Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:1-8 – The Beginning of the Good News

Mark 1:1-8 – The Beginning of the Good News

|| Matthew 3:13-17[1]

MK1:1 This is the origin of the Good News about Jesus Christ the Son of the God.[2] MK1:2 Just as it is written in Isaiah the Prophet,[3] “See, I am sending My messenger before you and he will prepare your way … [Malachi 3:1] MK1:3 The voice of one crying aloud: ‘In the desert prepare a road for the Lord:[4] Make His highways straight.’” [Isaiah 40:3] MK1:4 So John the Baptizer came from the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. MK1:5 People of all kinds when out to meet him in the wilderness as well as the inhabitants of Jerusalem of all classes. These were baptized by him in the Jordan river, openly confessing their sins [against the Law of Moses]. MK1:6 John dressed in a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt. His food was locusts and wild honey. MK1:7 This was his message: “There is One coming after me who is greater than me. One whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop and loosen. MK1:8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the holy Pneuma.”[5]

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[1] Matthew 3:13-17: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] The Son of God: Now recognized as not adequately supported.

[3] Isaiah the Prophet: Two verses are quoted. [Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3]

“”See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.” (Mal 3:1 NIV)

“A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.” (Isa 40:3 NIV)

[4] The Lord: Or, “the Lord’s way” or “YHWH’s way.” The Hebrew source of the quotation has the noma sagrada, YHWH [Yehowah; Jehovah]

[5] Baptize you with the holy Pneuma: On the holy Pneuma see notes on 1 Corinthians 2:16 and 1 Corinthians 12:13.