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Commentary on Mark 1 verses 1–8
We may observe here,
I. What the New Testament is - the divine testament, to which we adhere above all that is human; the new testament, which we advance above that which was old. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God, Mar 1:1. 1. It is gospel; it is God's word, and is faithful and true; see Rev 19:9; Rev 21:5; Rev 22:6. It is a good word, and well worthy of all acceptation; it brings us glad tidings. 2. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the anointed Saviour, the Messiah promised and expected. The foregoing gospel began with the generation of Jesus Christ - that was but preliminary, this comes immediately to the business - the gospel of Christ. It is called his, not only because he is the Author of it, and it comes from him, but because he is the Subject of it, and it treats wholly concerning him. 3. This Jesus is the Son of God. That truth is the foundation on which the gospel is built, and which it is written to demonstrate; for is Jesus be not the Son of God, our faith is vain.
II. What the reference of the New Testament is to the Old, and its coherence with it. The gospel of Jesus Christ begins, and so we shall find it goes on, just as it is written in the prophets (Mar 1:2); for it saith no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said should come (Act 26:22), which was most proper and powerful for the conviction of the Jews, who believed the Old Testament prophets to be sent of God and ought to have evidenced that they did so by welcoming the accomplishment of their prophecies in its season; but it is of use to us all, for the confirmation of our faith both in the Old Testament and in the New, for the exact harmony that there is between both shows that they both have the same divine original.
Quotations are here borrowed from two prophecies - that of Isaiah, which was the longest, and that of Malachi, which was the latest (and there were above three hundred years between them), both of whom spoke to the same purport concerning the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the ministry of John.
1.Malachi, in whom we had the Old Testament farewell, spoke very plainly (Mal 3:1) concerning John Baptist, who was to give the New Testament welcome. Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Mar 1:2. Christ himself had taken notice of this, and applied it to John (Mat 11:10), who was God's messenger, sent to prepare Christ's way.
2.Isaiah, the most evangelical of all the prophets, begins the evangelical part of his prophecy with this, which points to the beginning of the gospel of Christ (Isa 40:3); The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Mar 1:3. Matthew had taken notice of this, and applied it to John, Mat 3:3. But from these two put together here, we may observe, (1.) That Christ, in his gospel, comes among us, bringing with him a treasure of grace, and a sceptre of government. (2.) Such is the corruption of the world, that there is something to do to make room for him, and to remove that which gives not only obstruction, but opposition to his progress. (3.) When God sent his Son into the world, he took care, and when he sends him into the heart, he takes care, effectual care, to prepare his way before him; for the designs of his grace shall not be frustrated; nor may any expect the comforts of that grace, but such as, by conviction of sin and humiliation for it, are prepared for those comforts, and disposed to receive them. (4.) When the paths that were crooked, are made straight (the mistakes of the judgment rectified, and the crooked ways of the affections), then way is made for Christ's comforts. (5.) It is in a wilderness, for such this world is, that Christ's way is prepared, and theirs that follow him, like that which Israel passed through to Canaan. (6.) The messengers of conviction and terror, that come to prepare Christ's way, are God's messengers, whom he sends and will own, and must be received as such. (7.) They that are sent to prepare the way of the Lord, in such a vast howling wilderness as this is, have need to cry aloud, and not spare, and to lift up their voice like a trumpet.
III. What the beginning of the New Testament was. The gospel began in John Baptist; for the law and the prophets were, until John, the only divine revelation, but then the kingdom of God began to be preached, Luk 16:16. Peter begins from the baptism of John, Act 1:22. The gospel did not begin so soon as the birth of Christ, for he took time to increase in wisdom and stature, not so late as his entering upon his public ministry, but half a year before, when John began to preach the same doctrine that Christ afterward preached. His baptism was the dawning of the gospel day; for,
1.In John's way of living there was the beginning of a gospel spirit; for it bespoke great self-denial, mortification of the flesh, a holy contempt of the world, and nonconformity to it, which may truly be called the beginning of the gospel of Christ in any soul, Mar 1:6. He was clothed with camels' hair, not with soft raiment; was girt, not with a golden, but with a leathern girdle; and, in contempt of dainties and delicate things, his meat was locusts and wild honey. Note, The more we sit loose to the body, and live above the world, the better we are prepared for Jesus Christ.
