Gospel of Mark [the 2nd Gospel of Jesus Christ] – Mark’s Gospel opens by proclaiming, “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God” This opening statement immediately reveals who Jesus is, and tells readers the point of the entire book {Note: The Gospel of Mark is considered by Papias (AD 60-130) and Clement of Alexandrea (AD 150-215) to be the eyewitness events and relocations of the Apostle Peter as told to Mark [John Mark] who faithfully recorded Peter’s version of events in his Gospel of Mark.}

Mark's Gospel opens by proclaiming, "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God." This opening statement immediately reveals who Jesus is, and tells readers the point of the entire book. The first part of the Gospel deals with John the Baptist and his preparation for Jesus. John starts baptizing people and attracting disciples. Jesus goes to John to be baptized as well. When he baptizes Jesus, a voice from heaven is heard: "You are my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased." In hearing this, God the Father, first person of the Trinity reveals who Jesus is in this first episode. The episode then ends with the arrest of John the Baptist. John's arrest serves as a warning that there will be a struggle between good and evil. ... From this point forward, the Gospel of Mark contains what is commonly called "the messianic mystery." This is the idea that the messiah will have to suffer, die, and then be raised. This was confusing to many of Jesus' followers, because their concept of the messiah was someone who, like King David, would come as a military hero to conquer their enemies. Jesus came to conquer, but He conquers sin and death. During this episode, Jesus asks the apostles "Who do people say that I am?" They respond, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets" [MK 8:27-30]. Jesus then asks, "But who do you say that I am?" At first, none of them respond, but then Peter answers: "You are the Messiah." [MK 8:31-33] Peter answers correctly, but does not fully understand what he is saying. Later in the Bible, Jesus tells him that it was God the Father who told him to say this, and he received this knowledge through a divine revelation. Thus Peter is the second person in Mark's Gospel to reveal who Jesus is.  [Information link]

Overview of the Gospel of Mark

An overview of the gospel of Mark includes biographical information about the author. We know, for example, that Mark came from a wealthy family who very likely hosted meetings of early Jerusalem believers, including the Master's Passover Supper (Mark 14:12-16, Acts 1:13, 12:12). It's possible that the young Mark followed Jesus and the disciples from his house to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he escaped capture only by fleeing naked when temple soldiers snatched at the linen sheet he wrapped around himself (Mark 14:51). We also know that Barnabas, who first led, then accompanied Paul on the first missionary journey, was a nephew of Mark's mother and therefore Mark's cousin (Colossians 4:10). Both Paul and Barnabas esteemed Mark worthy enough to accompany them when they left Jerusalem for Antioch after the famine-visit (Acts 11:27-30, 12:25); and when they began their first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). [link]

The Gospel of Mark – Background Notes – Mark [by modern critics of Christianity] is generally considered the first gospel account of Jesus that was written – Matthew & Luke likely drew on the writing of Mark as those subsequent gospels were composed – The vast majority of commentators believe the gospel of Mark was written by John Mark, the student of Peter and traveling companion of Paul and Barnabas {Note: The Gospels are placed in the Bible in the order that they were written first Matthew (the Gospel was to go to the Jewish people first), then Mark writing for the Apostle Peter used Matthew’s Gospel as an example, then Luke used both Matthew and Mark (completing the three similar, synoptic Gospels), lastly John narrated his unique Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Church. Also Note: had the Gospels not been placed in the order that they were written (Matthew, mark, Luke and John) the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts would not be split up but the early Church decided that it was much more important to have the Gospels in the order that God gave them to the Church than to have The Gospel of Luke and Acts together in chronological order.}

