Jesus Is Rejected in Nazareth, Then Sends His Twelve Disciples Out to Preach; Beheading of John the Baptist

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 6:1) And He went out from there and came into His own country, and His disciples followed Him.

At the end of the last chapter Jesus had just healed the daughter of a ruler of the synagogue at the ruler's house in Capernaum.  He now went from Capernaum to His own land around Nazareth.  Nazareth was said to be Jesus's own city because He had been conceived there and had been educated there.  He had regard for it as His hometown.  His disciples followed Him there.

(2) And when the Sabbath day had come, He began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands?"

When the Sabbath day had come, Jesus began teaching at the synagogue in Nazareth.  Many of the people hearing Him teach marveled and were astonished at His teaching.  They wondered where He had gotten such ideas and wisdom.  They recognized that He had some power to perform miracles and wondered what gave Him such power and wisdom.

(3) "Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, the brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" And they were offended at Him.

Although the people marveled, they recognized that Jesus was the carpenter, the son of Mary, who had grown up with them.  Matthew had stated in his account that Jesus was the carpenter's Son, but it is perfectly reasonable to believe that Jesus had worked in His earthly father's trade in His younger years.  The fact that Mary was mentioned and not Joseph, might mean that Mary was a widow by then.  James, Joses, Judah, and Simon might have been the half-brothers of Jesus, sons of Mary and Joseph, but they might also have been close kinsmen, close enough to be called brothers.  The point is that these people knew Jesus's roots and His family.  They knew His sisters who were still among them.  They became offended that "one of them" should now claim this apparent spiritual superiority over them.  At least that is the way they probably saw it.  Seeing Him grow up with them and knowing His family, they could not or would not believe who He truly was, and by what power and wisdom He did the things He did.

(4) But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and among his own kin and in his own house."

Jesus somewhat pardoned their ignorance.  He recognized that the primary place a prophet was without honor and respect as a prophet was among the people with whom he had grown up and his own family and household.  However, that did not completely excuse them.  Jesus recognized that it might be harder for them to believe and be saved, just as it is harder for a rich man to be saved (Matthew 19:24) or for a good man (1 Peter 4:18).  His own people find it hard to believe, a rich man finds it hard to give up his money, and a "good" man doesn't see his need as a sinner.  It might be harder, but not impossible, and it is necessary to be saved only through the saving grace of Jesus Christ's sacrifice.  

(5) And He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick folk and healed them.

It's not that Jesus was unable to do mighty miracles because of the people's unbelief, but the purpose of miracles is to bring people to a saving belief in Christ.  If people were not receptive to His message, then Jesus was not about vain show.  He knew the hearts and minds of those people before He spoke and knew whether or not they would be receptive of His teaching.  He concluded it was useless to perform a mighty work there.  However, Jesus did have mercy on a few sick people and healed them.

(6) And He marveled because of their unbelief.  And He went round about the villages, teaching.

Jesus the man could not help but be amazed at the unbelief of His very own people.  There He was offering grace and eternal life, and the people were too stubborn to even listen.  So Jesus went around to the surrounding villages and taught.  

(7) And He called the twelve and began to send them forth two by two and gave them power over unclean spirits.

Jesus called His twelve disciples to Himself and sent them out in pairs to preach and teach the Gospel.  By sending out two together, they would be able to support and encourage each other.  Besides, there was that scriptural adage that a thing was established if out of the mouth of two or three.  Jesus gave His disciples the power over unclean spirits.  In the last chapter, we were told of Jesus's innate nature to heal and drive out evil spirits.  The disciples were not able to drive out spirits of their own power, but Jesus gave them that power.  That squashes the notion of faith teachers that we can all heal and exorcise demons if we have enough faith.  It is only if it is within God's will and He gives us that power, and the Holy Spirit so directs us; then it is actually Him doing the healing or exorcism.

This reminds me of something I personally witnessed.  I was in a women's mentoring group, and prayer was asked for a sick member.  One woman prayed humbly that if it was in God's will, would He please heal that woman.  Another woman, apparently not pleased with the path of her prayer, interrupted and began praying that she knew God wanted that woman healed and therefore she demanded that sickness leave that woman's body.  She presumed to know the mind of God!  I've been in Word of Faith groups before, and they take scripture and claim every one as a promise for us all, and therefore think they know what God wants at any given moment.  As a result, they think they have the right to demand it.  What they fail to realize is that God's ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9).  There may be a greater purpose in allowing a person to suffer with an illness.  There may be countless people saved because they see the faith and joy and peace of Christians regardless of their apparent hopeless situations.  I have a personal testimony regarding my husband that attests to that.  My husband was blind; he actually regained slight vision and then lost it totally again.  He had a weak heart and countless other medical problems resulting from a terrible car crash when he was younger.  His parents had been told on countless occasions that he would not make it through the night.  He was always in a lot of pain and normal daily activities seemed a struggle.  His heart finally did give out and he is no longer with me, but I cannot tell you how many people he touched just by his humble life and soft-spoken words.  And he always gave glory to God for all the little things.  People saw that and continue to tell me what an inspiration he was.  Just by living with all his infirmities and continuing in faith and love, he was an inspiration!  If countless more people were saved observing his life than would have been if he had not gone through it all, then which is the good thing?  Our selfish afraid of adversity selves would say the good thing would be to be immediately healed!  But what if it is God's purpose for our lives that we persevere in adversity so that others may see the hope within us and be saved?  We can't all be preachers and missionaries.  But if we perform our purposes with willing and glad hearts, there is great reward in heaven.  And this life on earth is just a blip in the whole of eternity.  As it says in Romans 8:18, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

(8) And commanded them to take nothing for their journey except a staff only, no bag, no bread, no money.

Jesus commanded His disciples to take nothing with them as they went forth two by two, except for a staff, which probably served as a walking aid.  They were to be about their work and not concerned with their "things."  God would provide.

(9) But be shod with sandals and not put on two coats.

They were to wear sandals but were not to take extra clothes.  Again, all their needs would be provided.  

(10) And He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, abide there till you depart from that place."

Jesus further instructed His disciples.  In whatever city or town they went to, when they were invited in to stay at a house, they were to stay there until they left that city or town.  That was to be their headquarters, so to speak.  They weren't to go from house to house throughout the town spending the nights in different places.  There was wisdom in that command, as there always is with Christ's commands.  Once they were welcomed into a place, it should only increase the pleasure of their hosts to be a small part of their great work; and the time it would take to find another place to stay and settle into there would only take away from their work.  Jesus would make sure they were welcomed into the right place in the beginning!

(11) "And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city."

If the disciples came to a city where no one would receive them into their houses or even listen to them, Jesus told them that when they left that city, they were to shake off the dust of that city's ground as a testimony against them.  They had been in that city's ground but now shook it off, leaving that city completely behind that had rejected the Gospel.  Jesus went on to say that in the day of judgment still to come, judgment on the city that rejected the disciples and their gospel message would be more severe than it would be for even Sodom and Gomorrah.

(12) And they went out and preached that men should repent.

The disciples went out as Jesus sent them forth, two by two, preaching that men should repent of their sinful ways.

(13) And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

The disciples were able to cast out devils with the power Jesus had given them.  They anointed the sick with oil which was a common custom among the Jews as it might have a soothing effect on the body.  In the case of the disciples, they also healed the sick by the power given them by Jesus.

(14) And King Herod heard of Him (for His name was spread abroad), and he said, "That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him."

King Herod began to hear of Jesus and the fame of His works.  He thought that it must have been John the Baptist risen from the dead.  I suppose his reasoning was that if John had the power to rise from the dead, he would have the power to do miracles.

(15) Others said, "That is Elijah." And others said, "That is a prophet or like one of the prophets."

Other people thought it was Elijah whom the Jews did expect to come before the Messiah.  Still others said it was one of the old prophets risen up, or a new prophet who had been raised up with the same power as the old prophets.

(16) But when Herod heard, he said, "It is John whom I beheaded; he is risen from the dead."

When Herod heard the opinions of others, he rejected them.  He was sure it was John the Baptist whom he had had beheaded.  Obviously, his conscience was bothering him for having so good a man beheaded, and he was sure John had come back from the dead.

(17) For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold of John and bound him in prison for Herodias's sake, his brother Philip's wife, for he had married her. (18) For John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."

