Mark 1:16-39
Key verse 1:38-39
Key verse 1:38-39
1. [16-20] Where and whom did Jesus call? (16a,
19a) What were they doing? (16b,19b) What was his purpose for them? (17) How
did they respond? (18,20) Why? What does
this tell us about Jesus’ way of doing ministry?
Unlike the other writers of the Gospel, Mark notes that Jesus
began his ministry by calling the four disciples of Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James,
and John. They were all fishermen and were working when Jesus called them. They left everything behind them and followed
Jesus. Their decision was very decisive and concrete—if we use the OT terms,
whole-hearted and undivided commitment to the Lord.
Since Mark did not write any note or history of Jesus before
commencing the ministry, unlike the other writers of the Gospel, the calling of
the four disciples stood out as the most important focus of Jesus’ ministry. In
a careful look at Matt and John, we also find that choosing the four disciples
was the first line business of Jesus’ ministry after the introductory note on
the events before the beginning of his ministry (Matt 1:1-4:11; John 1:1-32).
For Mark, these first disciples bore immense weight on Jesus’ ministry; if or
how or what they learn from Jesus by being with him was a continuing theme to
the end of the book. In other words, Jesus’ success was assessed and measured
by what they came to know and believe about Jesus.
Then how could Jesus convey the truth about him? And what was
needed of them to learn Jesus and to take the truth in Jesus to their lives?
In this regard, all-out commitment to follow Jesus at the outset
of their decision to follow Jesus was so important. They showed it by leaving
all the net, boat and parent. Only with such an unbridled commitment, they
could learn Jesus in His fullness of power as the Savior and the Son of God.
John, the Apostle, wrote that he and Andrew were the disciples
of John the Baptist (John 1:35-39) and sought Jesus when they heard John the
Baptist’s testimony on Jesus. Andrew introduced Jesus to Peter (John 1:40-42),
and most likely, John introduced Jesus to his brother James as well.
Jesus healed all the sick and drove out demons at the house of
Peter; Peter witnessed all these for the first time; it is to be understood in
the context of Luke 4:38-5:11.
2. [21-28]
Where, and when did Jesus begin to teach? (21) How did the people respond to
his teaching? (22) Why? What about a man with an impure spirit (23-24)? Why?
What did Jesus command to him (25)? Then, what happened to him (26) Seeing
this, at what were the people surprised (27)? What was the result (28)? What
does this event tell us about Jesus? (cf. 1a; 1 John 3:8; Heb 2:14)
If Jesus did any ministry before today’s event, then, the only
record we have is Luke 4:14-30. Here Luke records that Jesus was rejected by
the people of Nazareth and moved to Capernaum. So it seems that this was the
first public teaching at Capernaum. On a Sabbath, in a synagogue, Jesus taught
the people. There were two responses; one from the people in general and the
other from a demon possessed man. The people were amazed by the fact that Jesus
taught with authority, meaning that he taught as the primary owner of the
truth, not like the Pharisees or teachers of the Law who taught about the
scripture or teachings about the scripture.
He was in command of the truth he taught as the Lord gave the law to
Moses. The amazement was not about
the content of the teaching but about Jesus, the person, who was unlike
any other teachers of the time.
There was a man possessed by a demon. To the same teaching, this
man responded totally different way. He felt threatened and took offense at him.
He revealed Jesus’ identity, the holy one of God, and questioned if Jesus came
to destroy them. When Jesus rebuked and
commanded the evil spirit to come out, it came out of the man after shaking him
violently. The authority of Jesus exercised through his word was demonstrated
in this man. The people saw this and were amazed at the authority of his word. This
was a change in their attitude toward Jesus; previously they acknowledged that
Jesus spoke with authority, quite differently from all other teachers of the
time. Now they acknowledged that Jesus’ teaching has authority. In other words,
Jesus word has power to fulfill what was said. Jesus had the authority in
his word.
