Introduction to the Gospel of Mark

  1. Reason for studying.

    1. It is a book of the Bible, God’s holy and inspired word.

    2. There are some things written and organized here that are not written in the other synoptic gospels.

      1. Synoptic gospels are the gospel accounts with the “same view.”

      2. These include Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

    3. Why have four gospel accounts (and three synoptic)?

      1. Every book has a purpose and reason for why it says things in the way and order that it does—Mark is no different.

      2. The gospel accounts are not biographies.

      3. Different purpose and audience.

      4. Fourfold witness – Deuteronomy 19:15.

      5. Not just two, not just three… but FOUR written witnesses.

    4. We will avoid looking at the other gospel accounts while we study this book as much as we can.

    5. Themes

      1. Mark 8:29 – “Jesus is the Christ.”

      2. Mark 10:45 – “Suffering Servant.”

    6. We will consider Author, Date, Primary audience, Purpose – these will help us to determine how best this applies to us.

    7. Then we will see a brief overview of the content (incl. outline).

  2. Author.

    1. Who is it?

      1. The author is never mentioned in the entire book.

      2. It is traditionally attributed to Mark.

      3. The earliest known titles for the book: ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΡΚΟΝ (According to Mark).

      4. Later titles: τό εὐαγγέλιον κατά Μᾶρκον (The Gospel According to Mark).

      5. The vast majority of modern scholars agree Mark is the author.

      6. They all mostly agree that this is the [John] Mark mentioned in the verses below.

        1. Acts 12:12, 25

        2. Acts 15:37, 39

        3. Colossians 4:10

        4. 2 Timothy 4:11

        5. Philemon 24

        6. 1 Peter 4:13

      1. Papias (c. AD 140) as quoted by the church historian Eusebius (c. AD 280-340).

        “And John the Presbyter also said this, Mark being the interpreter of Peter whatsoever he recorded he wrote with great accuracy, but not however, in the order in which, it was spoken or done by our Lord, for he neither heard nor followed our Lord, but as before said, he was in company with Peter, who gave him such instruction as was necessary, but not to give a history of our Lord’s discourse: wherefore Mark has not erred in any thing, by writing some things as he has recorded them; for he was carefully attentive to one thing, not to pass by any thing that he heard, or to state anything falsely in these accounts” (Ecclesiastical History 3.39.15).

        1. Quote is considered genuine, partly because Eusebius did not have a high opinion of Papias – hostile witness.

        2. Papias is said to have been associated with John.

        3. Papias was a bishop in Hierapolis (by Colosse and Laodicea).

      2. Justin Martyr (c. AD 150) calls Mark the “memoirs of Peter.”

      3. Irenaeus (c. AD 180) agrees on the connection between Mark and Peter.

      4. This seems to be a second century tradition, but some connection is indicated.

    2. Who is Mark?

      1. Colossians 4:10 – Barnabas’ cousin. Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus (Acts 4:36).

      2. 1 Peter 5:13 – Peter calls Mark his son—likely his son in the faith, responsible for his conversion as Paul was for Timothy (1 Tim. 1:2; 1 Cor. 4:17) , the Corinthians (1 Cor. 4:15), and Onesimus (Phm 10). Shows his Petrine connection.

      3. Acts 12:12-17 – Mark’s mother, Mary, owned a house in Jerusalem large enough to accommodate the brethren during Herod’s persecution at this time. When Peter escaped from prison he went there (c. AD 44 – Herod’s death).

      4. Acts 12:25; 13:4-13 – Mark (also called John) accompanies Paul and Barnabas on the first leg of their first missionary journey (c. AD 46). He returns to Jerusalem after this.

      5. Acts 15:36-41 – Barnabas was determined to take Mark with them on their second journey, but Paul refused. The contention was so sharp, Paul and Barnabas split. Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus, while Paul traveled with Silas.

      6. Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24 – Mark and Paul apparently resolved their differences and were together in Rome (c. AD 62). Paul calls Mark a fellow-laborer, while the possibility existed that he should visit Colosse.

      7. 1 Peter 5:13 – Mark is in “Babylon” with Peter (c. AD 63). Babylon is generally believed to be coded speech for Rome.

      8. 2 Timothy 4:11 – In c. AD 67, Mark is away from Paul while he is in Rome awaiting execution. He tells Timothy to get him and bring him to Rome because he considers him useful for ministry.