Mark Chapter 1 · Verse 14

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Original Language Analysis

Μετὰ after G3326
Μετὰ after
Strong's: G3326
Word #: 1 of 19
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
δὲ Now G1161
δὲ Now
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 19
but, and, etc
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραδοθῆναι was put in prison G3860
παραδοθῆναι was put in prison
Strong's: G3860
Word #: 4 of 19
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰωάννην that John G2491
Ἰωάννην that John
Strong's: G2491
Word #: 6 of 19
joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites
ἦλθεν came G2064
ἦλθεν came
Strong's: G2064
Word #: 7 of 19
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 9 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
εἰς into G1519
εἰς into
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 10 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Γαλιλαίαν Galilee G1056
Γαλιλαίαν Galilee
Strong's: G1056
Word #: 12 of 19
galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine
κηρύσσων preaching G2784
κηρύσσων preaching
Strong's: G2784
Word #: 13 of 19
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 14 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐαγγέλιον the gospel G2098
εὐαγγέλιον the gospel
Strong's: G2098
Word #: 15 of 19
a good message, i.e., the gospel
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείας of the kingdom G932
βασιλείας of the kingdom
Strong's: G932
Word #: 17 of 19
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 18 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 19 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Analysis & Commentary

This verse marks a crucial transition after John's imprisonment. The verb paradothēnai ('delivered up') foreshadows Jesus' fate. Herod imprisoned John for condemning adultery (Mark 6:17-18), showing how truth-telling brings persecution. Jesus moved to Galilee fulfilling Isaiah 9:1-2—light dawning in darkness. 'Preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God' introduces Jesus' core message: God's kingdom breaking into history. Reformed theology emphasizes kingdom theology—God's sovereign rule over all creation, redemption accomplishing cosmic renewal.

Historical Context

John's imprisonment by Herod Antipas occurred around AD 28-29 at Machaerus fortress. Herod married Herodias, his brother's wife, violating Leviticus 18:16. John's denunciation led to imprisonment and execution. Jesus began public ministry after John's arrest, continuing John's preparatory work. Galilee was politically safer and more receptive religiously—Galileans had less attachment to Jerusalem's temple establishment. Jesus' Galilean focus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy about light in this mixed Jewish-Gentile region.

Questions for Reflection