If Jesus teaching or his word showed a power over demonic forces
in one man’s inner being, then, we come to know that Jesus’ word has power to
penetrate into the depth of human being and can exercise his authority. If any
one rejects his teaching, then it is likely that it is the devil in him. (John
8:37, 44) What does these tell us? There is nothing in man that
could be immune to the power and authority of Jesus’ word for
Jesus is the Son of God and has power of the almighty. This is the
demonstration of his authority as the Savior and the Son of God.
3. [29-31]
Soon after leaving the Synagogue, where did they go (29)? What was the
condition of Simon’s mother-in-law? (29-30) What did Jesus do for her? (31a)
Then what happened to her (31b)? Discuss what might be the reason why Jesus
went to Peter’s house (Luke 4:38-39; 5:1-11; 1 Cor 9:5).
Jesus taught at a synagogue on a sabbath day. Immediately after
this, Jesus and his disciples went to Peter’s home. At his home, his mother in
law was sick and Jesus held her hand to raise her up. She was healed
immediately and began to serve Jesus and his disciples. The fact that it was
not an ordinary healing is found in two notes; first Jesus and his company left
the synagogue to go to Simon’s house immediately after or as soon as (NAS),
implying that there was an urgency or compelling necessity to visit Peter’s
house. Second, Jesus took her hand and helped her up without saying a single
word. This was a very personal care. Why was there a need for such immediate
and personal care for Peter’s mother in law? There is no explicit comment on
this in all synoptic gospels. But we can find some and yet sufficient reasons. 1) Long before this event. Peter came to know
Christ first through his brother Andrew (John 1:40-42). 2)
Luke, who wrote carefully from the material handed down from the first
witnesses, listed this event (healing of his mother in law—Luke 4:38-44) and as
its sequel, Jesus teaching on Peter’s boat and his confession of sin (Luke
4:38-5:10). Jesus intention of doing this was clearly to have Peter’s listening
ear and his full-hearted commitment to Jesus. In this regard, the event in Luke
here is not the same event of Mark 1:16-20. 3) Peter’s flip-flop of his mind
was well recorded in Mark (14:29). Mark used his name’ Simon (v16, 36), to
indicate his old nature and uncommitted heart to the Lord’s call.
What all these tell us about the necessity of Jesus’ visit to
Peter’s house? Peter was the only one married and his wife and Mather in law
had to be an integral part of Peter’s life and ministry. Yet Peter was hung up
in between commitment and waver of that commitment. At the beginning of Jesus’
call, undoubtedly Peter made a commitment to follow Jesus. That decision must
be supported and sustained; otherwise, the learning in and with Jesus would be
critically hampered by half hearted commitment. For this purpose, Jesus had to
leave the synagogue immediately after preaching. This was the reason why Jesus
had to preach the sea shore where Peter failed to catch fish through all night
long so as to bring him back to the faith of full commitment to Jesus’ cause.
At the same time, we are to see Peter’s dilemma in choosing the call of Jesus
who demanded full and unbridled commitment and his due responsibility as the
head of a family.
Many of us are struggling with a similar or the same problem as
Peter for all of us have families and our duty for them seems to be a hindrance
for our duty to the Lord. This struggle is healthy one because we are keenly
aware of Jesus call for full commitment to His purpose. At same time it is very
worrisome over the mission or messages to focus on family. This is in reaction
to the problem of so many broken families. Nevertheless, the wellbeing of the
family was never the first or primary focus in the bible. At the same time, we
shall not ignore or overlook that the support of the whole family members is so
important for the work of God. Jesus, to
earn full commitment and faith of Peter, quite number of things. Today’s event
is the first one of these.
4. [32-34]
That evening, whom did the people brought? (32-33) What did Jesus do for them?
(34) Why did he not let the demons speak? (34b; Cf. 24-25)
As the sun set of the same day, Sabbath was over and the first
day was beginning. At that time people brought all sick people and the
demon-possessed. Here we are to note three things. First,
after noting the power and authority of Jesus through the synagogue preaching,
many were waiting for the Sabbath to be over so that they might come to Jesus
for healing for on Sabbath they should not walk a distance and should not do
any works, all the more of healings. Second, Peter witnessed
these healings right at his house for all the sick and demon-possessed gathered
at his door. Third, Peter’s mother-in law’s help was a great
value and was even essential in this situation.
