I. Specifics
A. Authorship- Written Around 70 A.D.
1. The human author was John Mark, a very young man during Christ’s earthly ministry
2. He accompanied the Apostle Paul on his first missionary journey.
a. Mark was unfaithful on that first missionary journey; Paul didn’t want him again.
b. Acts 13:13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem (home). 47 A.D.
c. Acts 15:36-40 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 51 A.D.
d. It is encouraging to know that a man who failed in his ministry could later on be so greatly used by God to actually pen one of the Gospel accounts.
3. Mark was mentioned as being with Paul when Paul was in prison. 62 A.D.
a. Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabus…
4. Paul & Mark eventually reconciled their differences, & Paul saw him as valuable.
a. At the end of Paul’s life, in prison, he wanted Mark there w/him. 66 A.D.
b. 2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me…
5. It is suggested that the Gospel of Mark may have been heavily influenced or even dictated to Mark by the Apostle Peter. This is not known, but it was written by Mark.
a. 1 Peter 5:13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.
6. It is thought that Mark appeared in Mark 14:51, 52, the only Gospel to record this event.
a. Mark 14:51-52 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, 52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
b. It is believed that Mark came from a rich family who owned the Upper Room where the Last Supper was held. Also seen in Acts 12: 11,12, where the Disciples prayed.
c. Acts 12:11-12 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.” 12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.
d. Mark was probably often present around Jesus, & was there when Jesus was arrested
B. How Mark Presents Jesus
1. Each Gospel seems to present a different aspect of Jesus.
a. Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience and presented Jesus as the Messiah.
i. Many Old Testament references, which the Jews would have recognized.
b. Mark presents Jesus as The Servant.
i. Mark wrote to the Roman mind, the Gentile mind. Many Latin words used.
ii. Mark presents Jesus at work, many action words, with Jesus being occupied.
c. Luke presents Jesus in His humanity; God in the flesh, the Son of Man.
i. Luke wrote to the Greek mind; they philosophy and discussion.
ii. Philosophical utterances and the wisdom of the perfect man.
d. John presents Jesus as the Son of God; many claims of His deity.
C. Characteristics Of The Book
1. 2nd book of the New Testament.
2. Shortest of the Gospels; 16 chapters. Most frequently translated by Wycliffe Translators
3. Mark is the Gospel of action. The word “immediately” appears 36 times in the NKJV.
4. Chapter 1:1-13 The credentials of Jesus
5. Chapters 1:14-8:30 The servant ministry of Jesus
6. Chapters 8:31-16:20 The ransoming work of Jesus
D. One Key Verse (Of Many)
1. Mark 10:42-45 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”