2.In John's preaching and baptizing there was the beginning of the gospel doctrines and ordinances, and the first fruits of them. (1.) He preached the remission of sins, which is the great gospel privilege; showed people their need of it, that they were undone without it, and that it might be obtained. (2.) He preached repentance, in order to it; he told people that there must be a renovation of their hearts and a reformation of their lives, that they must forsake their sins and turn to God, and upon those terms and no other, their sins should be forgiven. Repentance for the remission of sins, was what the apostles were commissioned to preach to all nations, Luk 24:27. (3.) He preached Christ, and directed his hearers to expect him speedily to appear, and to expect great things from him. The preaching of Christ is pure gospel, and that was John Baptist's preaching, Mar 1:7, Mar 1:8. Like a true gospel minister, he preaches, [1.] The great pre-eminence Christ is advanced to; so high, so great, is Christ, that John, though one of the greatest that was born of women, thinks himself unworthy to be employed in the meanest office about him, even to stoop down, and untie his shoes. Thus industrious is he to give honour to him, and to bring others to do so too. [2.] The great power Christ is invested with; He comes after me in time, but he is mightier than I, mightier than the mighty ones of the earth, for he is able to baptize with the Holy Ghost; he can give the Spirit of God, and by him govern the spirits of men. [3.] The great promise Christ makes in his gospel to those who have repented, and have had their sins forgiven them; They shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, shall be purified by his graces, and refreshed by his comforts. And, lastly, All those who received his doctrine, and submitted to his institution, he baptized with water, as the manner of the Jews was to admit proselytes, in token of their cleansing themselves by repentance and reformation (which were the duties required), and of God's cleansing them both by remission and by sanctification, which were the blessings promised. Now this was afterward to be advanced into a gospel ordinance, which John's using it was a preface to.
3.In the success of John's preaching, and the disciples he admitted by baptism, there was the beginning of a gospel church. He baptized in the wilderness, and declined going into the cities; but there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, inhabitants both of city and country, families of them, and were all baptized of him. They entered themselves his disciples, and bound themselves to his discipline; in token of which, they confessed their sins; he admitted them his disciples, in token of which, he baptized them. Here were the stamina of the gospel church, the dew of its youth from the womb of the morning, Psa 110:3. Many of these afterward became followers of Christ, and preachers of his gospel, and this grain of mustard-seed became a tree.
(Quæst. nov. et vet. Test. lvii.) For knowing that all things are to be referred to their author, he has brought these sayings back to Isaiah, who was the first to intimate the sense. Lastly, after the words of Malachi, he immediately subjoins, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, in order to connect the words of each prophet, belonging as they do to one meaning, under the person of the elder prophet.
Or, the way of the Lord, by which He comes into men, is penitence, by which God comes down to us, and we mount up to Him. And for this reason the beginning of John's preaching was, Repent ye.
But it is called the voice of one crying, for we are wont to use a cry to deaf persons, and to those afar off, or when we are indignant, all which things we know applied to the Jews; for salvation is far from the wicked, and they stopped their ears like deaf adders, and deserved to hear indignation, and wrath, and tribulation from Christ.
Or else the voice and the cry is in the desert, because they were deserted by the Spirit of God, as a house empty, and swept out; deserted also by prophet, priest, and king.
Or else, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, that is, act out repentance and preach it; make his paths straight, that walking in the royal road, we may love our neighbours as ourselves, and ourselves as our neighbours. For he who loves himself, and loves not his neighbour, turns aside to the right; for many act well, and do not correct their neighbour well, as Eli. He, on the other hand, who, hating himself, loves his neighbour, turns aside to the left; for many, for instance, rebuke well, but act not well themselves, as did the Scribes and Pharisees. Paths are mentioned after the way, because moral commands are laid open after penitence.
How plainly does the beginning of the gospel focus upon the expectations of the holy prophets. At once it points out that the One whom they confessed as God and Lord, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who had also made promise to him, would send his messenger before his face. This was John, crying in the wilderness, in “the spirit and power of Elijah,” “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” For the prophets did not announce first one God and then another, but one and the same God under complementary aspects, and with many various names.
Now He called him an "angel," on account of the magnitude of the mighty deeds which he was to achieve (which mighty deeds Joshua the son of Nun did, and you yourselves read), and on account of his office of prophet announcing (to wit) the divine will; just as withal the Spirit, speaking in the person of the Father, calls the forerunner of Christ, John, a future "angel," through the prophet: "Behold, I send mine angel before Thy"-that is, Christ's-"face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee." Nor is it a novel practice to the Holy Spirit to call those "angels" whom God has appointed as ministers of His power.
