Gospel of Mark25 Jan
The Gospel According to Mark is an action packed book. Just glance through the first couple chapters and see how many things take place. This Gospel is considered by some the most chronological.
All of the Gospels are true and have meaning for each of us, but each one had a slightly different purpose and initial audience. Mark was initially written to a Roman audience, which may be why the birth narrative was not in this book as it was with the Gospels of Matthew and Luke (Romans would have been more interested in the messenger – John the Baptist – who announced Jesus).
When written: Roughly 55 A.D. It is generally considered to be the first Gospel written.
Author: John Mark, a companion of Peter and a one-time companion of the Apostle Paul.
In Mark the suffering servant becomes messianic King, and yet Jesus is seen as demanding that this fact be kept secret. Every group with which Jesus is involved is forced to silence: the demons (1:23-25, 34; 3:11-12), those healed (1:40-44; 5:43; 7:36; 8:26), the disciples (8:30; 9:9). In addition, the leaders are kept from the truth (3:22; 4:10-12; 8:11-12), and Jesus withdraws from the crowds (4:10; 7:17; 9:28) and hides from them (7:24; 9:30). Many have thought that Mark created the theme in order to explain why Jesus was never recognized during his life (Wrede) or to oppose the disciples themselves, whom Mark believed were proclaiming a false gospel (Weeden). However, neither explanation is necessary. The crowds were not allowed to hear such teaching because they considered Jesus to be only a “wonder worker,” and the disciples could not proclaim it due to their own misunderstanding regarding the meaning of his office, i.e., they interpreted it in light of the Jewish expectation of a conquering king rather than a suffering servant. The demons were silenced as part of the “binding of Satan” theme (cf. 3:27 and further below), and the leaders were kept from understanding as sign of God’s rejection of them. On the whole, Mark stresses that Jesus’ messiaship is essentially incognito, hidden from all except those with spiritual insight. In short, while Jesus is indeed a wonder worker, Mark wishes to clarify the implications carefully. Go here to read a further breakdown of themes by Grant Osborne
As you read, look for some reoccuring words, which point to major themes:
Key Words used throughout Mark’s Gospel:
- Gospel / Good News
- Son of God
- Authority
- Kingdom of God
- Believe / Faith
- Follow / Behind
- The Way / Road
For a full Literary work-up of the gospel go to this resource
12 Responses to “Gospel of Mark”
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Oh snap, Jesus is at it again. Breaking “rules,” living truth instead of religion. God is with us.
When reading the last verses of Mark 3 about Jesus’ response about his mother and brothers, I have always been a little set back about His reply. But this time I realize it was not a “put down” about His family but to build up how important His followers were to Him. I realize how important our brothers and sisters in Christ are to us. We love our family members who are not believers but have a very special bond with fellow believers.
You’re absolutely right MCB. Jn. 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Jn. 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Rm. 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” 1 Jn. 3:11 “This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 Jn. 3:23 “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.” 1 Jn. 4:11 “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” The list goes on and on. If only we were obedient to this one command not only would the world be a different place, but unbelievers would probably be knocking on the doors of churches to get what we have.
Amen Bob A. Not only are we to LOVE the LORD our GOD with all our heart mind and soul, but we should LOVE one another. If we started to put our brothers and sisters ahead of our selves WOW how great would that be? JESUS taught us how to love, let’s follow His lead
Jesus is rejected in His hometown. His townsmen who thought they knew Jesus best (v.3) took offense at Him. V. 5 tells us that Jesus could not do any miracles… v.6 Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith.
Basically, these people put God in their own box. They refused to see Jesus beyond their own understanding of who He should be and what He should do.
I have done this many times as well. Many time I have limited experiencing God because I have made a mold and tried to fit God into it. Again the answer to this dilemma is FAITH.
I find it interesting of how continually the people were “amazed” at Jesus’ power and how Jesus was “amazed” by the people’s lack of faith.
