Introduction to the Book of Mark

Author

Just like the other gospel accounts, the name of the author is never mentioned in the text. Several early church leaders attribute the book to Mark, also known as John Mark (see Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37), the cousin of Barnabas (see Colossians 4:10). While the authorship is generally not in question, the viewpoint of the content is considered to be Peter’s. 

Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not indeed in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but afterward, as I said, he followed Peter, who adapted his teaching to the needs of his hearers, but with no intention of giving a connected account of the Lord’s discourses, so that Mark committed no error while he thus wrote some things as he remembered them. For he was careful of one thing, not to omit any of the things which he had heard, and not to state any of them falsely.^[1]

John Mark is never identified by name in any of the gospel accounts. Although considered by many to be the rich young man that approached Jesus inquiring how to inherit eternal life (see Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30). John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (see Acts 12:25; 13:5), but left them when they arrived at Perga in Pamphylia and went back to Jerusalem (see Acts 13:13). His desertion upset Paul so much that he later refused to take him on his second missionary journey (see Acts 15:36-41). Apparently Paul eventually forgave John Mark as evidenced in Paul’s epistle to the church in Colossae, “Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way.” (Colossians 4:10, NLT)

Date

There continues to be some debate as to when this gospel account was written, however, it is generally accepted that it was written before the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., since there is no indication in the text that when Jesus spoke of the Temple’s destruction (see Mark 13:2) that this prophecy was already fulfilled. Most scholars believe it was written between 64-68 A.D.

Perspective 

The intended audience of the book of Mark appears to be aimed at Gentiles as Mark offers translations of many Aramaic words (see Mark 3:17; 5:41; 7:11, 34; 14:36; 15:22, 34) and provides explanations of several Jewish protocols and customs (see Mark 7:3-4; 14:12; 15:42). As discussed in the Introduction, this book emphasizes Jesus’ role as a servant. Which aligns well with the fact that Mark does not provide any form of genealogy, as the lineage of a servant would not be considered important. 

Don’t Avoid Reading

Due to its smaller size and considered mostly redundant, the book of Mark is often overlooked by readers. That of course would be a mistake as this book is not only God’s Word that offers an “insider’s perspective,” it provides invaluable detail and descriptions not found elsewhere in a fast-paced story-telling approach. Some have even described the book of Mark as being like a script for a movie. While much of the detail might seem minor, such as the grass being green (see Mark 6:39), there are several ‘bits’ of added information that can offer insight for the diligent reader, such as identifying the woman in Tyre and Sidon as being Syrophoenician (see Mark 7:24-30) and the fact that Herod was afraid of John the Baptist (see Mark 6:20).

With the exception of Mark 4:26-29, “The Parable of the Seed Growing;” Mark 8:22-26 about the healing of a blind man at Bethsaida; and Mark 14:51-52 regarding a naked man running away from Jesus’ arrest, Mark does not reveal any new stories when compared to the other gospel accounts. However, reading this gospel should always be considered a ‘must read’ for Christians, especially for those who desire to thoroughly study the Word of God.

The Ending

The last twelve verses of Mark chapter 16 in most modern Bible translations and versions are often ‘flagged’ with a footnote or a statement that reads something like, “Not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.” There is evidence that these verses were perhaps added later, this idea will be discussed later in chapter 16.

It is interesting to note that in those verses are the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to Mary Magdalene, two unnamed disciples and then to all eleven disciples where He commands them to “Go into all the world,” with a slightly different version of the Great Commission (see Mark 16:14-20). Which contains several controversial signs, such as demons being casted out, speaking in tongues, picking up venomous snakes without harm, consumption of deadly poison that has no effect, and the healing of diseases by placing hands on the sick person. 