This would have given Peter a clear message of Jesus’ power, and a taste
of the joy of serving the sick and demon-possessed with his entire family.
Was this a part of Jesus’ mission in Peter’s house? Most likely it was for
Peter must stand firm in his commitment to be a fisher of men and this would
have given him an understanding of what it meant to be a fisher of men.
5. [35-39]
When and where did Jesus go and what did he do there? (35) Why did his
disciples look for him? (36-37) What was Jesus’ reply? (38) What did he do
then? (39) Discuss the reason why he came. (cf. 1:15)
Early the next morning, Jesus went to a solitary
place(wilderness) and there he prayed. It was the place and setting where he
fought against all temptations of the devil and won. This was the place where
He set his heart solely to the Father’s will and His purpose. After a long
evening of healing and driving out demonic forces, he sought the Father’s will
as he did before. The answer he got was this:
In the meantime, Simon and his companions went to look for him
for so many were crowding at his door again. They were excited for the fact
that their master got attention of so many people and for the possibility that
Jesus would be a great Savior for them. But they could not find him and
searched for him here and there. After hours of search, they found him and
exclaimed “Everyone is looking for you” We can see how Simon and his companions
were filled with exhilarating joy. But Jesus swiftly changed the direction of
his ministry.
38 Jesus replied, "Let
us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That
is why I have come."
Here the word ‘preach’ is different from ‘teach’ in v21-22.
‘teach’ is to teach at a class room, didactic teaching. Preaching is to declare
or announce. Jesus came to proclaim or to announce the arrival of ‘the good
news of salvation’ Jesus forbid the devils to reveal who Jesus was. He did not
want to be known through his identity or title as the Messiah. Rather Jesus
wanted to plant the faith in the words of salvation that he declared. In other
words, Jesus wanted his people to know him through his word of the good news.
So, Jesus left the large crowds of people at Capernaum and went
to other cities to preach the good news. It is not impossible to imagine the
doubt, illusion or confusion that came to Peter and his companions!
6. Overall,
what does Jesus’ preaching, healing and exorcism teach us about him?
These are the records of the outset of Jesus’ public ministry.
It started with the calling of the four disciples. This preceded the demonstration
of his first miracles. The first of his ministry was the ministry of his words.
It was at a synagogue. When he spoke the word of God, the people were amazed
because he spoke as if he had an absolute authority over what he spoke unlike
other teachers of the time like the Pharisees or teachers of the Law. whose authority
was derived either from the teachers before them or from the understandings of
the past.
While the listeners did not pay much to his teachings
themselves, a man demon possessed felt the power of Jesus’ word. Jesus neither spoke
directly to him nor against him. Yet Jesus word came on to him and could not
endure it and cried out.
24 “What do you want
with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the
Holy One of God!”
The demons in him recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God and felt
that their very survival was in jeopardy as the power of the word of Jesus came
upon them. The authority and power of the word of Jesus what the people failed
to recognize, the demon in this man came to feel that power and authority.
Jesus commanded the demons to come out him and it came out of him. So, in this
man possessed by an evil spirit, the power of Jesus word was fully revealed.
It is important in that an evil spirit was the first one that felt
threatened by Jesus’ word. Essentially the work of salvation is a fight against
the evil spirit/ Satan, taking those who are his back from the Satan’s snares. Also
it is important that the power of the word is against all that Satanic forces
formulated to suit the needs of sinful men.
So, the first importance of this story is the power and authority
of the word of Jesus. Demonstration of the power of Jesus’ word is the first
and the mainstay of Jesus’ ministry. Driving out demonic forces is just an
outcome of that ministry. The first thing that Jesus’ disciples experienced was
the power of Jesus’ word and how they were to take Jesus’ word would be the ongoing
theme throughout the book.