John Mark: Converted to Christianity by Peter who calls him "his son" (1 Pet 5:14). Peter gave John Mark much attention in helping him grow in his faith - likely as a result of the prominence of his family in the faith community and his earnest desire to grow. Mark was at his mother's home when Peter arrived after his miraculous release from prison (Acts 12:12) - the only man identified by name from the "many people gathered there to pray". Papias (AD 60-130) and Clement of Alexandrea (AD 150-215) report that Mark was the close attendant and "interpreter" of Peter and wrote his gospel from the recollections and teachings of Peter. (Nelson, ISBE) Other tradition says Mark had been a priest (Barnabas, and the family, was a Levite) and after becoming a Christian he amputated a finger to disqualify himself for that service and gained the nickname kolobo-daktulos, "stumpy fingered". -- The Gospel according to Mark: The second book of the New Testament and the earliest of the four gospels, according to most New Testament scholars. The Gospel of Mark portrays the person of Jesus more by what He does than by what He says. It is characterized by a vivid, direct style that leaves the impression of familiarity with the original events. Although Mark is the shortest of the four gospels, it pays close attention to matters of human interest. Mark is fond of linking the episodes of Jesus' ministry together with catchwords (for example, "immediately," "then"), rather than editorial comment; and frequently he interrupts a longer story by inserting a smaller one within it (Mark 5:21-43; 6:6-30; 11:12-25; 14:1-11). [link]

Mark 1 – The Gospel of Mark starts with Peter’s Great Revelation “Jesus the Son of God” the Revelation of Peter is recorded in each of the four Gospels [Matthew 16:16, Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20, John 6:69] – ‘Mark 1:1 The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God’

Mark 1:14-18 Now after that John [the Baptist] was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, And saying, *The [Old Testament] time is fulfilled, and *the Kingdom of God is at hand: *repent ye, and believe the Gospel [Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God]. Now as He [Jesus] walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon [Peter] and *Andrew [originally a disciple of John the Baptist - John 1:40] his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him [Jesus]. And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James [martyred by Herod, Acts 12:2] the son of Zebedee, and John [the beloved Disciple, originally a disciple of John the Baptist - John 1:37] his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway He [Jesus] called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after Him. - Note: The Gospel of Mark is the eyewitness account and personal experiences of the Apostle Peter and therefore the Gospel of Mark begins with Jesus as an adult just as Jesus begins His ministry when Peter first encountered Jesus.

Mark 2 – In these few events Peter continues to give close intimate first person details of his time spent with Jesus – Peter talks’ about Jesus being in his house, his being with Jesus when He called Matthew into Discipleship and of Jesus being in Matthew’s house along with Peter and many other disciples — ‘Mark 2:1 And again He [Jesus] entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that He was in *the house [Peter’s house].’

Mark 2:14 And as He [Jesus] passed by, He saw Levi [Matthew] the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom [tax station], and said unto him, Follow Me. And he arose and followed Him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house [Matthew's house], many publicans [tax collectors] and sinners sat also together with Jesus *and His disciples [including Peter]: for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the Scribes and Pharisees saw Him [Jesus] eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, He saith unto them, They that are whole [lit. healthy] have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous [redeemed Jews], but sinners to repentance. - Note: Jesus focused His ministry prior to His cross and His resurrection on the gathering of the lost sheep of the House of Israel. After His cross and resurrection Jesus is calling everyone into a personal relationship with Himself.

Mark 3 – Peter and the Disciples on several occasions accompany Jesus into some of the Synagogues in Israel — ‘Mark 3:1-2 And He [Jesus] entered again into the Synagogue [in Capernaum]; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they [Pharisees] watched Him, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse Him.’

Mark 3:6-8 6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians [Jewish supporters of King Herod] against Him, how they might destroy Him. But Jesus withdrew Himself with His disciples to the sea [Galilee]: and a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judaea, And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things He [Jesus] did, came unto Him. - Peter is recalling both the concerted opposition that Jesus faced and the broad based and very vast following that Jesus acquired during His brief public ministry.

Capernaum – The house of St. Peter – The basalt Synagogue [at Capernaum] which is referred to in the four Gospels (Photos)

