The Gospel of Mark

1
The Gospel of Mark

• A brief overview

2
Gospel of Mark - General

• The Word Gospel means Good News of Jesus
  Christ
• Written by John Mark from Peters account
• It is hard to date but scholars think around AD 63

3
Gospel of Mark General

• First of the Gospels written.
• Explain why Mark does not appear as the first
  Gospel.
• Shortest of the Gospels.
• Style is sharp and to the point.

4
Structure

• The beginning 11-13
• Jesus public ministry 114 to 950
• From Jerusalem to Galilee 101-52
• The Last week in and near Jerusalem 169-20
• 111 to 1547
• The Resurrection 161-8
• The Appearances and the ascension 169-20.
• Issue of the alternate endings.

5
Structure of the Gospel of Mark

• The beginning of the Gospel (Mark 11-13)
• Includes the Preaching of John the Baptist and
  the Baptism and the temptation of Jesus.

6
Mark 11-3

• The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ,
  the son of God. (Mark 11)
• As it was written in the prophet Isaiah, See I
  am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will
  prepare your way the voice of one crying in the
  wilderness Prepare the way of the Lord and make
  his path straight.

7
The Structure of Marks Gospel

• Jesus public ministry in Galilee (Mark 114 to
  950)
• Includes such passages as The call of the four
  fishermen Jesus heals many people some of
  Jesus preaching answers to questions about
  fasting, the Sabbath Jesus chooses the twelve
  disciples various parables calms the storm
  feeding of the 5000 the Transfiguration and
  Jesus speaking about his death.

8
Structure of Marks Gospel

• From Galilee to Jerusalem (Mark 101-52)
• Includes such passages as teaching about divorce,
  blessing the children, the rich young man
  speaking about his death for the third time the
  request of James and John and the healing of
  blind Bartimaeus

9
Structure of Marks Gospel

• Last week in and near Jerusalem (Mark 111 to
  1547)

10
Structure of Marks Gospel

• The resurrection of our Jesus (Mark 161-8)

11
Structure of Marks Gospel

• The appearances and ascension of Jesus (Mark 16
  9-20)

12
The Gospel of Mark and the changing world

• Yes the world is changing changing very rapidly
  but Marks Gospel keeps before us that Jesus is
  the Son of God.
• The Gospel is short, sharp and to the point and
  I think the ministry of the Church has to have
  some of these elements.
• Sharing the faith with those outside the Church.

13
St. Marks Gospel

• It is a real treasure - concise and to the
  point.
• There is no padding!
• Let us read it in one sitting to get the flavour.
  Also let us read each section and see how the
  Gospel builds up.
• Let us give thanks for the Gospel and the Gospel
  of Mark in particular.

14
Messianic Secret

• People are often puzzled as to why Jesus heals
  someone and then tells them to keep quiet.
• Another way of expressing is, Jesus supreses his
  identity.
• This is known as the Messianic Secret, first
  named by William Wrede in 1901.
• Some texts

15
Texts Messianic Secret

• This is just a selection
• Cleansing the leper - 143-44
• Multitude at the Seaside - 312
• Girl restored to life 543
• Curing the deaf man - 736
• Curing the blind man - 826
• The Transfiguration - 99

16
Study Questions - Introduction

• Do you like direct comments? Explain
• How do you respond to Mark 11?
• Who prepared you to understand the Scriptures?
• What would you have liked to have happened to in
  helping you to understand the Scriptures?

17
Jesus Public Ministry

• How does the call of the fishermen inform my
  understanding of ministry? (Mark 114-20)
• Jesus healed many people. Jesus brings about
  healing today. Invite people to share healing
  and the power of God in their lives.
• Jesus chose 12 disciples (Mark 313 -19) the
  word means learner. In what ways can we continue
  our growth in faith.

18
Jesus public ministry

• Jesus performed many miracles. Many people ask
  today does Jesus still perform miracles. What
  would you reply and how would the Gospel of Mark
  inform your answer?
• The Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 2-9) not only
  informs us of the continuity of God in the world
  but also highlights the responses of the inner
  three. What does this passage teach us?

19
Galilee to Jersualem

• This section contains teaching about divorce
  Jesus blessing children a parable Jesus
  speaking about his death a request and a
  healing.
• A parable is a story told by Jesus to teach us
  about God and his Kingdom. What does the parable
  of the Rich Young Man (Mark 1017-31) say to us
  in 2011?

20
Galilee to Jersulaem

• Mark 1035-45 has much to say to us about servant
  ministry.
• What does this passage say to us in the Church?
• In what ways can this passage be informative to
  those who are enquiring about the faith? Share
  your insights.

21
The last week in and around Jersualem

• This week involved a physical journey some
  teaching about the fig tree use of the Temple
  our Lords authority parables questions
  about tax our Lords second coming the Lords
  Supper his arrest and his trial and his death
  to name a few key passages.
• As a group select a passage from chapter 11 and
  chapter 15 and reflect on it asking yourself what
  does it say to us and me as we live out our faith
  in 2011.

22
Chapter 16

• If people are interested in exploring the old and
  another ending, there is information on the web.
  
• The resurrection is the lynch pin of our faith.
• In each of the Gospels, the authors highlight
  the centrality of the resurrection.
• You are invited to note the incidental
  differences. Draw up a table.