Mark’s Gospel
Introduction To Christ
Who is the Author?
Although there is no direct internal evidence of authorship, it was the unanimous testimony of the early church that this Gospel was written by John Mark. He was a relative of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). The most important evidence of authorship comes from Papias (Around. A.D. 125-140), who quotes an even earlier source as saying:
(1) Mark was a close associate of Peter, from whom he received the tradition of the things said and done by the Lord.
(2) This tradition did not come to Mark as a finished, sequential account of the life of our Lord, but as the preaching of Peter--preaching directed to the needs of the early Christian communities;
(3) Mark accurately preserved this material. The conclusion drawn from this tradition is that the Gospel of Mark largely consists of the preaching of Peter arranged and shaped by John Mark.
(4) The internal evidence is slight; however, there is nothing in the gospel that contradicts this traditional view.
(5) Other early Christian writers who say that Mark wrote this gospel are Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Eusebius of Caesarea, Epiphanius and Jerome. Few people will disagree that Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark.
His Jewish name was John (Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37). His Greek name was Mark (Acts 15:39; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11; 1 Peter 5:13). Very little is known about the early life of Mark. Some scholars believe Mark to be the unnamed young man in Mark 14:51, 52. The first real introduction to Mark is found in Acts 12:12-17. This was probably around A.D. 44. This is the incident where Peter is let out of prison by an angel. Peter went to the house of Mary. Mary’s son was named John Mark. John Mark was in Antioch when Paul and Barnabas left on their first missionary journey. They took John Mark with them. John Mark left them at Perga and went back to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).
When was it Originally Written?
The exact date of writing is not certain. Most agree that it was the first gospel written. Some, who hold that Matthew and Luke used Mark as a major source, have suggested that Mark may have been composed in the 50s. If Acts was written around A.D. 65, Luke was written before Acts. Then the Gospel of Mark must have been written around A.D. 55-60. Others have felt that the content of the Gospel and statements made about Mark by the early church fathers indicate that the book was written shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
Where was it written?
There is nothing in the gospel which states where it was written. There is wide variance among scholars where it was written. According to early church tradition, Mark was written "in the regions of Italy" (Anti-Marcionite Prologue) or, more specifically, in Rome (Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria). Some of the other places suggested include Palestine, Alexandria, Caesarea, Syrian Antioch. The most common view is Rome. The best answer is no one knows. These same authors closely associate Mark's writing of the Gospel with the apostle Peter. The above evidence is consistent with
(1) The historical probability that Peter was in Rome during the last days of his life and was martyred there.
(2) The Biblical evidence that Mark also was in Rome about the same time and was closely associated with Peter (see 2 Timothy 4:11; 1 Peter 5:13, where the word "Babylon" is probably a cryptogram for Rome).
To Whom was it Written?
Most agree that the evidence points to the church at Rome or at least to Gentile readers. The reasons it is generally believed to have been written to the Gentiles are as follows:
(1) The Old Testament quotations and allusions are few.
(2) Aramaic expressions are interpreted (3:17; 5:41; 7:11, 34; 15:22) and the customs of the Jews are explained (7:2-4; 15:42).
(3) The gospel seems to stress the deeds and powers of Jesus rather than the words of Jesus. This would be of more interest to the Gentile readers. Clement of Alexandria and Origen suggest that the Gospel of Mark was written at the request of the church in Rome. Therefore a special interest in persecution and martyrdom (8:34-38; 13:9-13)--subjects of special concern to Roman believers. A Roman destination would explain the almost immediate acceptance of this Gospel and its rapid spreading.
What is the Intended Purpose of Writing?
The purpose of the Gospel of Mark was to present Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1). He shows that Jesus is the Son of man as well as being the Son of God. Mark seeks to give evidence that men might believe in Jesus as the Son of God as Peter and the apostles did (Matthew 16:16). Also, since Mark's Gospel is traditionally associated with Rome, it may have been occasioned by the persecutions of the Roman church in the period c. A.D. 64-67. The famous fire of Rome in 64--probably set by Nero himself but blamed on Christians--resulted in widespread persecution. Even martyrdom was not unknown among Roman believers. Mark may be writing to prepare his readers for this suffering by placing before them the life of our Lord. There are many references, both explicit and veiled, to suffering and discipleship throughout his Gospel (see 1:12-13; 3:22, 30; 8:34-38; 10:30,33-34,45; 13:8,11-13).
