Questions :1. Who was John Mark ?2. How do we know he wrote this gospel ?3. Who was the Source of his information ?4. When and where was it written ?5. To whom was it written ?6. What style and language was it written in ?7. Why did Mark write this Gospel ?8. What role of Jesus did Mark focus on ?9. What is the structure & direction of his gospel ?10.What did Mark want to communicate ? (4 key

issues)

Question 1.

Who was John Mark ?

John Mark 2 names (common at the time)

John = Hebrew Mark (Marcus) = Latin

Cousin of Barnabbus (Col.4:10) Lived in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). Son of wealthy widow, where early

church members used to meet and pray (Acts 12:12)

Was not a disciple of Jesus during his earthly ministry

Record of John Mark in Acts: Acts 12:12 - When this had dawned on him, he went to the

house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Acts 12:25 - When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Acts 13:5 - When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.

Acts 13:13 - From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.

Acts 15:37-39 - Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus

Record of John Mark in the NT letters : After his missionary dropout on Paul’s first journey,

Mark later was a close fellow worker and missionary with the apostle Peter and Paul through to Rome and his last days …

Colossians 4:10 - My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

Philemon 1:23-24 - Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. (24) And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

2 Timothy 4:11 - Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

1 Peter 5:13 - She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.

John Mark Taken with Barnabbus & Paul back to Antioch (Acts

12:25) Dropped out of Paul’s 1st missionary journey (Acts

15:37) For 2nd missionary journey, Paul refused him (Acts

15:37) Disagreement & Barnabbus took him on mission to

Cyprus (Acts 15:39) 11 years later … Co-worker in Paul’s missionary team in Rome

(Phil.1:24, Col.4:10) Joined as co-worker of Peter in Rome (1 Peter 5:13) Worked with Paul in his 2nd Roman imprisonment (2

tim.4:11) Paul was one of the few co-workers of both

apostles Peter & Paul

Question 2.

How do we know He wrote this gospel ?

How do we know?Issue . . Not recorded in the gospel we have that John

Mark wrote itSupporting Evidence . . ALL church fathers in first 100-200 years after

Christ, Papias, Irenaeus, Clement, Origen and Jerome state that John Mark wrote this gospel

3 centres of early Christianity – Asia, Rome and Alexandria – affirm that John Mark was the author

Ancient caption to this gospel = ‘kata Markon’ – ‘gospel according to Mark’

Logically – no reason gospel assigned to minor person of Mark if he did not write it (as holds less validity)

Question 3.

But who was the Source of Mark’s information?

If Mark never met Jesus who was the source of his info ?

Apostle Peter• Mark’s Gospel – is – Peter’s Gospel !

Supporting info . . Understanding of early churches & leaders - • Mark was interpreter of Peter – writing down words &

actions of Christ as Peter had preached in Rome• Outline of this gospel fits outline of Acts 10:34-43• Gospel is recorded direct as if from oral message – no

extra elaborations / explanations• Mark knew Peter well & fellow worker through to end of

his life (Acts 12:12-17 & 1 Peter 5:13) - when Peter possibly wanted a record of Christ before being executed

Nevertheless … • Not all info from Peter – he was fully aware of preaching of

all apostles from living in Jerusalem in early days

Supporting arguments - for Peter as the Source to Mark’s Gospel

Question 4.

When and Where

was the gospel written ?

When ? Early church father, Ireneous stated – Mark

wrote gospel after death of Peter (from whom he recorded) - killed by Emperor Nero’s persecutions in AD 63

Therefore most likely written approx. AD 64-68

Where ? In Rome – where he worked with Apostle Peter

before being executed (1 Peter 5:13)• Personally knew Cyrene & Rufus (a member of the

church in Rome – Rom.16:13)

Question 5.To whom did John Mark write to ?

(who was the audience?)

Audience ?Romans

Citizens of the major city & capital of the Roman Empire One of the most advanced and powerful cities worldwide at

that time Mostly Gentile (non-Jewish believers)

Supporting Evidence :• Explained meaning of Jewish customs (would not know them)• Translated Aramaic expressions for readers (would not

understand them)• Explained Greek expressions in Latin wording• Used a number of latin terms – instead of Greek or Hebrew

Question 6.

What was the style and language Mark wrote in?