Now he called him an “angel” on account of the great consequence of the mighty deeds which he was to accomplish, comparable to those mighty deeds of Joshua the son of Nun about whom you have read. John served in the office of a prophet to announce God’s will, as the forerunner of the Anointed One. The Spirit, speaking in the voice of the Father, called John an “angel” in accord with the promise declared by Malachi: “Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me.” It is not a novelty that the Holy Spirit would call those he has appointed ministers of his power “angels.”
He emerged from the desert clothed in a strange garment, refusing all ordinary social intercourse. He did not even share their common food. For it is written that from childhood John was in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel. Indeed, his clothing was made of camel’s hair! His food locusts and wild honey! … It is understandable that they should have been alarmed when they saw a man with the hair of a Nazarite of God, and a divine face, suddenly appearing from the lonely wilderness dressed in bizarre clothing, who after preaching to them, he disappeared again into the wilderness, without eating or drinking or mingling with the people? Must they not have suspected that he was a little more than human? For how could a human being go without food? And so they understood him to be a divine messenger, the very angel foretold by the prophet.
(de Trin. iii. 11) He has testified, that Christ was the Son of God, not in name only, but by His own proper nature. We are the sons of God, but He is not a son as we are; for He is the very and proper Son, by origin, not by adoption; in truth, not in name; by birth, not by creation.
(ad Pammach. Epist. 57) But this is not written in Isaiah, but in Malachi, the last of the twelve prophets.
By Malachi, therefore, the voice Πνεύμκτος Ἅγιου of the Holy Spirit resounds to the Father concerning the Son, who is the countenance of the Father by which He has been known.
The efficacy of John’s baptism is attested by the holy way he lived as a person. His baptism was in accord with the justice of a just man, yet still a mere man, but one who had received extraordinary grace from the Lord, a grace so great that he was deemed worthy to precede the final Judge of history, and to point him out with his finger, and to fulfill the words of that prophecy: “The voice of one crying out in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord.”
(Vict. Ant. c. Cat. in Marc.) But it may be said that it is a mistake of the writer. Otherwise it may be said, that he has compressed into one, two prophecies delivered in different places by two prophets; for in the prophet Isaiah it is written after the story of Hezekiah, The voice of one crying in the wilderness; but in Malachi, Behold, I send mine angel. The Evangelist therefore, taking parts of two prophecies, has put them down as spoken by Isaiah, and refers them here to one passage, without mentioning, however, by whom it is said, Behold, I send mine angel.
(Vict. Ant. e. Cat. in Marc.) But the prophecy, by saying, In the wilderness, plainly shows that the divine teaching was not in Jerusalem, but in the wilderness, which was fulfilled to the letter by John the Baptist in the wilderness of Jordan, preaching the healthful appearing of the Word of God. (non occ.). The word of prophecy also shows, that besides the wilderness, which was pointed out by Moses, where he made paths, there was another wilderness, in which it proclaimed that the salvation of Christ was present.
(ubi sup.) Being about to write his Gospel, Mark rightly puts first the testimonies of the Prophets, that he might notify to all, that what he should write was to be received without scruple of doubt, in that he showed that these things were beforehand foretold by the Prophets. At once, by one and the same beginning of his Gospel, he prepared the Jews, who had received the Law and the Prophets, for receiving the grace of the Gospel, and those sacraments, which their own prophecies had foretold; and he also calls upon the Gentiles, who came to the Lord by publishing of the Gospel, to receive and venerate the authority of the Law and the Prophets; whence he says, As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, Behold, &c.
(ubi sup.) Or otherwise, we must understand, that, although these words are not found in Isaiah, still the sense of them is found in many other places, and most clearly in this which he has subjoined, The voice of one crying in the wilderness. For that which Malachi has called, the angel to be sent before the face of the Lord, to prepare His way, is the same thing as Isaiah has said is to be heard, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, saying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. But in each sentence alike, the way of the Lord to be prepared is proclaimed. It may be, too, that Isaiah occurred to the mind of Mark, in writing his Gospel, instead of Malachi, as often happens; which he would, however, without doubt correct, at least when reminded by other persons, who might read his work whilst he was yet in the flesh; unless he thought, that, since his memory was then ruled by the Holy Spirit, it was not without a purpose, that the name of one prophet had occurred to him instead of another. For thus whatsoever things the Holy Spirit spoke by the prophets, are implied each to have belonged to all, and all to each.
