left. The crowd mocked him: “He saved others, but he can’t save himself.”

Mark 15:33-41 Jesus’ death on the cross. Darkness reigned from the sixth to the ninth hour. Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Then Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two (Same word used for tearing of the heavens at his baptism). Centurion said, “Surely, this man was the Son of God!” Women were watching from a distance.

Mark 16:1-8 The empty tomb. After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Joses, and Salome took spices to the tomb in order to anoint Jesus’ body. They mused about how they would be able to move the large stone. To their surprise, the stone had already been moved. A young man (angel) was sitting there, told them not to be afraid. He told them to run and tell Peter and the others that Jesus would meet them in Galilee just as he had said. “But the women said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

Mark 16:9-20 Resurrection Appearances of Jesus

Mark 16:9-11 Appearance to Mary Magdalene: Similar to John 20:11-18

Mark 16:12-13 Appearance to two disciples walking. Similar to Luke 24:13-55 (Walk to Emmaus)

Mark 16:14-18 Appearance to the eleven remaining disciples. Similar to “Great Commission” of Matthew 28:19

Mark 16:19-20 Jesus’ Ascension: Similar to Acts 1:1