In today’s video, we are going to survey and briefly summarize the book of Mark. Then
afterward, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
As for the Author: Although the Gospel of Mark does not name its author,
it is the unanimous testimony of early church fathers that Mark was the author. He was an
associate of the Apostle Peter, and evidently his spiritual son (1 Peter 5:13). From Peter
he received first-hand information of the events and teachings of the Lord,
and preserved the information in written form.
It is generally agreed that Mark is the John Mark of the New Testament (Acts 12:12). His
mother was a wealthy and prominent Christian in the Jerusalem church, and probably the church
met in her home. Mark joined Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but not on
the second because of a strong disagreement between the two men (Acts 15:37-38). However,
near the end of Paul’s life he called for Mark to be with him (2 Timothy 4:11).
As for the Date of Writing: The Gospel of Mark was likely one of
the first books written in the New Testament, probably in A.D. 55-59.
Now for Purpose of Writing: Whereas Matthew is written primarily to his fellow Jews,
Mark’s gospel appears to be targeted to the Roman believers,
particularly Gentiles. Mark wrote as a pastor to Christians who previously had heard and
believed the Gospel (Romans 1:8). He desired that they have a biographical story of Jesus
Christ as Servant of the Lord and Savior of the world in order to strengthen their
faith in the face of severe persecution and to teach them what it meant to be His disciples.
Here are a few Key Verses:
Mark 1:11: “And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”
Mark 1:17: “‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’”
Mark 10:14-15: “He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me,
and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth,
anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’”
Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 12:33: “To love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor
as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Mark 16:6: “‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,
who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.’”
Mark 16:15: “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.’”
Now for a Brief Summary: This gospel is unique because it emphasizes Jesus’
actions more than His teaching. It is simply written, moving quickly from one episode in
the life of Christ to another. It does not begin with a genealogy as in Matthew,
because Gentiles would not be interested in His lineage. After the introduction of
Jesus at His baptism, Jesus began His public ministry in Galilee and called the first four
of His twelve disciples. What follows is the record of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Mark’s account is not just a collection of stories, but a narrative written to reveal
that Jesus is the Messiah, not only for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well. In a
dynamic profession, the disciples, led by Peter, acknowledged their faith in Him (Mark 8:29-30),
even though they failed to understand fully His Messiahship until after His resurrection.
As we follow His journeys through Galilee, the surrounding areas, and then to Judea,
we realize what a rapid pace He set. He touched the lives of many people, but He left an indelible
mark on His disciples. At the transfiguration (Mark 9:1-9), He gave three of them a preview
of His future return in power and glory, and again it was revealed to them who He was.
However, in the days leading to His final trip to Jerusalem, we see them bewildered,
fearful and doubting. At Jesus’ arrest, He stood alone after they fled. In the following hours of
the mock trials, Jesus boldly proclaimed that He is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One,
and that He would be triumphant at His return (Mark 14:61-62). The climactic events surrounding
the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection were not witnessed by most of His disciples. But
several faithful women did witness His passion. After the Sabbath, early in the morning of the
first day of the week, they went to the tomb with burial spices. When they saw the
stone had been rolled away, they entered the tomb. It was not the body of Jesus they saw,
but an angel robed in white. The joyful message they received was, “He is risen!” Women were the
first evangelists, as they spread the good news of His resurrection. This same message
has been broadcast throughout the world in the following centuries down to us today.
As for Connections: Because Mark’s intended audience was the Gentiles,
he does not quote as frequently from the Old Testament as Matthew, who was writing primarily
to the Jews. He does not begin with a genealogy to link Jesus with the Jewish patriarchs,
but begins instead with His baptism, the beginning of His earthly ministry. But even there, Mark
quotes from an Old Testament prophecy regarding the messenger—John the Baptist—who would exhort
the people to “prepare the way for the Lord” (Mark 1:3) as they awaited the coming of their Messiah.
Jesus does refer to the Old Testament in several passages in Mark. In Mark 7:6,
Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their superficial worship of God with their lips while their hearts
were far from Him and refers to their own prophet, Isaiah, to convict them of their
hardheartedness (Isaiah 29:13). Jesus referred to another Old Testament prophecy which was to
be fulfilled that very night as the disciples would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd
when Jesus was arrested and put to death (Mark 14:27). He referred again to Isaiah when He
cleansed the Temple of the money-changers (Mark 11:15-17) and to the Psalms when He
explained that He was the chief Cornerstone of our faith and of the Church (Mark 12:10-11).
Here's some Practical Application: Mark presents Jesus as the suffering Servant of God (Mark 10:45)
and as the One who came to serve and sacrifice for us, in part to inspire us to do the same.
We are to minister as He did, with the same greatness of humility and devotion to the
service of others. Jesus exhorted us to remember that to be great in God’s kingdom, we must be the
servant of all (Mark 10:44). Self-sacrifice should transcend our need for recognition or reward,
just as Jesus was willing to be abased as He lay down His life for the sheep.
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