Topical Bible: Gospel Of Mark

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Introduction
The Gospel of Mark is the second book of the New Testament and one of the four canonical gospels. Traditionally attributed to John Mark, a companion of the Apostle Peter, this gospel is considered by many scholars to be the earliest written account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is characterized by its succinct and action-oriented narrative, often using the term "immediately" to convey a sense of urgency and movement.

Authorship and Date
The authorship of the Gospel of Mark is traditionally ascribed to John Mark, who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles and in the epistles of Paul and Peter. Early church fathers, such as Papias and Irenaeus, affirm that Mark wrote his gospel based on the teachings and recollections of the Apostle Peter. The gospel is generally dated to around AD 60-70, a period marked by significant turmoil, including the persecution of Christians and the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70.

Structure and Content
The Gospel of Mark is composed of 16 chapters and can be divided into two main sections: the Galilean ministry of Jesus (chapters 1-8) and the journey to Jerusalem culminating in His passion, death, and resurrection (chapters 9-16). The narrative begins with the ministry of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus, quickly moving into Jesus' public ministry, which includes teachings, miracles, and exorcisms.

Key Themes
1. The Kingdom of God: Central to Mark's gospel is the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Jesus begins His ministry with the call to repentance and belief in the gospel: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).

2. The Messianic Secret: Mark frequently portrays Jesus instructing those He heals and His disciples to keep His identity as the Messiah a secret. This theme underscores the unfolding revelation of Jesus' true nature and mission, culminating in His crucifixion and resurrection.

3. Discipleship and Suffering: Mark emphasizes the cost of discipleship, highlighting the call to take up one's cross and follow Jesus. In Mark 8:34, Jesus states, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" . The gospel presents suffering as an integral part of the Christian journey, mirroring the path of Christ.

4. The Passion Narrative: The passion and resurrection of Jesus are central to Mark's gospel. The narrative details the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion, His death, and His resurrection, emphasizing the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the redemptive purpose of His sacrifice.

Distinctive Features
Mark's gospel is noted for its vivid and straightforward style, often providing more detailed descriptions of events than the other synoptic gospels. It includes unique elements such as the parable of the seed growing secretly (Mark 4:26-29) and the healing of a blind man in Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26). The abrupt ending of the gospel at Mark 16:8, with the women fleeing the empty tomb in fear, has led to much scholarly debate and the addition of longer endings in some manuscripts.

Theological Significance
The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus as the suffering servant and the Son of God, whose life and mission fulfill the divine plan of salvation. It challenges readers to understand the nature of true discipleship and the call to follow Christ through trials and tribulations. Mark's portrayal of Jesus' authority over nature, demons, and sin underscores His divine identity and the transformative power of His message.

Conclusion
The Gospel of Mark remains a foundational text for understanding the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Its emphasis on action, immediacy, and the mystery of the Messiah continues to inspire and challenge believers to live out their faith with conviction and courage.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Gospel Of Mark

