Mark
Jesus' ministry began with his baptism by John the Baptist and his temptation in the wilderness. He then preached the gospel of the kingdom of God, calling his first disciples and performing various miracles, including healing a paralytic man, a man with a withered hand, and a blind man. Jesus also taught using parables, such as the parable of the sower, and explained that true defilement comes from within, not from external actions. He fed large crowds of people with minimal food, walked on water, and healed many others, including a Syrophenician woman's daughter and a deaf and mute man. Jesus predicted his own death and resurrection, and taught his disciples about the importance of humility and service. He was eventually betrayed by Judas, arrested, and crucified, but after his death, he was buried and then rose from the dead on the third day, appearing to his disciples and commissioning them to preach the gospel to all creatures.
Chapter 1
The gospel of Jesus Christ begins with the prophecy of a messenger preparing the way for the Lord, fulfilled by John the Baptist, who preaches repentance and baptizes in the wilderness. Jesus comes to John to be baptized, and after his baptism, the Spirit drives him into the wilderness for 40 days of temptation. Jesus then begins his ministry in Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and calling his first disciples, including Simon, Andrew, James, and John. He teaches with authority in the synagogue, casts out an unclean spirit, and heals many, including Simon's mother-in-law and a leper, before continuing his ministry in other towns.
Chapter 2
Jesus healed a paralytic man, forgiving his sins and then commanding him to rise and walk, demonstrating his power to forgive sins. Jesus then called Levi, a tax collector, to follow him and was criticized by the scribes and Pharisees for eating with publicans and sinners, to which Jesus replied that he came to call sinners to repentance. Jesus also explained that his disciples did not fast because he was with them, but they would fast when he was taken away. He used the parables of new cloth on an old garment and new wine in old bottles to illustrate that his teachings were new and could not be contained in old traditions. Jesus then defended his disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath, citing David's example and stating that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Chapter 3
Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, which led to the Pharisees and Herodians plotting against him. Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, where a large crowd followed him, and he healed many people and cast out unclean spirits. He then chose twelve apostles, including Peter, James, and John, to preach and heal in his name. The scribes from Jerusalem accused Jesus of casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub, but Jesus refuted this by explaining that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Jesus also stated that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is unforgivable. When his family came to see him, Jesus declared that those who do the will of God are his true family.
Chapter 4
Jesus teaches a large crowd by the sea using parables, including the parable of the sower, which illustrates how people respond to God's word. He explains the parable to his disciples, saying that some people's hearts are hardened, some are shallow, some are distracted by worldly cares, and some are receptive and fruitful. Jesus also teaches that a candle should be used to illuminate, not hidden, and that those who have understanding will receive more. He uses more parables to describe the kingdom of God, including one about a mustard seed that grows into a large plant. Later, Jesus calms a storm on the sea, rebuking the wind and waves, and his disciples are amazed by his authority.
Chapter 5
Jesus and his disciples arrived in the country of the Gadarenes, where they encountered a man possessed by a legion of unclean spirits. Jesus cast the spirits out of the man and into a nearby herd of swine, which then ran into the sea and drowned. The man, now in his right mind, asked to follow Jesus but was instead told to share his story with others. He obeyed and spread the news of Jesus' miracle in Decapolis. Jesus then healed a woman who had been suffering from a 12-year bleeding disorder by touching his garment, and later raised the 12-year-old daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, from the dead.
Chapter 6
Jesus returned to his hometown and taught in the synagogue, but the people were offended by him, questioning his authority and wisdom. Jesus performed a few healings but was unable to do more due to their unbelief. He then sent out the twelve apostles in pairs to preach and heal, giving them instructions on what to take and how to behave. Meanwhile, King Herod heard about Jesus and believed he was John the Baptist risen from the dead, as he had previously beheaded John for speaking out against his marriage to his brother's wife. Herod eventually had John beheaded after his stepdaughter requested it as a reward for dancing at his birthday celebration. Jesus later fed a crowd of 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish, and then walked on water to join his disciples in a boat, calming their fears and amazement.
Chapter 7
The Pharisees and scribes criticized Jesus' disciples for not washing their hands before eating, citing tradition. Jesus responded by saying that true defilement comes from within, not from external actions, and that the Pharisees were prioritizing human tradition over God's commandments. He then healed a Syrophenician woman's daughter who was possessed by an unclean spirit, and later healed a deaf and mute man by touching his ears and tongue and commanding him to be opened.
Chapter 8
Jesus feeds a crowd of 4,000 people with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, then boards a ship with his disciples. He warns them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, but they misunderstand, thinking he is talking about literal bread. Jesus heals a blind man in Bethsaida, and then asks his disciples who people say he is, with Peter answering that he is the Christ. Jesus teaches his disciples that he must suffer and die, but Peter rebukes him, prompting Jesus to rebuke Peter in turn. Jesus then teaches the crowd that following him requires denying oneself and taking up one's cross, and that saving one's life will ultimately lead to losing it.