More detail is given about how Herod came to have John beheaded, and why his conscience might be bothering him.  Herod had taken his brother's wife, Herodias, as his own.  John had told Herod that it was unlawful for him to do so, so he had had John seized and bound in prison for Herodias's sake, and honor, as I suppose he would have thought it.

(19) Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him and would have killed him, but she could not.

Prison for John was not good enough for Herodias.  She wanted him killed, but it was not in her power to do so.

(20) For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy, and observed him, and when he heard him, he did many things and heard him gladly.

Herodias had surely petitioned Herod to have John killed, but Herod feared John because he knew he was a just and holy man.  He kept him in prison, but observed him, listening to what he had to say.  He did many things and listened to John gladly.  We aren't told what many things he did, but it seems to be in reference to the things John was telling him that he received gladly.  However, we know that he did not fully embrace John's message as he continued to keep his brother's wife as his own.

(21) And when a convenient day had come when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his lords, high captains, and chiefs of Galilee; (22) And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the damsel, "Ask of me whatever you will and I will give it to you."

An opportune time came for Herodias when it was Herod's birthday and he held a supper for all his nobles and chief officers.  The daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and the men who sat with him.  He was so pleased with her performance that he told her he would grant her whatever she wished; she needed merely to ask.

(23) And he swore to her, "Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."

Herod went all out and swore an oath to Herodias's daughter that whatever she asked, he would give her, up to half his kingdom.  That's quite a reward for a dance!

(24) And she went forth and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."

Herodias's daughter asked her mother what she should ask for, and she told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist.  That woman could surely hold a grudge, for John had been in prison for almost two years, say Biblical scholars.  She probably didn't like the fact that Herod seemed to enjoy listening to John.

(25) And she came in right away with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want that you give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

Indeed, Herodias's daughter went immediately in to King Herod and asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

(26) And the king was exceedingly sorry, but for his oath's sake, and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.

King Herod was very sorry he had opened his big mouth, so to speak, to offer the girl anything she desired.  However, because he had sworn an oath, and because he had done it in front of all his guests, he would not refuse the girl her request.

(27) And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought; and he went and beheaded him in prison.

The king sent an executioner to the imprisoned John, and commanded that he bring John's head to him.  The executioner indeed beheaded John in his prison.

(28) And brought his head on a platter and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.

The executioner brought John's head on a platter and gave it to Herodias's daughter, and she, in turn, gave it to her mother.  And that explained why Herod was haunted by his killing of a good and holy man for a dance!

(29) And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

When John's disciples heard about what had happened to him, they came to the prison and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

As this is a rather long chapter with rather long commentary, I will end this post here and continue Mark 6 in the next.

Christ's Innate Nature to Heal and Restore Life

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 5:21) And when Jesus had passed over again by ship to the other side, many people gathered to Him, and He was near to the sea.

Jesus left the Gadarenes as He had been asked to do and sailed by ship back to the other side again, to Capernaum.  He came onto the shore and many people gathered around Him.  

(22) And behold, there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and when he saw Him, he fell at His feet.

From among the crowd that gathered around Jesus, there came to Him one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus.  When he saw Jesus, he fell down at His feet.

(23) And beseeched Him greatly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death; I pray You, come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she shall live."

Jairus begged Jesus to come with him.  His daughter was at the point of death, and he begged Jesus to come with him to lay His healing hands on her, that she might be healed and live.

(24) And Jesus went with him, and many people followed Him and thronged Him.

Jesus indeed went with the man, and a multitude of people followed after Him and crowded Him.

(25) And there was a certain woman who had had an issue of blood for twelve years.

Among the people who crowded around Jesus was a woman who had had an issue with bleeding for twelve years.  This issue of blood would have made her unclean in the eyes of the Jewish law for twelve years.  That is a perfect example of what sin does to a person.  Our sin makes us constantly and indefinitely unclean in the presence of God.

(26) And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and nothing was bettered but rather grew worse.

The woman had sought treatment from many doctors, spending all the money she had to be cured, but nothing had made her condition better; it had only worsened.

(27) When she had heard of Jesus, she came in the crowd behind and touched His garment.

When the woman had heard of the fame of Jesus and the miracles He wrought, she worked herself up through the crowd from behind to merely touch His garment.  She, perhaps, having spent twelve years being shunned, considered unclean, did not dare confront Him face to face, or perhaps she was just grabbing at Him the best she could from within the crowd.

(28) For she said, "If I may touch only His clothes, I shall be whole."

Regardless of what reason it was that brought her to touch only Jesus's clothes, the woman had faith that the mere touch to His garments would make her whole again.

(29) And immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

Immediately upon touching Jesus's garment, the woman's issue of blood was dried up, and she indeed felt whole and well again.  That is remarkable.  There was no conscious effort of Jesus to heal the woman, although we know that Jesus knew what was happening.  Just touching what was touching Him was enough to completely heal the woman on the spot!  I think that shows us that no matter how unworthy we feel we are in His presence, whatever move we make toward Jesus, if done with a faithful heart, Jesus will respond willingly to save us.

(30) And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"

Jesus, of course, knew immediately that the woman had touched His garments and had been healed.  It was not from some diminishing of His virtue or strength that He knew.  He knew a healing had taken place and that had been from His very essence, an internal omnipresent virtue in Him to cure diseases.  He turned around in the crowd and asked who had touched His clothes, knowing full well who had touched them, but doing this for the witnesses to the miracle.

(31) And His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, "Who touched Me?'"

Jesus's disciples incredulously replied to Him that there was a whole crowd of people pressing against Him; how could He ask who it was who touched Him?

(32) And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. (33) But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth.

Jesus looked around and spotted the woman who had touched Him and had been healed.  She was very afraid and trembling.  She knew she had been healed, and she, in her unclean self, had dared to touch Jesus's garment to get that healing.  However, she came forth to Jesus, fell down before Him, and confessed all she had done and what was done for her.

(34) And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace and be whole from your plague."

Jesus told the woman that her faith had healed her.  Of course, that meant faith in the One who could heal, not faith in itself.  I can't help but think that is where some Word of Faith believers miss the point.  They seem to act as though it is the faith itself that produces results.  "If only I had faith enough, it would have happened..."  I've got news for them.  If it is God's will, it will happen with or without your faith!  Likewise, if it is not in God's will, it will not happen, faith that it will happen or not!  Our faith is in Christ alone!  That woman had great faith in Him, yes, knowing He would heal, and that was fully within His will to do so.  He told her to go in peace, and not be afraid, and be whole and enjoy her healing from her plague.

(35) While He was still speaking, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain ones who said, "Your daughter is dead! Why trouble the Master any further?"

Jesus had been on His way to heal Jairus's daughter when He was interrupted by this woman with the blood issue.  He had been delayed, and now came word that Jairus's daughter had died and therefore, there was no further need to inconvenience Jesus.

(36) As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Be not afraid, only believe."

Jesus heard the message that was sent that Jairus's daughter had died, but He told him not to be afraid, but keep the faith, so to speak.  You can bet Jesus's delay was purposeful to demonstrate His power.

(37) And He permitted no man to follow Him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

Jesus would not allow anyone to accompany Him to the ruler's house, except Peter, James, and John.  It was probably much easier than normal to disperse the crowd because they had likely heard the word that the little girl was already dead.  Probably Jesus did not want a huge crowd because He was humble and did not desire the applause of men; however, He took enough witnesses to make what would happen next "truth."  "In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." (Matthew 18:16)

(38) And He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the tumult and those who wept and wailed greatly.

Jesus came into Jairus's house and saw all the people within the house, friends and relatives, weeping and wailing over the passing of the little girl.

(39) And when He had come in, He said to them, "Why make this ado and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleeping."

When Jesus came into the house, he asked the crowd why they were making such a fuss and weeping and wailing.  He told them the little girl was not dead, but only sleeping.

(40) And they laughed at Him in scorn. But when He had put them all out, He took the father and the mother of the damsel, and those who were with Him, and entered in where the damsel was lying.

Not realizing just who had addressed them, the people laughed and ridiculed Jesus for saying the girl was only sleeping.  Jesus, in turn, turned them out of the house.  I do believe there is a good lesson in this and also when Jesus dispersed the crowd from following Him to Jairus's house.  We don't need to have a group of naysayers and non-believers around us in such a moment.  We want believers and God-fearing folk with faith to support and uplift us.  We don't want to be drug down and have our faith diminished by those who don't believe.  A good model of this in the Old Testament was the Shunammite woman in Kings 4.  Elisha, through the power of God, had given her a son, but her son died.  She went straight to Elisha to deal with her problem.  Her husband and the servant of Elisha both asked about her concerns, and she told them both she was fine, even though she surely was not fine, but there was no need to tell her problems to those people who could not help her, and especially in the case of her husband, might even try to stop her.  

