Mark 1:14-20
Introduction
In this passage we see:
1. The start of Jesus’ ministry
2. And then we see Jesus calling the first disciples
One of the things we are going to learn in this study is the importance of looking at the original languages of the Bible to gain a proper understand of what it is saying.
We’re also going to see how important it is to understand the key words and phrases that are in the passage we are looking at.
Verse 14
In verse 14 we are told that Jesus began His ministry by preaching the ‘gospel of God’. We also see the Apostle Paul use this same expression in Romans 1:1. Now remember that in verse 1 Mark told us that his book was about the gospel of Jesus Christ. But in verse 14 he tells us that Jesus preached the ‘gospel of God’. This no mistake as we shall see. The phrase ‘gospel of God’ is quite deliberate and it conveyed an important message to the Jews at that time and for us all today.
So, what does Mark mean by the ‘gospel of God’? Firstly, we should note that it is not the good news about God. Instead, it is the gospel that belongs to God (the grammar is possessive). God is its author; He owns it. God is the one that is giving this message. It’s the Father’s gospel that the Son is now declaring. It’s the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
Right at the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus is declaring that God is visiting the fallen world. It is the manifestation of God ruling on this earth through His Son Jesus in order to bring about the redemption of mankind.
Verse 15
Notice that Jesus starts His preaching by declaring that ‘The time is fulfilled’. So, what does He mean by ‘The time is fulfilled’? To properly understand what He is saying we need to look at the Greek words that were originally used.
Firstly, let’s look at the word, ‘time’. The word ‘time’ is translated from the Greek word, ‘kairos’. Kairos means an historic moment in time. An historic moment in time is a moment in time that changes history. An example of a history changing event is the birth of Jesus.
And secondly, let’s look at the word ‘fulfilled’. Fulfilled comes from the Greek word, ‘pleroo’. Pleroo means super fulness.
Jesus is saying that a defining moment in time has come to pass in full. But what is the defining moment that Jesus is talking about? We find the answer in verse 15: the manifestation of the Kingdom of God.
Notice how Jesus says that the kingdom of God is at hand. So, what does Jesus mean when He says it is ‘at hand’? He is saying that it is physically nearby. This is because Jesus, the king, is present.
From this moment in time, all of humanity is faced with a choice; to believe in Jesus or not; to repent and believe or not. Those who believe in Jesus receive eternal life. Those who do not, come under the judgement of God.
Verses 16 to 20
Having announced the coming of the Kingdom of God, Jesus goes to the Sea of Galilee and calls Andrew and Simon to follow Him. Mark tells us that Andrew and Simon were fishermen. The Sea of Galilee at that time was very rich in fish. There was a very good living to be made from fishing the Sea of Galilee. It’s worth bearing this in mind when we see what happening when Jesus approached them.
When Jesus approached them. He said, “Follow me, and you will become fishers of men”. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Without hesitation, they left their lucrative way of life behind to follow Jesus. Think about that. Would you do the same?
Notice also that Jesus chose them; they did not choose Him. This is very important. He also prophesies about what they will do. Jesus has a plan for them.
What was Jesus doing with Andrew and Simon when He said, “Follow Me”? He was calling them to be disciples. A disciple is a student who is under a teacher. A disciple also serves the teacher as his master. Jesus does the same with Zebedee and John and the outcome is the same.
Summing Up
We have seen in this study that the coming of Jesus into our world was an historic moment that changed human history. From that moment on, all of mankind had just two choices; to believe in Jesus or not. We have seen also how Jesus invited these fishermen to learn from Him and to serve Him.
And Jesus does the same with us today. We too are called to be disciples of Jesus. We too are called to leave everything behind and follow Jesus. Think about that.