Mark 1:1-8
Chapter 1
1
Prologue
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, [the Son of God]. [Commentary: Mark 1:1]2
John the Baptist
It is written in the book of Isaiah, the prophet:
“I am sending my messenger
ahead of you to prepare your way.
3
Let the people hear the voice
calling in the desert:
Prepare the way of the Lord,
level his paths.”
4
So John began to baptize in the desert, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5
All Judea and all the people from the city of Jerusalem went out to John to confess their sins, and to be baptized by him in the river Jordan.
6
John was dressed in camel’s hair and bore a leather belt around his waist. His food consisted of locusts and honey.
7
He preached to the people, saying:
“After me comes someone more powerful than I am;
8
I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
Commentaries
Prologue.
The first verse serves as a sort of introduction, outlining what Mark will discuss: “the Good News of Jesus Christ.” The word “Beginning” indicates not only the start of his work but also a new chapter in salvation history: the New Testament. The focus of this Good News is Jesus. Who is Jesus? Mark will reveal this gradually. For now, he simply states: He is the “Son of God.” This declaration will take on deeper meanings, culminating near the end of the Gospel, when a Roman centurion, upon seeing him die, proclaims: “Truly this man was the Son of God” (15:39).
John the Baptist.
John is the announced messenger (2-4). He is the expected “Elijah” who will prepare the way for the Lord (cf. Mal 3:23). And he does so with a baptism of repentance, of change of life (5). His manner of dress and diet reveal him as a prophet (6; cf. 2 Kgs 1:8; Zec 13:4). Many probably confused him with the Messiah. Mark clarifies this situation, saying that John’s status before Jesus is even lower than that of a servant before his master (7). John can only baptize with water (externally), whereas Jesus baptizes with the Spirit.