After Jesus had put all the naysayers out of Jairus's house, He, the parents of the girl, and the three disciples with Him went into where the girl lay.

(41) And He took the damsel by the hand and said to her, "Talitha cumi," which being interpreted is, "Damsel, I say to you, arise."

Jesus took the little girl's hand and told her to arise.  "Talitha cumi," Jesus's actual words are written here, and they literally mean, "Damsel, arise."  "I say to you" was a parenthetical phrase added by Mark to show it was by Jesus's own authority and power over death that He told her to rise up.

(42) And immediately the damsel arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

Indeed, the little girl got up and walked.  Mark made it a point to say that she could indeed walk because she was, after all, twelve years old.  Of course, all who witnessed this miracle were utterly amazed.

(43) And He charged them strictly that no man should know it, and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Once again, Jesus commanded that they not tell anyone of the miracle.  Once again, I say that would be a hard thing to obey, when so many had seen the little girl dead.  However, Jesus did not want it spread far and wide as it was not the time to further enrage the scribes and Pharisees against Him.  He additionally commanded them to get the girl something to eat.  In this, He was letting the parents know that she was restored completely to human life with all the needs of it.  

With these two miracles, we see the innate nature of Christ to heal and to restore life.  He had power over sickness and even death.  Sin is a sickness with which we all suffer and the consequence of that is death, but Jesus came to conquer that death and to give us an abundant life:

"The thief comes not, but to steal and to kill and to destroy; I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly." (Jesus's words in John 10:10)

Jesus Heals the Man with a Legion of Demons

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 5:1) And they came over to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

At the end of the last chapter, Jesus had suggested to His disciples that they leave the shore at Capernaum and go across the Sea of Galilee to the other side.  That is what they did, and they now arrived at the shore in the country of the Gadarenes.  This appears to be the same country as of the Gergesenes and the Gerasenes.  Whether these are misspellings of the same country or whether more than one tribe of people lived within the country, I don't know, but that is not what is important.  The basic fact is that they left Capernaum and sailed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

(2) And when He had come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, (3) Who had his dwelling among the tombs, and no man could bind him, not even with chains.

As soon as Jesus had landed and came out of the ship, He was met by a man who came from among tombs who had an unclean or evil spirit.  He apparently lived among the tombs, and no one was able to bind him.  John Gill, in his Exposition of the Bible, made an interesting point.  Did the man get the unclean spirit because he lived among the tombs, or did he live among the tombs because he had an unclean spirit?  If it was the first, then there lies a good lesson in why we should not involve ourselves in rituals with the spirits of the dead.

(4) Because he had often been bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the fetters broken in pieces.  Neither could any man tame him.

It appears that efforts had been made to bind the man but to no avail.  He could break any chains or shackles and no man could tame him.

(5) And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

The man wandered among the mountains and the tombs, crying out, and cutting himself with stones.  I can't help but notice that it took four verses to describe this poor Satan-possessed man, an illustration of just what Satan can do to a soul if allowed.  

(6) But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshiped Him.

When the man saw Jesus, he ran to Him and worshiped Him.  Think about that!  He was so powerfully controlled by Satan and demons, but when he saw Jesus, he was compelled to fall down and worship Him.  Isaiah 45:23 says, "...unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear."

(7) And cried with a loud voice, and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the most high God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."

At the same time the man was compelled to bow down to Jesus, he cried out by the spirit within him to Jesus, recognizing Him for who He was, and begging Him not to torment him.

(8) For He said to him, "Come out of that man, you unclean spirit!"

Apparently, Jesus had at the same time commanded that the evil spirit come out of the man, and the spirit begged that He not torment him.

(9) And He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion, for we are many."

Of course, Jesus would have known the name of the spirit, but for the learning of His disciples, witnesses, and even for us reading about this incident, He asked the name of the spirit.  His name was Legion, for actually he was the head of many spirits within that poor man.  Imagine that for a minute.  The evil spirits of Satan have names; they are evidently known entities in the spirit world.  There was a wonderful novel by Frank Peretti, This Present Darkness, about spiritual warfare.  Although it was fiction, it will open your eyes as to the spiritual warfare that goes on in the world.  It may also allow you to see people differently, when you are able to see that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against...spiritual wickedness..." (Ephesians 6:12).

(10) And he beseeched Him much that He would not send them away out of the country.

The spirit continued to beg Jesus, this time that He would not send them out of the country.  It seems odd that demon spirits would presume to ask Jesus to be permitted to stay in their present country.  Perhaps this was a heathen district where demon spirits could act with less restraint than in other places.  Still!  To be so presumptuous as to ask Jesus to allow them to stay!

(11) Now there was near to the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

Near to the mountains where this confrontation was taking place, there was a large herd of swine feeding.

(12) And all the devils beseeched Him, saying, "Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them."

Then the whole legion of demon spirits begged Jesus to be sent into the herd of swine.  They longed to be anywhere rather than be expelled from the country.

(13) And immediately Jesus gave them permission. And the unclean spirits went out and entered into the swine; and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea (there were about two thousand) and was drowned in the sea.

Jesus at once gave them permission.  We learned from Job and even from Peter, that Satan must get permission from God to do anything to the bodies and souls of men.  But why does God allow it when He could easily say no.  God does not force us to do anything.  He gives us a choice.  He allows us to see what choosing the ways of Satan will bring.  Sometimes we must reach the very bottom before we realize our need for Jesus.  It's in His mercy that He gives us whatever we need to come to Him for salvation and eternal life.  

As Jesus gave them permission, the demon spirits went out of the man into the two thousand head of swine, and the herd ran violently off a cliff into the sea and drowned.  Again, one might question this.  After all, two thousand swine were obviously someone's property and living.  They had nothing to do with the legion of spirits within that man Jesus healed.  However, these were Jews living in this area, who should have had nothing to do with unclean animals like swine.  Destroying their livelihood could be what brought them to Jesus, and additionally allowed people throughout the ages to see the violence that demonic spirits could exercise within us.  All is God's and He may do with any of it as He pleases, but what He pleases is always for our ultimate good.

(14) And they who fed the swine fled and told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

Those who were tending and feeding the swine fled after the swine went over the cliff, and told what had happened to people in the city and throughout the country.  People went out to see for themselves what it was that had taken place.

(15) And they came to Jesus and saw the one who had been possessed with the devil and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

People came out to see Jesus and the man who had been so demon-possessed.  The man no man could bind or tame was sitting clothed and in his right mind, and that terrified them.

(16) And they who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been possessed with the devil and concerning the swine.

Those who had been witnesses to the incident told the people who came just what had happened concerning the demon-possessed man and the herd of swine.

(17) And they began to call on Him to depart out of their borders.

The people were so fearful of what had happened that they implored Jesus to leave their region.  Rather than see the good Jesus did in healing the demon-possessed man, they feared that something bad might befall them as had happened with the herd of swine.

(18) And when He had come into the ship, he who had been possessed with the devil begged Him that he might be with Him.

Jesus was leaving as He had been asked to do and went onto the ship.  The man who had been demon-possessed begged Jesus to go along with Him.

(19) However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and has had compassion on you."

However, Jesus told the man to stay where he was, to go home, and tell all his friends what the Lord had done for him.  Rather than being called as a disciple, this man's purpose was to give his testimony of what the Lord had done for him.  We are not all called to be preachers, but some are called to witness right where they are planted.

(20) And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him, and all marveled.

The man departed Jesus and did just as Jesus had asked him.  He proclaimed throughout his country what Jesus had done for him.  Although Jesus was asked to leave and did not teach in that country, that man witnessed to its people, and all the people marveled at what they had been told.  That man did more good for his region staying planted where he was than he would have done going with Jesus.  What a beautiful example of what we can all do right where we are if God doesn't call us to some "greater" mission.  I put the word greater in quotes because who is to say what is greater?  That man may have brought more people to Christ, certainly in his region, than Christ Himself personally did, since He had been asked to leave.  All parts of the body of Christ are important; we don't all have the same purpose.  

