Principles of Bible Study - Assignment 2
Mike Spindler (michspi@regent.edu)
BINT 500 SU08 DE
Assignment 2 (Mark 1:14-45)
NASB
Part B
Question 2
Read 1:14‑45 many times, "observing" as you did when reading 1:1‑13. Seek to observe relations between clauses and between sentences. Be sure to include relationships between paragraphs and any significant relations with what has preceded in Mark. Record five to seven of your most significant observations; cover the entire portion of 1:14-45. (Remember to give references for your observations.)
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Relational (clause and sentence)dions
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1. Jesus declares a grounds-conclusion in the three clauses of 1:15. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
2. Mark is recording a comparison quote in the context of Jesus’ teaching in the first clause of 1:22 and the second clause, from those in the synagogue. Jesus taught “as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
3. Throughout this segment there is a continuity of actions from town to town as Jesus is teaching and performing personal miracles (1:21-28, 1:38-39.)
4. There is a completion from the first segment (1:1-13) into this second segment regarding John the Baptist’s ministry. It starts with 1:2 as John “the messenger” is proclaimed; it proceeds through his messenger tasks in 1:4-9; and then in to 1:14 when John is imprisoned and the beginning work Jesus that John proclaimed “After me One is coming that is mightier than I” (1:7.)
5. Mark 1:16-20 is a progression across this paragraph as Jesus recruits the first four disciples. Jesus is using a metaphor to communicate with the first two fishermen to make his case in context for them. “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
6. Jesus’ ability to perform the work He came to do (1:38b) was becoming burdened by the volume of people thronging him. This created a cause-effect relationship that Jesus and His disciples now had to remain in unpopulated areas (1:45.)
Question 3
In the Scripture text for this week, give each paragraph a brief title of about three words which are drawn from the paragraph and which will remind you of the paragraph contents.
Recommended: Holman Study Guide, "Principles of Biblical Interpretation," pp. 2-9
Traina, pp. 55-79 (esp. pp. 55-56, 59-62)
Para 1 (1:14-15): Jesus’ Begins Ministry
Para 2 (1:16-20): The First Disciples Recruited Along The Sea of Galilee
Para 3 (1:21-28): Jesus Teaches and Commands Unclean Spirit in Capernaum
Para 4 (1:29-31): Jesus Heals Simon’s Mother-in-Law in Galilee
Para 5 (1:32-34): Jesus Continues Healing into the Night
Para 6 (1:35-39): Jesus Ministers throughout Galilee Towns and Synagogues
Para 7 (1:40-45): A Leper Pleads for Healing
Question 4
According to the sequence of statements as they appear in the second paragraph, describe the structure of this paragraph from the standpoint of its parts. (How do phrases/clauses relate to each other? How do sentences relate? Note structural relations. Is there any pattern in how the fishermen were called? Into what two main parts may the paragraph be divided?) We shall call the larger division of a unit the "broad structure.
Second paragraph is vvs 1:16-20.
Sentence-1: As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.
Sentence-2: And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
Sentence-3: Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
Sentence-4: Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.
Sentence-5: Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.
1. The second paragraph details a prose narrative form in a progression. Jesus travels to the Sea of Galilee; chooses four followers; and they accept. (1:16-20)
2. There is a progression in Jesus’ declaration that “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at Hand, repent and believe in the gospel.” (1:15)
2. The first and fourth sentences follow each candidate encounter with an immediate and positive response to Jesus. I saw this as an allegory for immediate obedience whenever Jesus calls. (1:16,19)
3. The fishermen were called by Jesus using a metaphor from their trade. They knew how to fish for fish. He would teach them to fish for men. (1:17)
4. The manner is which Jesus called the followers in sentences two and five showed a relationship of continuity. Jesus summoned, they left their vocation; and immediately followed. (1:17, 20)
5. The first and fourth sentences provide a geographical relationship albeit perhaps short – the narrative takes place in two locations along the Sea of Galilee. (1:16,19)
6. There is a comparison relationship not only that both sets of followers were fishermen, but they were also brothers. (1:16, 19)
7. I noted an identification within both the first sentence and the fourth as Mark was explaining who these followers were that He chose to anchor their identities as “Simon and Andrew, brother of Simon”(1:16) and “James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother.” (1:19)
Question 5
Perhaps your observations led you to ask questions concerning one or more of the following in this segment: a. The meaning of a term (word/phrase)
b. Why an event happened
c. Why Mark records what he does
d. Anything else
Briefly record two or three such questions and clearly pair with the respective observation which appears in your paper, so that the connection is obvious.
I actually had many questions from my observations in the first segment with respect to word meanings, why Mark stated certain things, etc. I didn’t have that same driven experience with this second segment. But a few things did come to mind.
1. John the Baptist was given a unique ministry as a prophet obviously created by God for the distinct purpose of Jesus’ arrival. It was his ministry to fulfill alone and Jesus could not have arrived without him (I’ll assume for now.) It puts a new spin for me on predestination – which I would normally not consider. Observation #4: “There is a completion from the first segment into this second segment regarding John the Baptist’s ministry.”
2. Why these four? If I had the Lord’s mission I would have quickly picked a scribe, to clearly record all of my teachings, and a soon-to-be converted religious person that would clearly understand the old covenant theological ramifications. Maybe plan ahead like He did with John the Baptist. The obvious answer would seem to be that He knew their hearts and saw what He wanted. Or, He really just grabbed the first 4 fishermen He came across. After all, these followers often proved that they were just as prone to sin as anyone else and rarely had significant spiritual insight. Observation #5: “Mark 1:16-20 is a progression across this paragraph as Jesus recruits the first four disciples.”
Question 6
Identify a spiritual truth for your personal life which has impressed you in this study. (Briefly write out an application.)
1. These guys apparently didn’t know Jesus. I have no doubt that God had everything to do with their immediate acceptance, but the message to me is clear – when He calls, I follow. “Immediately He called them; and they left -“
2. I just finished reading “The One Thing You Cannot Do In Heaven” and Jesus didn’t say “I will give you wisdom if you follow me” or, “I will make you a leader if you follow me.” He said “- I will make you fishers of men.” (1:17) Evangelism is embedded in the call to follow Jesus, and part of our worship of/in God. Constant reminder - I am called, while on earth, to be a fisher of men. The work gets no more vital than that.