Overview: Aside from various references to Capernaum in the Gospels, the earliest literary attestation of Capernaum is from Josephus, who refers to the village in connection with a fertile spring. The Jewish historian reports he spent a night there with a fever during the second year of the Jewish War. For centuries, Capernaum has traditionally been identified as a site located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, about three miles west of the upper Jordan River. In 1838, Edward Robinson correctly identified there the remains of a synagogue that was partly excavated by Charles Wilson between 1865 and 1866. More extensive excavations took place in the early twentieth century, first by Heinrich Kohl and Carl Watzinger (1905) and then by Wendelin von Menden (1906-1915). In 1921, the synagogue was partially restored by Gaudenzio Orfali. In more recent times, Virgilio Corbo and Stanislao Loffreda conducted nineteen seasons at Capernaum between 1968 and 1986, excavating not only the synagogue, but also a nearby church that had long been associated with the house of St. Peter. Most recent excavations have revealed two synagogues, a white limestone synagogue dating from the fourth to fifth centuries CE [A.D.], and a black basalt synagogue dating from the first half of the first century CE [A.D.]. Only foundation walls, gray marble column fragments and a cobblestone floor remain from the earlier structure, which measured 24.5 by 18.7 meters on the exterior and possessed walls over a meter thick. ... This structure was built on top of an earlier synagogue [the Gospels synagogue] that was founded in the first century CE [A.D.] and constructed out of basalt. Only the foundation walls and cobblestone floor remain [exhibit B and C in the B&W photo] from this earlier [synagogue] building [the synagogue at Capernaum mentioned in the four Gospels]. Column drums made out of gray marble have also been discovered in a lower stratum of fill material. It is thus the basalt synagogue which is referred to in the four Gospels.  [link]

Mark 4 – Peter was present at most of the teachings of Jesus Crist and experienced firsthand the many crowds that gathered to hear Jesus teach — ‘Mark 4:1-2 And He [Jesus] began again to teach by the [Galilee] sea side: and there was gathered unto Him a great multitude, so that He entered into a ship [fishing boat], and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the [shore] land. And He [Jesus] taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in His doctrine …’

Mark 4:9-12 And He [Jesus] said unto them [crowd of people], He that hath [Spiritual] ears to hear, let him hear. And when He [Jesus] was alone, they that were about Him with the Twelve [Apostles] asked of Him [about] the parable [regarding hearing]. And He said unto them, Unto you [through the Holy Spirit] it is given to know **the Mystery of the Kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, *and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; *lest at any time they should be {prematurely} converted, and their sins should be forgiven them {and then they fall away making it more difficult or even unable to be restored}. - Apparently what Jesus is talking about here is that Parables are given in order to help alleviate shallow, misguided and false conversions to Christianity. - Note: An easy, cheap (modern) Gospel is often a throwaway Gospel that people hear and then having easily accepted a simplistic message [lacking in conviction of sin and of the need for the cross and resurrection of Jesus] and usually having accepting it for wrong and selfish reasons can then later easily reject the Christian message not having had a definite eternal, divine [heavenly] basis for their relationship with God. - Also Note: The Gospel is also not manufactured of hardship, rules and regulations either but the Gospel is a living, accurate, truthful, Spiritual relationship with the living, loving, Holy creator of the universe, Father God [Jesus and the Holy Spirit] the eternal God of all existence.

LivingWaters.com: True and False Conversion – Hell’s Best Kept Secret (Online Audio)

True and False Conversion: While the other teachings in this series have special emphasis in particular areas, this teaching is foundational, and goes hand in hand with Tape A. It is very important that you understand it, as it will have great bearing on how you spend your time, and how you share the principles of God's Word. If you have ever wondered why so much of the Church looks and acts just like the world, you will love this teaching. ... Hell's Best Kept Secret: Why do 80-90% of those making a [modern] decision for Christ fall away from the faith? What is the principle that Spurgeon, Wesley, Whitefield, etc., used to reach the lost? Why has the Church neglected it? Don't let anything stop you from listening to this incredible teaching.  [link]

Mark 5 – The Disciple and Apostle Peter is going to witness (Mark 5:2), experience (Luke 22:31) and discern (Acts 8:20) the spiritual realm on a level that few others have ever participated in – Jesus heals a man severely possessed by a multitude of demons — ‘Mark 5:18-20 And when He [Jesus] was come into the ship [fishing boat], he that had been possessed with the devil prayed [asked] Him [Jesus] that he might [travel] be with Him. Howbeit [however] Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, **Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis [the 10 Greek cities in Israel] how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. – Note: Jesus healed the man and did not take him away like some cult but instead restored the healed man to his family and his community and there within his own community did he begin to share with others the glorious compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ.’