Outline

I.  Before Jesus' ministry begins (1:1–13)

A.  John the Baptist announces that someone greater than him is coming (1:1–8)

B.  Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist (1:9–11)

C.  Jesus is tempted by Satan (1:12–13)

II.  Jesus' ministry begins in Galilee and surrounding area (1:14–7:23)

A.  Jesus proclaims the gospel message (1:14–15)

    B.  Jesus calls his first disciples (1:16–20)

  C.  Teaching and healing in Capernaum (1:21–34)

D.  Jesus expands ministry throughout Galilee (1:35–39)

E.  Jesus cleanses a leper (1:40-45)

    F.  Jesus heals a paralytic (2:1-12)

    G.  Jesus calls Levi to follow Him (2:13-17)

    H.  Jesus is asked about fasting (2:18-22)

    I.  Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (2:23-28)

    J.  Healing a man with a withered hand (3:1-6)

    K.  A large crowd begins to follow Jesus (3:7-12)

   L.  The twelve disciples (3:13–21)

    M.  Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (3:22–30)

    N.  Jesus identifies His family (3:31–35)

    O.  Jesus begins to teach in parables (4:1–34)

1.  Parable of the sower (4:1–8)

        2.  The reason for teaching in parables (4:9–12)

        3.  The parable of the sower explained (4:13–20)

    4.  A lamp under a basket (4:21–25)

        5.  The parable of a seed growing (4:26–29)

        6.  The parable of the mustard seed (4:30–34)

P.  Jesus calms a storm (4:35–41)

    Q.  Jesus casts out demons from a man (5:1–20)

R.  Jesus heals a woman (5:21–34)

    S.  Jesus raises a dead girl (5:35–43)

    T.  Jesus is is rejected in His hometown (6:1–6)

   U.  Jesus sends out His disciples (6:7–13)

    V.  Death of John the Baptist (6:14–29)

    W.  Jesus feeds five thousand (6:30–44)

    X.  Jesus walks on water (6:45–52)

    Y.  Jesus heals many in Gennesaret (6:53–56)

    Z.  Jesus challenges the traditions of the Pharisees (7:1–23)

 III.  Jesus expands His ministry to include Gentile regions (7:24–9:50)

    A.  In Tyre and Sidon Jesus delivers the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman (7:24–30)

    B.  In Decapolis Jesus heals a deaf man (7:31–37)

    C.  On the southeastern shore of Galilee Jesus feeds four thousand (8:1–10)

    D.  In Dalmanutha the Pharisees demand a sign (8:11–13)

    E.  On the opposite side of the lake Jesus reprimands His disciples (8:14–21)

    F.  In Bethsaida Jesus restores sight to a blind man (8:22–26)

    G. While in Caesarea Philippi and Capernaum Jesus instructs His disciples (8:27–9:50)

1.  Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ (8:27–30)

        2.  Jesus foretells His suffering and death (8:31–33)

        3.  The cost of discipleship (8:34–9:1)

       4.  The Transfiguration (9:2–10)

        5.  Jesus answers a question about Elijah (9:11–13)

        6.  Jesus delivers a demon-possessed boy (9:14–29)

        7.  Jesus again foretells of His death and resurrection (9:30–32)

    8.  Disciples argue who is greater Jesus intervenes with the definition of greatness (9:33–37)

        9.  Jesus states that anyone not against us is for us (9:38–41)

        10. Jesus warns about temptations to sin (9:42–50)

IV.  The return to Jerusalem (10:1–52)

A.  Teaching about divorce (10:1–12)

    B.  Let the children come (10:13–16)

    C.  Jesus challenges a rich young man (10:17–31)

    D.  Jesus again reminds His disciples of His suffering and death (10:32–34)

    E.  James and John desire special recognition (10:35–45)

    F.  Jesus heals a blind man in Jericho (10:46–52)

V.  In Jerusalem (11:1–16:20)

A.  The triumphal entry (11:1–11)

    B.  Jesus curses a fig tree (11:12–14)

C.  Jesus cleanses the Temple (11:15–19)

D.  The lesson from the fig tree (11:20–26)

E.  Jesus teaches publicly (11:20–12:44) 

    1.  Jesus' authority challenged (11:27–33)

    2.  Parable of the tenants (12:1–12)

    3.  Paying taxes (12:13–17)

    4.  Sadducees ask about the resurrection (12:18–27)

    5.  The greatest commandment (12:28–34)

    6.  Whose Son is the Christ? (12:35–37)

    7.  Beware of the scribes (12:38–40)

    8.  A widow’s offering (12:41–44)

    F.  Jesus teaches about end times on the Mount of Olives (13:1–37)

    1.  Jesus foretells the destruction of the Temple (13:1-2)

    2.  Signs of the end of the age (13:3-13)

    3.  The abomination of desolation (13:14-23)

    4.  The coming of the Son of Man (13:24-27)

    5.  The lesson of the fig tree (13:28-31)

    6.  No one knows the hour (13:32-37)

    G.  Jewish leadership decides to kill Jesus (14:1–2)

    H.  Jesus anointed in Bethany (14:3–9)

    I.  Judas plots to betray Jesus (14:10–11)

    J.  Jesus eats Passover meal with disciples (14:12–25)

    K.  Jesus foretells Peter's denial (14:26-31)

L.  Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane (14:32–42)

   M.  Jesus is betrayed and arrested in Gethsemane (14:43–50)

    N.  A young follower of Jesus flees (14:51-52)

O.  Jesus is placed on trial at the house of the high priest (14:53–65)

P.  Peter denies Jesus (14:66-72)

    Q.  Jesus on trial in Pilate’s Praetorium (15:1–5)

    R.  Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified (15:6-15)

    S.  Jesus is taken to Golgotha and crucified (15:16–41)

    1.  Jesus mocked (15:16-20)

    2.  The Crucifixion (15:21-32)

    3.  The death of Jesus (15:33-41)

    T.  Jesus is buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea (15:42–47)

    U.  Jesus rises from the dead (16:1–8)

    V.  Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (16:9–11)

    W.  Jesus appears to two unnamed disciples (16:12-13)

X.  The Great Commission (16:14-20)

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[1] Eusebius of Caesaria. (1890). The Church History of Eusebius. In P. Schaff & H. Wace (Eds.), A. C. McGiffert (Trans.), Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine the Great, and Oration in Praise of Constantine (Vol. 1, pp. 172–173). New York: Christian Literature Company.