This seems a good place to end this post and continue the chapter in the next.

Jesus Teaches in Parables and Calms the Sea

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 4:1) And He began again to teach by the seaside; and there was gathered to Him a great multitude, so that He entered onto a ship, and sat in the sea, and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

At the end of the last chapter Jesus had been teaching in Peter's house in Capernaum.  He then removed to the shore of the Sea of Galilee, but as a great multitude thronged Him, He moved onto a ship where He could preach from the sea to the multitude of people who sat on the shore.

(2) And He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His doctrine, (3) "Hearken, behold, there went out a sower to sow."

From His boat in the sea, Jesus taught the people many things by parables.  In His teaching of His doctrine, He began to tell them a parable about a sower of seeds who went out to sow.  He began with an exhortation to really listen.

(4) "And it came to pass as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the birds of the air came and devoured it up."

As the man was sowing seed, some of it fell by the wayside, and therefore was not planted, and the birds came quickly to devour it.  As already studied in Matthew, we know Jesus spoke about the sowing of the word of God.  Sometimes the word is spoken but makes no impression on its recipient; it is not planted in his soul and it does not take root, but the prince of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and his demons come and gobble it up so there is nothing lasting in the recipient.

(5) "And some fell on stony ground where it did not have much earth, and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. (6) But when the sun was up, it was scorched, and because it had no root, it withered away."

Some of the sower's seed fell on stony ground that did not have much dirt, so it sprang up immediately.  This is the word that falls on willing ears, but is only superficial.  There might have been a hasty profession of the word, but because there was no depth to it, no powerful heart experience in it, nothing rooted in the soul, that profession of the word quickly died.

(7) "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit."

Some of the seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up among the sprouting seeds and choked them so that they did not yield any fruit.  This represents the word that is readily received and planted within the recipient, but other desires and lusts of the world grow with it, and they eventually choke the seed of the word and it never produces fruit.

(8) "And other fell on good ground and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased, and brought forth some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundred."

Finally, some seed fell on good ground where it was well-rooted, and it sprang up and yielded fruit some thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times more than the seed that was planted.  That is the seed of the word that is planted into the heart and takes root and grows strong within the soul and yields much fruit and usefulness in God's kingdom.  It touches many more souls than the original one seed did.

(9) And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

As Jesus had initially exhorted the listeners on the shore to really listen to His parable, He now said to them that the ones who had the ears to really hear and understand what He was saying, to do just that.  There were surely all types of listeners as He had just described, and He exhorted the recipients with good ground and a willing heart to truly understand.

(10) And when He was alone, they who were around Him with the twelve, asked Him about the parable.

The multitude appears to have left Jesus, but as Mark did not always tell things in chronological order, we can't be certain exactly when He was asked to explain the parable.  He was not entirely alone, as He still had His twelve disciples and others who followed Him closely, as well.  It was they who asked Jesus about the parable of the sower.

(11) And He said to them, "To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to them who are outside, all things are done in parables." 

Jesus said to His disciples, the twelve plus the other followers asking the question, that it was given to them to understand the mystery of the kingdom of God.  However, to those outside their circle, those who had not the heart or willingness to understand, but perhaps had only come to amuse themselves by seeing the person of such fame and witnessing His miracles, He taught all things in parables which would be pleasant to hear, but would require spiritual understanding to completely comprehend the meaning.  

(12) "That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."

Jesus then paraphrased a quote from Isaiah 6:9-10.  He taught in parables so that those who did not have the spiritual desire to understand, would see and hear what He did and said, but would not understand.  It's not that God did not want some people to be converted and their sins forgiven, but if they were unwilling to really see and hear and understand, then the mysteries of the kingdom of God were clothed in parables so that they could not easily understand.  However, to the willing heart that wants to understand, understanding will be given; we need only ask as these disciples asked.  "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).

(13) And He said to them, "Do you not know this parable? And how then will you know all parables?"

In His questions to them, Jesus made His disciples understand their need to be attentive to the word and to the basics of His doctrine, lest they be unable to understand anything that followed.  After all, it was given to them to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but they had a responsibility to be really attentive and understand.  "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required..." (Luke 12:48).  Pity the poor souls to whom it had not been given!  The disciples did ask, and they did receive an answer from Jesus.  He went on to explain the parable: 

(14) "The sower sows the word."

Jesus explained that the sower was actually sowing the word of God.

(15) "And these are they by the wayside where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts."

Jesus explained that the word that fell on those by the wayside never got a chance to grow within the hearts of the recipients; it was immediately snatched away by Satan, and therefore made no lasting impression on the recipients.

(16) "And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness, (17) And have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time; afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they are offended."

Likewise the word does not last in the hearts of the ones signified by the stony ground.  They do receive the word with gladness, but because it is not rooted within their hearts, they are only able to endure for a short time.  As soon as affliction or persecution comes because of the word, they readily relinquish their profession of it rather than suffer.

(18) "And these are they which are sown among thorns, such as hear the word, (19) And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful."

The word that is sown among thorns is the word sown in the hearts of those who also receive the word gladly, but when the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and other worldly lusts grow within their hearts, those things choke out the word and it is therefore not fruitful.

(20) "And these are they which are sown on good ground, such as hear the word and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."

And finally, the seed that is sown in good ground is the word being sown among people who hear it, receive it completely, nurture it within their hearts, and produce fruit thirty, sixty, and even a hundredfold.  One person with the word planted in a good heart can reach a hundred other souls, even more.

(21) And He said to them, "Is a candle brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?"

Jesus further explained with another analogy.  Just as a candle is not brought out to be hidden under a basket or a bed, so the word is not given to be hidden in the heart and not shown to the world.  It is to be set on a candlestick as a light unto the world.  Furthermore, Jesus did not use parables only to have their meaning hidden, but to throw light on the truth.  Likewise, the disciples were not to keep the truth of them hidden, but were to impart the light to others.

(22) "For there is nothing hidden which shall not be manifested, neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come into the open."

Jesus said there was no secret mystery hidden in His parables or in the word that would not eventually be revealed.  He had come to fulfill and to proclaim the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven that were then manifested in salvation in Him.  Everything that had seemed hidden and not able to be understood up to that point, was then or soon to be revealed.  Indeed, at this present time, we have the benefit of knowing the truth of Jesus, and are now able to see how Jesus is proclaimed throughout the Old Testament.  Those mysteries of the Old Testament have come to light.

(23) "If any man has ears to hear, let him hear."

Jesus exhorted those who could hear those important words He had spoken to them, to fully understand the meaning of His words.

(24) And He said to them, "Take heed what you hear; with the same measure you use, it shall be measured to you, and to you who hear, more will be given."

Jesus told His disciples to consider well what they heard and tend to it diligently, seeking to understand it.  With the same measure that they used to understand what was given them, they would be given even more understanding.

(25) "For he who has, to him shall be given; and he who has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has."

For the person who had Gospel light and understanding, and of course, made proper use of it, even more would be given to him.  However, to the person who had no real understanding of the word of truth, that person would lose even what he had been given.  Isn't that the way it is?  We've all seen so-called Christians who stumble and back-slide and even fall away.  It seems all they used to have is no longer within them.

(26) And He said, "So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground, (27) And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow up, he knows not how."

Jesus went back to the subject of the seed grown on good ground and likened it to the kingdom of God.  The sower representing a minister or disciple of God casts seed, the word of God, on the good ground of a willing heart.  He sleeps and rises day after day going about his daily routine.  In time that seed sprouts and grows up, and he can't really say how that happened.  He only planted the seed, and he may tend to it day after day, just as a minister or disciple might continue to tend to the teaching of the word of God, but he can't see into the heart of the recipient to know exactly how it grows.

(28) "For the earth brings forth fruit of herself, first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."

The earth brings forth fruit by itself without any help from man pulling it up and out of the ground.  It comes up as a tender stalk and then begins to form the fruit that grows into full mature fruit; man certainly has no part in the shaping of that.

(29) "But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle because the harvest has come."

When the fullness of the fruit is brought forth, man then can see it and goes to work bringing that harvest in.  So it is with the word of God and the kingdom of God.  It grows mysteriously within hearts, but once the fruit of a mature faith comes forth, it is immediately recognized and harvested for God.

(30) And He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?"

Jesus introduced another parable, this time asking to what the kingdom of God should be likened or compared, rather than beginning his usual way of, "The kingdom of God is like..."

