The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark stands as one of the foundational documents of the Christian faith. Mark is the first in time and shortest in length of the Gospels. It is brief and direct, fast –paced and focuses more on the actions of Jesus than on His words.

Literary Structure

On the basis of intensive comparative studies, a scholarly consensus affirms that Mark’s Gospel was the earliest of the four gospels. Furthermore Matthew and Luke appear to have used Mark’s Gospel as the basis for writing their own. Marks’s foundational contribution lies in his having actually written the first of four Gospels. He was the first to put into written or literary form narrative of Jesus as the Gospel. Mark was the first and evangelist to refer to his narrative as the gospel (1:1). The Gospel writings describe the actions of Jesus. They are not biographies. They are concerned with only a small period of the total span of the life of Jesus. They are few snippets from his early life, the focus falls on the brief period of his public ministry and more especially on His death. Thus Mark’s opening reference to his story as “the Gospel” most likely set the stage for the use of that term as a literary designation for the four distinctive literary works we now call our Gospels.

Characteristics

a.    A Gospel of Action

-      For the writer movement is more fascinating than discourse.

-      Where the teaching of Jesus is given, it is generally in the setting of some narrative.

-      His style is  quickly- moving drama with cross as its climax.

-      Mk, after a brief prologue goes straight to the narration of the ministry of Jesus.

-      He describes various phrases, paying particular attention to the increasing opposition of the Pharisees.

-      Disciples affirmation of faith in Jesus at Caeserea Philippi is a pivotal point, from which the story moves steadily towards the passion.

b.   Mark’s Candour

-      Mark’ vivid picture of the disciples and His relatives mainly emphasing on the disciple’s lack of understanding and the attitude and expression of the relatives.

-      Mark is equally unreserved in his description of the human reactions of Jesus.

-      The emotions of compassion, severity, anger, sorrow, tenderness and love are all in turn attributed to Him.

c.    Mark’s portrait of Jesus

1.   Son of God

Mar k introduces Jesus of this title in its opening words. It has defining influence over the subsequent narrative. It occurs five times. It is not developed in a doctrinal sense but it is divine activity. His appeal to the multitudes is powerful, He possesses power and He even stills the storms.

2.   Son of Man

This title belongs to the sphere of Bilblical theology than introduction. Mark often records Jesus urging silence upon people who observed His powerful works. This was used in Messianic sense.

3.   The Healer

Mk includes a number of incidents in which Jesus is described as performing miracles of healing.

     Purpose

-      Mk calls it a Gospel, he uses the term many times. The cross and resurrection were the central feature of the Christian Gospel. The events nd teaching led up to the cross. The Movement of the narrative is dominated by the passion story. It is evangelistic in its purpose, he introduces only those historical events which are directly relevant for his purpose. He omits birth narratives and accounts of Jesus’ early life. The reader is at once confronted with jesus , the Sonof god as a historical fact. He assumes his readers will know at once to whom he is referring.

i)             Catechetical purpose

-      The material is arranged in topical groups ( group of parables Mk 4 & Mission instructions Mk 6). It supported a catechetical aim and facilitated the memorizing of the material.

ii)           Liturgical Purpose

-      P. Carrington says Mk had a liturgical motive, from his claim that his gospel was arranged on the basis of a synagogue lectionary which had been taken over by the Christian community. Another view was that the Gospel was indeed to be read at the Paschal vigil in Rome because of its special interest in baptism, emphasis on discipleship, etc.

iii)         Apologetic Purpose

-      Based on the socio-political approach, the gospel is seen as a book of encouragement to the readers to hold on until the approaching end.

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iv)         Editorial purpose

-      Mk carried out a process of selection and impressed his own theology on the whole. Form critics assume that the majority o the radition circulated as independent units, under this Mk was little ore than an editor because he edited the existing material and discussions of his purpose in his own way.

-      Whatever the purpose was Mk wanted to show Jesus as Messiah was innocent of Jewish charges and that his  sufferings were a part of God’s purposes. He wanted to explain why Jesus did not publicly declare himself to be the Messiah. To explain why  Christians had to suffer, to present the works o Jesus as a triumph over the forces of evil.

-      Mk utilized the literary techniques of apocalyptic writers, of the scribes who produced the source Q and of the editors and transmitters of the synoptic tradition. He created a new literary genre the Gospel, a narrative blend of proclamation and parensis of myth and history, a literary type distinctive to early Christianity.