Mark 5:1-17 And they [Jesus and His Disciples] came over unto the other side of the Sea [of Galilee], into the country of the Gadarenes [Southern Galilee area]. And when He was come out of the ship [fishing boat], immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs [in the graveyard]; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces [by his demonic rage and strength]: neither could any man tame [comfort] him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting [harming] himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus [and safety] afar off, **he ran and worshipped Him [Jesus], And cried with a loud [demonic possessed] voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I [the demonic spirit speaking through the homeless man] adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For He [Jesus] said unto him [unclean spirit], Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And He [Jesus] asked him [unclean spirit], What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion [a large well-armed group]: for we are many. And he [unclean spirit] besought Him much that He would not send them [legion] away out of the country [the country (area) of the Gadarenes - apparently a demonic stronghold]. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. **And forthwith Jesus gave them leave [permission]. And the unclean spirits went out [of the man], and entered into the swine [pigs]: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, they were about two thousand [pigs]; and were choked [drowned] in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see [the pig carcasses] what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that *was possessed with the devil, *and had the legion, {now healed and} sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid [it was too much for them]. And they [those feeding the pigs] that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray [ask] Him [Jesus] to depart out of their [region] coasts. - The main work of Jesus is in the spiritual realm and He is presiding over both the clean (holy) spirit realm and also ultimately presiding over the disobedient unclean (unholy) demonic realm. The discovery of the spirit realm and the realization of the authority and work of Jesus in and over the spirit realm (1 Corinthians 15:24) is usually initially very overwhelming to most [if not all] people but the spirit realm [both the holy and unholy] is actually so pervasive that generally it cannot be ignored but must be dealt with by humans and hopefully dealt with in the correct context that Jesus Christ is the sole authority of the entire spiritual and physical spectrum encompassing both the physical and the spiritual realms.

3 Striking Prayers In The Bible – There are three striking prayers found in the Bible which deserve our individual and undivided attention

There are three striking prayers found in the Bible which deserve our individual and undivided attention. Believe it or not - the first one was prayed by [legion] a group of three thousand demons. The second was prayed by a multitude of people [locals of Gadarenes]. And the third was prayed by a [homeless] man who was just set free from demonic power. ... In summary, the demons in the first example were wanting to get away from Jesus. The multitudes in the second example wanted Jesus to get away from them. And now, in this third example, we find the delivered man earnestly desiring to follow Jesus wherever He went. [link]

Mark 6 – The people in the area ‘country’ of the Gadarenes had overcome their initial shock and had come to grips with their shocking spiritual realm encounter regarding Jesus and had begun to spread the word of the Good News of having a [spiritual, mind (soul) and possibly body] healing encounter with Jesus Christ — ‘Mark 6:53 And [later] when they had passed over [the Sea of Galilee], they came into the land of Gennesaret [Northern Galilee], and drew to the shore.’

Mark 6:53 And when they had passed over [the Sea of Galilee], they came into the land of Gennesaret [Northern shore of Galilee], and drew to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they [people already] knew Him [from the previous healing of the demon possessed man in Gadarene - Southern Galilee], And [the people] ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard He [Jesus] was. And whithersoever He entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that they might touch if it were but the border of His garment: and as many as touched [made contact with] Him were made whole [lit. safe from illness - Sozo, G4982]. - The healing that is being discussed in this part of the Bible is "sozo" and means to be made safe by being removed from danger. For instance in a physical sense Jesus would be the barrier between a person and a disease such as malaria and with Jesus the person is 'sozo' safe from malaria. Later 'soszo' is carried out into 'Salvation' with Jesus being the barrier between us and sin and in the same way one would be healed physically from a disease like leprosy or malaria the blood of Jesus has healed and saved us from the eternal dangers of the disease of sin. - Also: Note healings can be physical, spiritual and emotional and will encompass a duration of time especially physical healings in that all the people that Jesus raised from the dead did eventually physically die again, the point being that 'sozo' is a continuing and ongoing work of salvation, healing and safety in the life of each individual in a 'contact' relationship with Jesus Christ. Salvation 'sozo' healing by God is not just a onetime, anonymous drive bye event but it is a continual [and spiritually eternal] part of the moment by moment relationship with God in Jesus Christ.

Mark 7 – Jesus and His Disciples are now back in Capernaum at Peter’s house — ‘Mark 7:9-13 And He [Jesus] said unto them [Jewish religious leaders], Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. … Making the word of God of none [safety – Sozo] effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered [prescribed]: and many such like [ritualistic] things do ye.’

