Saint Mark the Evangelist Icon from the royal gates of the central iconostasis of the Kazan Cathedral in St.Petersburg, 1804 |
Born 1st Century AD, Cyrene, Pentapolis of North Africa
Died 68 AD, Cyrene, Pentapolis of North Africa
The book
of Mark is a Gospel that contains Narrative History, Sermons, Parables,
and some Prophetic Oracles. This Gospel has somewhat of an emphasis in
miracles (27 total) which is significantly more than any of the other
Gospels. The key word in Mark is "Immediately" which is used 34 times
causing the reader to move from one account to the next rapidly. Mark is
the shortest of the synoptic gospels and was written about 64 A.D. The
key personalities of this book are Jesus Christ, His Twelve Disciples,
Jewish religious leaders, Pilate, and John the Baptist.
It
was written by John Mark who was one of the missionaries who
accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their mission trips. It is possible
that Mark wrote this Gospel at the urging of Peter (his companion in
Rome) since he had firsthand knowledge of the things that Mark wrote
about.
The purpose of the Gospel of
Mark is to show that the Lord Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God who
was sent to suffer and to serve in order to rescue and restore mankind.
The
16 chapters of the Gospel of Mark can be divided into two parts, 8
chapters each. In the first 8 chapters Jesus is essentially traveling
north and preaching until chapter 8. In Chapter 8, Jesus is in the city
of Caesarea Philippi where He asks His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” (vs. 27). Peter replies, “You are the Christ”. Throughout the last 8 chapters, Jesus is traveling south, back to Jerusalem; all the way to Calvary’s Cross.
•
In chapter 1, there is a quick introduction of John the Baptist and
his preparation for the coming Messiah. It also includes the baptism of
Jesus in the river Jordan, and the temptation in the desert by Satan.
The focus quickly changes to the message and ministry of Jesus.
• In chapters 2-10, Jesus selects His Disciples, “And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him, and that He could send them out to preach”
(3:14). The rest of these passages almost completely refer to Jesus as a
Servant. It presents Jesus either teaching, healing, helping,
performing miracles, blessing, feeding, challenging authority, and
feeling compassion (8:2).
• Chapters
11-16 are the final chapters that declare the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ again another example of servanthood. He is betrayed,
dragged through a faulty trial, and then unmercifully beaten, humiliated
and crucified; all for the purpose of serving sinners. The final
chapter is the miraculous resurrection of His
physical body, numerous appearances, and command of the Great
Commission, and finally His ascension to the right hand of God.