The second event calls for Peter’s undivided commitment by
seeing and experiencing Jesus’ power over all kinds of men’s sicknesses. Jesus put
the first importance in his preaching of the Good News of salvation.
As Mark noted that calling of the first disciples were so
important, their unbridled commitment to Jesus was vital for Jesus’ ministry. So
Jesus, immediately after the teaching at a Synagogue, he went to Peter’s house.
There he healed Peter’s mother in law and then all those came to the door of
his house for healing. There were so many and without a chance to teach, Jesus
healed them one by one, so many deeply into the night. It was good for Peter to
see the amazing power of Jesus, which was powerful, thorough or comprehensive,
healing all kinds of diseases. But it was not good for Jesus. He prayed early
in the morning and decided to go somewhere else to preach the good news. This blew away Peter’s expectations for he
felt that it was good that many sought him and followed him as the powerful man
of God. It was the time of refocus to what was central to the message of
salvation; that is to preach the good news.
The two themes conflate into one; preaching of the good news of
the kingdom of God and the calling of the disciples to say that the disciples’
all out commitment to Jesus was vital for Jesus’ ministry to call all people
for the Good News of the kingdom of God. Essentially Jesus’ ministry is the ministry
of the Good News of the kingdom of God, of which his word plays the central
role as it is a good news, and his disciples’ heart must be aligned with Jesus
in this aspect, not only to learn his word but also to implement his word in their
lives.
Mark 1:16-39
Key verse 1:38-39
Key verse 1:38-39
1. [16-20] Where and whom did Jesus call? (16a,
19a) What were they doing? (16b,19b) What was his purpose for them? (17) How
did they respond? (18,20) Why? What does
this tell us about Jesus’ way of doing ministry?
Unlike the other writers of the Gospel, Mark notes that Jesus
began his ministry by calling the four disciples of Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James,
and John. They were all fishermen and were working when Jesus called them. They left everything behind them and followed
Jesus. Their decision was very decisive and concrete—if we use the OT terms,
whole-hearted and undivided commitment to the Lord.
Since Mark did not write any note or history of Jesus before
commencing the ministry, unlike the other writers of the Gospel, the calling of
the four disciples stood out as the most important focus of Jesus’ ministry. In
a careful look at Matt and John, we also find that choosing the four disciples
was the first line business of Jesus’ ministry after the introductory note on
the events before the beginning of his ministry (Matt 1:1-4:11; John 1:1-32).
For Mark, these first disciples bore immense weight on Jesus’ ministry; if or
how or what they learn from Jesus by being with him was a continuing theme to
the end of the book. In other words, Jesus’ success was assessed and measured
by what they came to know and believe about Jesus.
Then how could Jesus convey the truth about him? And what was
needed of them to learn Jesus and to take the truth in Jesus to their lives?
In this regard, all-out commitment to follow Jesus at the outset
of their decision to follow Jesus was so important. They showed it by leaving
all the net, boat and parent. Only with such an unbridled commitment, they
could learn Jesus in His fullness of power as the Savior and the Son of God.
John, the Apostle, wrote that he and Andrew were the disciples
of John the Baptist (John 1:35-39) and sought Jesus when they heard John the
Baptist’s testimony on Jesus. Andrew introduced Jesus to Peter (John 1:40-42),
and most likely, John introduced Jesus to his brother James as well.
Jesus healed all the sick and drove out demons at the house of
Peter; Peter witnessed all these for the first time; it is to be understood in
the context of Luke 4:38-5:11.
2. [21-28]
Where, and when did Jesus begin to teach? (21) How did the people respond to
his teaching? (22) Why? What about a man with an impure spirit (23-24)? Why?