Mark 7:14-23 And when He [Jesus] had called all the people unto Him, He said unto them, Hearken [listen] unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing [in food] from without a man, that entering into him can defile him [separate him from God]: but the things [thoughts, imaginations and actions] which come out of him [soul and spirit], those are they that defile the man [separate him from God]. If any man have [spiritual] ears to hear, let him hear. And when He was entered into the house [back in Capernaum at Peter's house] from the people, His Disciples asked Him concerning the parable. And He saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever [food] thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; **Because it entereth not into his heart [soul and spirit], but into the belly [stomach], and goeth out into the draught [dung], purging all meats? And He [Jesus] said, ***That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man [separate him from God]. For from within, ***out of the heart [mind, soul, spirit] of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye (looking to cause evil), blasphemy, *pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man [separating him from God]. - Spiritual, emotional and at times even physical healing and wellbeing are interconnected and related to one another. In order to be healed spiritually [Sozo] we have to cooperate emotionally and physically with God. - Note: Salvation, healing, Christian conduct and Christian maturity (Living Temple - Royal Priesthood) drawing close to God is going to be a major theme in the two Epistles of Peter.

Mark 8 – Peter makes the eternal declaration that Jesus is the Christ the redeemer-savior of all mankind — ‘Mark 8:29 And He [Jesus] saith unto them [His Disciples], But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto Him, Thou art the Christ [Messiah].’

Mark 8:27-38 And Jesus went out, and His disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way He asked His disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto Him, Thou art the Christ. And He [Jesus] charged them that they should tell no man of him [until after the fulness of His cross and resurrection]. **And He began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, *and after three days rise again. And He spake that saying openly. And Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned about and looked on His disciples, He [Jesus] rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. 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 [enter in], and follow Me. **For whosoever will save his [own] life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it. **For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? **Or what shall a man give in exchange for his [eternal] soul? ***Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh [2nd Coming] in the Glory of His Father with the Holy Angels. - Note: We are like Peter and the other Disciples are given the opportunity to confess the eternal Truth that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and once we have entered into that eternal Truth and made that confession we are then to remain in it unwavering.

Mark 9 – The Disciples Peter, John and his brother James are going to witness firsthand the resurrection, eternal life from death [Moses and Elijah] and the transfiguration powers [transforming the temporary physical realm into the eternal spiritual realm] of God in Jesus Christ — ‘Mark 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the [eternal] Kingdom of God come with [transfiguration] power.’

Mark 9:2 And after six [a temporary - incomplete Transfiguration] days Jesus taketh with Him Peter, and James [John's brother], and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart [outside of Israel] by themselves: and He [Jesus] was Transfigured [changed into His Spirit body] before them. And His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller [detergent] on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias (Elijah) with Moses [because of his sin Moses was not allowed to enter the Promise Land (before the cross of Jesus) so Jesus and the three Disciples went outside Israel (the promise land) for Jesus to meet with Moses and Elijah]: and they were talking with Jesus. And **Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, ***it is good for us to be here [according to Peter's epistles this was the crowning achievement moment of his life to be at the Mount of Transfiguration and to witness the events]: and let us make three tabernacles [grottos]; one for thee [Jesus], and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist [knew] not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud [of witness] that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear [listen to] Him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more [Moses and Elijah had returned back down to Paradise - Abraham bosom], save Jesus only with themselves. And as they came down from the Mountain, He [Jesus] charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of Man were risen [resurrection] from the dead. - Jesus instructed the Disciples not to tell the Gospel until they had the fullness of the Gospel in His cross and Resurrection. A Gospel that does not address both redemption from sin (the cross) and a reunited eternal life with God in Haven (the resurrection)is an incomplete Gospel message.

Mark 10 – Jesus and His Disciples begin to make their way to Jerusalem for the events that would become known as Holy Week — ‘Mark 10:32 And they [Jesus and His Disciples] were in the way going up to Jerusalem [the events of Holy Week were about to begin]; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they [Disciples] were afraid. And He took again the Twelve [Apostles], and began to tell them what things should happen unto Him …’

Mark 10:33-34 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man [Jesus] shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles: And they [also will reject Jesus and] shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill him: and the third day He [Jesus] shall rise [resurrection] again. - Note: For a time all of the disciples and Apostles of Jesus will flee from Jesus and all will reject Jesus including all the Jews and all the Gentiles alike. Forsaken, rejected and alone; all by Himself Jesus will go on trial, to the cross and to the grave but then to conquer in His Glorious eternal life Resurrection a life that Jesus since before the creation of time He has offered freely to all mankind.

