Mark 1:1-8 - Why Mark is Written to Romans

1 The announcement of good news about Jesus the King, the Son of God begins [with the witness of Isaiah and Malachi]: 2 Look, I send my messenger before you (Mal. 3:1-4), 3 a voice crying out in the desert, he will create a straight roadway for the Lord (Is. 40:3). 4 John who cleansed [Israel] came to the desert proclaiming a cleansing of repentance for forgiveness of sins. 5 And all of the regions of Judea and Jerusalem were going to be cleansed by him in the Jordan river, acknowledging their sins. 6 And John was clothed [like the great prophet Elijah] with a rough camel’s hair cloak and a leather belt around his waist and he was eating grasshoppers and wild honey. 7 And he was proclaiming these words, “There comes a Might more powerful than me, coming after. I am not worthy to bow down and untie the strings of his shoes.  8 I cleanse you in water, but He will cleanse you in the Holy Spirit. (Translation by Gregg Strawbridge)

Chiastic Outline
A. Three Witnesses: Malachi, Isaiah, John (1:1-8)
   B. Baptism by John (1:9-11)
      C. Testing of Jesus in the Desert (1:12-13)
         D.  Actions, Preaching, and Resurrection (2-5)
              E. God-like Powers/Transfiguration: Jesus is “Christ”/Son of God (6-9)
         D’. Actions, Preaching/Parables, and Resurrection (10-12)
      C’. Testing of Jesus in the Temple (12:13ff)
    B’. Baptism by Cross (12-15 cf  10:38 cross as baptism)
A’.  Three Witnesses: Mary Magdalene, Mary Alpheus, Salome (16)

The OT Prophetic Announcement
    Jesus is King and the Son of the true God
    Preparation for the Gospel: Malachi, Isaiah

The NT Prophetic Announcement
    John’s Prophetic Life (3 lifelong Nazarites: Sampson, Samuel, and John)
    John’s Prophetic Announcement: Baptism in the Spirit