Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Mark
Mark is the Gospel of action, the shortest and swiftest of the four, moving rapidly from scene to scene with its favorite word, 'immediately.' It presents Jesus as the mighty Servant of God who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Gospel of Mark, traditionally recording the preaching of the apostle Peter through his companion John Mark, is the shortest and most fast-paced of the four Gospels. It presents Jesus as the powerful Servant of God, always on the move, whose mighty deeds reveal His authority and whose journey leads deliberately to the cross. Its theme verse is Jesus' own: 'the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many' (10:45).
This commentary covers Mark verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. Mark opens by declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whose way was prepared as the way of the LORD, and whose first call is still the heart of the message: repent, believe, and follow. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
All 16 chapters of Mark are now complete, from the beginning of the gospel and the baptism of Jesus to the cross, the empty tomb, and the Great Commission, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.'
Author
John Mark, traditionally recording the preaching of Peter.
Setting
A swift narrative of Jesus' powerful ministry.
Key Themes
Jesus the mighty Servant, action, and the road to the cross.
Theme Verse
The Son of Man came to serve and give His life a ransom (10:45).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
Mark Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
Mark 1:1-45
The Beginning of the Gospel
Mark launches the gospel at full speed: John prepares the way, Jesus is baptized as heaven opens, and the King begins to preach, 'Repent, and believe in the gospel.'
Read Chapter 1 →Mark 2:1-28
The Son of Man Hath Power to Forgive Sins
The healing of the paralytic lowered through the roof and the forgiveness of sins, 'who can forgive sins but God only?', the calling of Levi, eating with publicans and sinners, 'I came not to call the righteous, but sinners,' the question of fasting, new wine in new bottles, and the Son of man Lord of the sabbath.
Read Chapter 2 →Mark 3:1-35
Whosoever Shall Do the Will of God
The healing of the withered hand on the sabbath and the grief over hard hearts, the plot to destroy Him, the great multitudes, the ordaining of the twelve apostles 'that they should be with him,' the charge of casting out devils by Beelzebub, the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, and the true family of Jesus.
Read Chapter 3 →Mark 4:1-41
Peace, Be Still
The parable of the sower and the four soils, 'the sower soweth the word,' the lamp not hidden, the seed growing secretly by God's own power, the grain of mustard seed, and the stilling of the storm, 'Peace, be still,' so the disciples ask, 'What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'
Read Chapter 4 →Mark 5:1-43
Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole
The deliverance of the Gadarene demoniac and Legion, the man restored 'sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind,' the woman with the issue of blood healed by touching His garment, 'Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole,' and the raising of Jairus' daughter, 'Talitha cumi.'
Read Chapter 5 →Mark 6:1-56
As Sheep Not Having a Shepherd
The rejection at Nazareth, 'Is not this the carpenter?', the sending of the twelve two by two, the death of John the Baptist under a weak and guilty Herod, the feeding of the five thousand by the compassionate Shepherd, and Jesus walking on the sea, 'Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.'
Read Chapter 6 →Mark 7:1-37
He Hath Done All Things Well
The tradition of the elders and the loophole of Corban that makes the word of God of none effect, the teaching that defilement rises from the heart, the humble faith of the Syrophenician woman, and the healing of the deaf man, 'Ephphatha, Be opened.'
Read Chapter 7 →Mark 8:1-38
Thou Art the Christ
The feeding of the four thousand, the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod, 'Having eyes, see ye not?', the blind man of Bethsaida healed in two stages, Peter's confession 'Thou art the Christ,' the first prediction of the cross, 'Get thee behind me, Satan,' and the call to deny self and take up the cross.
Read Chapter 8 →Mark 9:1-50
Lord, I Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief
The Transfiguration and the Father's voice, 'This is my beloved Son: hear him,' the healing of the demon-possessed boy and the cry 'Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief,' the second prediction of the cross, true greatness as being 'servant of all,' and the solemn warnings against offences and hell.
Read Chapter 9 →Mark 10:1-52
To Give His Life a Ransom for Many
God's design for marriage, 'let not man put asunder,' Jesus blessing the little children, the rich young ruler who went away grieved, the third prediction of the cross, true greatness as servanthood, the theme verse 'the Son of man came... to give his life a ransom for many,' and the healing of blind Bartimaeus.
Read Chapter 10 →Mark 11:1-33
My House Shall Be the House of Prayer
The Triumphal Entry and 'Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord,' the cursing of the barren fig tree, the cleansing of the temple, 'the house of prayer' for all nations, the lesson of believing and forgiving prayer, 'Have faith in God,' and the question of Jesus' authority.
Read Chapter 11 →Mark 12:1-44
The Lord Our God Is One Lord
The parable of the wicked husbandmen and the rejected cornerstone, tribute to Caesar, the resurrection and the God of the living, the great commandment, 'Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord,' Christ shown to be David's Lord, and the poor widow's two mites given from 'all her living.'
Read Chapter 12 →Mark 13:1-37
Watch Ye Therefore
The Olivet Discourse: the foretold ruin of the temple, the beginnings of sorrows, the call to endure and publish the gospel to all nations, the great tribulation, the coming of the Son of man 'in the clouds with great power and glory,' the gathering of the elect, and the command to watch.
Read Chapter 13 →Mark 14:1-72
Abba, Father, Not What I Will
The anointing at Bethany, Judas' betrayal, the Last Supper and the new covenant in His blood 'shed for many,' the agony of Gethsemane and 'Abba, Father... not what I will, but what thou wilt,' the arrest, the trial before the high priest and Jesus' 'I am,' and Peter's threefold denial.
Read Chapter 14 →Mark 15:1-47
Truly This Man Was the Son of God
The trial before Pilate and the choice of Barabbas, the mocking crown of thorns, the crucifixion at Golgotha, Jesus 'numbered with the transgressors,' the cry 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?', His death and the rending of the veil, the centurion's confession, and the burial.
Read Chapter 15 →Mark 16:1-20
He Is Risen; Go Ye Into All the World
The resurrection of Jesus, 'he is risen; he is not here,' the word of grace 'tell his disciples and Peter,' the risen Lord's appearances and rebuke of unbelief, the Great Commission, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,' and the ascension to the right hand of God.
Read Chapter 16 →