The Gospel of Mark
Move quickly through the shortest Gospel, following Jesus from his baptism and miracles in Galilee to his death in Jerusalem and the empty tomb.
16 chapters · read each one, then take its quiz
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Sign in to start- 1Mark 1: The Beginning of the Gospel
John the Baptist prepares the way, and Jesus is baptized, tested in the wilderness, and begins proclaiming that the kingdom of God has come near. He calls fishermen to follow him, casts out an unclean spirit, heals many in Capernaum, and cleanses a leper.
- 2Mark 2: The Paralytic and the Lord of the Sabbath
Jesus forgives and heals a paralyzed man lowered through a roof, showing his authority to forgive sins. He calls Levi and eats with sinners, explains why his disciples do not fast, and declares his authority over the Sabbath.
- 3Mark 3: The Twelve and a House Divided
Jesus heals a man's withered hand on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees begin plotting against him. He appoints the twelve apostles, answers the charge that he casts out demons by Satan, warns against blaspheming the Spirit, and names his true family.
- 4Mark 4: The Sower and the Storm
Jesus teaches in parables, including the sower, the lamp on a stand, the seed that grows secretly, and the mustard seed, and explains the sower to his disciples. Crossing the sea, he calms a violent storm and asks why they are so afraid.
- 5Mark 5: Legion, a Bleeding Woman, and Jairus' Daughter
Jesus frees a man possessed by a legion of demons, sending them into a herd of pigs. A woman who touches his garment is healed of years of bleeding, and Jesus raises the young daughter of Jairus, a synagogue ruler, from death.
- 6Mark 6: Rejection at Nazareth and the Five Thousand Fed
Jesus is rejected in his hometown and sends out the Twelve. Herod recalls how he beheaded John the Baptist. Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, walks on the sea to his frightened disciples, and heals many at Gennesaret.
- 7Mark 7: Traditions and the Heart
Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for setting aside God's commands to keep human traditions and teaches that evil comes from within the heart. He grants a Syrophoenician woman's plea for her daughter and heals a deaf man with a speech impediment.
- 8Mark 8: Peter's Confession and the Cost of Following
Jesus feeds four thousand, refuses the Pharisees a sign, and warns against their leaven. He heals a blind man in two stages, Peter confesses him as the Christ, and Jesus teaches that he must suffer and that followers must take up their cross.
- 9Mark 9: The Transfiguration and True Greatness
Jesus is transfigured before three disciples, then heals a boy with an unclean spirit after his father cries for help with his unbelief. He predicts his death again, teaches that the greatest must be servant of all, and warns sternly against causing sin.
- 10Mark 10: Divorce, Riches, and the Ransom for Many
Jesus teaches on marriage and divorce, blesses the children, and tells a rich man to sell all and follow him. He predicts his death a third time, teaches that he came to serve and give up his life to ransom many, and heals blind Bartimaeus.
- 11Mark 11: The Triumphal Entry and the Fig Tree
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt as crowds cry out in praise. He curses a fruitless fig tree, drives the sellers out of the temple, teaches about faith and forgiveness in prayer, and answers the leaders who question his authority.
- 12Mark 12: Tenants, Taxes, and the Great Commandment
Jesus tells the parable of the wicked tenants and answers questions about taxes to Caesar, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. He asks how the Christ is David's Lord, warns against the scribes, and praises a poor widow's gift.
- 13Mark 13: The Olivet Discourse
Jesus foretells the temple's destruction and warns of deceivers, wars, persecution, and the abomination of desolation. He describes the Son of Man coming in power and glory and repeatedly urges his disciples to stay awake, since no one knows the hour.
- 14Mark 14: The Last Supper, Gethsemane, and Arrest
A woman anoints Jesus at Bethany and Judas agrees to betray him. Jesus shares the Passover and gives the bread and cup, prays in Gethsemane, and is arrested. Condemned by the council for claiming to be the Christ, he is denied three times by Peter.
- 15Mark 15: The Crucifixion
Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified after the crowd demands Barabbas. Jesus is mocked, crucified between two robbers, and dies with a loud cry as the temple curtain is torn. A centurion confesses him the Son of God, and Joseph of Arimathea buries him.
- 16Mark 16: The Empty Tomb and the Great Commission
At dawn after the Sabbath, women find the stone rolled away, and a young man in white tells them Jesus has risen and will meet his disciples in Galilee. The longer ending then records his appearances, the Great Commission to preach to all creation, and his ascension to God's right hand.