What did Jesus command to him (25)? Then, what happened to him (26) Seeing
this, at what were the people surprised (27)? What was the result (28)? What
does this event tell us about Jesus? (cf. 1a; 1 John 3:8; Heb 2:14)
If Jesus did any ministry before today’s event, then, the only
record we have is Luke 4:14-30. Here Luke records that Jesus was rejected by
the people of Nazareth and moved to Capernaum. So it seems that this was the
first public teaching at Capernaum. On a Sabbath, in a synagogue, Jesus taught
the people. There were two responses; one from the people in general and the
other from a demon possessed man. The people were amazed by the fact that Jesus
taught with authority, meaning that he taught as the primary owner of the
truth, not like the Pharisees or teachers of the Law who taught about the
scripture or teachings about the scripture.
He was in command of the truth he taught as the Lord gave the law to
Moses. The amazement was not about
the content of the teaching but about Jesus, the person, who was unlike
any other teachers of the time.
There was a man possessed by a demon. To the same teaching, this
man responded totally different way. He felt threatened and took offense at him.
He revealed Jesus’ identity, the holy one of God, and questioned if Jesus came
to destroy them. When Jesus rebuked and
commanded the evil spirit to come out, it came out of the man after shaking him
violently. The authority of Jesus exercised through his word was demonstrated
in this man. The people saw this and were amazed at the authority of his word. This
was a change in their attitude toward Jesus; previously they acknowledged that
Jesus spoke with authority, quite differently from all other teachers of the
time. Now they acknowledged that Jesus’ teaching has authority. In other words,
Jesus word has power to fulfill what was said. Jesus had the authority in
his word.
If Jesus teaching or his word showed a power over demonic forces
in one man’s inner being, then, we come to know that Jesus’ word has power to
penetrate into the depth of human being and can exercise his authority. If any
one rejects his teaching, then it is likely that it is the devil in him. (John
8:37, 44) What does these tell us? There is nothing in man that
could be immune to the power and authority of Jesus’ word for
Jesus is the Son of God and has power of the almighty. This is the
demonstration of his authority as the Savior and the Son of God.
3. [29-31]
Soon after leaving the Synagogue, where did they go (29)? What was the
condition of Simon’s mother-in-law? (29-30) What did Jesus do for her? (31a)
Then what happened to her (31b)? Discuss what might be the reason why Jesus
went to Peter’s house (Luke 4:38-39; 5:1-11; 1 Cor 9:5).
Jesus taught at a synagogue on a sabbath day. Immediately after
this, Jesus and his disciples went to Peter’s home. At his home, his mother in
law was sick and Jesus held her hand to raise her up. She was healed
immediately and began to serve Jesus and his disciples. The fact that it was
not an ordinary healing is found in two notes; first Jesus and his company left
the synagogue to go to Simon’s house immediately after or as soon as (NAS),
implying that there was an urgency or compelling necessity to visit Peter’s
house. Second, Jesus took her hand and helped her up without saying a single
word. This was a very personal care. Why was there a need for such immediate
and personal care for Peter’s mother in law? There is no explicit comment on
this in all synoptic gospels. But we can find some and yet sufficient reasons. 1) Long before this event. Peter came to know
Christ first through his brother Andrew (John 1:40-42). 2)
Luke, who wrote carefully from the material handed down from the first
witnesses, listed this event (healing of his mother in law—Luke 4:38-44) and as
its sequel, Jesus teaching on Peter’s boat and his confession of sin (Luke
4:38-5:10). Jesus intention of doing this was clearly to have Peter’s listening
ear and his full-hearted commitment to Jesus. In this regard, the event in Luke
here is not the same event of Mark 1:16-20. 3) Peter’s flip-flop of his mind
was well recorded in Mark (14:29). Mark used his name’ Simon (v16, 36), to
indicate his old nature and uncommitted heart to the Lord’s call.
What all these tell us about the necessity of Jesus’ visit to
Peter’s house? Peter was the only one married and his wife and Mather in law
had to be an integral part of Peter’s life and ministry. Yet Peter was hung up
in between commitment and waver of that commitment. At the beginning of Jesus’
call, undoubtedly Peter made a commitment to follow Jesus. That decision must
be supported and sustained; otherwise, the learning in and with Jesus would be
critically hampered by half hearted commitment. For this purpose, Jesus had to
leave the synagogue immediately after preaching. This was the reason why Jesus
had to preach the sea shore where Peter failed to catch fish through all night
long so as to bring him back to the faith of full commitment to Jesus’ cause.