Mark and his possible context and His readers

Authorship

Traditionally it became known as the “Gospel according to Mark”. Papias, Bishop of Hierpolis, provides the earliest documentable testimony attributing a literary work to one named Mark. Papias work was citied by Eusebius clims to have learned this from another whom he calls the Elder: “ And this is what the elder sid, “Mark, who became Peter’s interpreter, accurately wrote, though not in order, as many of the things said and done by the Lord as he had noted.”

Who was Mark?

Papaias, Iraneaus, Clement of Alexandria and Jerome ascribed the authorship to John Mark, he is believed to be companion of Paul ( Phlm 24; Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11; Acts 12:12, 25)

He is believed to have been with Peter at Rome ( I Pet 5:13)

Mark had strong links with Palestine and Palestinian form of Christian tradition. He shares and indeed strongly expresses the characteristic. He is deeply concerned with Gentile Mission of the church.

Context

It has been suggested that Mark has written this Gospel in various loales, including Galilee, the Decapolis, Tyre, Sidon, Syria, the East and Rome. Traditionally the anti Marcionite prolog places it in the regions of Italy with Clement of Alexandria locating it in Rome during Peter’s ministry. John Chrysostom even sets it in Egypt. Most of the scholars conclude that he must have written in Rome or Italy.

Readers

The frequent explanation of Aramaic expressions as well as Jewish laws and customs may well indicates audience unfamiliar with certain forms of Judaism. Mk 14:28; 16:17 implies that his readers knew the resurrection and were aanticipating the parousia. The Apocalyptic discourse in 13:3-37 shows that the readers are led astray by false christs (5-7), undergoing tribulations and persecutions (8-13), the tribulation will increase, there will be many false christs and prophets but the end is not near, take heed and watch (33-37)

Date

According to earliest tradition , Mark wrote after Peter’ death in Rome assumed to be A.D 64-65 during Nero’s rule. Clement of Alexandria places the writing during Peter’s time in Rome. Most scholars however follow the earlier tradition and debate only whether he wrote before or after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.

Major Themes

1.   The identities of Jesus –

SOG, SOM, Healer,- Refer before

Messiah - this title implies Jesus is God’s anointed One. This is understood in the light of the cross in Mark’s gospel.  Mark’s Gospel concerning Jesus Messiah is the gospel from God relating Jesus Inauguration of God’s Kingdom, God’s redemptive rule in history. In the present through culminating in his death and his continued role in the kingdom that is coming in power (9:1)

2.   The Parables and Miracles of the Reign of God

The use of parables was characteristic of the teaching of Jesus. The purpose of parables was to conceal truth from outsiders is rooted in doctrine rather than in history. The parables are to enlighten rather than to confuse, their hearers. The parable of the seed growing secretly (4:26-29) points to the kingdom as a fivine act rather than a human accomplishment. It calls on man to be patient with the delay of the kingdom in coming. The seed parables teach related truths about the kingdom of God.

The miracles show the power of Jesus. The storm at the sea ( 4:35-41) was simply to portray Jesus as the Lord of nature. The healing of the hemorrhage woman is remarkable example of the power of Jesus to heal.

3.   Disciples

Actually one finds both a narrower circle comprised of the twelve who are called to be ‘with Him’ and specially commissioned to share in his ministry of teaching, healing and exorcism and a larger circle who also are called, commissioned followers. He reveals conflicting profiles of the disciples. They receive a positive portrayal when they are introduced as being specially selected and

commissioned with authority by Jesus to hear the secret of the kingdom and to promote his ministry. The disciples do as they have been said by Jesus. On the other hand the disciples are painted in unflattering colors when despite their enlightenment by God and empowerment by Jesus; they are shown to be uncomprehending. They do not understand Jesus parabolic teaching; do not grasp Jesus’ true identity as the SOG. They do not understand the nature of Jesus ministry and teaching.

4.   Discipleship

Mark’s emphasis on discipleship becomes quite evident from the place he gives the disciples in the Gospel. The pronouncement of servanthood in Mk 10:45 declare the essence of Jesus ministry. Thus discipleship is motivation, position, ambition, expectations and example. The disciple who becomes a member of Jesus which means thinking God’s Thoughts 8:31-33 , pursuing the life of the cross 8:34-38;through the message 9:1-8 and example of Jesus 9:9-32; and hence rejecting status, exclusivism and the treasures of this world. This is a way of suffering and the cross through servanthood.