(31) "Like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is smaller than all the seeds that are in the earth."

Jesus likened the kingdom of God to a tiny mustard seed that starts out smaller than all the other seeds in the earth.  So the word of God working within the heart of man starts out so very tiny, just a word...

(32) "But when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs and shoots out great branches so that the birds of the air may lodge under its shadow."

The mustard seed and the small planted word of God grows and grows and becomes greater than everything else.  What other word sown into the heart has greater reaching branches throughout the earth?  The tiny mustard seed of faith sown into the heart of one, then many, grows throughout the entire world so that the people of the world may find rest and salvation for their weary souls.

(33) And with many such parables He spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

Jesus spoke to His disciples in many such parables as the ones presented here, pairing the level of His teaching with their ability to understand.

(34) But without a parable He did not speak to them; and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples.

I believe the sense is that Jesus spoke only in parables about the kingdom of God, but when they were alone, He went further in explaining the details of the kingdom of God to His disciples.

(35) And the same day, when the evening was come, He said to them, "Let us pass over to the other side."

Later that day, in the evening, Jesus suggested to His disciples that they take the ship He was aboard while teaching the people, and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

(36) And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships.

Once again, we see a little confusion on the order of things.  Was Jesus alone with His disciples and then the multitude came back?  Or perhaps more likely the explanation of the parable while they were alone happened after they sent the multitude away, and possibly while they were in the ship going to the other side of the sea.  Mark inserted it where he did to explain the parable Jesus had just told.  Regardless, the disciples now sent away the multitude of people, and took Jesus away in the ship.  Apparently, there were other little ships with Jesus's ship.  Either they were already also seeking to travel to the other side, or perhaps some of the multitude jumped in ships to follow Jesus.  The important point is that there were witnesses to what happened next.

(37) And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full.

While they were in the midst of the sea traveling to the other side, a great storm arose, and the winds beat the little ship with waves until it was full of water.

(38) And He was in the hinder part of the ship asleep on a pillow; and they awoke Him and said to Him, "Master, do you not care that we perish?"

Jesus was in the back of the boat sleeping, which was probably the reason He wanted to move to the other side of the sea, to get some rest.  The disciples woke Him up, and their tone seemed to be one of complaining, wondering how He could sleep and seemingly not care that they were in danger.

(39) And He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still." And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and told the sea to be still, and those elements obeyed Him, and there was a great calm.

(40) And He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

Jesus asked His disciples why they had been so fearful.  How could they, after witnessing His great power and miracles, ever doubt that they would survive this incident?

(41) And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

It seems the disciples really feared then!  It was an awestruck reverential type of fear, realizing that even the wind and the sea obeyed Him.  Jesus could be no mere man!  It was another step toward truly recognizing who Jesus really was.  What a beautiful picture of Jesus in our lives now!  We are certainly storm-tossed in this life, but we must always remember that He is with us always.  Though He may seem to be sleeping when the storm rages, nothing takes Him by surprise!  We are safe in Him and we trust in Him.  We pray in a faithful spirit, anxious for nothing, but trusting His guidance at the helm of the ship of life.  It was Matthew Henry, in his Commentary on the Whole Bible, who pointed out that "the hinder part of the ship" where Jesus slept, was the stern, the back of the boat, where the helm was located.

Jesus's Twelve Apostles and His True Brothers and Sisters

Continuing a Bible study of the gospels:

(Mark 3:1) And He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had a withered hand.

In the last chapter of Mark, Jesus had come back into the city of Capernaum after a short stay in the wilderness, and He now went back into the synagogue there.  There was a man there who had a withered hand.

(2) And they watched Him, whether He would heal him on the sabbath day, that they might accuse Him.

The scribes and Pharisees who had been accusing Jesus's disciples of "work" on the Sabbath at the end of the last chapter, now watched Jesus closely to see if He would heal a man on the sabbath day.

(3) And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Stand forth."

Surely knowing what the scribes and Pharisees were thinking in their hearts, Jesus told the man with the withered hand to stand before them.

(4) And He said to them, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life or to kill? But they held their peace.

Jesus asked the scribes and Pharisees whether it was lawful to do good on the sabbath days or to do evil.  Was it lawful to save a life or to kill?  They did not answer Him.

(5) And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch forth your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Jesus looked around at the scribes and Pharisees about Him, angry and distressed at them because they were so heartless they would not want to see a man healed just because it was on the Sabbath.  He then told the man with the withered hand to stretch it forth, and when he did, the hand was restored whole just as his other hand.

(6) And the Pharisees went forth, and immediately counseled with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

The Pharisees who were supposed to be the oracles of the church, went out of the synagogue and met and counseled with the Herodians, who were supporters of the government.  Even though these two groups were usually at odds with each other, they found common ground in their desire to get rid of Jesus, and that is what they plotted together to do.

(7) But Jesus withdrew Himself with His disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea, (8) And from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond Jordan, and those around Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things He did, came to Him.

Jesus, surely knowing the plotting against Him, withdrew from the city of Capernaum, and He and His disciples went to the seashore of the Sea of Galilee.  A great multitude of people followed Him from Galilee, from Jerusalem and Judea, from Idumea, which was Edom, and beyond the Jordan River, and from as far west as Tyre and Sidon.  When these people had heard what great things Jesus did, they came from far and wide to Him.

(9) And He spoke to His disciples that a small boat should wait on Him because of the multitude, lest they crowd Him.

Jesus told His disciples to get a small boat ready for Him in case the crowd of people began to press in too hard on Him.

(10) For He had healed many, so that they pressed upon Him to touch Him, as many as had plagues.

Because Jesus had healed many people, crowds of people with plagues or diseases pressed upon Him just to touch Him in hopes they would be healed by just His touch.

(11) And unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him, and cried, saying, "You are the Son of God!"

The unclean spirits that possessed people in the crowd recognized Him, and the bodies they possessed fell before Him when they saw Him, crying out that He was the Son of God.  Evil spirits cannot stand in the presence of God; they are in complete subjection to Him.

(12) And He sternly charged them that they should not make Him known.

The spirits could not help but fall before Jesus, but He once again silenced them so that they would not make Him known to the people.  Evil spirits were certainly not the best preachers!

(13) And He went up in a mountain and called whom He wanted, and they came to Him. (14) And He ordained twelve that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach. (15) And to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out devils.

The account in Luke states Jesus went to the mountain to pray and stayed there all night.  When it was day, He called His disciples to Him, which were probably many followers in the beginning, and He chose among them twelve to be His righthand men, so to speak, men He could send out to preach, to heal, and to cast out devils.  Note He chose twelve to have that power; they wouldn't have naturally had the power to do such things without Jesus giving it to them.  Of course, the significance of the number twelve can't be overstated.  It was obviously the number of the twelve tribes of Israel.

(16) And Simon He surnamed Peter.

The first of the twelve disciples was Simon whom Jesus surnamed Peter; He was called Simon Peter, but most often just Peter.

(17) And James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, and He surnamed them Boanerges, which is "Sons of Thunder."

Then Jesus called James and John and gave them the surname of Boanerges which meant "Sons of Thunder."

(18) And Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite.

Jesus also called Andrew, who was Peter's brother, and Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, to distinguish him from James the brother of John.  Jesus also called Thaddeus and Simon the Canaanite, again an addition to distinguish him from Simon Peter.  He was also called Simon the Zealot.

(19) And Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.

Lastly, Jesus chose Judas Iscariot, who, of course, would betray Him.  Certainly Jesus knew that when He chose Him, even though Judas could not have known it at that point, but He chose him to fulfill the purposes of God.  Jesus and the twelve disciples then went into a house, probably the house of Peter and Andrew which seems to be the place Jesus stayed when He was in Capernaum.

(20) And the multitude came together again so that they could not so much as eat bread.

When Jesus came back into town into the house, a crowd of people came together again to the house, so as He and His disciples could not even eat.

(21) And when His friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He is beside Himself."

The word that was translated as "friends" meant a closer relationship than just a friend.  It meant those who were of Him, so either very close friends or more likely family and relatives, heard about what was going on with Jesus and went to get Him, for they said He must have been out of sorts, or out of His wits, as the word "existemi" more accurately meant.  Jesus's closest friends and relatives did not understand who He was at this point.

(22) And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils, He casts out devils."