Mark 11 – The Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem where Jesus presents Himself as the King the promised Messiah (Christ) to all mankind both to the Jews and then to the Gentiles — ‘Mark 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem [on Saturday the Sabbath Feast day], and into the Temple: and when He had looked round about upon all things, and now the *eventide [lit. close of a feast day – Opsios, G3798 (a feminine noun instead of the regular masculine noun)] was come, He [Jesus] went out [back] unto Bethany with the Twelve [Apostles].’ – Note: This unique day also corresponds with the Triumphal Entry of the Ark of the Covent’s arrival into Jerusalem “2 Samuel 6:15 So [King] David and all the House of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD [into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day] with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.” – The prayer of King David upon bringing the Ark and the presence of God into Jerusalem – 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 [v.24 24 Declare His Glory among the heathen [Gentiles]; His marvellous works among all Nations. – v.30 Fear before Him, all the earth: the world [realm of God] also shall be stable, that it be not moved. – V.31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the Nations, The LORD reigneth (as King).]

Mark 11:1-10 And when they [Jesus and His Disciples] came nigh [near] to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He [Jesus] sendeth forth two of His disciples, And saith unto them, Go your way into the village [Bethany] over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt [a young donkey] tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that *the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go [apparently the colt was a firstborn animal and the owner did not redeem (Numbers 18:15) it from God therefore the young donkey did belong to God and not the person and everyone realizing the colt was unredeemed gave the colt to the two disciples to give to Jesus the true Lord (owner) of the colt]. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on Him; and He sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down [palm] branches off the trees, and strawed [covered the street with branches] them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, ***saying, Hosanna; Blessed is He [Jesus] that cometh in the Name of the Lord [owner of the universe]: Blessed be ***the Kingdom of our father [King] David, that cometh in the Name of the Lord: Hosanna [rejoice, praise] in [God] the Highest. - "Psalms 74:12 For God is my King of old, working Salvation in the midst of the earth."

“Jesus Walk” the 10 Day Annual Easter Timeline Devotion – An Ancient Holy Week Timeline, Bible Study, Devotional & Personal Journal for Easter Week

As disciples of Jesus, let's go back with Jesus and the original disciples to revisit and re-live the last week that Jesus spent on earth. This week is also referred to as "Holy Week." The 10 days will be Friday through the next Sunday. To examine the last week we will have to piece together many items and statements from throughout the Bible. As we go back to the original Holy Week, we will travel like students and detectives, searching the scriptures for events and clues that took place nearly 2,000 years ago. We will in actuality be students and detectives of Jesus, searching out Who He is and what His ministry came to accomplish here on earth. [link]

Mark 12 – Summary: The events of Holy Week as the Apostle Peter participated in them – The day after the [Saturday] Triumphal entry on the {Saturday Sabbath Feast Day} — [Sunday: “Mark 11:12 And on the morrow (the day after Saturday)” Jesus cursed the fig tree (on Sunday) on His way into Jerusalem to cleanse the Temple by removing the money changers and reinstituting the Temple as a place of prayer and worship to God and then teaches the people “His doctrine” (Mark 11:18).] — [Monday: “Mark 11:20 And in the morning (next day), as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.” “Mark 11:27 And they come again (still on Monday) to Jerusalem” Jesus again enters the now cleansed Temple and continues to teach to the people. Jesus’ authority is questioned on this second day of teaching by the religious leaders and Jesus then begins to teach in Parables in the Temple and later that day Jesus [God] departs the Temple for the last time. Jesus then gives His mount Olivet Discourse (End Time) teaching.] — [Tuesday: Judas meets with the religious and political leaders in order to betray Jesus.] — [Wednesday: Passover {The Lord’s Passover Feast Day}, Communion, the New Testament begins to be instituted in the body-blood, cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.’] — [Thursday: {The start of the Feast of Unleavened Bread} (the new Jewish day began at sundown) Arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, trials (six trials; three Jewish and three Gentile) and rejection of Jesus by both the Jews and the Gentiles. The cross, death and burial of Jesus.] — [Friday: A normal day (non-Feast Day). The tomb is sealed by the Romans at the request of the Jewish leadership, the female disciples of Jesus purchase and prepare more oil and spices to further anoint the body of Jesus but are unable to further anoint the body because the tomb is now closed and sealed.] — [Saturday: Again the weekly Sabbath Feast Day. The third day and third night of death is fulfilled.] — [Sunday: At the Sunrise of the new day on the {Feast of Firstfruits} Jesus resurrects from the dead displaying to His followers His eternal resurrection life, His authority of life over death as He begins to reveal His eternal Kingdom Glory to mankind.]