At the same time, we are to see Peter’s dilemma in choosing the call of Jesus
who demanded full and unbridled commitment and his due responsibility as the
head of a family.
Many of us are struggling with a similar or the same problem as
Peter for all of us have families and our duty for them seems to be a hindrance
for our duty to the Lord. This struggle is healthy one because we are keenly
aware of Jesus call for full commitment to His purpose. At same time it is very
worrisome over the mission or messages to focus on family. This is in reaction
to the problem of so many broken families. Nevertheless, the wellbeing of the
family was never the first or primary focus in the bible. At the same time, we
shall not ignore or overlook that the support of the whole family members is so
important for the work of God. Jesus, to
earn full commitment and faith of Peter, quite number of things. Today’s event
is the first one of these.
4. [32-34]
That evening, whom did the people brought? (32-33) What did Jesus do for them?
(34) Why did he not let the demons speak? (34b; Cf. 24-25)
As the sun set of the same day, Sabbath was over and the first
day was beginning. At that time people brought all sick people and the
demon-possessed. Here we are to note three things. First,
after noting the power and authority of Jesus through the synagogue preaching,
many were waiting for the Sabbath to be over so that they might come to Jesus
for healing for on Sabbath they should not walk a distance and should not do
any works, all the more of healings. Second, Peter witnessed
these healings right at his house for all the sick and demon-possessed gathered
at his door. Third, Peter’s mother-in law’s help was a great
value and was even essential in this situation.
This would have given Peter a clear message of Jesus’ power, and a taste
of the joy of serving the sick and demon-possessed with his entire family.
Was this a part of Jesus’ mission in Peter’s house? Most likely it was for
Peter must stand firm in his commitment to be a fisher of men and this would
have given him an understanding of what it meant to be a fisher of men.
5. [35-39]
When and where did Jesus go and what did he do there? (35) Why did his
disciples look for him? (36-37) What was Jesus’ reply? (38) What did he do
then? (39) Discuss the reason why he came. (cf. 1:15)
Early the next morning, Jesus went to a solitary
place(wilderness) and there he prayed. It was the place and setting where he
fought against all temptations of the devil and won. This was the place where
He set his heart solely to the Father’s will and His purpose. After a long
evening of healing and driving out demonic forces, he sought the Father’s will
as he did before. The answer he got was this:
In the meantime, Simon and his companions went to look for him
for so many were crowding at his door again. They were excited for the fact
that their master got the attention of so many people and for the possibility that
Jesus would be a great Savior for them. But they could not find him and
searched for him here and there. After hours of search, they found him and
exclaimed “Everyone is looking for you” We can see how Simon and his companions
were filled with exhilarating joy. But Jesus swiftly changed the direction of
his ministry.
38 Jesus replied, "Let
us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That
is why I have come."
Here the word ‘preach’ is different from ‘teach’ in v21-22.
‘teach’ is to teach at a classroom, didactic teaching. Preaching is to declare
or announce. Jesus came to proclaim or to announce the arrival of ‘the good
news of salvation’ Jesus forbid the devils to reveal who Jesus was. He did not
want to be known through his identity or title as the Messiah. Rather Jesus
wanted to plant the faith in the words of salvation that he declared. In other
words, Jesus wanted his people to know him through his word of the good news.
So, Jesus left the large crowds of people at Capernaum and went
to other cities to preach the good news. It is not impossible to imagine the
doubt, illusion or confusion that came to Peter and his companions!
6. Overall,
what does Jesus’ preaching, healing, and exorcism teach us about him?
These are the records of the outset of Jesus’ public ministry.
It started with the calling of the four disciples. This preceded the demonstration
of his first miracles. The first of his ministry was the ministry of his words.