By whom written. --The author of this Gospel has been universally believed to be Mark or Marcus, designated in (Acts 12:12,25; 15:37) as John Mark, and in ch. 5,13 as John.
When is was written. --Upon this point nothing absolutely certain can be affirmed, and the Gospel itself affords us no information. The most direct testimony is that of Irenaeus, who says it was after the death of the apostles Peter and Paul. We may conclude, therefore, that this Gospel was not written before A.D. 63. Again we may as certainly conclude that it was not written after the destruction of Jerusalem, for it is not likely that he would have omitted to record so remarkable a fulfillment of our Lord's predictions. Hence A.D. 63-70 becomes our limit, but nearer than this we cannot go. --Farrar.
Where it was written . --As to the place, the weight of testimony is uniformly in favor of the belief that the Gospel was written and published at Rome. In this Clement, Eusebius, Jerome, Epiphanius, all agree. Chrysostom, indeed, asserts that it was published at Alexandria; but his statement receives no confirmation, as otherwise it could not fail to have done, from any Alexandrine writer. --Farrar.
In what language. --As to the language in which it was written, there never has been any reasonable doubt that it was written in Greek.
Sources of information . --Mark was not one of the twelve; and there is no reason to believe that he was an eye and ear witness of the events which he has recorded but an almost unanimous testimony of the early fathers indicates Peter as the source of his information. The most important of these testimonies is that of Papias, who says, "He, the Presbyter (John), said, Mark, being the Interpreter of Peter, wrote exactly whatever he remembered but he did not write in order the things which were spoken or done by Christ. For he was neither a hearer nor a follower of the Lord, but, as I said, afterward followed Peter, who made his discourses to suit what was required, without the view of giving a connected digest of the discourses of our Lord. Mark, therefore, made no mistakes when he wrote down circumstances as he recollected them; for he was very careful of one thing, to omit nothing of what he heard, and to say nothing false in what he related." Thus Papias writes of Mark. This testimony is confirmed by other witnesses. --Abbott.
For whom it was written. --The traditional statement is that it was intended primarily for Gentiles, and especially for those at Rome. A review of the Gospel itself confirms this view.
Characteristics . -- (1) Mark's Gospel is occupied almost entirely with the ministry in Galilee and the events of the passion week. It is the shortest of the four Gospels, and contains almost no incident or teaching which is not contained in one of the other two synoptists; but (2) it is by far the most vivid and dramatic in its narratives, and their pictorial character indicates not only that they were derived from an eye and ear witness, but also from one who possessed the observation and the graphic artistic power of a natural orator such as Peter emphatically was. (3) One peculiarity strikes us the moment we open it, --the absence of any genealogy of our Lord. This is the key to much that follows. It is not the design of the evangelist to present our Lord to us, like St. Matthew as the Messiah, "the son of David and Abraham," ch. 1:1, or, like St. Luke, as the universal Redeemer, "the son of Adam, which was the son of God." ch. 3:38. (4) His design is to present him to us as the incarnate and wonder-working Son of God, living and acting among men; to portray him in the fullness of his living energy. --Cambridge Bible for Schools.

Greek

993. Boanerges -- Boanerges, an epithet applied to the two sons of ...
... There are some 16 Aramaic and Latin terms in Mark's Gospel (see 2:4, 3:17, 5:9,
5:41, 7:4, 7:11, 7:34, 8, 9, 11;, 12:42, 14:36, 15, 15:34, 15:39, 44).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/993.htm - 8k

Library

The Gospel of Mark
... The Gospel of Mark. CONTENTS ... CHARACTERISTICS. There are certain characteristics by
which the Gospel of Mark is distinguished from the other Gospels: ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of mark.htm

The Gospel of Mark
... The Gospel of Mark. Mark's Gospel differs widely from Matthew's, both in character
and scope. The contrasts between them are marked and many. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of mark.htm

The Gospel According to Mark.
... 25, note 24), our canonical Gospel of Mark, or an original Mark, resembling the
present one; a number of fragmentary documents have been assumed; while others ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xv the gospel according to.htm

The Gospel of St. Mark
The Gospel of St. Mark. <. The Gospel of St. Mark GA Chadwick. Table of Contents.
Title Page. Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chadwick/the gospel of st mark/

The Water-Mark of John's Gospel.
... I John's Story The Water-Mark of John's Gospel. The very ... This picture is really
the water-mark on the paper of John's Gospel. Hold up ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the water-mark of johns gospel.htm

The Gospel According to St. Mark
... Son, by which Luke lays emphasis upon the truth that the Jews have no monopoly of
holiness, and that the outcast is welcome to the gospel. Mark is less Jewish ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter iv the gospel according.htm

The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark
The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark. <. ... CHAPTER I. THE
CASE OF THE LAST TWELVE VERSES OF S. MARK'S GOSPEL, STATED. CHAPTER II. ...
/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark /

The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark
The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark. <. The Last Twelve
Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark John William Burgon. ...
/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark/

Things Omitted from Mark's Gospel.
... I. Things Omitted from Mark's Gospel. 1. Just as the skill of ... of the Word.
Notably is this the case with Mark's Gospel. Here we find ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/i things omitted from marks.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Mark xiii. 32, "But of that Day or ...
... On the words of the Gospel, Mark xiii. 32, "But of that day or that hour knoweth
no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.". ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlvii on the words.htm