[Monday] Mark 12:1 And He [Jesus] began [the second and final day of Holy Week Temple Teachings] to speak unto them [in the Temple] by parables. ... Mark 12:18-27 Then come unto Him the Sadducees [Jewish religious and political leaders], which say there is no resurrection; and they asked Him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven {complete} brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. **And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err (error), ***because ye know not the scriptures, ***neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels [no sexual activity] which are in heaven. **And as touching the dead, that they rise [eternal life resurrection]: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the [burning] bush God spake unto him, ***saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? ***He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living [Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are still completely alive and living in the eternal realm]: ye therefore do greatly err. - Note: Before His own death and resurrection Jesus clears up any doubts about human sexual conduct in heaven [there isn't any] and about the fact that the human spirit and soul is eternal and does participate in God's eternal life resurrection plan for mankind.

Mark 13 – [Monday] The 2nd and final day of Temple Teaching ends abruptly and later that day the [End Time] Mount Olivet Discourse is given by Jesus with only the Apostles Peter, James, John and Andrew in attendance — “Mark 13:1-4 And [Monday] as He [Jesus] went out of the Temple, … And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives over against [overlooking] the Temple, *Peter and James [John’s brother] and John [John omitted (as unnecessary) the Mount Olivet (end time) teaching from his Gospel to the Christian Church] and Andrew [Peter’s brother] asked Him [Jesus] privately, Tell us, when shall these [Kingdom of Christ] things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?’ – Note: Peter, James and John were the only three Apostles present at the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus.

Mark 13:28-37 Now learn a Parable of the Fig Tree [3rd Temple in Jerusalem]; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things [preparation to rebuild the 3rd Jewish Temple in Jerusalem] come to pass, know that it [the Kingdom of God] is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that *this generation [the End Time 1967 Jewish return to Jerusalem generation] shall not pass, till all these [End Time - Book of Revelation] things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour [the establishing of the Kingdom of God - Jesus' Throne on earth] knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son [Jesus - the Kingdom is being given to Jesus as a gift from the Father, therefore Jesus did not yet know the fullness and timing of His gift], but the Father [knows]. *Take ye heed, *watch [for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ] and *pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man [Jesus] is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. **Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even [evening], or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing [dawn], or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping [unconscious]. And what I say unto you **I say unto all, Watch [observe and look for the Kingdom of God]. - Note: The fig tree is a parable about man's own religious coverings [i.e. the 3rd Temple - the eventual temple of the Antichrist] as the original fig tree (Genesis 3:7) was a manmade attempt to cover mankind's sins with a false religion.

Mark 14 – [Tuesday] The Holy Week events begin to focus on the Passover Feast and Jesus’ institution of the New Testament — ‘Mark 14:1-2 [on Tuesday] After two days [counting Tuesday and starting Wednesday (i.e. John 20:26 And after eight days (7 Roman days) counting the current day Resurrection Sunday until the next Sunday)] was the feast of the [Lord’s] Passover, and [the next day the start] of Unleavened Bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him [Jesus] by craft [deceit], and put Him to death. But they said [conspired], *Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. – Note: The plans of Satan as enacted by the religious leaders of the day was not to fulfill the Feast Days given by God to Moses however that is exactly what did happen.’

Mark 14:12-17 And [Wednesday] the first day of [the eight days of] Unleavened Bread [1 day of Lord's Passover + 7 days of Unleavened Bread], when they killed the Passover [Lamb][the Lord's Passover], His disciples said unto Him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the [Lord's] Passover? And He sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him {by Church tradition this person is thought to be Mark the writer of the Gospel}. And wheresoever he [Mark] shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master [Jesus] saith, Where is the guestchamber [guestroom], where I shall eat the Passover with My Disciples? And he will shew you a large **upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. And His disciples went forth, and came into the city [Jerusalem], and found as He had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover. And in the evening He [Jesus] cometh with the Twelve [Apostles]. - Note: Generally it is thought that Jesus and the Apostles ate the Passover at Mark's parents' house and then that Mark followed Jesus and the Apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane where he recorded (Mark 14:51) his being discovered by others and having to flee from the area.