It was at a synagogue. When he spoke the word of God, the people were amazed
because he spoke as if he had absolute authority over what he spoke unlike
other teachers of the time like the Pharisees or teachers of the Law. whose authority
was derived either from the teachers before them or from the understandings of
the past.
While the listeners did not pay much to his teachings
themselves, a man demon-possessed felt the power of Jesus’ word. Jesus neither spoke
directly to him nor against him. Yet Jesus' word came on to him and could not
endure it and cried out.
24 “What do you want
with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the
Holy One of God!”
The demons in him recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God and felt
that their very survival was in jeopardy as the power of the word of Jesus came
upon them. The authority and power of the word of Jesus what the people failed
to recognize, the demon in this man came to feel that power and authority.
Jesus commanded the demons to come out of him and it came out of him. So, in this
man possessed by an evil spirit, the power of Jesus' word was fully revealed.
It is important in that an evil spirit was the first one that felt
threatened by Jesus’ word. Essentially the work of salvation is a fight against
the evil spirit/ Satan, taking those who are his back from Satan’s snares. Also, it is important that the power of the word is against all that Satanic forces
formulated to suit the needs of sinful men.
So, the first importance of this story is the power and authority
of the word of Jesus. Demonstration of the power of Jesus’ word is the first
and the mainstay of Jesus’ ministry. Driving out demonic forces is just an
outcome of that ministry. The first thing that Jesus’ disciples experienced was
the power of Jesus’ word and how they were to take Jesus’ word would be the ongoing
theme throughout the book.
The second event calls for Peter’s undivided commitment by seeing
and experiencing Jesus’ power over all kinds of men’s sicknesses. Jesus put the
first importance in his preaching of the Good News of salvation.
As Mark noted that calling of the first disciples was so
important, their unbridled commitment to Jesus was vital for Jesus’ ministry.
So Jesus, immediately after the teaching at a Synagogue, he went to Peter’s
house. There he healed Peter’s mother in law and then all those came to the
door of his house for healing. There were so many and without a chance to
teach, Jesus healed them one by one, so many, deeply into the night. It was
good for Peter to see the amazing power of Jesus, which was powerful, thorough
or comprehensive, healing all kinds of diseases.
[Did Jesus plan for the sake of Peter? There are at least
four different records of Jesus’ call for Peter. The earliest one may be the one
in John 1:41, Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, introducing Jesus to Peter.
The second one may be here in Mark 1:16-19(Or Matt 4:18-22). The third one is here v1:29-34
(Matt 8:14-17, Luke 4:38-41). Forth one is Luke 5:1-11. It is good to note that,
in Luke, Jesus’ visit to Simon’s house happened before his call for Peter and
the three others. Considering all these early events of Peter’s encounter with
Jesus, the event in this passage was an important part for Peter to make an
unwavering commitment to be Jesus’ disciple(This make the sense of Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from
me, Lord; I am a sinful man!.”)]
But it was not good for Jesus. He prayed early in the morning
and decided to go somewhere else to preach the good news. This blew away Peter’s hope for he felt that
it was good that many sought him and followed him as the powerful man of God.
It was the time of refocusing to what was central to the message of salvation;
that is to preach the good news.
The two themes conflate into
one; preaching of the good news of the kingdom of God and the calling of the
disciples. The good news is that Jesus as the Savior came and undo all the
effects of sin in men’s life so as to restore humanity back to blessing in the
Lord. They are a restoration of body, mind, and soul; restoration of the body is healing
all the sicknesses, and restoration of mind is through the teaching the word of
God and restoration of the soul is to unshackle demonic power to free men to the
Lord. How could these messages be conveyed and effected upon his people? This
is through discipling. Discipling is not just to teach and to convey the knowledge
of life. The life in Jesus must be imparted to his disciples. The impartation
of life becomes possible through all-out commitment in love and trust. To
earn the love and trust, Jesus worked on behalf of his disciples, particularly
Peter, the leading character and the most vulnerable. 
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