Mark 1:18

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, See the notes at Matthew 4:12....

14-22 Jesus began to preach in Galilee, after that John was put in prison. If some be laid aside, others shall be raised up, to carry on the same work. Observe the great truths Christ preached. By repentance we give glory to our Creator whom we have offended; by faith we give glory to our Redeemer who came to save us from our sins. Christ has joined these two together, and let no man think to put them asunder. Christ puts honour upon those who, though mean in this world, are diligent in their business and kind to one another. Industry and unity are good and pleasant, and the Lord Jesus commands a blessing on them. Those whom Christ calls, must leave all to follow him; and by his grace he makes them willing to do so. Not that we must needs go out of the world, but we must sit loose to the world; forsake every thing that is against our duty to Christ, and that cannot be kept without hurt...

See the notes at Matthew 4:18....

EXPOSITION MARK 1:1 THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. These words mean, not the title of the book, but the commencement of the narrative; and so they depend upon what follows, namely, "as it is written" (καθῶς for ὠς), "even as it is written." The words "the gospel of Jesus Christ" do not signify the book which St. Mark wrote, but the evangelical teaching of Jesus Christ. St. Mark means that the gospel announcement by Jesus Christ had such a beginning as had been predicted by Isaiah and Malachi, namely, the preaching of John the Baptist, and his testimony concerning Christ, to be fully laid open by the preaching and the death of Christ. The preaching of repentance by the Baptist was the preparation and the beginning of the evangelical preaching by Christ, of whom John was the forerunner. It has been well observed that St. Matthew an

AND STRAIGHTWAY THEY FORSOOK THEIR NETS,.... Which perhaps were their all; see Matthew 19:27. AND FOLLOWED HIM; both in a corporeal and spiritual sense; Matthew 4:20....

Mark 1:14. _Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,_ When one servant of God is laid aside, it is a call to the rest to be the more earnest. So after John the Baptist was put into prison, «Jesus came into Galilee.» Sometimes a loss may be a gain, and if the loss of John was the means of bringing out Jesus, certainly both the Church and the world were the gainers: «Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,» Mark 1:15. _And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel._ It is clear, from this passage, that our Lord exhorted men to repent, and to believe the gospel. There are some, who profess to be his followers, who will not suffer

PART II. THE SERVANT'S WORK; NOT TO BE MINISTERED UNTO, BUT TO MINISTER -- CHAPTER 1:14-10:52 Chapter 1:14-45. The Ministry in Galilee after John's Imprisonment. _ 1. The Servant in Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. (Mark 1:14 .Matthew 4:12; Luke 4:14 .)_ 2. The Calling of fellow servants. (Mark 1:16. Matthew 4:18; Luke 5:1 .) 3. The Servant in Capernaum. (Mark 1

THE CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES. The sudden call and unhesitating response argue, according to Porphyry (_c._ A.D. 300), either the incompetence of the lying historian or the stupidity of the disciples. But Mk. does not imply that this was the first these men had seen or heard of Jesus (_cf._ John 13:5 *). He does, however, suggest the attractive power of Jesus, which he regarded as supernatural. At a word men left all to be with Him. It must have seemed foolish to those who did not know Him....

THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY (Mark 1:1-4)...

16–20. THE MESSIAH CALLS HIS FIRST DISCIPLES Matthew 4:18-22. Cf. Luke 5:1-11 Here, in the fullest sense, the main portion of the Gospel begins, and the authority for it goes back to eye-witnesses, of whom St Peter may be regarded as the chief. We do not know how long an interval there is between this section and the preceding one; but the connexion in thought is close. If τὸ εὐαγγέλιον was to be proclaimed to all the world, many preachers would be required, and the Messiah at once seeks such helpers....