(ubi sup.) But John is called an angel not by community of nature, according to the heresy of Origena, but by the dignity of his office; for angel in Greek is in Latin, nuntius, (messenger,) by which name that man is rightly called, who was sent by God, that he might bear witness of the light, and announce to the world the Lord, coming in the flesh: since it is evident that all who are priests may by their office of preaching the Gospel be called angels, as the prophet Malachi says, The lips of the priest keep knowledge, and they seek the law at his mouth, because he is the Angel of the Lord of hosts. (Mal. 2:7)
(ubi sup.) But as John might be called an angel, because he went before the face of the Lord by his preaching, so he might also be rightly called a voice, because, by his sound, he preceded the Word of the Lord. Wherefore there follows, The voice of one crying, &c. For it is an acknowledged thing that the Only-Begotten Son is called the Word of the Father, and even we, from having uttered words ourselves, know that the voice sounds first, in order that the word may afterwards be heard.
(ubi sup.) What he cried is revealed, in that which is subjoined, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. For whosoever preaches a right faith and good works, what else does he but prepare the way for the Lord's coming to the hearts of His hearers, that the power of grace might penetrate these hearts, and the light of truth shine in them? And the paths he makes straight, when he forms pure thoughts in the soul by the word of preaching.
Behold, I send my angel, etc. The angel is called John, not by the association of nature according to the heresy of Origen, but by the dignity of the office. For angel in Greek is called messenger in Latin. By which name, rightly, that man could be called who was sent by God to bear witness to the light (John I), and to announce to the world the Lord coming in the flesh. Nor should it be wondered at mystically that one who is greater than all born of women (Matt. XI) should be called an angel, when it is universally accepted that all who rightly perform the duty of the priestly rank can be called angels because of their duty to evangelize, as the prophet says: The lips of the priest shall keep knowledge, and they shall seek the law at his mouth, for he is the angel of the Lord of hosts (Mal. II).
The Forerunner of Christ, therefore, is called an angel, on account of his angelic life and lofty reverence. Again, where he says, Before thy face, it is as if he said, Thy messenger is near thee: whence is shown the intimate connection of the Forerunner with Christ; for those walk next to kings, who are their greatest friends. There follows, Who will prepare thy way before thee. For by baptism he prepared the minds of the Jews to receive Christ.
Or, the way is the New Testament, and the paths are the Old, because it is a trodden path. For it was necessary to be prepared for the way, that is, for the New Testament; but it was right that the paths of the Old Testament should be straightened.
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SUMMARY
Mark's Gospel opens with a powerful declaration of Jesus' divine identity and mission, immediately grounding His advent in the long-awaited fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Mark 1:2 initiates this theological framework by quoting from the prophets, specifically Malachi 3:1, to introduce the divine plan for a messenger who would precede the Lord, preparing the way for His arrival and ministry. This concise introduction establishes the sovereign hand of God orchestrating history for the coming of His Son, setting the stage for the narrative of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Mark's Gospel, unlike Matthew and Luke, begins abruptly, bypassing birth narratives and genealogies to plunge directly into the public ministry of Jesus. This verse, Mark 1:2, serves as the very first spoken words, immediately establishing the theological premise that Jesus' coming is not a random event but the culmination of God's ancient promises. It acts as a foundational theological statement for the entire Gospel, linking Jesus' identity and work directly to the prophetic word. The quotation here is a conflation of Malachi 3:1 and an allusion to Isaiah 40:3 (which is more fully quoted in Mark 1:3), demonstrating Mark's intent to show that Jesus' ministry is deeply rooted in Israel's prophetic heritage, thereby validating His authority and divine commission from the outset.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Jewish people in the 1st century AD lived under Roman occupation, longing for the promised Messiah who would deliver them. Their understanding of prophecy was deeply intertwined with their national identity and hope. The expectation of a forerunner, often associated with Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6), was prevalent. Malachi 3:1 specifically speaks of a "messenger" who would "prepare the way" before the Lord. This expectation created a fertile ground for understanding the significance of figures like John the Baptist, whose ascetic lifestyle and message of repentance resonated with prophetic traditions. The concept of "preparing a way" was also familiar in the ancient world, referring to the practice of clearing roads for an approaching king or dignitary, a powerful metaphor for spiritual readiness.
