OVERVIEW OF MARK

Bible Book: Mark

Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.

Author: Mark

Type of Book: Gospel

Theme: Jesus: Miracle Worker, Suffering Servant and Son of God

Date of Writing: A.D. 55-65

Background
Among the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)—the narrative accounts of the “good news” (i.e., gospel) of Jesus Christ—Mark is the shortest (but at the same time very complete) account of “the beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (1:1). Although the author is not identified by name in the book itself (this is true of all the Gospels), the testimony most agreed upon by the church throughout its history has been that John Mark was responsible for its writing. This man grew up in Jerusalem. His mother’s house had served as a meeting place for early believers (Ac 12:12), and he was among the first-generation Christians. He had the unique opportunity of ministering with three NT apostles (i.e., pioneer leaders of the early church): Paul (Ac 13:1-13; Col 4:10; Phm 1:24), Barnabas (Ac 15:39) and Peter (1Pe 5:13; see Ac 14:4, note on “apostles”). According to Papias (c. A.D. 130) and other second-century church leaders and historians, Mark got most of the information for his Gospel from his association with Peter (one of Jesus’ closest disciples and a leader of the original church in Jerusalem). Mark wrote the narrative (historical account of the true story of what happened in, to and through the life of Jesus Christ) in Rome and focused particularly on communicating with the Roman Christians. Although the specific date for the writing of Mark’s Gospel is uncertain, most scholars date it in the late 50s or the 60s. It may have been the first of the four Gospels to be written.

Purpose
In the 60s of the first century A.D., the general public in Rome treated the Christians cruelly, and many were tortured and killed by the Roman Emperor Nero. According to tradition, the early church leaders, Peter and Paul, were among the Christian martyrs (i.e., those who were killed for their faith in Christ) in Rome during this decade. As one of the church leaders in Rome, John Mark was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write about Jesus’ life in anticipation of, or as a response to, this time of persecution. By recounting Jesus’ example of power and suffering, death and resurrection, no doubt Mark strengthened and encouraged faith in Jesus’ followers in Rome and inspired courage in those who were suffering for their faith.

Survey
In a fast-moving description of events, Mark presents Jesus as the Son of God who filled the roles of both a suffering servant and the spiritual Savior of the world. That is to say, Mark’s message strongly focused on Jesus’ humanity and his divinity (i.e., the fact that he is God). The climax (i.e., highest point or most important event, after which the narrative moves quickly toward its end) of the book is an episode in Caesarea Philippi, followed by the transfiguration (see 8:27-9:10 for a defining description of these events). At this point, Jesus fully confirms to the disciples his identity as the Christ (i.e., the Messiah, Savior) and fully reveals his mission to give his life for us. The first half of Mark focuses primarily on Jesus’ powerful miracles and on his authority over sickness and demons as signs that God’s kingdom was near. This means that his power, purposes and way of life on earth were fully in progress and proceeding according to God’s perfect plan. At Caesarea Philippi, however, Jesus tells his disciples openly that he “must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again” (8:31). There are many references throughout Mark to suffering as the cost of following Christ (e.g., 3:21-22, 30; 8:34-38; 10:30, 33-34, 45; 13:8, 11-13). In God’s kingdom, however, suffering for Christ will, in the end, lead to freedom and victory, as shown in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Special Features
Four major features characterize Mark’s Gospel: (1) It is a Gospel of action, putting more emphasis on what Jesus did than on what he said. Mark records eighteen miracles but only four of his parables (short word pictures that teach a lesson or make a specific point), not including parable-type statements. (2) It is a Gospel especially written for the Romans—explaining Jewish customs, omitting all Jewish genealogies (i.e., family histories) and birth stories, translating Aramaic words and using Latin terms. (3) It is a Gospel that begins abruptly and moves rapidly from one episode to another, often making transitions using the Greek term for “immediately” (42 times). (4) It is a Gospel of clear and lively images and descriptions that report the events of Jesus’ life with the direct, brief, complete and artistic style of a skilled writer.

Giving credit where credit is due.  These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible.  Don Stamps, editor.  Originally published by Life Publishers.