Mark

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel According to Mark was approximately written between 50 and 60 A.D. It is the shortest of the four Gospels and also the second in chronological order. The book of Mark was composed by a man named John Mark, who was an associate of one of the 12 apostles that followed Jesus named Simon Peter. It is speculated that the Gospel was completed in the country of Italy, most likely in Rome.

The New Oxford Annotated Bible (NOAB) describes Mark as "a story of conflict Ð'- or rather multiple conflicts." There are numerous stories about how Jesus challenges teachings and opinions of rulers and high priest of the synagogues. Mark also mentions several episodes where Jesus drives out Satan's demons and other unclean spirits out of the local communities. In addition, the story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness is depicted in this Gospel.

Mark is organized in seven distinctive sections which combined describe the adult life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The first details Christ baptism and temptation. The second section begins Jesus' ministry in Galilee. The third section continues his ministry and intensifies the conflict between him and the Pharisees. The forth section covers the last portions of his ministry past the Galilean region along with the prediction of his death and his resurrection. The fifth section begins his journey to Jerusalem. The sixth section tells of the continual ministry within Jerusalem. And the seventh and final section tells of his death and his resurrection.

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The first section of the Gospel is the introduction of Jesus as the Son of God through his baptism. It opens up with a scripture quoted from the Old Testament about the coming of a man before Jesus out of the wilderness to prepare a way for him. Mark assumes that this scripture is referring to John the Baptist, whom we are introduced to in this first section. John the Baptist quotes in v. 1:7, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Then Jesus was baptized and the sky tore open and a voice came from heaven, v. 1:11, "You are my son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Although these scriptures surely appoint Jesus to be more than man, at the end of the first section, I believe that Mark allows us to view Jesus as human. After his baptism, Jesus is driven out into the wilderness, v. 1:12, for forty days and was tempted by Satan, v. 1:13. This shows the divine humanity of Christ through the trials set before him by Satan and the finality of his righteousness because he came out of the wilderness sinless.

After these two significant events, Mark moves into the second section, which is the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Jesus selects the first two of his twelve apostles, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. I find it interesting that the first chosen apostle is also the one that betrays Jesus three times in Mark 14. Jesus took both Peter and Andrew to Capernaum, where he entered the synagogue and taught the people there on the Sabbath day. Mark emphasizes that although it this was the first time he taught with "authority" (v. 1:22). Jesus also heals a man of demonic possession on the same day. The people witnessed the sick man cry out as if he spoke for that of which possessed him (v. 1:24),

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"What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God."

This was the beginning of Jesus' ministry. The people were amazed and word spread quickly about this man named Jesus. So quickly that everyone wanted to see him and witness his miracles. Jesus continues teach and heal the masses. Mark portrays Jesus as a compassionate man throughout his fame and popularity. Mark 1:41 shows the emotion of pity from Jesus when he meets the man who has leprosy.

Throughout the cleansing of spirits and teachings of the word it is not until the end of section two that Jesus proclaims to be a divine deity himself. In the second chapter, Jesus is faced with a paralyzed man, whom is brought to him by the local townsmen. Not only does Jesus make him walk again, but he declares in Mark 2:5, "Son, your sins are forgiven." This is the beginning of the controversies between Jesus and the Pharisees and some see as the beginning of his death. For Mark 2:6 tells us that, "Now some of the scribes were there, questioning in their hearts, Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

The Pharisees begin to watch Jesus very carefully after this event. Although the end result was that a man was cured of his paralysis, the Pharisees saw it as being an act of impersonation of their God. Next Jesus' disciples break the official law codes of the Pharisees, for it was illegal to travel or to harvest on the Sabbath. However, the scripture says (v. 2:23) "On the Sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain." When the Pharisees approach Jesus about this action, he defends his disciples by supporting them with a

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comparison of David from the Old Testament. Once again Mark shows us his knowledge of the scriptures.

Mark 3 outlines the intent of the Pharisees to conspire against Jesus with the sole purpose of destroying him. They wanted to entrap Jesus in breaking the law, therefore making it possible to bring judgment upon him. Jesus entered into the synagogue on the Sabbath and encountered yet another man who needed to be cured. The Pharisees watched Jesus to see if he would do such a thing on the Sabbath. Although Jesus knew that the Pharisees were out to conspire against him in Mark 3:5 Jesus tells the sick man, "Stretch out your hand." When he did as Jesus requested his hand was restored.

Mark once again shows us the compassion that Jesus has for the sick. However, now we see another side of Jesus. For the first time in this Gospel we see Jesus both angry and grieved. These are two very strong emotions, implicating the humanity of Christ. In Mark 3:5 Jesus turned toward the Pharisees and "looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart."

With the distinctive objective of destruction set before us by the Pharisees, Mark now moves into the third section. The first important event within this section is the official