Mark 1

Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; Mark 1:1

Mark's first line announces who his whole book is about: Jesus, the promised Anointed One, the Son of God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 20:31 — That ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
• the same title in Matthew 16:16 — Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God

Messiah

As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Mark 1:2

Mark quotes Malachi: God sends a messenger ahead of the one whose way must be prepared. John the Baptist is that messenger, and Jesus is the one he goes before.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Malachi 3:1 — Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me
• the same event in Matthew 11:10 — Jesus applies the same prophecy to John

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name of God, I AM; LORD in Isaiah

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Mark 1:3

In Isaiah this verse says to prepare the way of the LORD, Jehovah. Mark applies it to preparing for Jesus, testifying that Jesus is Jehovah come in the flesh.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 40:3 — Prepare ye the way of the LORD
• fulfils 1 Nephi 10:7-8 — Lehi foretold the prophet crying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord
• a parallel account in John 1:23 — John the Baptist names himself this voice

Messiah

And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. Mark 1:7–8

John points past himself to someone far greater who will baptize with the Holy Ghost. That mightier one is Jesus, and Lehi had foreseen John saying these very words.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils 1 Nephi 10:8 — There standeth one among you... mightier than I, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose
• a parallel account in Matthew 3:11 — Matthew's account
• a parallel account in John 1:26-27 — John's account

Beloved Son

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. Mark 1:9–11

Jesus is baptized, the Holy Ghost descends like a dove, and the Father's voice declares Him His beloved Son. All three members of the Godhead are present and distinct.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 3:16-17 — Matthew's account of the baptism
• fulfils 1 Nephi 11:27 — Nephi saw the Holy Ghost come down in the form of a dove upon the Lamb
• interpreted by 2 Nephi 31:5-11 — Nephi explains why the Lamb of God, being holy, was baptized
• alludes to Psalm 2:7 — Thou art my Son
• alludes to Isaiah 42:1 — Mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him

Ministry of Christ

And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. Mark 1:12–13

The Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness for forty days of temptation. He faces Satan and wins, so He can help us when we are tempted.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 4:1-11 — Matthew's fuller account of the temptations
• interpreted by Hebrews 4:15 — In all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin
• fulfils Mosiah 3:7 — He shall suffer temptations

Doctrine of Christ

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, Mark 1:14–15

Jesus begins preaching that the promised time has come: repent and believe. The long-awaited King has arrived, so His kingdom is at hand.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 4:17 — Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
• interpreted by Galatians 4:4 — When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son

Ministry of Christ

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. Mark 1:16–20

Jesus calls ordinary fishermen to follow Him and promises to make them fishers of men. They leave their nets straightway.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 4:18-22 — Matthew's account of the call
• alludes to Jeremiah 16:16 — Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD

Ministry of Christ

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. Mark 1:21–28

In the synagogue at Capernaum, people are amazed that Jesus teaches with His own authority and that even evil spirits obey Him. He is not just another teacher.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Luke 4:31-37 — Luke's account of the synagogue exorcism
• the same title in Matthew 7:28-29 — He taught them as one having authority

Holy One of God

Holy One of God — the one set apart and sinless, belonging wholly to God

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Mark 1:23–26

An evil spirit recognizes Jesus and calls Him the Holy One of God. The spirits knew Him from the premortal world, and He silences and casts out the spirit with a word.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Luke 4:34 — Same cry recorded by Luke
• alludes to Psalm 16:10 — Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption

Ministry of Christ

And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Mark 1:29–34

Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and then a whole town's sick and possessed. King Benjamin had foreseen the Lord going among men healing the sick and casting out devils.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Mosiah 3:5-6 — Healing the sick... and he shall cast out devils
• fulfils Isaiah 53:4 — Surely he hath borne our griefs
• a parallel account in Matthew 8:14-17 — Matthew's account, citing Isaiah

Ministry of Christ

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35–39

After praying alone before dawn, Jesus moves on to other towns, saying He came forth for this purpose. He knew His mission from the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Luke 4:42-44 — Luke's account: for therefore am I sent

Savior

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. Mark 1:40–45

Jesus touches an untouchable leper and heals him with 'I will; be thou clean', then sends him to offer what Moses commanded. The cleansing rites of the law pointed to the Savior who can make anyone clean.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 8:2-4 — Matthew's account of the leper
• alludes to Leviticus 14:2-7 — The law of the leper's cleansing Moses commanded