How to Read Mark – It is The Fast-paced Gospel
Mark reads like the script for an action movie.
About 90 percent of Mark’s content appears in the other three Gospels, but the book makes an ideal starting place for someone who knows little about Jesus. Its style—simple sentences, without complicated transitions or long speeches—makes understanding easier. In fact, Mark was probably written as a missionary book to people who knew next to nothing about the new Christian faith.
Except where he cites Jesus’ own quotations, Mark quotes the Old Testament directly in only one place (Mark 1:2-3). In addition, Mark doesn’t refer to the Old Testament Law, a striking difference from the other Gospels. Again, such facts indicate his book was written to a non-Jewish audience, probably the Romans.
You’ll need no special instructions on reading Mark. This book’s breezy style makes it as understandable as a newspaper. Because it loosely follows the chronology of Jesus’ life, Mark offers an excellent introduction to the life of Jesus. As you read, stop and ponder the events Mark records. Why did Mark select these facts? What meaning did they have for the people in Jesus’ day? What about for you?
What is the Emphases?
(1) The cross. Both the human cause (12:12; 14:1-2; 15:10) and the divine necessity (8:31; 9:31; 10:33) of the cross are emphasized by Mark.
(2) Discipleship. Special attention should be paid to the passages on discipleship that arise from Jesus' predictions of his passion (8:34-9:1; 9:35-10:31; 10:42-45).
(3) The teachings of Jesus. Although Mark records far fewer actual teachings of Jesus than the other Gospel writers, there is a remarkable emphasis on Jesus as teacher. The words "teacher," "teach" or "teaching," and "Rabbi" are applied to Jesus in Mark 39 times.
(4) The Messianic secret. On several occasions Jesus warns his disciples or the person for whom he has worked a miracle to keep silent about who he is or what he has done (1:34,44; 3:12; 5:43; 7:36-37; 8:26,30; 9:9).
(5) Son of God. Although Mark emphasizes the humanity of Jesus (see 3:5; 6:6,31,34; 7:34; 8:12,33; 10:14; 11:12), he does not neglect his deity (see 1:1,11; 3:11; 5:7; 9:7; 12:1-11; 13:32; 15:39).
Special Characteristics
Mark's Gospel is a simple, succinct, unadorned, yet vivid account of Jesus' ministry, emphasizing more what Jesus did than what he said. Mark moves quickly from one episode in Jesus' life and ministry to another, often using the adverb "immediately" (47 Times). This gives it a sense of urgency. The book as a whole is characterized as "The beginning of the gospel" (1:1). The life, death and resurrection of Christ comprise the "beginning," of which the apostolic preaching in Acts is the continuation.
Mark’s Chapters and Sections that
Carry a Central Them:
Miracles of Jesus
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1,
5
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Parables of Jesus
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4
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Jesus’ last trip to Judea
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11
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Final controversies with the Jewish leaders
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12
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Predictions of the future
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13
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Final days of Jesus’ life on earth
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14-15
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The Resurrection
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16
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ONE SOLITARY LIFE
Here is a young man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He was raised in another village, working as a carpenter until the age of thirty, when He became an itinerant preacher...
In all His life, He never wrote a book, held a public office or attended a college. He had no home or family of His own. Large cities were unknown to Him and He was never more than 200 miles from the place of His birth. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself.
After three years as a preacher, public opinion turned against Him. His friends deserted Him, leaving Him to suffer the mockery of a trial at the hands of His enemies. He was sentenced to death and was nailed to a cross between two thieves. As He was dying, His executioners gambled for His robe -- His only possession on earth...
Twenty centuries have passed since His death, and today He is the central figure of the human race and the leader of the column of progress. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the kings that ever reigned and all the governments that ever ruled, combined, have not influenced the life of man upon this earth nearly as much as that ONE SOLITARY LIFE.
Further Reading:
On Readying a Gospel as Scripture
The Gospel of Mark seeks to answer the question, "How can Jesus' death be good news?" In the aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion, people were wondering how Jesus could have been the promised Messiah if he died on a cross. Mark answers this question by showing how everything Jesus did in his life prepares us for and informs us about his death.
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