Introduction to Mark

Dr. Gail E. Terrell
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Hamilton, Ohio

  1. Author.   The author of Matthew is not named within the text.   However, the Apostle John Mark has been considered from earliest times to be the author.   John Mark is simply called Mark and was the son of Mary, sister of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10).   Mark’s mother was a prominent Jewish Christian woman of Jerusalem who was probably wealthy because her home was large enough to be a meeting place for the disciples (Acts 12:12).   Some early traditions suggest that Mary’s home (where her son, Mark, also lived) contained the upper room where Jesus and His first church met for the last supper before the crucifixion (14:12-15), and where this church later waited for baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:12-2:2).   Because only Mark’s Gospel contains the account of the young man who had followed Jesus when He was arrested in Gethsemane and who then fled naked when his clothes were grabbed by the mob (14:51-52), many believe Mark was describing himself as that young man.   Mark accompanied his uncle, Barnabas, and Paul on their first missionary journey; however, when these missionaries arrived on the rough coast of Pamphylia (modern central Turkey), Mark defected: Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).   Barnabas later wanted to take Mark on Paul’s second missionary journey, but Paul refused to allow Mark to go; And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God (Acts 15:39-40).   Mark was reconciled to Paul (II Timothy 4:11) and became a helper to Peter (Peter is mentioned 30 times in Mark ) while the Apostle Peter dictated the Gospel of Mark ; that is, Peter was speaking and Mark was writing (I Peter 5:13).   Although the date for the writing of Mark is unknown, Mark is believed by many to be the first Gospel written (others believe Matthew was written first), and is thought to have been written sometime in the period 45-68 A.D.
     
  2. Recipients.   Mark is the briefest of the Gospels and was written for non-Jewish Gentiles because Jewish terms and expressions are explained (5:41; 7:1-4; 7:34; 14:12; 15:34,42).   Mark is a good study of Christ for people who do not know much about the Old Testament, and who are reading the New Testament for the first time.   I recommend new Christians first read Mark because it summarizes in 16 chapters the major events in the life of Christ, and then read Romans too because it summarizes in 16 chapters the great doctrines of the Bible.   Mark and Romans will quickly expose new Christians to truth that will help them to establish stability in the Truth!
     
  3. Theme.   Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant of God.   Mark emphasizes the deeds of Christ which are done in obedience to God rather than the teachings of Christ.
     
  4. Key verse.   10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
     
  5. Key words used in Mark:   translations for the same Greek word euthenos (meaning immediately) which appears 40 times in the Greek text including straightway – 19 times, immediately = 15 times, forthwith – 3 times, as soon as – 2 times, anon – 2 times; Peter – 30 times, multitude – 17 times.
     
  6. References to the Lord’s church in Mark:   the word church does not appear in Mark.   The Lord’s church (see comments on Matthew) is shown working by focusing on the work of its first members, the apostles (I Corinthians 12:28; Matthew 16:18) as Jesus called, ordained, and sent them forth:   3:13=14 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.   3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.   After marvelous ministry, these first church members assembled, reported to Jesus, and then rested:   6:30-31 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.   31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while:   for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
     
  7. Mark has 16 chapters, 678 verses, and about 15,171 words.