Key Themes: This verse introduces several pivotal themes that permeate Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, Prophetic Fulfillment is paramount, asserting that Jesus' ministry is the direct culmination of God's long-standing plan, foretold centuries earlier, thereby validating His divine authority and mission. Secondly, Divine Preparation highlights God's active involvement in human history, orchestrating events by sending a forerunner to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of His Son, demonstrating His meticulous care and sovereign control. Lastly, the theme of The Messenger's Role is introduced, foreshadowing John the Baptist's vital, yet subordinate, ministry. John's role, as described more fully in Mark 1:4-8, was not to be the Messiah but to announce and prepare for Him, calling people to repentance and baptism, thereby clearing the spiritual path for the Lord's arrival and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God, as Jesus proclaims in Mark 1:15.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Mark's opening verse masterfully employs several literary devices to set the tone and theological foundation for his Gospel. Quotation is central, as Mark directly cites Old Testament prophecy, specifically from Malachi 3:1, and alludes to Isaiah 40:3. This immediate appeal to Scripture establishes the divine origin and preordained nature of Jesus' coming. The use of Prophetic Language ("Behold, I send my messenger," "prepare thy way") lends an air of ancient authority and divine decree to the narrative. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful act of Foreshadowing, introducing the concept of a "messenger" who will precede the central figure. This subtly prepares the reader for the appearance of John the Baptist in the subsequent verses, whose ministry directly fulfills this prophetic promise. The entire verse serves as a Thesis Statement for Mark's Gospel, proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ, whose arrival is the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, anticipated by the prophets.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 1:2 serves as a theological cornerstone, asserting that the ministry of Jesus is not an unexpected event but the culmination of God's long-foretold plan. It underscores the concept of divine sovereignty, demonstrating that God actively orchestrates history to bring about His redemptive purposes. The identification of a divinely appointed "messenger" highlights the preparatory nature of God's work, ensuring that humanity is made ready for the advent of His Son. This verse links the New Testament narrative directly to the Old Testament, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenant promises and His faithfulness to fulfill every word He has spoken through His prophets. It establishes a pattern of divine initiative and human response, where God sends His heralds to pave the way for His ultimate revelation in Christ.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 1:2 invites us to consider the meticulous preparation God undertakes for His redemptive work. Just as a messenger was sent to prepare the way for Jesus' first coming, God continues to prepare hearts and circumstances for His truth to be received today. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives: are we spiritually prepared to receive Christ more fully? Are there "rough places" of pride, unforgiveness, or disobedience that need to be smoothed out by repentance and humility? The call to "prepare thy way" is not just for ancient Israel but for every believer, urging us to cultivate a heart receptive to God's ongoing work. Furthermore, we are called to embody the spirit of the messenger, John the Baptist, in our own generation. Our lives, words, and actions should serve to prepare the way for others to encounter Jesus, whether through sharing the Gospel, living out Christ-like love, or advocating for justice. The prophetic word of God stands eternally true, and we can trust in His unwavering faithfulness to fulfill all His promises, including the promise of Christ's ultimate return and the full establishment of His Kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does Mark quote "the prophets" in the plural when the primary quote is from Malachi 3:1?
Answer: Mark's use of "the prophets" in the plural, while primarily quoting Malachi 3:1, is a deliberate literary and theological choice. It signifies that the coming of John the Baptist and, more importantly, Jesus Himself, is not merely the fulfillment of a single prophecy but the culmination of the entire prophetic tradition of Israel. While Malachi 3:1 speaks of the messenger, the subsequent verse in Mark (Mark 1:3) explicitly quotes Isaiah 40:3, which describes a "voice crying in the wilderness" preparing the Lord's way. By combining these, Mark emphasizes a broader prophetic tapestry, showing that the events unfolding are deeply rooted in the collective witness of God's ancient spokesmen, validating Jesus' ministry as the fulfillment of God's overarching plan for salvation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 1:2, by quoting ancient prophecy, immediately positions Jesus as the central figure of God's redemptive plan, the ultimate recipient of the "way" being prepared. The "messenger" (John the Baptist) serves as the divinely appointed herald, whose role is to announce the imminent arrival of the Lord. This "Lord" is unequivocally Jesus Christ, whose coming inaugurates the new covenant era. John's ministry of repentance and baptism, described in Mark 1:4, directly prepares the hearts of the people for Jesus, the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). Jesus Himself is the very "way" that John prepared for, not just a path to follow, but the embodiment of the path to God. As Jesus declares in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Thus, Mark 1:2 powerfully sets the stage for the Gospel's central message: Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, the Son of God (Mark 1:1), whose advent fulfills the hopes and prophecies of the Old Testament, offering salvation and access to God through His life, death, and resurrection.