The scribes from Jerusalem declared that Jesus had the spirit of Satan, and it was by his power that He was able to cast out demons.  That is the very reason that Jesus always made the evil spirits possessing people to be silent so as not to engender this belief, that they listened to Him because He was of them.  These last two verses illustrate what Jesus's own people thought of Him, that He was insane or possessed by demons.  John stated in John 1:11 that Jesus came into the world to His own, but they did not receive Him.

(23) And He called them and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan?"

To the scribes who said that Jesus cast out devils by the power of Beelzebub, He asked in parables, or metaphorically with illustrations, how it was that Satan could cast out himself.

(24) "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand."

Jesus continued with His illustration of that fact by comparing it to a kingdom that was divided against itself that could then not stand.

(25) "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

Likewise, Jesus told them a house divided against itself could not stand.

(26) "And if Satan rises up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end."

Jesus showed them the logical conclusion to their absurd argument that He cast out devils by the devil.  If the prince of the devils fought against his devils, and his kingdom was divided, he could not stand and would be soon destroyed.

(27) "No man can enter into a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house."

Having proven the point that He could not be casting out demons by the power of the prince of the demons because Satan would be undoing his own work, He went on to say that no man could enter into a strong man's house with the intention of seizing his goods without first binding the strong man.  The point was that Jesus could not use the strong man's own power to plunder the strong man (Satan); He must bind the strong man in order to free the one possessed by him.

(28) "Verily, I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men and whatever blasphemies with which they shall blaspheme."

Jesus said that all sins and even blasphemies against God would be forgiven a man, obviously being after he repented of those things and brought Jesus into his heart.

(29) "But he who blasphemes against the Holy Ghost never has forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation," (30) Because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."

Because the scribes had said that Jesus had an unclean spirit, He sternly warned them.  He said any sin against Him, even blasphemies against Him and Father God, could be forgiven, but they could never be forgiven for blaspheming the Holy Spirit.  I believe to blaspheme the Holy Spirit one has to know the Holy Spirit.  For instance, I believe a sinner could utter blasphemies against God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, railing against them all because he "knows not what he does" (Luke 23:34).  I certainly don't want to speak for Jesus something that is not true, but in my heart I truly believe this to be the case.  The reason Jesus was warning the scribes was that they were supposed to know the Holy Spirit of God.  Once a person has accepted Jesus into his heart and has the gift of the Holy Spirit, he intimately knows the Spirit, and at that point knows what he does when he blasphemes the Spirit of God.  Although the scribes did not yet have Jesus, they supposedly knew God and His word, and should have known the Spirit of God; therefore Jesus sternly warned them not to blaspheme the Spirit they should know and recognize in Him.

(31) There came then His brothers and His mother, and standing outside, sent to Him, calling Him.

It appears that at this point Jesus was still in Peter's house.  His mother and His brothers came to the house and from outside, they sent word calling Him to them.  Whether these were His blood brothers, or half-brothers as they could only be as sons of Mary and Joseph, or just relatives, they were certainly family accompanying His mother.  In verse 21 we were told Jesus's family was trying to take hold of Him because they thought He was "beside Himself," and that might have been the intention of His brothers at this point.

(32) And the multitude sat around Him, and they said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers outside are seeking You."

A multitude of people sat around Jesus listening to Him preach and teach.  The message came through that Jesus's mother and brothers were outside the house looking for Him.

(33) And He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" 

Jesus answered those who had sent Him the message asking the question just who were His mother and His brothers?

(34) And He looked around at them who sat around Him, and said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! (35) For whoever shall do the will of God is My brother, and My sister, and mother."

After He posed the question, Jesus looked around at the people sitting around Him, and declared that they were His mother and brothers, for whoever did the will of His Father in heaven were His brother, sister, or mother.  They were certainly His spiritual brothers and sisters, Christian brothers and sisters.  In declaring this, Jesus indicated that His true spiritual disciples were closer brothers and sisters than His fleshly family.  Furthermore, if it was His fleshly family's intention to take Him away at that point, they certainly were not doing the will of God.  I don't believe Jesus was being disrespectful to His mother, but was rather showering respect on His disciples and followers.  His mother did become a believer and follower, and therefore a spiritual sister, as well; but if she hadn't, Jesus had made it clear before that anyone who loved family more than Him (Matthew 10:37) was not worthy of Him.  Likewise, those who loved Him more than family who might oppose Him, were worthy to be called His true brothers and sisters.

Jesus Calls Matthew and Teaches the Spirit of the Law

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 2:1) And again He entered into Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.

At the end of the last chapter, Mark said that the fame of Jesus had grown so much that He could no longer stay in the city, but had to stay in the wilderness.  It appears that after some days He did come back into the city of Capernaum.  Although I am sure He came privately, it was soon heard that He was back in the house, which would have been Peter's house.

(2) And immediately many were gathered together so that there was no room to receive them, no, not even at the door. And He preached the word to them.

As soon as word got out that Jesus was there, there gathered so many people that there was no room for them in the house, not even about the door.  Jesus preached to the people.

(3) And they came to Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, who was carried by four men.

Four men carrying a man sick of the palsy, or paralysis, on a mat or bed as told by Matthew in Matthew 9:2, attempted to come to Jesus in the house.

(4) And when they could not come near to Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was, and when they had broken through, they let down the bed where the paralytic lay.

When the men carrying the paralytic saw that they could not get near to Jesus because of the crowd of people, they uncovered the roof above where Jesus was preaching.  When they had uncovered a large enough area, they let the paralyzed man on his bed down through the opening.

(5) When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."

When Jesus saw the great faith of the men in that they would work so hard to get the paralyzed man to Him, knowing He could cure Him, He said to the paralytic that his sins were forgiven.

(6) But there were certain scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, (7) "Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?"

There were some scribes in the crowd who, upon hearing Jesus's words, began to reason and question within their hearts about why "this man" would speak such blasphemies; after all, only God could forgive sins!

(8) And immediately when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?"

Jesus, demonstrating one of His Godly abilities, showing that He knew what they were thinking, asked the scribes why it was that they questioned within their hearts the things they heard Jesus say.

(9) "Which is easier to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, and take up your bed, and walk'?"

Jesus continued to speak to the scribes questioning within their hearts, and asked them which was easier for Him to say to the paralytic, that his sins were forgiven, or telling him to get up, take up his bed, and walk, thus suggesting (actually proving) to them that He could do either, or both, for that matter.

(10) "But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins," (He said to the paralytic), (11) "I say to you, arise, and take up your bed, and go your way to your house."

Then telling the scribes that He would show them that He indeed had the power on earth to forgive sins, and to heal the man, He told the paralytic to rise up, take up his bed, and go to his house.

(12) And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything in this manner."

Indeed, the paralyzed man rose up, being completely healed from his paralysis, and took up his bed and walked out before all the people.  They were all amazed and glorified God, and said they had never witnessed anything like that before.

(13) And He went forth again by the seaside, and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them.

Jesus then went out again by the seaside of the Sea of Galilee, or Tiberius, as it was called at Capernaum, and a multitude of people came to Him there, and He taught them.

(14) And as He passed by, He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the receipt office of customs, and said to him, "Follow Me." And he arose and followed Him.

Jesus passed by the tax office, and saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting in the office.  Jesus called to him to follow Him, and he immediately did.  Levi was also called Matthew, as men often had two names in those days, and sometimes names were added to distinguish men with the same names from each other.  Interestingly, as I am noticing for the first time, Levi was called the son of Alphaeus.  In Matthew 10:2-4, the second James (not the son of Zebedee) was called the son of Alphaeus.  It would appear that Matthew and James were brothers.  However, as the scriptures often point out the sets of brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, and James and John, it never pairs Matthew and James together, so these were probably sons of two different Alphaeuses.  These people known by only one name can be very confusing!  Nothing is as confusing as all the Marys!  

(15) And it came to pass that as Jesus sat at the meal in his house, many publicans and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples for there were many, and they followed Him.

The account in Luke tells us that Matthew made a great feast in honor of Jesus, and that is where Jesus sat.  As Matthew had been a tax collector, it is reasonable to expect his friends also at the feast to be in the same line of work.  Therefore, Jesus and His disciples sat among many tax men and sinners for many had followed Him into the feast.

(16) And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eat with publicans and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with publicans and sinners?"

When the scribes and Pharisees saw Jesus eating with publicans, whom they looked upon as lowlifes and sinners, and Gentiles whom all called sinners, they asked His disciples why He did such a thing.

