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Introduction to Mark

When was it written?

The Gospel of Mark was written and published in Rome between A.D 60-75.

This is after Paul’s missionary journeys in Asia and Greece but before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. It is also before the writing of the Gospels or Matthew and Luke, which both used Mark as a common source.

Who wrote it?

While not explicitly stated this Gospel is commonly attributed to John Mark, a spiritual son of the apostle Peter (1 Pet. 5:13). It’s held that much of the Gospel was written under the guidance and teachings of Peter.

Mark had broad experience in the early Christian church. Mark was the cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10). Mark’s mother had a house in Jerusalem that was used as a gathering place for the disciples (Acts 12:12). He accompanied Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey but turned back to Jerusalem early (Acts 12:25, 13:13). It was Barnabas’ desire to let Mark join them on their second journey that caused a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas and eventually caused Paul and Barnabas to separate (Acts 15:36-41).

It’s also believed that Mark was the young man who was left running way naked after Jesus’ arrest (Mark 14:51-52). This account only appears in the Gospel of Mark.

Even though we can see these documented failures early on in Mark’s journey he did go on to be a close friend to Paul while he was in Rome (Col 4:10, Phil. 24, 2 Tim. 4:11) and likely penned this Gospel in Rome shortly after the deaths of Peter and Paul.

Why was it written?

The Gospel of Mark tells the story of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and of the life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The writing of this Gospel may have been prompted by several things among them are: a desire share Peter’s version of the Gospel, to encourage a church undergoing persecution, or to simply share the news about Jesus Christ in manner that a Gentile audience could relate to.

Common Themes

Being the shortest of the Gospels it has been referred to as “the Gospel of haste and action”. This Gospel moves at a quick pace not spending much time with the discourses of Jesus but focusing on his actions. The individual messages in Mark are numerous but the main point may be captured in one verse:

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mar. 10:45)

If we break this verse down we see that:

  1. Jesus was God and has the power and authority of God.
  2. Jesus came as a servant, though he was God he did not come to be served (Phi. 2:7). Jesus came to serve to the point of giving up his very own life
  3. Humanity is held in captivity. A ransom is a payment for something or someone that is being held in captivity. Jesus has come to release us from captivity.

In addition to servant hood Mark addresses the following:

  • The Call to Discipleship -- the Mustard Seed
  • Healing & Miracles
  • Challenges to Accepted Thinking and Lifestyles
  • The Crucifixion of Jesus for Our Salvation

Study Questions

In preparation for this study on the Gospel of Mark answer and mediate on the following questions regarding Mark’s themes.

  1. In the following areas of you life how are you serving others and how are expecting to be served? Are you upset when people don’t treat you a certain way?
    Area How I serve How I am to be served
    Family



    Work





    Church





    Example (Family) I take out the trash most Friday mornings.

    I fix my son’s flat bicycle tire

    		 Dinner on the table by 6:00
  2. What do you give our time and energies to? How may God be trying to change how I’m giving my time and energy?

  3. Read 1 Cor. 6:20 and Mar. 10:25. The ransom God paid for us was the very high price of His son Jesus Christ.

    1. Read 1 Cor. 6:20 and Mar. 10:25. The ransom God paid for us was the very high price of His son Jesus Christ.
    2. How does God expect us to respond to the gift of His most prized possession, His son Jesus?