Bible Study Outline - Mark 1:1-3

Mark opens the book not with a formal declaration describing the purpose of the book but with a statement about the subject of the book.


The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark opens the book not with a formal declaration describing the purpose of the book but with a statement about the subject of the book.

Let's examine the first verse.

1.What is Mark by using the Greek word Arche (ar-khay') which means for “beginning”, trying to get across to his readers?
That he is writing about the start of the Gospel.

2.How does this differ from the beginnings in Genesis (1:1).
The Genesis account is the creation of the world.
Mark is talking about the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption.

3.Why does Mark use language reminiscent of Genesis 1:1 to start his Gospel?
As a reminder of God's activity in the history of the world.

4.We have all heard that the word “Gospel” means “good news”, but just what is a Gospel?
A Gospel is the telling of God's plan for the redemption of fallen man.

5.What does Romans chapter 1 verses 2 through 4 tell us about the nature of a Gospel?

the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:2-4 (NIV)

John Calvin wrote a Gospel is a “testimony of the revealed salvation, which has been formerly promised to the fathers in an uninterrupted succession of ages. It points out at the same time , a distinction between the promises which kept the hope of the people in suspense, and this joyful message, by which God declares that he has accomplished those things which he had formerly required them to expect.”

That is to say, an illustration of God's stated plan of salvation and its fruition through time and eternity in Jesus Christ.


2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"
3 "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord,make straight paths for him.' "

Mark wrote his Gospel for Gentile believers, probably in Rome. Because they lacked knowledge of the Old Testament, he was not able to use quotations from it with any frequency. In verses 2 and 3 he makes an exception.

The phrase Mark chose to start verse 2, “it is written” cauthoritativehoratative quality recognized by Greeks, Romans and Jews. In the first century Greek world, this formula frequently opens the introductions to a law or legal declaration. In the Old Testament it would be recognized as claiming authority over the reader.

1.What is Mark saying about Isaiah by using the phrase “It is written”
That Isauthority an athority figure.
That Isaiah's authority came from God.

Verses 2 and 3 are actually a collage coming from different sources. The quotation from verse 2, “I will send my messanger ahead of you” echoes the first part of Malachi 3:1.

"Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. Malachi (3:1) (ESV)


1.What is God saying to Malachi who was looking forward and Mark who was looking backward to Christ by using the word See or Behold?
This is coming from God
Pay attention this is important
This is what I want you to tell my people.

2.In both Mark 1:2 and Malachi 3:1 John is called “my messanger”, What is the ultimate message John is to pass along.
The Messiah has come
The Kingdom of God has come

Verse 3 is a more exact representation of Isaiah 40:3.

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

It was a common practice for Jewish teachers to combine texts or parts of texts, if they contained common keywords. Teachers were thought to be so learned in the scriptures that they were not required to specify which text or even mention its context.

Verse 3, "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "

1.Mark says the prophet was a voice of one calling in the desert, what was his calling to be?
To prepare Gods people for His coming.

2.Based on what we know a Gospel to be, What was the Lord is coming to do?
Restore the relatioship between God and His people.

3.Reflecting back on verse 1, who does Mark say was coming?
Jesus Christ – God Himself.

4.Who then was coming to do what for whom?

Jesus Christ was coming back to provide a path to salvation for God's people.

Verse 2, "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"

Paraphrasing Malachi 3:1, Mark would have known that Malachi chapter 3 was about God coming in judgement to set things aright among His people.

1.What would this have meant Mark was trying to convey to his Gentile believers?
Jesus was God
He came and died for their sins
Jesus coming meant the start of the Gospel age.

In Luke 16:16-17 Jesus himself speaks of John's role

"The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. Luke 16:16-17 (NIV)

1.What did Jesus say was inagurated with John's message?
The Kingdom of God

2.How does it affect your thinking knowing the Kingdom of God includes the time since John?