Mark 1:15

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

And {G2532} saying {G3004},{G3754} The time {G2540} is fulfilled {G4137}, and {G2532} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316} is at hand {G1448}: repent ye {G3340}, and {G2532} believe {G4100}{G1722} the gospel {G2098}.

"The time has come, God's Kingdom is near! Turn to God from your sins and believe the Good News!"

“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”

and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the gospel.

Mark 1:15 records the core message of Jesus Christ's inaugural public ministry, setting the stage for His entire work. This verse encapsulates the urgency and central tenets of the Christian faith as proclaimed by Jesus Himself.

Context

This pivotal declaration by Jesus follows immediately after His baptism by John the Baptist (Mark 1:9) and His temptation in the wilderness (Mark 1:12-13). John the Baptist's preparatory ministry had already called people to repentance, paving the way for the Messiah. Now, Jesus steps forward to announce that the long-awaited divine plan is unfolding, marking a new era in salvation history. The setting is Galilee, a region often overlooked by the religious elite in Jerusalem, yet it became the initial hub for Jesus' transformative message.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Fulfillment of Time: "The time is fulfilled" signifies that the prophetic expectations concerning the Messiah's arrival and the establishment of God's reign are now being realized. This points to God's perfect timing and His faithfulness to His covenants throughout history. It echoes the anticipation found in Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the Lord and His kingdom, such as those in Daniel 9:24-27.
  • The Imminence of God's Kingdom: "the kingdom of God is at hand" declares that God's sovereign rule is not a distant future event but has drawn near through the person and ministry of Jesus. It is both a present reality (in Jesus' healings, teachings, and authority) and a future hope (its full manifestation). This concept is central to Jesus' parables and teachings, illustrating the nature of God's reign, as seen in Luke 17:20-21.
  • The Call to Repentance: "repent ye" is a fundamental command, urging a radical change of mind, heart, and direction. It involves turning away from sin and self-reliance and turning towards God. This is not merely sorrow for past wrongs but a decisive shift in one's life's purpose and allegiance. John the Baptist also preached a message of repentance, preparing the way for Jesus (Matthew 3:2).
  • The Imperative to Believe the Gospel: "and believe the gospel" calls for faith in the "good news" that Jesus brings. This "gospel" is the message of salvation, reconciliation with God, and new life made possible through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. To believe means to trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, accepting His message and His person. This belief is the gateway to entering the kingdom of God, as highlighted in John 3:16.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "time" here is kairos (καιρός), which doesn't just mean chronological time (chronos), but rather a decisive, opportune, or appointed time – a moment of divine significance. This emphasizes that Jesus' arrival was not random but a divinely orchestrated event at the perfect moment in history. The term "gospel" comes from the Greek euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον), meaning "good news" or "glad tidings," especially concerning the victory of a king or a significant event. Here, it refers to the good news of God's saving action through Jesus Christ.

Significance and Application

Mark 1:15 remains a timeless summary of the Christian message. It underscores the urgency of responding to God's gracious invitation. For believers, it's a reminder of the foundational calls to continually align our lives with God's will (repentance) and to deepen our trust in the saving power of Christ's good news (belief). For those exploring faith, it clearly lays out the two essential steps: turning from sin and embracing the truth of Jesus' kingdom. This verse serves as a concise evangelistic summary, inviting all to enter into the present and future blessings of God's reign.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 3:2

    And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  • Acts 2:36

    Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

  • Acts 2:38

    Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

  • Matthew 4:17

    From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  • Acts 20:21

    Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Ephesians 1:10

    That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him:

  • Galatians 4:4

    But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

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