Discover the Gospel of Mark in 3 WeeksSample

Attracted to His Authority (Mark 1:16-45)

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” Mark 1:27 (NIV)

…but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Mark 1:34 (NIV)

Context:

After introducing the book as “the good news about Jesus the Messiah” (Mark 1:1-15), Mark spends the first half of his gospel demonstrating Jesus’s authority through a series of stories (Mark 1:16-8:21).

• Jesus's authority reveals his identity as the Messianic King announcing the good news of the arrival of God's kingdom. However, the surprising extent of his authority (to forgive sins and calm storms) points to something greater. Jesus’s authority, in word and deed, reveals that he is the Messianic King and God-in-the-flesh.

At the same time, Mark includes a theme of silencing or hiddenness. Jesus repeatedly tells people (and demons) to keep quiet about him (see Mark 1:25; 1:34; 1:45; 3:12; 5:43; 7:36) and often withdraws from crowds (see Mark 1:35-38; 1:45; 3:7; 6:31; 6:45-46).

• The hiddenness of Jesus reflects his wisdom in handling his audience’s misconceptions (both Jews and local Romans) regarding his identity, his mission, and the true nature of his kingdom.

Authority and hiddenness are significant themes in the first half of Mark’s gospel. Be on the lookout for both themes here and in the chapters that follow.

Observation:

As you read Mark 1:16-45, track Jesus's demonstrations of authority. You might want to highlight the verses where it is displayed (even if the word is not explicitly mentioned). In these stories:

• What does Jesus have authority over?
• How does the audience respond to his authority?

Simon (also known as Peter) is mentioned several times in today’s reading. Using a different color than the one tracking the theme of authority, highlight whenever his name appears in the text.

Interpretation:

The teaching and miracles testified to Jesus’s original audience that he was the long-awaited Messianic King. Yet, Jesus silences those who recognize this and often hides from the gathering crowds. He knew it would take time to re-shape the expectations of his audience regarding his mission to suffer and die, and for them to accept his full identity as God-become-man.

Additionally, Mark's readers would also understand the political danger of a popular "king of the Jews" attracting Roman attention.

• Do you think Jesus had other reasons for withdrawing from the crowds and seeking out lonely places to be by himself? What might they be?

Simon (Peter) is an important member of the original audience of Mark’s gospel. From today’s stories:

• What do you learn about him?
• What was he learning about Jesus?
• In what ways might Jesus be challenging his expectations about God’s kingdom?

Application:

What comes to mind when you think about the nature of authority? What does it look like in your workplace? In your church? In your home? How is it similar and/or different in these places from the ways Jesus demonstrated his authority?

In the areas where you possess authority, how can you imitate Jesus and the ways he wielded authority?