quincy1957

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The Gospel According To Mark

• An Introduction

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Mark was first among the Synoptic Gospels
By the early 20th century, it all had been
decided by most biblical scholars that Mark was
the basic framework for Matthew and Lukes
gospels. Now, as we enter the 21st century, this
belief is being challenged. There is a belief
that Mark is the revised version of Matthew and
Lukes Gospel.
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• Among the four Gospels, Marks was the most
  neglected by the early church.
• In fact, no commentary was written on it until
  the sixth century!
• The reason for the neglect
• 1) It is by far the shortest of the four Gospels,
  and 90 of its stories are found in
  either Matthew or Luke.
• 2) The early church father, Augustine, considered
  Mark to be a mere abbreviation
  of Matthew and Luke. 
• 3) Marks Gospel also has a somewhat rougher,
  less literary style than its peers.
• 4) Mark also has a greater number of problem
  passages, that Matthew and Luke tend to
  smooth out.

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Papias says that Mark was the interpreter of
Peter and that he wrote down what Peter said,
accurately but in no order.
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The Gospel of Mark Mark comes from the Latin
name Marcus which means Hammer. Some scholars
believe that the author of Marks Gospel was John
Mark, a figure referred to in a number of books
in the New Testament. John comes from the
Hebrew name Johanna which means Gods gift.
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The Case for John Mark Acts 1212, 25 12 As
soon as he realized this, he went to the
house of Mary, the mother of John whose
other name was Mark, where many had
gathered and were praying.  25The
n after completing their mission Barnabas
and Saul returned to Jerusalem and
brought with them John, whose other name
was Mark. Acts 1537-39 37Barnabas wanted to
take with them John called Mark. 38But
Paul decided not to take with them one
who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had
not accompanied them in the work. 39The
disagreement became so sharp that they
parted company Barnabas took Mark with
him and sailed away to Cyprus.
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Colossians 410 Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner
greets you, as does Mark the cousin of
Barnabas, concerning whom you have
received instructionsif he comes to
you, welcome him. Philemon 24 and
so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke,
my fellow-workers. 2 Timothy 411
11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him
with you, for he is useful in my
ministry. 1 Peter 513 13Your sister
church in Babylon, chosen together with
you, sends you greetings and so does my son
Mark.
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• For Whom Was the Gospel According to Mark
  Written?
• Mark in Greek
• Mark was written in Koine Greek rather than
  Aramaic. Koine Greek was the lingua franca of
  the Mediterranean world of that time, while
  Aramaic was the language common to the Jews.
• Mark and Jewish Customs
• Mark explains Jewish customs, often in detail.
  Jews in Palestine, the heart of ancient Judaism,
  certainly didnt need Jewish customs explained
  to them, so at the very least Mark must have
  expected a sizable non-Jewish audience reading
  his work.

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• Connection with Roman History
• All over the Roman empire, the late 60s and
  early 70s were an ominous time for Christians.
  According to most sources, both Peter and Paul
  were killed in the persecution of Christians in
  Rome between 64 and 68.
• James, leader of the church in Jerusalem, had
  already been killed in 62.
• The Roman armies invaded Palestine and put
  large numbers of Jews and Christians to the
  sword.
• All of this may have been the reason for the
  author of Mark to collect the various stories
  and write his gospel.

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• A number of scholars today feel that Mark might
  have been part of a community of Jews and some
  non-Jews in either Galilee or Syria.
• Marks understanding of Galilean geography is
  fair, but his understanding of Palestinian
  geography is poor he wasnt from there and
  couldnt have spent much time there.
• Marks audience probably consisted of at least
  some Gentile converts to Christianity, but the
  bulk of them were more likely Jewish Christians
  who didnt need to be educated in depth about
  Judaism.
• Its also likely that Marks audience was on the
  lower socio-economic levels of the empire.

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Early Important VersesLay A Foundation
Mark 11 The beginning of the good news of
Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 115 The
time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has
come near repent, and believe in the good
news. Mark 122 22They were astounded at his
teaching, for he taught them as one having
authority, and not as the scribes.
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Mark 831 31Then he began to teach them that the
Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be
rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and
the scribes, and be killed, and after three days
rise again. Mark 834 34He called the crowd with
his disciples, and said to them, If any want to
become my followers, let them deny themselves and
take up their cross and follow me. Mark
1539 39Now when the centurion, who stood facing
him, saw that in this way he breathed his last,
he said, Truly this man was Gods Son!
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Authority

• Everything Jesus does he does with authority.
  Jesus announcement of the Kingdom of God is
  itself a claim of extraordinary authority.
• Gods Kingdom refers to his sovereign authority
  over all things as Creator and King. He is Lord
  of the universe.
• But after the fall of Adam and Eve, creation
  has been in a state of rebellion, fallenness, and
  decay.
• Jesus makes the claim in the first half of Marks
  Gospel that he is here to restore creation!

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Suffering Servant

• Against the backdrop of numerous instances of
  suffering, the author of Mark paints a picture of
  a suffering servant that paves the way for how
  one lives a life of discipleship to Christ Jesus.
  
• The suffering of Jesus is understood by his
  followers as that which all Christians must
  endure.
• In Marks Gospel, Jesus establishes a
  discipleship handbook that continually points
  toward each disciple serving through suffering.

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Cosmic Battle
Although the words Comic Battle are never used,
numerous stories and sayings point to an epic
battle that Jesus is engaged in as he takes on
the powers beyond. Starting early in chapter one
and continuing throughout the Gospel of Mark, the
author stages the battle for divine supremacy.
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Specific Features of Marks Gospel

1. The author of Mark portrays Jesus as a doer
   more than a speaker.
2. Jesus is a man of action! Also, in Mark,
   everything is done immediately (the word is
   used 41 times in the gospel).
3. Miracles are important in Marks Gospel (18
   miracles are recorded).
4. There are only four parables shared by Jesus in
   Marks Gospel.

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1. Transformation In Marks Gospel we are
   introduced to Jesus in Chapters 1 thru 8. But at
   Mark 827 there is a transformation of Jesus and
   of the Gospel message.
2. Jesus passion story makes up a 1/3 of Marks
   Gospel
3. 16 times in his gospel, the author of Mark refers
   to Jesus as the Son of Man. Hes also referred
   to Messiah and Lord. Not once is he
   addressed as the Son of God.
4. Jesus shows anger more often in Marks Gospel
   than all the others.

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• In Marks Gospel, the outsiders know who Jesus
  is long before the insiders.
• Mark, chapter 13 The Little Apocalypse
• 11) Mark is believed to have ended with Mark
  168, but an addition was believed to have
  been tacked on to the gospel, Mark 169-20.

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Assignment Read Mark, chapters 1 and 2