Bible Study - Mk. 1 21-45

Slide 1: 

The Gospel of Mark Chapter 1:29-45 All Biblical quotations taken from The Holy Bible : Revised Standard Version Second Catholic edition (2006), with the ecclesiastical approval of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Thomas Nelson Publishing for Ignatius Press.

Map : 

Map

1:21-28 Synagogue at Capernaum : 

1:21-28 Synagogue at Capernaum Notice the scene takes place in a synagogue (a church) on the Sabbath (the day of worship). Mark seems to be pointing out that we are not even safe from demons in church. Interesting that the evil spirit recognized Jesus as the “Holy One of God,” but so many others didn’t.

Synagogue : 

Synagogue Because the Temple in Jerusalem was too far for many Jews to travel to regularly for worship, many towns had synagogues serving both as places of worship and as schools. Beginning in the days of Ezra, about 450 B.C., a group of 10 Jewish families could start a synagogue. There, during the week, Jewish boys were taught the Old Testament laws and Jewish religion. Girls could not attend.

Teaching : 

Teaching Each Saturday, the Sabbath, the Jewish men would gather to listen to a Rabbi teach from the Scriptures. Because there was no permanent Rabbi or teacher, it was customary for the synagogue leader to ask visiting teachers to speak. This is why Jesus often spoke in the synagogues of the towns he visited. You will recall that St. Paul, when ever possible, also began preaching in the local Synagogue.

1:25 “Be silent come out of him!” : 

1:25 “Be silent come out of him!” 1:25 Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and said, “Be silent come out of him! Why did Jesus say that? The announcement that He was God, was too early in His ministry to be made. He didn’t want one of Satan’s workers to make the announcement that the Messiah had come. He also shows and proves He had authority over Satan and his evil ones. The people called Jesus’ teaching new and with authority; compared to the dry teaching they usually heard from their scribes. When a person speaks with authority they exude confidence. Jesus not only taught with authority but He also spoke to the powerful underworld with authority.

Mk. 1:29-31 Healings at Simon’s House : 

Mk. 1:29-31 Healings at Simon’s House “They immediately told him of her.” These words give us confidence to go to Jesus with our needs and problems. Often we look everywhere else before turning to God. All of our problem-solving strategies need to begin with prayer.

1:32-34 Other Healings : 

1:32-34 Other Healings Why did the people wait until evening? Jesus had spoken at the Synagogue on the Sabbath. According to Jewish thinking a day begins at sunset. Sunset is also defined as being able to see 3 stars in the sky. If the people had come before sunset they would have been breaking the Sabbath laws by working. When Jesus was curing there were 3 kinds of people present. The ill Those helping a loved one get to Peter’s house. And people that merely watched. Are you watching or are you trying to find what Jesus wants you to do?

1:35-39 Jesus Preaches and Heals throughout Galilee : 

1:35-39 Jesus Preaches and Heals throughout Galilee Jesus rises early and goes to a desert place to pray because he knows that the people are seeking him out only because of his miraculous powers. They have misunderstood Him, and so He must move on to neighboring towns and continue his preaching and healing. We already know how Jesus’ travels will end but the disciples, later to become apostles, don’t. One advantage they had that we find difficult to recognize, is observing His daily miracles that should help to strengthen our faith. Did you notice that Jesus prays to the Father? There is an old saying that says, “The most powerful person in our community can be found on their knees in prayer recognizing they can’t do anything without God’s help.”

1:40-45 Jesus Cleanses a Leper : 

1:40-45 Jesus Cleanses a Leper Leprosy was a skin disease that made victims unclean and thus unfit to participate in worship. If the leper was ritually unclean then anyone who touched him would also become unclean as is taught by the Old Testament and Old Covenant. Jesus touched the leper but didn’t become unclean because He had cured him. The cure was a symbol of the new age, not bound by the Old Covenant.

Enthusiasm : 

Enthusiasm Until now the “crowds” have been excited about Jesus and his miracles. Mark will now turn to the other side of the story, the controversies, or problems that cause Jesus’ actions and teachings to be questioned by the religious leaders.