King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday: October 05, 2025
Chapters: Mark 1, Luke 3-4
Message: Luke/Mark: Jesus Begins His Ministry
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of the Gospels we learn that Luke and Mark also give the account of John, the Baptist as well as Jesus being tempted of the devil. We also learn of Jesus beginning His ministry and how He was rejected by those who claimed to be family and friends from His human side. Through these chapters we are reminded that there is going to be a division when one chooses not only to receive Christ as their Saviour, but live their lives through Him, [Matthew 10:35-37 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.]
What Jesus is saying here and this includes parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and friends, is that the people in our lives are the biggest factors that hinder us from following Him wholeheartedly and will go on to add spouses too. Jesus, is in no way saying that He will deny salvation to anyone who comes to Him sincerely and honestly, but those who put their loved ones over Him put their souls in danger because they often fear receiving Him because they do not want to go against their loved ones, [Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.]
All of this of course, will be discussed more in detail as we read through the Gospels. However, Luke, who gave his testament of what he witnessed, tells it from the human perspective as Jesus being just as much a man as He is God. He also gives an account to John the Baptist, and what led to his arrest, but we will notice that also introduces us to some people that we would become familiar with who would be responsible for crucifying Jesus.
[Luke 3:1-3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;]
Tiberius, was the Emperor of Rome and one of three Caesars that we come to know from the history books; Julius and Augustus being the other two. We also learn of some names that would become quite famous, Pontius Pilate, the governor and Annas and Caiaphas, the high priests, who would all play a part in Jesus being crucified. The word remission means to be forgiven or pardoned from death from sin. Their being baptized was not a cleansing from their sin, rather a public profession of their faith in Christ becoming that sacrifice who would not only pardon from death, but cleanse them from their sin, [Romans 6:4-5 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:]
Speaking of the newness of life, there comes a point in every persons life when they start to feel dead inside, and try everything possible to feel lively again. I know this from experience and I am sure you do as well, and the reason why we feel dead has to do with what is deep down in our spirit, and when it is broken we are broken. However, that is where Jesus comes in, He not only mends our broken spirit, He breathes His Spirit into us, giving us not only a new life, but a new purpose. We are no different than the people that John preached to, which is why people traveled miles to see him. Here is this man preaching a message not only from God, he was giving hope to all who believed in Him and as he is reading from the Scriptures of Isaiah, he notices the crowd.
[Luke 3:7-10 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?]
The viper is one of the most deadliest snakes god created, they are actually quite calm until they get agitated and show how deadly their bite is. John, was referring the Pharisees, these religious men boasted of all their “good works”, and trusted in their being descendants of Abraham to save them. While they had the appearance of being devout Jews, in reality they were just like their fathers before them who killed the prophets for preaching about repentance, [2 Chronicles 36:15-16 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.]
And as we can see, John, did not mince words, so when the people heard this they wanted to know what they needed to do once they got baptized. However, these were words unlike anything they heard of, that lead them to question of who John actually was. In fact, many started to wonder if he is the Christ, but quickly debunked that theory, [Luke 3:15-17 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.]
Wow! Jesus, not only gives those who sincerely receive Him as their Saviour the Spirit of God into their soul, He also fans the fire that the Holy Spirit places in our soul into our spirit, mind, and body as we as embrace Him. However, for those who reject Him will be engulfed in the fire of hell, [Matthew 13:41-42 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.]
Now, we come to the Gospel of Mark, he also gives a different perspective of the testament of Christ. The Gospel of Mark is the second book of the New Testament, the forty-first book of the Bible, and contains sixteen chapters. The Author of the book is Mark and it was written to all believers, however it was intended to get the attention of the Romans, the Gentiles, who represented Jesus as a servant of God. The timeline for these events is also between 30AD-33AD. The purpose of the book was to present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as a servant and the Son of man. What we are to learn from the book is that Jesus commands all His disciples to preach the Gospel, [Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.]
Since Mark gives his testimony from the Romans perspective, he does not go into detail about the lineage of Jesus, and just gives an overview of what John had done, [Mark 1:1-6 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;]
When God sends the believer to Christ, He also prepares their heart to receive Him. Everything we do and go through prepares us for the day that Christ finds us in the wilderness and makes our path straight. As we read through Mark’s testimony, we will come to realize does not mince words either and gets directly to the point. Mark, also gives the brief account of Jesus being baptized, then tempted of the devil.
[Mark 1:9-13 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.]
Christ’s baptism was His first public appearance after He had long lived unknown to anyone, but the people He dwelt among for thirty years. But sooner or later it shall be known, as Christ was. Luke, also gives a brief account to Jesus being baptized, but explains why John got arrested.
