I love this pericope because it comes with a good contextual introduction. Verses 14 & 15 are really the end of Mark’s apocalyptic prologue, but they also function as a transition into the calling of these first four disciples. In contrast with Matthew, Jesus does not open with the same words as John the Baptist. These are fresh new words. John alludes to the coming of Jesus but in Mark it is only Jesus who announces that the kingdom of God has come near. John is not transitioning authority to Jesus (like in Matthew). John is merely the herald. Only Jesus knows what the coming kingdom means. Now, John’s being arrested serves two purposes. First, practically speaking, John needs to step out of the picture. As a familiar character to first century hearers, there would have been questions of the importance of John. Mark sidesteps that. John is arrested and he is no longer in the story. Enter Jesus. But there is another purpose, too. John’s arrest is an apocalyptic foreboding as well. The bringing of God’s gospel (good news), even for someone who is merely the herald, is a dangerous gig. To embark in this work will mean entering into the fray against the forces that defy God (worldly and other worldly). The time has come. The kingdom is near.