Chapter 9
Jesus tells his disciples that some of them will see the kingdom of God come with power before they die. He then takes Peter, James, and John to a mountain where he is transfigured before them, and they see Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus. A voice from a cloud says, "This is my beloved Son: hear him." After coming down from the mountain, Jesus heals a boy with a dumb spirit that his disciples could not cast out, and he tells them that this kind of spirit can only be cast out by prayer and fasting. Jesus then teaches his disciples that he will be killed and rise on the third day, but they do not understand. He also teaches them about humility and service, saying that whoever wants to be first must be last and a servant of all.
Chapter 10
Jesus teaches that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, and that divorce is not in line with God's original plan. He also emphasizes the importance of humility and faith, as seen in his interaction with a rich young man who is unwilling to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. Jesus then predicts his own death and resurrection, and teaches his disciples about the importance of humility and service, using himself as an example. He heals a blind man named Bartimaeus, who cries out for mercy and is restored to sight through his faith.
Chapter 11
Jesus sent two disciples to retrieve a colt, which they brought to him, and he rode it into Jerusalem, where people spread garments and branches in his path and hailed him as the son of David. Jesus then entered the temple, looked around, and left for Bethany, returning the next day to find a fig tree with no fruit, which he cursed, causing it to wither away. He then drove out moneychangers and merchants from the temple, teaching that it should be a house of prayer, and later told his disciples that faith and forgiveness are necessary for prayer to be effective. When questioned by the chief priests, scribes, and elders about his authority, Jesus asked them about the origin of John's baptism, and when they refused to answer, he declined to tell them about his own authority.
Chapter 12
Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner whose servants are mistreated by the tenants, and the owner's son is killed, illustrating God's relationship with Israel and the consequences of rejecting Him. Jesus then answers questions from the Pharisees and Herodians about paying taxes to Caesar, and from the Sadducees about the resurrection, explaining that in the afterlife people will not marry. A scribe asks Jesus about the greatest commandment, and Jesus responds that it is to love God with all one's heart and to love one's neighbor as oneself. Jesus also teaches about the scribes' hypocrisy and warns against their actions, and He praises a poor widow who gives all she has to the treasury, saying she has given more than the rich who gave out of their abundance.
Chapter 13
Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, warning his disciples of false prophets and messiahs who will deceive many. He foretells of wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecution of his followers, but assures them that the gospel will be preached to all nations. Jesus warns of a time of great tribulation, during which the faithful will be hated and persecuted, but those who endure will be saved. He instructs his followers to watch for signs of his return, including the abomination of desolation, and to be prepared for his sudden arrival.
Chapter 14
The chief priests and scribes sought to capture Jesus by deceit, but they decided to wait until after the Passover to avoid an uproar. Meanwhile, a woman anointed Jesus with expensive ointment, which he defended as a good deed, and Judas Iscariot agreed to betray Jesus for money. Jesus and his disciples prepared for the Passover, and during the meal, Jesus predicted that one of them would betray him. He then instituted the Lord's Supper, giving them bread and wine as symbols of his body and blood. Jesus predicted that his disciples would be scattered and that Peter would deny him three times. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed and was arrested by a crowd led by Judas, who identified Jesus with a kiss. Jesus was taken to the high priest, where he was questioned and condemned to death for blasphemy. Peter denied Jesus three times, as predicted, and wept when he remembered Jesus' words.
Chapter 15
Jesus was delivered to Pilate, who questioned him about being the King of the Jews, but Jesus remained silent despite the chief priests' accusations. Pilate released Barabbas, a murderer, and had Jesus scourged and delivered to be crucified. The soldiers mocked Jesus, dressing him in purple and a crown of thorns, before leading him to Golgotha where he was crucified between two thieves. As he hung on the cross, people mocked and reviled him, but after his death, the veil of the temple was torn, and a centurion declared Jesus to be the Son of God. Joseph of Arimathaea obtained Jesus' body from Pilate and buried him in a rock-hewn sepulchre.
Chapter 16
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to Jesus' tomb to anoint his body, but found the stone rolled away and a young man inside who told them Jesus had risen. The women were instructed to tell the disciples that Jesus would meet them in Galilee, but they fled in fear and initially told no one. Jesus then appeared to Mary Magdalene, two other disciples, and eventually the eleven apostles, who were rebuked for their unbelief. Jesus commissioned the apostles to preach the gospel to all creatures, promising salvation to those who believe and are baptized, and that believers would perform miraculous signs in his name.
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