Gospel of Mark Study Guide Biblical scholars mostly believe that the Gospel of Mark to be the first of the four Gospels written and is the shortest of the four Gospels, however the precise date of when it was written is not definitely known, but thought to be around 60-75 CE. Scholars generally agree that it was written for a Roman (Latin) audience as evidenced by his use of Latin terms such as centurio, quadrans, flagellare, speculator, census, sextarius, and praetorium. This idea of writing to a Roman reader is based on the thinking that to the hard working and accomplishment-oriented Romans, Mark emphasizes Jesus as God’s servant as a Roman reader would relate better to the pedigree of a servant. While Mark was not one of the twelve original disciples, Church tradition has that much of the Gospel of Mark is taken from his time as a disciple and scribe of the Apostle Peter. This is based on several things: 1. His narrative is direct and simple with many vivid touches which have the feel of an eyewitness. 2. In the letters of Peter he refers to Mark as, “Mark, my son.” (1 Peter 5:13) and indicates that Mark was with him. 3. Peter spoke Aramaic and Mark uses quite a few Aramaic phrases like, Boanerges, Talitha Cumi, Korban and Ephphatha. 4. St Clement of Alexandria in his letter to Theodore (circa 175-215 CE) writes as much; As for Mark, then, during Peter's stay in Rome he wrote an account of the Lord's doings, not, however, declaring all of them, nor yet hinting at the secret ones, but selecting what he thought most useful for increasing the faith of those who were being instructed. But when Peter died a martyr, Mark came over to Alexandria, bringing both his own notes and those of Peter, from which he transferred to his former book the things suitable to whatever makes for progress toward knowledge. Mark is represented in iconography as a calf or ox - a creature of labor or service. It is also thought that the person referred to in Acts as John-Mark (Acts 12:25 and 15:36-41) and (2 Timothy 4:11) is the same Mark. In his Gospel, Mark moves quickly from one event to the next unlike Matthew or Luke who go into detail regarding the events of Jesus, however Mark does provide certain details not found in the other Gospels. One of the key words used in the Gospel of Mark is “ευθύς” (immediately) occurring more than 40 times. Also, the emphasis is on the works of Jesus more than on the words of Jesus since Mark paints a picture of a Christ in action. The Gospel of Mark can be divided into three (3) sections: a) Chapters 1-8:26 Baptism, Ministry of Healing and Preaching in Galilee b) Chapters 8:27-16:8 Christ’s suffering predicted, His death in Jerusalem, and His resurrection c) Verses 16:9 – 20 Potential post-additions to Mark 1 Gospel of Mark Study Guide Mark 1:1-20 Introduction, Preparing the Way, and Temptation The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.” 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” (see Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3) 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. 1. Matthew begins with the genealogy of Christ. Why does Mark omit this? Mark wrote for mainly for Gentile readers and Roman readers in particular. Genealogy would not be particularly interesting to a Gentile audience. Romans were more interested in what someone can do rather than their past. Mark’s slant to a Roman audience is also evidenced by his lack of Jewish references (Old Testament) which would not be of interest to the Romans. There are only about 63 OT quotations or allusions from the OT in Mark as compared with about 128 in Matthew and almost 100 in Luke." 2. What is the significance of describing what John the Baptist wore? • This links John the Baptist, as a prophet, to another significant prophet in the Old Testament, Elijah who wore similar clothing that set him apart from everyone else. “He wore a garment of haircloth, with a girdle of leather about his loins.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.” (2 Kings 1:8) • In Matthew, Jesus contrasts the mission of John the Baptist with the “soft” garments of royalty. As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? … To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” (Matthew 11:7,9) • Coarse garments, such as those of John the Baptist, symbolize repentance. Coarse garments like sackcloth are referred to in the Old Testament as being worm when in mourning or in a public show of repentance for sin. (Gen 37:34, Daniel 9:3 and Jonah 3:5-7) 3. What was John the Baptist's role? What was the essence of John's message? (1:2-9) • John’s destiny, as prophesied by Isaiah and Malachi, was known to him from the beginning. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41) 2 Gospel of Mark Study Guide • Upon John’s birth his parents knew of what their son’s purpose. Luke tells us that “Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” John’s father, Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit spoke his purpose. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins… (Luke 1:76-77) • John knew himself that his mission was only to point people towards the Messiah, the Christ. Many people asked John who he really was, wondering if he was Elijah and even the Messiah, yet John clearly and firmly answered “No” to all of these, repeatedly pointing to Christ. (Mark 1:7-8 and John 1:20-23) John also resisted to baptize Jesus, but relented at Jesus’ insistence. (Matt 3:14-15) 4. What is significant in verses 1:10-11 • Fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 42:1. • First New Testament indication of the presence of the Holy Trinity. • Early heresy saw this verse as a human Jesus receiving His divinity from the Father through the descent of the Holy Spirit. Compare this with Luke 3:21. 5. Why do you think the Holy Spirit "sent" Jesus into the desert? (1:12-13) The desert, throughout the Bible, is presented as a place of testing and preparation. Many people, both before and after Christ experienced time in the desert before setting out to do God’s work. Moses spent 40 years in the desert before leading the people of God out of the enslavement of Egypt. After the Exodus, the nation of Israel spent 40 years in the desert before entering the promised land and John the Baptist lived in the desert until his public appearance to Israel. Many of our saints have experienced the solitude of the desert such as Anthony, Mary of Egypt, and Simeon the Stylite. St John Chrysostom makes the point that solitude is when the devil’s power is magnified and that this temptation was directed towards Christ’s humanity. And the Spirit led Him up, when He had taken Him; not into a city and forum, but into a wilderness. That is, He being minded to attract the devil, gives him a handle not only by His hunger, but also by the place. For then most especially does the devil assail, when he sees men left alone, and by themselves. Thus, did he also set upon the woman in the beginning, having caught her alone, and found her apart from her husband.