(17) When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "They who are whole have no need of the physician, but they who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

When Jesus heard what the scribes and Pharisees were asking His disciples, He told them that He was with the people who needed Him.  The righteous did not need His healing, but the sinners did.

(18) And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?"

At that time the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came to Jesus and asked why it was that His disciples did not fast as they did.  In the beginning, all the questions of the Pharisees were not necessarily bad.  They had more knowledge so as to ask more questions.  It's what they did with the answers in their hearts that mattered and began to show later.

(19) And Jesus said to them, "Can the children of the bride chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast."

Jesus said that the bride and bridesmaids of the bride chamber could not be expected to fast when the bridegroom and the time of the wedding had come.  That was a time of celebration, not fasting.  As Jesus was considered the bridegroom with the church as His bride, His analogy, of course, meant that while He was present with them, it was a time for celebration, not fasting.

(20) "But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days."

Jesus went on to say that there would come a time when He the bridegroom would be taken away, and then it would be a time for fasting.

(21) "No one also sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment, or else the new piece that filled it pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse."

Sewing a new unwashed and unworn piece of cloth on an old garment would not work because the new piece would shrink and pull away from the old fabric and cause a bigger tear.  Jesus's point was that now that He was here, some rules did not fit.  Bringing the new for the people Messiah into the scene did not fit for the old ways of fasting, but for joy and celebration, a new thing now that their much anticipated Messiah was there.

(22) And no one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine bursts the wineskins and the wine is spilled and the wineskins will be ruined; but new wine must be put into new wineskins."

Likewise, Jesus said that new wine could not be put into an old wineskin for it would burst the old skin; it must be put into a new wineskin.  This new thing with Jesus now on earth among men called for a new way.  That is not to say that Jesus came to change the old law; He didn't, but He did come to teach the spirit of the law and to do away with the legalistic laws of man.  Another way to look at this is that Jesus bringing His message of repentance and salvation to the old scribes and Pharisees would only fill them with rage and fury to the point they burst, metaphorically.  This new testament was better received by sinners who would be new Christians.

(23) And it came to pass that when He went through the cornfields on the sabbath day, and His disciples began as they went to pluck the ears of corn, (24) The Pharisees said to Him, "Behold, why do they do on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?"

Then came the time when Jesus and His disciples walked through the cornfields on the sabbath day, and His disciples began to pluck ears of corn.  The Pharisees asked Jesus why it was that His disciples did that which was not lawful for them to do on the Sabbath.

(25) And He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry, he and those with him? (26) How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to them who were with him?"

Jesus asked the Pharisees if they had ever read about David, the man after God's own heart, when he was hungry and in need of food, had no difficulty in eating the shewbread, which by law was meant only for the priests and their families.  He not only ate it, but gave some to those who accompanied him.  I like the way Matthew Henry put it, in his Commentary on the Whole Bible, "Ritual observances must give way to moral obligations; and that may be done in a case of necessity, which otherwise may not be done."  God is love, and His laws were made to teach us how to love God, our neighbors, and our parents and authority.  When we become so legalistic and strict about the letter of the law that we cease to love and actually hurt people because of it, then that law should give way to love and moral obligations.  

(27) And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."

Jesus went on to tell them that the Sabbath was made for man, for his good and not for his hurt, a day of rest for both his body and his soul.  Man was not made for the Sabbath of which laws he must obey even at the cost of hurting himself and others.  I can't help but think of environmental laws we have on the books that would save a tiny reptile at the expense of denying people water.  There is a moral order to things, and people are more important than animals that God put on earth for man.  A baby's life is more important than the convenience of its mother.  Doctors and hospitals must work on the Sabbath in order to save lives.

(28) "Therefore, the Son of man is also Lord of the Sabbath."

Jesus the Messiah, God on earth, the Supreme lawgiver, who made all things, had the right to dispense with any law He had made.  In this case, it's not so much that He was dispensing with the law, but He taught the spirit of the law, and how it was meant for the good of man.  Therefore, plucking and eating a few ears of corn on the Sabbath when they were hungry, especially when you consider their jobs were ministry and not tending farms and preparing food, was not a sinful act.

Jesus Is Baptized and Begins His Ministry

Continuing a Bible study of the Gospels:

(Mark 1:1) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark began his retelling of the gospel, or good news, of Jesus Christ.  He acknowledged He was the Son of God.  Mark began by stating that what followed was the good news of Christ, not so much a life story, but the part that pertained to the salvation over death.

Mark was one of the extended group of disciples or followers of Jesus, a member of the early church.  The disciples met at his mother's home (Acts 12:12).  The early church leader Papias (c. 60-135 A.D.) wrote that Mark transcribed the teachings of Peter, so he had the eyewitness reports of Peter.  It is possible he witnessed the arrest of Jesus, as there is a veiled reference to that in his gospel account.  Called John Mark in references in the Bible, he probably wrote his account about 20 years after the death of Christ.

(2) As it is written in the prophets, "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You."

Mark began his gospel account with the prophecies in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1, that God would send a messenger before Jesus who would prepare the way for the Messiah.

(3) "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.'"

The rest of the prophecy speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord.  This was, of course, John the Baptist, who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah.  He did so in the wilderness that represented the lost world, and he made straight the crooked paths of false doctrine and faulty judgment.

(4) John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Mark went on to describe what John did in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord.  He preached repentance and performed baptisms as a sign of repentance for the remission of sins.

(5) And there went out to him all the land of Judea, and those of Jerusalem, and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

People from Jerusalem and all the region of Judea came out to see and hear John and were baptized by him in the Jordan River, after confessing their sins.

(6) And John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt about his loins, and he ate locusts and wild honey.

John came very plainly, not in royal pomp and circumstance, but he lived an austere life in the wilderness, wearing animal skins and eating only what was readily available to him.  His only purpose was to proclaim the coming Messiah and prepare the way for Him.

(7) And preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen."

John preached about One coming after him who was much greater than he was, meaning, of course, the Messiah.  He described himself as being totally unworthy to even unstrap His sandals.

(8) "I indeed have baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost."

It was as if John was saying not to rest solely in his water baptism.  His external water baptism was just a sign of a repentant heart, but the greater One coming after him would baptize the inner man with the Holy Spirit.

(9) And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

While John was preaching and baptizing in the wilderness, Jesus came to him for the expressed purpose of being baptized by him according to the account in Matthew (Matthew 3:13).  Jesus was indeed baptized by John in the Jordan River.

(10) And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him.

As Jesus came up out of the water of His baptism, the heavens opened up, and the Holy Spirit of God descended upon Him like a dove lighting on Him.

(11) And there came a voice from heaven, saying, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Matthew described it as the voice saying "This is My beloved Son..."  Mark described the voice as speaking directly to Jesus.  The point is that the three distinct persons of the Holy Trinity were represented here and well pleasing to God:  God the Father in heaven above, His Holy Spirit, and His Son in human form on earth.

(12) And immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.

Immediately after His baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit deeper into the wilderness.  Matthew added in Matthew 4:1 that this was for the purpose of being tempted by the devil.

(13) And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

Mark gave a very concise account of Jesus's temptations in the wilderness.  According to Matthew 4:2-11 Jesus was indeed there in the wilderness forty days and He was fasting, at which point Satan tempted our Lord when He was at His weakest as a human.  Of course, Jesus, having no sin in Him, did not give in to the temptations, and sent Satan packing, at which time the angels came and ministered to Him.

(14) Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.

In the concise manner that Mark wrote this, it shows that when John's work was done and he was put into prison, then Jesus came into Galilee and began His ministry, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God.

(15) And saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel."

Jesus preached that the time of the Messiah, as foretold by the prophets, was at that time come.  He called the people to repent and believe His gospel.

(16) 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 fishermen.

As Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon, who was also called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea, as they were fishermen.

(17) And Jesus said to them, "Come after Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."

Jesus called to Simon Peter and Andrew to come follow Him and He would make them fishers of men, surely a more excellent employment.

(18) And immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Immediately they left the tools of their livelihood behind to follow Jesus.  There must have been some Holy Spirit guidance to have them give up all at Jesus's first call.

(19) And when He had gone a little further from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the ship mending their nets.

