Within this chapter, we see the expression of Christ's authority continue, his fame spread further, and the plot to destroy Him grow.  Yet it is towards the end of this chapter that we see Christ emphasize the true adversary who He is battling within the person of Satan, the strong man, who has been bound by the coming of Christ.  Thus since we are in the Messianic age, although the devil can attempt to distort and bind us, when we put on Christ and allow Him to war with the evil one through us, he has no true power to bind us, for Christ has already bound him. For this reason, we need to accept His guiding Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, into our lives so that we can be guided by it down the path toward a life in Christ. Finally, it is for this reason that the chapter is ended with Christ articulating who his true family is, for, in Christ and His ministry, we are all made children of God. Yet, if we stand opposed to Christ, we make ourselves children of this world, the word which has ended with the coming of the Messianic age.

St. John The Baptist website:

https://www.saintjohnthebaptist.org/

GOA Parish Directory:

https://www.goarch.org/parishes

List of Sources Used For This Study:

Revised Standard Version of the Bible

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201&version=RSV

The Religion of the Apostles

Fr. Stephan De Young

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-religion-of-the-apostles-orthodox-christianity-in-the-first-century?_pos=1&_psq=the+religion+of+the+ap&_ss=e&_v=1.0

At the End of Time: The Eschatological Expectations of the Church

Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/at-the-end-of-time

The Gospel According to Saint Mark

Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-gospel-according-to-saint-mark

Explanation of the Holy Gospel According to Mark (Soft Cover)

Theophylact of Ochrid

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/0635c1b0-0fb9-11e7-e820-5b79d48c82f2?_pos=6&_sid=5f044f26b&_ss=r

The Gospel of Mark: The Suffering Servant

Fr. Lawrence R. Farley

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-gospel-of-mark-the-suffering-servant?_pos=3&_psq=The+gospel+of+ma&_ss=e&_v=1.0

The New Testament Introduction, vol. 1. - Paul and Mark

Fr. Paul N Tarazi

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/new-testament-introduction-the-vol-i-paul-and-mark?_pos=9&_sid=81aa9a5a0&_ss=r

Authority and Passion

Archbishop Demetrios Formerly of America

New Edition Coming Soon

Mark

C. Clifton Black

Mark 1-8

Mark 8-16

Joel Marcus

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Mark

Thomas C. Oden & Christopher A. Hall