[Luke 3:19-23 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison. 21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,]
Notice that Luke says that it was supposed that Joseph was the father of Jesus. This was mentioned for two reasons, it showed that Joseph was of the tribe of Judah and that for thirty years Jesus lived just like any other devout Jew. Our own testimonies are a testament of what brings us to Christ to begin with, but the life we live after we are saved if we have decreased in our own flesh and Christ has increased in us, [Romans 8:12-14 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.]
The point of their mentioning all of this was to show how John’s ministry will decrease as Jesus begins His, [John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.]. Jesus, took upon Himself the likeness of sinful flesh for our sakes, but that does not mean that He did not face the same temptations that we do. Luke, also gives the account in detail of Jesus being tempted of the devil.
[Luke 4:2-7 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.]
Seriously? This fool seriously thinks that God has given him supreme power over all the kingdoms of the world? Well, he may be the prince of this world who is destroying it more every day, but he does not have the power to give it to someone. God, is the supreme over all the nations and He was about to prove that through His Son once He returned.
[Luke 4:14-20 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.]
Can you imagine Jesus walking through the temple, fully knowing that they only knew Him to be the son of Joseph, then asking the minister for the book? Well, they could not take their eyes off Him even when He sat down. Of course, He started speaking and well, they could not believe what they hearing from this carpenters son.
[Luke 4:22-26 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? 23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; 26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.]
In other words, He was telling them that the Gentiles will be saved before they will. Well, of course, after hearing that they were not too happy and wanted to kill Him already, [Luke 4:28-32 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way, 31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. 32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.]
Let me tell you, religion does not want to hear the truth nor does it want the Scriptures to be read. That did not stop Jesus though, He went into the next town preaching the same message. When He arrived in Capernaum, it was completely different, the people were not only attentive to what He was preaching, they had never heard anything like that ever before.
[Mark 1:21-27 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 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. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 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.]
Do not believe for one second that Satan is not scared of Jesus. Why do you think that he tried to get Him to ruin His testimony from the very beginning? Why do you think he tried everything to have Jesus killed before His time? He is afraid, very afraid in fact, and even though God had allowed him to tempt Jesus, and all of us as well, He only allows him to go so far as he too must obey Jesus. Satan, can literally use several evil spirits to poses one person, sometimes thousands. However, the only way that the Holy Spirit can come into our soul and keep the evil spirits from possessing us, is through our faith in Christ. Jesus Himself said, [Luke 10:19-20 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.]
Oh, this was not some new doctrine at all, this was simply the Word of God being preached, which they had never heard before. When God prepares our heart, we see the Word of God for the truth that it is, and we not only believe it, we receive it gladly. And it did not take long before Jesus had people from all over coming to be healed by Him, no matter what their issue was.
[Mark 1:29-33,35 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 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. 32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.]
My husband wonders why I get up so early to write my devotions. Well, besides the fact that I have a job, it is the only time I have that is just for me and God, and much of that time I am talking to Him. I may lose some sleep, but God enjoys that time just as much as I do and it also allows me time with my husband. It is always a win win when we get into our solitary place with God no matter what time of the day it is. There is not one saved soul incapable of doing something for the cause of Christ, in fact, our greatest testimony is just telling our own story.
Well, the news of Jesus preaching and healing people got around quickly, people flocked when they heard that He was in their town or close by, including a leper, [Mark 1:38-41 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. 39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. 40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.]
Before the man could blink his eyes, he was not only cured from the leprosy, it was removed completely, there was not even a sign of him being sick. Well, since Jesus really had not made Himself know publicly yet, he told the man to follow the Law in regards to going to the priest and told him not to tell anyone what He had done. Well, that man could not contain himself, he had to tell whomever he saw what Jesus had done.
[Mark 1:43-45 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; 44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.]
The time of Jesus’ ministry may have started, but it was not time to for the Law of Moses to replaced just yet, that would come after He resurrected. The man did the same thing that any one of us would do, when Jesus touches you, you want to tell everyone everywhere you go, [1 John 5:9-11 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, You have called all Your people to prepare the world for Your return. Thank You for finding and saving me, let me never take my salvation for granted by ignoring Your call to minister the Gospel to those you sent me to. Lord, Give me Your power, wisdom, and the boldness that You have to speak the truth to whomever You put on my heart to do so. Put Your hedge of protection around me and keep the devil from exposing me to his lies. Should he send his evil spirits to try and tempt me, give me Your power through the Spirit to rebuke them. Let me be the witness You need me to prepare the way for Your return. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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