Jesus went a little further from where He had called Peter and Andrew, and He saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee, also in the ship mending their nets.  Perhaps He had seen Peter and Andrew on one end of a ship casting their nets while James and John were mending their nets at the opposite end of the same ship, or perhaps also meant that they, too, were employed with nets for fishing.

(20) And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after Him.

Jesus called James and John immediately upon seeing them, as you can be sure that they had been called long before their births for that time.  They also left their livelihoods and their father to join Jesus and follow Him.

(21) And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the sabbath day, He entered the synagogue and taught.

Jesus and His disciples went to Capernaum.  It seems it was on the Sabbath, and Jesus immediately entered the synagogue and taught.

(22) And they were astonished at His doctrine, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

The people were astonished at Jesus's teaching, for He taught as one with authority, one who really knew God and His doctrine, not as the scribes who would merely read off the pages.

(23) And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, (24) Saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God!"

There was a man in the synagogue with an unclean spirit, or spirits, as it appears from what they said to Jesus.  Perhaps rather the spirit was talking for all the other demonic spirits that possessed people all over the region.  The evil spirit recognized Jesus right away, even though the man it possessed probably did not up to that point.  If that doesn't prove Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against...spiritual wickedness..," I don't know what does!  If only we could remember that!  The spirit asked Jesus to leave them, all evil spirits, alone, saying they had nothing to do with Him, which of course they didn't, but He certainly had something to do with them as they destroyed men's souls.  The evil spirit asked if Jesus had come to destroy them, recognizing Him as the Holy One of God, who was quite capable of doing just that.

(25) And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Hold your peace and come out of him."

Jesus told the spirit to be quiet and commanded it to come out of the man it was possessing.

(26) And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried with a loud voice, it came out of him.

The evil spirit had to obey Jesus's command, but on its way out of the man, it caused the man to convulse and cry out in a loud voice.

(27) And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him."

The people in the synagogue were amazed and began to talk among themselves, wondering what they were witnessing.  They were hearing a doctrine spoken by someone who seemed to have authority, and they had never heard anything like that from the scribes.  He also had authority over unclean spirits that had to obey Him, and they had certainly never witnessed anything like that!

(28) And immediately His fame spread abroad throughout all the region around Galilee.

Jesus's fame spread beyond Capernaum where He had taught in the synagogue and driven out the evil spirit, throughout all the region beyond Galilee, as people reported what they had witnessed.

(29) And immediately after they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

The sermon in the synagogue being over, Simon Peter and Andrew went home, and apparently invited Jesus, James, and John into their home, as well.

(30) But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and at once they told Him about her.

There in Simon Peter's home was also his mother-in-law who was sick with a fever, and they told Jesus about her right away upon entering his house.

(31) And He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered to them.

Jesus came to the woman, took her by the hand, and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her.  She was so completely recovered that she then began to serve the men.

(32) And at evening when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were diseased and those who were possessed with devils.

In the evening, after the sun had set, and the Sabbath was over, when it was now seen as lawful to heal, they, either His disciples with Him at the time or more likely people hearing of his fame, brought to Jesus all manner of people who were diseased and those who were demon-possessed.

(33) And all the city was gathered together at the door.

All the inhabitants of the city of Capernaum were gathered at Peter's door to witness the healing of the people that had been brought to Jesus.

(34) And He healed many who were sick of diverse diseases, and cast out many devils, and did not allow the devils to speak because they knew Him.

Jesus healed many who were sick with various different diseases and He cast out many demons.  The verse does not mean to suggest He did not cure them all, but rather that the number who were cured was many.  The evil spirits who possessed people all knew Jesus, but He did not allow them to speak this time.  I believe the spirit was allowed to speak the first time to demonstrate to us that the spirit knew Jesus, but now it was not helpful to have all those demonic spirits testifying of Jesus, as it might seem to the people that He had a confederacy with them, as the Pharisees had suggested back in Matthew, that He worked miracles by the power of the devil.

(35) And in the morning, having risen a great while before day, He went out and departed to a solitary place and there prayed.

Very early the next morning Jesus left Peter's house and went to a solitary place to pray.  It is worthy to note how often Jesus prayed.  You would think as God, He didn't need to pray.  However, as man, He may have used prayer to strengthen Himself for the work at hand, or perhaps most importantly to teach us that we should pray about all things.

(36) And Simon and those with him followed after Him.

Simon Peter and probably just those who would have spent the night in Peter's house, certainly Andrew and perhaps James and John, followed after Jesus.

(37) And when they had found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for you."

It seems they may not have immediately followed after Jesus and seen where He had gone, but rather had to search for Him.  When they found Him, they told Him that everyone was looking for Him.

(38) And He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came."

Jesus was not concerned with the multitudes who were looking for Him, but rather suggested to His disciples that they go into other towns to also preach there, for that is the reason He had come into this world, to preach the Gospel.

(39) And He preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

Jesus indeed preached in the synagogues of the towns throughout Galilee.  Jesus also cast out devils.  Mark doesn't say here that Jesus healed people, but that He cast out devils.  I'm sure He did both, but it makes one wonder if many diseases are demon-caused?  Perhaps Mark was just making the point that Jesus came to destroy Satan and death.

I had to wonder at this point if Jesus was preaching throughout Galilee with just the four disciples He had called up to that time.  The answer can be found in Papias's description of Mark's writing, "Mark became Peter's interpreter and wrote accurately all that he remembered, not, indeed, in order, of the things said and done by the Lord."  Although Mark was accurate, he did not write events in the order that they occurred, so it is very likely that the twelve disciples were with Jesus by the time He taught throughout Galilee.

Another point of interest regarding the writings of Mark, is that Luke, when beginning his gospel account, wrote in the first verse of the first chapter that he would "set forth in order" the events in the gospel, and then again in verse 3, "It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you in order..."  It really does seem that Luke is making the point that his gospel would be in order, whereas others, probably particularly Mark, had not written the events in order.  That is not to say that Luke disputed anything that Mark wrote, as he appears to have quoted Mark more often than any other source.  Luke 1:2 acknowledges that "...those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us."  However, Luke set out to write it in a more orderly fashion.

(40) And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, "If You will, You can make me clean."

While Jesus was preaching in the towns throughout Galilee, there came to Him a leper on his knees begging Him to heal him.  The man had no doubt that Jesus could heal him, but he asked that He be willing to do it for him.

(41) And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I will; be clean."

Jesus was moved with compassion for the man who had so humbly sought His help.  He reached out and touched the man, which was actually unlawful to do, to touch anything unclean.  He told the man He was willing to make him clean, and commanded so.

(42) And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

As soon as Jesus spoke the command to be clean, the leprosy left the man and he was cleansed.  It was not necessary that Jesus touch the unclean man; He could have just commanded he be healed.  I believe the reason is in the statement that Jesus was moved with compassion, with love for this poor man who had so long suffered, who had come to Him humbly, having faith He could cure him if He wanted.  Jesus loves all us poor sinners, and He came to be in the midst of our filthy sinful world to rescue us all.  I believe with His gesture, Jesus showed us that no sin is too unclean or too bad that He cannot forgive and heal us.  Another way to look at this is that Jesus saw the man as he was, as God created him to be.  He was not unclean; he was a victim of sin in a sinful world.  As Jesus touched him, he indeed was made clean.

(43) And He sternly charged him, and sent him away at once, (44) And said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

Jesus sternly warned the man to say nothing about Jesus's healing of him, but to go immediately to the priest, make his offering as commanded by Moses in the law, and be pronounced clean by the priest as the law required, and that would be his public testimony.  Although he was completely cleansed by Jesus, at that time, Jesus wanted to have him obey the law and not bring unwanted attention too soon to Jesus's ministry.  It was not the time yet.  Besides, another reason might have been that people would not have judged him to be truly clean if they knew it came from Jesus and not from the priest's proclamation that he was genuinely cured.

(45) But he went out and began to publish it much and blaze the matter abroad, so much that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every quarter.

Despite Jesus's stern charge, the man went out spreading the good news of his healing far and wide.  I'm sure it was not with any bad intention to disobey Jesus, but he was so overjoyed, he could not contain himself.  However, the result was that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but He stayed out in more deserted places, but still the people came to him from all over.

In this first chapter of Mark, he tells how Jesus began His ministry.  He did not write about Jesus's birth and early years, as some of the other gospel writers did, but began with what he called from the beginning, "the gospel of Jesus Christ," His message and ministry.