Presentation on the Gospel of Mark

1. SYMBOL: The Lion: a reference to Gen 49:10

2.  Several early sources say this is taken from notes
based on the oral preaching of St. Peter in ROME
recorded by his hermeneut or ‘secretary’ or scribe

3.  Some identified him as “John Mark” mentioned in Acts
 There are many comparisons to Peter’s letters
 Many Latinisms & phrases peculiar to the city of Rome
 “there is more evidence for Peter being in Rome than for
Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon….” Why the doubts?
Matters of religious faith prompt deep feelings!
 Apostolic Requirement: Peter connection makes sense

4.  65 – 75 AD
 Controversy about whether it was written before or
after the critical date of 70 AD Destruction of
Temple; most now say before, however!....
 One early source states he had versions of Mt. & Lk!
 His versions of all stories are more detailed

5. Storytelling
 Unanimously called “oral” in style
 Famous repeating “and….and….and…..and”
 One early commentator said it is “not in good order”
 It is like someone has to tell a story as
as soon as he remembers it
• certainly not ‘polished’
• it has the detail and excitement of an
eyewitness account
• Latinisms point to Roman audience

6.  Jesus is the Son of God [1:1; 15:39] this is the
‘secret’ driving the story’s tension; he always says,
“Tell no one” until it is finally revealed in His
climactic admission at His trial [14:62]

7.  Each believer must follow in His footsteps of humble
service; His life/suffering are a model for His
followers [Jeremiah]; some believe Mark was writing
for the persecuted community of Rome after the
Martyrdom of Peter and Paul by Nero

8.  Most of the Gospel is taken up with the Passion; it
has been called a “Passion Narrative w/a Prologue”

9.  Jesus’ humanity is emphasized as by someone who knew Him;
emotions of anger, frustration, relief, mourning are realistically
portrayed; some feel he was writing in reaction to Gnostics or others
who denied Jesus’ humanity; in the 2nd century, Irenaeus claimed
Peter had come to Rome partially to battle the founder of the
Gnostics, Simon Magus (the same mentioned in Acts 8)

10.  Jesus’ teaching or preaching are rarely recorded in detail
(in contrast to Matthew’s “New Moses”); he is depicted as a
‘man of action’ – he sees the person in need, feels the need
& acts upon it; this fits in with the DISCIPLESHIP Theme
perfectly; every comparable action story from the other
Gospels in Mark is longer, more detailed & believable