*Mark 1:16-39
Jesus calls his first disciples, heals a demon-possessed man, and establishes himself as a powerful teacher and healer.
- Call of the Disciples
- Jesus walks by the Sea of Galilee and calls Simon (Peter) and Andrew, who are fishermen, to follow him.
- He promises to make them fishers of men.
- They immediately leave their nets and follow Jesus.
- Jesus encounters James and John, sons of Zebedee, mending their nets, and calls them too. They promptly leave their father and follow Jesus.
- Healing and Authority
- Jesus and his disciples go to Capernaum, where Jesus teaches in the synagogue on the Sabbath.
- His teaching astounds the people because he speaks with authority, unlike the scribes.
- In the synagogue, a man possessed by an unclean spirit cries out, recognizing Jesus as the Holy One of God.
- Jesus rebukes the spirit and commands it to leave the man, demonstrating his authority over unclean spirits.
- The people are amazed at his power and authority.
- Healing Peter’s Mother-in-Law and Others
- After leaving the synagogue, Jesus goes to Simon Peter’s house, where Peter’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever.
- Jesus takes her by the hand, lifts her up, and the fever leaves her immediately.
- Word spreads, and soon the whole city gathers at the door, bringing sick and demon-possessed individuals to Jesus.
- Jesus heals many who are sick with various diseases and casts out many demons.
- He does not allow the demons to speak because they know who he is.
- Preaching and Healing Throughout Galilee
- Early in the morning, Jesus rises and goes to a solitary place to pray.
- Simon Peter and others search for Jesus and find him, saying that everyone is looking for him.
- Jesus tells them they must go to other towns to preach, as that is why he came.
- He travels throughout Galilee, preaching in synagogues and casting out demons.
1:16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
1:19 And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
1:20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
1:22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
1:29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
1:30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
1:31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
1:32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
1:36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
1:37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
1:38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
1:39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.