Mark study section

Mark chapter summaries

A one-line summary of every chapter. Open any chapter for the full study.

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Chapter list

Chapters 1–8

The Servant’s Authority in Galilee

Jesus bursts onto the scene with authority over demons, disease, storms, and sin, gathering disciples and crowds while opposition grows, until the amazed question “Who is this?” is answered by Peter: “You are the Christ.”

  • Chapter 1 (c. AD 27): John prepares the way, Jesus is baptized and tempted, and He begins His Galilean ministry, calling disciples and healing with authority.
  • Chapter 2 (c. AD 28): Jesus forgives and heals a paralytic, calls Levi, and answers challenges about fasting and the Sabbath.
  • Chapter 3 (c. AD 28): Jesus heals on the Sabbath, appoints the Twelve, and warns of the unpardonable sin as opposition hardens.
  • Chapter 4 (c. AD 28): The parables of the kingdom — the sower, the seed, the mustard seed — and the stilling of the storm.
  • Chapter 5 (c. AD 28): Jesus casts out a legion of demons, heals a woman with a hemorrhage, and raises Jairus’s daughter.
  • Chapter 6 (c. AD 29): Jesus is rejected at Nazareth, sends out the Twelve, John is beheaded, and Jesus feeds the five thousand and walks on water.
  • Chapter 7 (c. AD 29): Jesus exposes hollow tradition, teaches that defilement comes from the heart, and heals a Gentile woman’s daughter.
  • Chapter 8 (c. AD 29): Jesus feeds the four thousand, and at Caesarea Philippi Peter confesses Him as the Christ, after which Jesus foretells His death.

Chapters 9–10

The Way of the Cross

On the road toward Jerusalem, Jesus three times foretells His death and teaches that greatness is servanthood, framed by the transfiguration and the healing of two blind men.

  • Chapter 9 (c. AD 29): The transfiguration, the healing of a demon-possessed boy, a second passion prediction, and lessons on greatness.
  • Chapter 10 (c. AD 30): Teaching on marriage, children, and riches; a third passion prediction; servant greatness; and blind Bartimaeus healed.

Chapters 11–13

Confrontation in Jerusalem

The triumphal entry, the cleansing of the temple, a series of controversies with the leaders, and the Olivet Discourse on the temple’s fall and Christ’s coming.

  • Chapter 11 (c. AD 30): The triumphal entry, the cursing of the fig tree, and the cleansing of the temple.
  • Chapter 12 (c. AD 30): The parable of the tenants, questions on taxes and resurrection, the greatest commandment, and the widow’s offering.
  • Chapter 13 (c. AD 30): The Olivet Discourse on the destruction of the temple, the coming tribulation, and the return of the Son of Man.

Chapters 14–16

The Passion and Resurrection

The anointing, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the arrest and trials, the crucifixion where a centurion confesses the Son of God, and the empty tomb.

  • Chapter 14 (c. AD 30): The anointing at Bethany, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, Jesus’ arrest and trial, and Peter’s denial.
  • Chapter 15 (c. AD 30): Jesus before Pilate, the crucifixion, His death, the centurion’s confession, and His burial.
  • Chapter 16 (c. AD 30): The women find the empty tomb, an angel announces the resurrection, and the risen Christ sends His disciples into all the world.

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