Today I finally caught up with the reading – thank You Lord! Chapter 13 made me think scary thoughts about following Jesus, what he warns us about as his followers isn’t what the typical person might want to sign up for – betrayal, beatings, persecution. All of us want to be liked especially with today’s emphasis on being accepted. But the promises Jesus makes to the rejected of this world are great, awesome and for me, sometimes out of my perspective. God help me to have His perspective. Throughout this year I have had many of the things that make me comfortable taken away, perhaps there is more to come. I have spent much of this year being frightened and overwhelmed by MY problems. I remind myself of the Israelites, grumbling about wanting to go back to Egypt to be fed rather than starve int he desert, forgetting to thank Him for each day and all the good that He does provide. But God is in the desert and He guides to the Promised Land. I may not know what God has in store but do I want to trade my current days and time with Him for worry and grumbling? No. In the psalms I am constantly reminded of the connection between suffering and victory, the difference between God’s plans and perspective and ours. I always thought I had God’s perspective on a lot but in the midst of my struggles I have been greatly challenged in my Faith. I believe but I need help and forgiveness for my doubt. I feel the stretching of the Holy Spirit in my heart and mind to comprehend the greatness of God in the midst of my earthly troubles and insecurities. God is about so much more than earthly comfort and I am grateful for Him.
Hope this is not too personal.
Hi Vanessa…I share your sentiments. It is scary at times to live a life of faith especially in this world where people live by sight and their emotions. But I am also reminded in Rom 8 where it says that since God is for us who can be against us. I am also reminded that everything that happens must pass thru the sieve of God’s love and His plan for us. The struggles we face stretches our faith in God and ultimately we will come through our trials more mature and complete (James 1). I am excited to see how God will bring glory to Himself after every hardship.
I think when we complicate our lives Mark 13 can intimidate us. People will suffer with Jesus or without Jesus. So I rather be conformed to His sufferings which results in a reward than suffer in this life and end up without God.
I have 2 questions
1. Mar 14:4 But there were some that had indignation among themselves, saying, To what purpose hath this waste of the ointment been made?
Mar 14:5 For this ointment might have been sold for above three hundred shillings, and given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
Mar 14:6 But Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
Mar 14:7 For ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good: but me ye have not always.
Mar 14:8 She hath done what she could; she hath anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
Mar 14:9 And verily I say unto you, Wheresoever the gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.
Are preachers commanded by the the Lord to mention what this woman has done?
2.Mar 14:34 And he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: abide ye here, and watch.
Jesus is about to be crucified and in the garden and about to pray and He says the above words to the 3 disciples…soul… exceeding sorrowful (intensely sad)..even unto death…How do we interpret this? He is so sad, depressed, distressed that He would rather die right then and there before going to the cross? I can totally understand His statement. Anyone have insite on this?
Thanks Nick, I especially liked the part about heaven being our destination and conformity to Christ God’s goal for us. I just read back thru Grace and Vanessa and your comments on 13 and those were really helpful and insightful too.
As for your question Nick, my version says, “my soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”(NLT) I’m pretty sure the NIV says “my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” I could be wrong, but I always took that to mean that Jesus almost couldn’t bear the weight of suffering, all the world’s sin, the Father’s rejection – he knew what was coming. He then asked the Father to let this cup pass from him (the cross) but is willing to do whatever the Father asks. It was almost too much for him, which is incredible to think about because he’s God, almost too much, but he did it. Halleluiah.
Audra, your answer is insightful. Jesus is and was God even when He came to the earth.
Did He put aside His Deity and live as a man with faith in God, anointed with the fullness of the Spirit when He came to the earth? Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 23 genes from Mary and 23 genes from the Holy Spirit? Did He alter His eternal state when He became the God-Man? I don’t want to create controversy but it is a mystery. So as you stated He knew what was about to happen to Him. He did this so He can completely identify with man. He always would refer to Himself as the Son of man. I think we all have been at a place where we face things that our soul becomes exceedingly sorrowful even unto death. But the cross we bear is miniscule compared to what our Lord had to face.
Even Jesus needed help to bear the cross: Mar 15:21 States, and they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
Sometimes our cross is too much to bear that is why we need to surround ourselves with godly men and women. I did have this conversation with Pastor Steve. He has much more insight on this.
I don’t think we have an answer in the Bible about whether Jesus knew everything when he was a man in the way God knows everything. On the cross he asks a question “Why …” This could just be because it is a quote or did He forego some knowledge when he laid aside His glory to be a man. Also did He learn from the temptations in the wilderness or just knew it all. He frequently prayed to His Father. I think he did not know everything. The comment on genes (chromosomes )by Nick is also a total mystery. I am trying to catch up with the readings without abandoning all housework!My house has a lot of dust.