Mark 1:14-28
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
16 And 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.
17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.
20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.
21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.
22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
Mark 1:14-28: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 14: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.” John the Baptist’s imprisonment marks a transition. Jesus begins His public ministry in Galilee. He preaches the good news of God’s kingdom.
Verse 15: “and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.'” Jesus declares that the awaited time has come. The kingdom of God is near. He calls for repentance and faith in the gospel.
Verse 16: “And 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.” Jesus encounters Simon (Peter) and Andrew. They are engaged in their daily work as fishermen.
Verse 17: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.'” Jesus invites them to follow Him. He promises to transform their vocation from catching fish to catching people.
Verse 18: “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” Simon and Andrew respond without hesitation. They leave their livelihood to follow Jesus.
Verse 19: “When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.” Jesus continues His walk. He sees James and John, also fishermen, repairing their nets.
Verse 20: “And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.” Jesus calls James and John. They leave their father and their work to follow Him.
Verse 21: “Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.” Jesus and His new disciples go to Capernaum. On the Sabbath, Jesus teaches in the synagogue.
Verse 22: “And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” The people are amazed by Jesus’ teaching. He speaks with authority, unlike the scribes.
Verse 23: “Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,” A man possessed by an unclean spirit is present. The spirit reacts to Jesus’ presence.
Verse 24: “saying, ‘Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!'” The unclean spirit recognizes Jesus. It acknowledges His divine identity and power.
Verse 25: “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!'” Jesus commands the spirit to be silent and to leave the man. He exercises His authority over the spirit.
Verse 26: “And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.” The spirit obeys Jesus’ command. It leaves the man after causing a convulsion.
Verse 27: “Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.'” The people are astonished. They discuss Jesus’ authority and His new teaching. They note His power over unclean spirits.
Verse 28: “And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.” News of Jesus’ authority and power spreads quickly. His fame grows in the region of Galilee.