00: Introduction to the Gospel of Mark

Author: The theologians agree that Mark wrote this gospel from Peter’s testimonies and ministry. Mark wrote in Italy, and specifically in Rome. Mark showed special interest in persecution and martyrdom, which would have been of special interest to Roman readers when he wrote. – from Constable’s note.

Characteristics: Linguistically, Mark used a relatively limited vocabulary when he wrote this Gospel. His writing has rough and ungrammatical Greek wording, compared with Luke, who had a much more polished writing style. However, Mark used a forceful, fresh, and vigorous writing style. Mark recorded many intimate details that only an eyewitness could have observed, which he evidently obtained from Peter (e.g., 1:27, 41, 43; 2:12; 3:5; 7:34; 9:5-6, 10; 10:24, 32). He stressed Jesus' acts and gave a prominent place to His miracles in this Gospel. Mark recorded 20 of Jesus' miracles. Matthew, on the other hand, stressed Jesus' discourses and His teachings about His kingdom. Jesus comes through in Mark's Gospel as a Man of action, the “Servant of the Lord." – Constable.

Key Verse: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be seved but to serve, and to give his life as a ransome for many.” (10:45)

Purpose: Mark's purpose was not just to give his readers a biographical or historical account of Jesus' life. He had a more practical purpose. The biographical material he chose to include and omit suggests that he wanted to enable his Christian readers to endure suffering and persecution for their faith effectively. To do this, he recorded much about Jesus' sufferings. About one-third of this Gospel deals with the passion of Jesus. - Constable

Matthew is directed to the religious man. Mark was written to the strong man. Luke is addressed to the thinking man. The Gospel of John is directed to the wretched man, the man who needs salvation – McGee.

OUTLINE

The Beginning of the Gospel (CHS 1 – 3). The gospel of Mark starts with a proclamation, ‘The beginning of the gospel.” He came to call sinners and to recover the Sabbatical rest. The Pharisees didn’t like these teachings and wanted to kill Him. And even His family didn’t understand the gospel.

Hidden and Revealed (CHS 4 – 5). Jesus used parables to teach about the kingdom of God. It is hidden from those outside and simultaneously revealed to the disciples. Jesus demonstrated His power beyond their expectation: over nature, demons, and death. The identity of Jesus was also hidden from the Jews but revealed to the Gentiles. 

Rejection and Confession (CHS 6 – 8) His hometown people refused to accept Jesus' identity. The Gentile Herod thought he was the resurrected John the Baptist. When Jesus traveled into the GEntile villages and healed the people, the Pharisees accused him of ritual defilement. But Jesus said cleansing the heart is more important than the ritual cleansing that is the Law of Moses. Then, they requested a sign of authority that Jesus could say so. Despite all these conflicts, Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah.

The Ministry of the Messiah Revealed (CHS 8b – 10). At hearing of Peter's confession, Jesus started announcing the ministry of the Messiah. It is not something they expected but the ministry of suffering. He told them what it would be like to follow such a Messiah and showed them the glory of the Messiah. He challenged them to follow Him, to be like little children, to serve others, not to be self-seeking. However, the disciples failed every time.

Triumphal Entry, Teachings in the Temple and the Moutain (CHS 11 – 13) In the people's expectation of restoring the Davidic kingdom, Jesus entered Jerusalem. He cleansed the temple that they had made a den of robbers and taught them the new way of coming to God: through faith and grace. The religious leaders requested the sign of His authority to do such acts and words. Then, Jesus answered to them that He was the son of the vineyard owner who would be killed by the evil tenant farmers. He disclosed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, the ignorance of the Sadducees, and the not-doing of the experts in the law. 

Then, He told His disciples about the coming tribulation and the church's corruption and admonished them to stay alert without swelling according to what they would see and hear. 

The Ministry of Messiah as a Servant. (CHS 14 – 16) Jesus interpreted the anointing of oil as a preparation of his burial. Judah, one of his disciples, plans to betray Jesus at hearing this. After explaining the meaning of the sacrifice on the cross, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane with his disciples and prayed. Jesus' prayer shows that the cross was the Father's will. He was betrayed, arrested, and taken to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council. Jesus’ self-proclamation of 'the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One' made them accuse him of blasphemy that deserved death. 

However, of treason, did the religious leaders accuse Jesus before Pilate. Though Pilate could not find any sin in Jesus, he let Jesus be crucified to keep his place when the crowd shouted to crucify Jesus, being stirred by the high priests. Roman soldiers mocked Jesus, saying 'the king of the Jews' and crucified Him at the Place of Skull. Passersby and high priests mock him, saying, 'Come down from the cross.'

Jesus cried aloud, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" Roman centurion confessed, "Truly, this man was God’s son." Joseph of Arimathea, a council member, buried Jesus’ body in his tomb. Some women who had followed the Lord from Galilee watched his death and burial from afar.

The three women went to the tomb the first morning after the Sabbath. The young man in a white robe told them that Jesus had risen and asked them to let His disciples know Jesus would go to Galilee, and they would see him there. When they heard this, they fled in terror and could not say anything to anyone out of fear.

This is the gospel. 

Where is your Galilee? You will see the Lord of the Resurrection there.