Introduction to Mark

I read marks Gospel as a whole and came to the story of the passion; when I heard Jesus’ death cry, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ I felt growing within me the

conviction: this is someone who understands you completely, who is with you in your cry to God and has felt the same forsakenness you

are living in now… I summoned up the courage to live again.”

Jurgen Moltmann Anthony Bloom

SynopticMeaning

Similar

Q =QuelleQuelle = Source

Q

Matthew

Mark

Luke

M L

The Synoptic Problem

Q

M L

Mark

Matthew Luke

The Synoptic Problem

Q

M L

Mark

Matthew Luke

The Synoptic Problem

Q

M L

Mark

Matthew Luke

The Synoptic Problem

Q

M L

Mark

Matthew Luke

The Synoptic Problem

Birth of

Jesus

Death of

Jesus

Destruction of the temple

0 BC 33 AD

70AD

Mark67-73

AD

Date

Mark 13:1-2As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

Date – 67-73ad

Authorship

This also the presbyter said: Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not indeed in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things done or said by Christ.- Eusebius quoting Papias (Early 2nd Century)

Authorship – John Mark?

1 Peter 5:13Your sister church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark.

Authorship – John Mark?

Mark 5:41He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!”

Audience – Not Palestinian?Explains Semitic Words

Mark 7:11But you say that if anyone tells father or mother, ‘Whatever support you might have had from me is Corban’ (that is, an offering to God)

Audience – Not Palestinian?Explains Semitic Words

Mark 7:2-4they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.)

Audience – Not Palestinian?Explains Jewish Customs

Mark 14:12On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

Audience – Not Palestinian?Explains Jewish Customs

Use of Latin words• Census• Centurion• Denarius• Legion• Modius• Praetorium• Quadrans• Sextarius

Audience – Roman?

Emphasis on persecution and enduranceMark 13:9-10, 13As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Audience – Roman?

Markan Sandwiches

Distinctives

Immediately

Messianic Secret

Mark 1:12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness

Immediately

Mark 1:17-18And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him

Immediately

Distinctives

Immediately

Messianic Secret

Jairus’ Daughte

r

Fig Tree

Markan Sandwiches

Markan Sandwiches

Distinctives

Immediately

Mark 1:23-25Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

Messianic Secret

Mark 4:42-43And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Messianic Secret

?