See the Big Picture. Dig In. Live It Out: A 5-Day Reading Plan in MarkSample

The Big Picture

Today’s reading details the beginning of what is known as Jesus’ early Galilean ministry. Capernaum, situated on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, is both the launching point and the base of operation for Jesus’ Galilean ministry (Matt. 4:13). In just a few brief paragraphs, Mark describes Jesus’ ministry moving from obscurity to tremendous popularity. The section is punctuated by references to the growing crowds (Mark 1:28, 33, 37, 45). By the end of the chapter, Jesus has to spend time in unpopulated areas due to the size of the crowds. Furthermore, the passage demonstrates how Jesus will advance the kingdom through preaching, healings, and exorcisms.

Digging In

After calling the four fishermen to be his disciples, Mark describes Jesus teaching in the Capernaum synagogue (1:21–28). Those in attendance are stunned at the authoritative nature of his teaching compared to the teaching of the scribes. Unexpectedly, an unclean spirit (demon) in a man recognizes Jesus as “the Holy One of God.” While the disciples and crowd do not know Jesus’ true identity, the unclean spirit certainly does. 

The demon fears that Jesus has come to destroy them. This is the first of four major exorcism stories in this gospel (5:1–20; 7:24–30; 9:14–29). Jesus silences the demon and commands that it comes out of the man. The exorcism was somewhat violent as the demon causes the man to go into a convulsion, and it screams as it comes out of him. The crowd is amazed at both Jesus’ authoritative teaching as well as his authority over the demon. The news about Jesus begins to spread widely throughout Galilee (1:28). Jesus’ presence is an assault against Satan’s dominion. As the kingdom of God advances, the prince of this world will fight back but the outcome is already a settled issue. 

Jesus departs the synagogue and goes to the home of Simon and Andrew accompanied also by James and John (1:29–31). Jesus heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. She immediately gets up and begins to serve them. After the sunsets and the Sabbath regulations concerning work end, the entire town gathers at the door. He heals many who are sick and casts out many demons (1:32–34). Jesus would not allow the demons to speak because they knew his true identity. Jesus silenced the demons so they would not identify him publicly and thereby keep messianic speculation as muted as possible. Many Jewish people looked for a militaristic Messiah who would throw off the yoke of Roman domination. 

The next morning, Jesus rose very early and went to an isolated place to pray (1:35). Mark does not describe Jesus praying often in his gospel, but when he does, it is at crucial moments (6:46; 14:32–39). Mark clearly indicates that prayer was an important part of Jesus’ life. Each reference comes at a time when Jesus made important decisions about his ministry. Here he must decide if he will remain in Capernaum and let the crowds come to him or if he will take the gospel outside Capernaum. The point is that crucial decisions in life should be saturated in prayer. When Simon does finally find him, he exclaims, “Everyone’s looking for you!” Jesus’ agenda, however, will not be determined by the disciples, or the crowds, but by the Father. 

Jesus and his four disciples leave Capernaum and make a tour throughout Galilee preaching and “driving out demons.” The only event that Mark describes during this initial tour of Galilee is the healing of a man with a serious skin disease (1:40–45). In Mark’s mind, this event must have been very important, since it is the only one he records out of all the sermons Jesus preached, the people he healed, and the demons he cast out on this tour of Galilee. 

The man had a serious skin disease called leprosy. The Old Testament gave specific instructions in Leviticus 13 and 14 on how those with leprosy were to be treated. The man believed Jesus was capable of healing him, but he was uncertain if Jesus was willing. Jesus was “moved with compassion” and reached and touched the man and healed him. Interestingly enough, Jesus did not have to touch the man to heal him, but his touch demonstrated his compassion toward him. The man had probably not felt a human touch in a long time. 

Several things may be in play here. First, it was believed that only God could heal leprosy and, that is exactly what Jesus does. Second, Mark specifically mentions that Jesus touched the man out of compassion. One would be considered unclean if a person came into physical contact with someone with leprosy. Rather than Jesus becoming unclean, the unclean person is cleansed of his disease. Third, Jesus demonstrated that he was not opposed to the Law of Moses by instructing the man to present himself to the priest (who would pronounce him cured) and make an offering for his healing (cf. Lev. 13:47–14:54).

Living It Out

Two thoughts stand out for reflection in today’s reading. First, ivory tower theologians are people who make theological pronouncements without any real-world ministry experience. They write and speak from a place of isolation. They deal in the theoretical. The same can be said of many Christians that isolate themselves from the hurts and troubles of people. One thing is clear in these stories; Jesus did not isolate himself from those he came to save.

Second, Jesus’ need to pray is sometimes hard to understand since he is God. We should never forget, however, that he is also a man. We learn from Jesus that he did not think he could do life effectively without prayer. In this passage, a major decision needed to be made—set up shop in Capernaum or leave a growing ministry to preach elsewhere. Immediately after finishing his time of prayer, he leaves Capernaum for a time. “Numerical success” didn’t determine Jesus’ decision but rather the Father’s guidance in prayer. If praying for guidance was important for Jesus, how much more should it be for us!