Mark - Introduction

PLUS

NEXT I. Preparation for Ministry (Mark 1:1-13)

Introduction

Author

LIKE THE OTHER GOSPELS, THE Gospel of Mark is anonymous; it names no author. Nevertheless, the earliest existing copies (dating perhaps to the late first century BC) include the name “Mark” in the title. Moreover, the early church father Papias claimed that Mark wrote his Gospel based on Peter’s preaching. Indeed, Peter mentions Mark as his companion (see 1 Pet 5:12-13), and this is the same “John Mark” from the book of Acts who also traveled with Paul on his missionary journeys (see Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; 15:36-39; Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11). This early evidence gives us good reason to believe that John Mark was the author of the Gospel bearing his name and that the apostle Peter provided him with eyewitness testimony of Jesus. Some interpreters have suggested that the unidentified young man who fled the night Jesus was betrayed (14:50-52) was John Mark himself.

Historical Background

Many Bible scholars believe Mark’s Gospel was written first, most likely during the 50s, and was used as a source by Matthew and Luke when they wrote their Gospels. It seems likely that Mark wrote primarily for a Gentile audience because he often explains Hebrew/Aramaic words and Jewish customs (e.g., 3:17; 5:41; 7:3-4, 11, 34; 15:34, 42). According to early church tradition, Mark wrote in Rome; therefore, his audience may have been Gentile churches in that city.

Message and Purpose

The book of Mark is written to disciples. It blends the two main topics of leadership and service. Mark unfolds what it means to serve as a kingdom leader and to lead as a servant, because both of these elements are included in what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Discipleship, in fact, is that process whereby we progressively learn what it means to bring every area of life under his lordship. The Gospel of Mark takes us on a pilgrimage as Jesus teaches his first disciples who he is, what he is about, and what it means to follow him.

The disciples had much to learn: they actually argued about which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus had to turn their thinking upside down, so he showed them that leadership comes through service. He demonstrated this himself, for indeed he had come “to serve” (10:45). He is called both Son of God and Son of Man because Jesus is both divine and human. He serves the purposes of God, yet he does so by meeting the needs of people. Our challenge in studying Mark is to learn from Jesus’s example how to lead and how to serve.

VIDEO INTRO

Outline