JANUARY 7, 2022
The Gospel of Mark
Welcome to day/unit 7 of an overview of the entire New Testament.
Basic Background Information on the Gospel of Mark:
Author: Mark (He is also known as John Mark; see Acts 12:12, 25 & Acts 13:13)
Date Written: c. 50 AD. - Many scholars think Mark was the first Gospel written.
Where Written: Perhaps in Rome
Intended Audience: Mark often explains Jewish traditions which likely indicates he was writing to a mostly pagan Gentile audience of Romans.
Major Theme(s): Mark introduces and summarizes the entire Ministry of Jesus in Mark 1: 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
> Mark is known as the ACTION Gospel.
> Mark does NOT include a genealogy or the birth account of Christ. He jumps directly in chapter 1 recording the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan, a brief account of the temptation of Jesus, Christ calling His first Disciples, followed by fast paced accounts of the miracles, ministry, teaching, and preaching of Christ’s public Ministry.
> Mark is typically very succinct and to the point.
> Mark highlights the human and Divine natures of Jesus, that He is both a humble human servant and the Son of God.
> Secrecy in Mark: Mark repeatedly mentions that Jesus instructed people to keep some of His sayings and miracles a secret at the time they occur, (ie., 1:25, 44) because Christ’s time to suffer and die had not yet come.
> NOTE: According to The Lutheran Study Bible note on Mark 1:10 (p. 1655) Mark uses the word “immediately” (euthus in Greek) 41 times in the Gospel! “Immediately” is only used about 10 times in the rest of the entire New Testament (just an interesting observation).
Mark first uses “immediately” in Mark 1:10 - “And when [Jesus] came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”
In fact, Mark uses “Immediately” NINE (9) times in just chapter 1!
See Mark 1:10, 12, 18, 20, 21, 23, 29, 30, 42.
“Immediately” must have been one of Mark’s favorite words (ha)!
(You can find these verses quickly by entering “immediately” in the search bar on www.Biblegateway.com)
Outline: Mark is the shortest of the 3 Synoptic Gospels (16 chapters).
Mark 1 - Introduction
Mark 2-10 Ministry of Christ
Mark 11-16 Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ
NOTE: Mark has a textual variant with two endings. His first ending is abrupt at 16:8. The other ending verses of 16:9-20 may have been added at a later date. Our CPH Lutheran Study Bible comments:
Mark’s Abrupt Ending. As the ESV text note for 16:9-20 shows, these verses do not appear in a number of early Greek manuscripts. This likely means they were not part of Mark’s original composition, which may have used a “suspended” ending that left readers wanting to learn more about Jesus and his disciples. The longer ending was perhaps added later to satisfy peoples interests. (LSB, p. 1653)
Powerful passages and stories in Mark: Jesus predicts His death and resurrection ahead of time three times in Mark 8:31-33 and 9:30-32 and 10:33-34. The disciples reacted in a stunned manner or negatively to these unwelcome predictions of Jesus. Christ’s passion was also foretold in Isaiah 52-53.
In Mark 7:1-13 Jesus condemns those who attempt to elevate human teachings and traditions to be equal to God’s unhanging Truth. Jesus provides His disciples of all ages (eras and years) with stern and blunt instructions NOT to make any human teachings or TRADITIONS equal to the Commandments or Word of God. Practical application of this teaching of Jesus today could apply to many issues--for example, mandating one has to eat fish on a Friday in Lent or becoming so passionate about environmental activism that one ends up worshipping created things rather than the Creator.
Mark 10:13-16 recalls the story of Jesus welcoming and blessing the little children which is often read whenever we celebrate Holy Baptism.
Mark 12:41-44 shares the inspiring story of the Widow’s small yet massively generous offering
In Mark 13:1-2 Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple, which actually happened a couple decades later in 70 AD by the Romans.
Throughout Mark Jesus is recognized as the “Son of God” by the disciples, those He heals, others, demons, and this recognition comes to a climax at Christ’s crucifixion when a pagan Roman Centurian who witnessed everything at the Cross of Calvary exclaims in Mark 15:39b: - “Truly this man was the Son of God.”
Example of an OT Connection in Mark: Mark 1 immediately begins by quoting the prophecy of Isaiah 40 to introduce John the Baptist as the “…voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’”
Material Unique to Mark that is NOT in the Other 3 Gospels:
- Parable of the automatic growth (Mark 4:26-29)
- Deaf and dumb man healed (Mark 7:31-37)
- Blind man healed at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26)
- Instructions of Jesus to forgive others when praying (Mark 11:25-26)
- A young man who lost his linen garment and fled naked after Christ was arrested (Mark 14:51-52; most think this is Mark referring to himself)
- Mark’s version of Christ’s Great Commission (Mark 16:14-18)
A Personal Devotional Exercise in Mark:
> Let’s read ONE chapter--Mark’s fast paced, emotional, and detailed description of Christ’s Passion and death in Mark 15. As we read it, ponder the depth of Christ’s love for sinners--like us!
Personal Application of the Gospel of Mark:
> What are some spiritual questions or doubts I have wrestled with in my life (recently or in the past)?
Doubts are nothing new nor unusual for the followers of Jesus.
May we find comfort and cry out to Christ using the same plea we hear in Mark 9:24 from the doubting and distressed father of a son who had an unclean spirit: ”Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
PRAYER: Dear God, forgive us when we forget about You in our lives. Overcome our doubts and strengthen our faith in Jesus. Empower us to use the time, talents, and treasure you give us to glorify You and advance Your kingdom on earth. Work through the witness, words, prayers, and actions of our daily lives to touch others with the love and hope of Jesus, our only Savior from sin, death, and Satan. Amen
Pastor Scott Schmieding
Senior Pastor
Immanuel Lutheran Church and School
115 S. Sixth Street
Saint Charles, MO 63301
636.946.2656