Language Written in Greek Using Latin wordings & terms (Latin = official language of Rome & empire but often

Greek used )

StyleGospel of ACTION Reflecting (a) personality of his mentor & source – Peter

(b) the cultural and thinking of the Romans – action focussed

BRIEF – Shortest Gospel ABRUPT, Direct, Clear to the point. VIVID – 40x says things took place ‘immediately’ or

‘straightaway’Written as HISTORICAL NARRATIVE - A historical story

recording facts of history. Focus on facts rather than themes or topics

NARRATIVE (HIS-STORY) - at same time written in active, vivid language which draws the reader to follow the events

Focus on EVENTS & ACTIONS & MIRACLES of Christ - not the teachings (Matthew) or deeper meaning (John) – more space given to miracles than any other gospel

Not unique – 93% material found in other 3 gospels

Question 7.

Why did Mark write this gospel ?

(what was his purpose?)

Purpose ?1. To evangelise – share the good news of

Jesus to the people of Rome in order to call on them to follow

2. To present person of Jesus Christ in a way which would fit their way of thinking – emphasising Christ’s powerful actions & miracles to prove he was the Son of God

In response to a request by the Romans for a written account of Jesus’ life and ministry following the oral preaching – so they could have it in writing to read over more times

Question 8.

What part of Jesus’ identity did Mark focus on ?

Jesus as the Servant & Sacrifice of God

Key verse: “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

The servant of God in action and power The sacrifice of God on the cross to give his

life to save humanity

Jesus Christ as the Son of God Mark 1:1 - “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ,

the Son of God” Focus on the Son of God for all mankind (for Rome

the capital of the Roman empire – compared to Matthew’s focus on Messiah for Jewish people)

End of first half – Peter’s confession “You are the Christ” (8:29)

Second half – Centurion’s confession – “Surely this man was the Son of God” (15:39)

Question 9.What is the structure of Mark’s Gospel ?How do we follow the direction of Mark ?

Structure of Mark’s Gospel

Direction of Mark’s Gospel Servant

Sacrifice

Saviour

1st half – Servant & Son of God Focus >> Jesus’ deeds as the son of God and

servant with miraculous power - delivering many from sickness, deformity, evil spirits and death. Power over nature – stilled the storms, multiples food and walked on water.

Public teaching to the multitudes Peter’s confession = “You are the Christ” (8:29)

2nd half – Sacrifice & Saviour of Humanity

Focus >> Jesus suffering, death and resurrection as the sacrifice and saviour.

Private teaching to his disciples Centurion’s confession = “Surely this man was

the Son of God” (15:39)

Question 10.

What messages did Mark communicate ?

Focus of Mark1.Christ’s Service in action and power2.Christ’s Sacrifice through Crucifixion 3.Disciples called to Serve - as Christ

served4.Disciples called Sacrifice self for Christ

& gospel message

1. Christ’s Service in Action and Power

Jesus’ deeds as the son of God and servant Miraculous power - delivering many from

sickness, deformity, evil spirits and death. Power over nature – stilled the storms, multiples

food and walked on water. Despite this great power and authority Jesus did

not come to be served – but to SERVE and give his life as a sacrifice for all (10:45)

2. Christ’s Sacrifice through Crucifixion

All gospels focus on crucifixion & resurrection. More than 1/3 of Mark’s gospel message covers Jesus’

last week

A Servant unto the Sacrifice of his life

3. Disciples called to Serve A follower of Jesus must be a servant to all And Jesus called them to him and said to them,

"You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45)

4. Disciples called to self-Sacrifice

Jesus called for self-denial, setting aside self-interest as main focus of life

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.” (Mark 8:34-36)

Context – under Roman rule, those to be crucified had to carry the cross-beam to execution

Meaning – ‘take up his cross’ = be ready at any time to suffer and die fro Christ

References: Books to Read … Benware, Paul (1990) Survey of the New

Testament.

Berding, Kenneth and Matt Williams (2008) What the New Testament Authors Really Cared About.

Tenney, Merrill C. (1997) New Testament Survey.

RECAP: Can you answer these 10 Questions :1. Who was John Mark ?2. How do we know he wrote this gospel ?3. Who was the Source of his information ?4. When and where was it written ?5. To whom was it written ?6. What style and language was it written in ?7. Why did Mark write this Gospel ?8. What role of Jesus did Mark focus on ?9. What did Mark want to communicate ? (7 key

issues) 10.What is the structure of his gospel ?

Summary points: • Written by John Mark using info from Peter & the

apostles• Written in Rome to the Romans • To evangelize the Romans, share the message via their

culture• Shortest Gospel - Abrupt & Direct & Factual• Historical Narrative not Biography (no details of birth,

just events)• Gospel of Action - focus on actions & miracles - not

teaching • Presents Jesus as the servant & sacrifice of God - for all

humanity• Message –> Jesus came as the servant of God to give

His life as a sacrifice to bring all humanity to salvation