Mark 15 – [Thursday] The arrest, trials, crucifixion and burial of Jesus — ‘Mark 15:1-2 And straightway in the morning [Thursday] the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole [Sanhedrin] council, and bound Jesus, and carried Him away, and delivered Him to [Pontius] Pilate. And Pilate asked Him [Jesus], Art thou the King of the Jews? And He [Jesus] answering said unto him, Thou sayest it [correct, Yes].’

Mark 15:37-47 And Jesus [on the cross] cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost [died]. And the veil of the Temple was rent [torn] in twain [half] from the top to the bottom. And when the [Roman] Centurion, which stood over against Him, saw that He so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, **Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Who also, when He was in Galilee, followed Him, and ministered unto Him; and many other women which came up with Him unto Jerusalem. And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day [of Unleavened Bread just] before the Sabbath {the Feast Sabbath (rest) not the saturday Sabbath}, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the Kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if He were already dead: and calling unto him the Centurion, he asked him whether He had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the Centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen, and laid Him in a sepulcher [tomb] which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld [observed] where He was laid.

THE CRUCIFIXION SITE AND TOMB OF CHRIST – Close-up photo at left is of an iron shaft driven into [the outside of] the rock Tomb (Photos)

This is the burial place of Christ and you will notice the foot area at right that was enlarged [chiseled out] to accommodate Christ's feet, as he must have been taller than Joseph of Arimathea who had the tomb constructed for himself and was apparently 5' 8" tall. The cutting of the stone was hastily completed in order to accomplish the task of burial before the Sabbath hours, Friday at sunset. Mark 16:5 says Mary saw a young man or angel sitting on right side of tomb the first day of the week. He may have been in the right hand portion of this photo. ... "Make it as secure as you know how. So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard." Matt. 27:65,66 Close-up photo at left is of an iron shaft driven into the rock. Photo at right above would have the iron rod at far left in the photo. This would have prevented the stone from being rolled backward. The distance from the iron shaft to the stopping point at right is 13 ft. 2inches, per our measurements. "And they made His grave with the wicked-- but with the rich at His death" Isaiah 53:9. This text describes the other tombs to the left of this one where wealthy and wicked men were buried.  [link]

The Real Calvary and the Real Holy Sepulcher [Tomb] – How did the Roman soldiers prevent the Stone from rolling back? Apparently by a spike at the edge of the Stone to the wall – We can see a broken iron spike embedded in the wall 71 inches above the ground, several feet to the left of the door (Photo)

The Great Seal Stone was rolled in and placed in the trough outside the entrance wall. It was big enough to cover the fairly large door. How did the Roman soldiers prevent the Stone from rolling back? Apparently by a spike at the edge of the Stone to the wall. We can see a broken iron spike embedded in the wall 71 inches above the ground, several feet to the left of the door; there is a stop carved into the face of the rock on the right side of the door. Obviously the spike was broken when the angel rolled the Stone on Resurrection morning. The separation of the spike from the stop is over 13 feet, which may be considered the diameter of the Stone. Recently elemental analysis has been carried out on fragments of the spike, and the metals found were iron and lead. The Roman practice was pouring molten lead into the hole before inserting the iron nail. Dating the metals is not possible with radiometric dating techniques. For more information visit www.wyattmuseum.com and www.anchorstone.com These details give much support to our belief that the Garden Tomb is the real Tomb of Jesus. [link]

Mark 16 – The Sunday Sunrise, Eternal Life Resurrection of Jesus Christ!! — ‘Mark 16:1-2 And when the [Saturday] Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought [on Friday] sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week [Sunday], they came unto the sepulchre [tomb] at [sunrise] the rising of the sun.’

Mark 16:15-20 And He [the resurrected Jesus] said unto them [Apostles and Disciples], Go ye into all the world, and Preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized [identifies with Jesus] shall be Saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, [40 days later - The Ascension] He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and Preached everywhere, ***the Lord [continually] working with them, and confirming the [Gospel] Word with signs following. Amen. - The Gospel of Peter recorded by Mark is concluded.