Elimentry Notes About the Gospels:Part III, Mark.

Of the Synoptic Gospel records that have been included  in the Canon of Scripture , Mark's is generally believed to be the oldest having  existed   in note form until it's final compilation around  the mid- 50's AD, and some place it as late as 68-70 AD.  Written by  John Mark , who is mentioned in Acts:12:12,25 , Acts:15:37

John Mark was  from Jerusalem his mother's name was Mary we are told he  is a relative of the Apostle Barnabas, who was one Paul's associates as they made an evangelistic tour preaching and planting churches, it was during this  tour that John Mark departs under unknown circumstance that cause friction between Paul and Barnabas severing their working relationship for a time.
"So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." Acts:13:3

 "Barnabas wanted to bring John called Mark along with them too,  but Paul insisted that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.  They had a sharp disagreement, so that they parted company. Barnabas took along Mark" Acts:15:38-39

Peter

It thought  that Mark  gathered his information largely through his relationship with the Apostle Peter , 1Peter:5:13 the Apostle calls Mark "his son" , the accountant may largely reflects Peter's view , as Mark acting as his scribe. In early church symbolism Mark's Gospel was pictured as a lion with wings , which was positioned on the north side of the tabernacle as Israel journeyed.

 Mark's Account

It's full name is in the Greek  "κατὰ Μᾶρκον εὐαγγέλιον, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον κατὰ Μᾶρκον, to euangelion kata Markon"
 Some believe that Mark's account may have been a reference source  for Matthew's and Luke's accounts.
It is apparent that Mark used the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint when he borrows from the Old Testament. 

 John Mark was not one of  the original Apostles, but He as a young man, may have had  close contact with Jesus and the other disciples His account is the only one who contain the insertion of the "young man" who fled naked from the arrest scene when Judas led the soldiers to Him 


"A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,he fled naked, leaving his garment behind." Mark:15:51-52

Brief But Full

Marks account is brief and  depicts Jesus as our Lord acts to accomplish His mission as the suffering Servant in serving God, this action oriented view of Jesus may have been due to the nature of Peter himself, who often acted before thinking.  This view would have  caught the attention of  the Roman mind set of the day, it is to the point and direct without some details that the Roman mind would have found unnecessary.
But, Mark often uses very descriptive an lively style in presenting his narration of Jesus' life and mentions carefully Jewish customs as an explanation for those unfamiliar with them. 
 It is a book of the actions of Christ more than His words. Mark also includes the power to preform miracles , the uses of "power" again  would have gotten the attention of Roman thinking.
The last chapter is thought to have verses added to it as a editor's note, that is Mark:16:9-20  There is a   difference in the style and words that generally are not found in the body of the Mark Gospel . Eusebuis and Jerome , both stated this section of verses was not found in earlier manuscripts. Yet the content is consistent with the whole of the  Gospels.

Son of Man

Mark leaves details of  the accounts of Jesus' birth and life in Galilee to the other Gospel accounts Mark merely present Jesus' role in history as self evident as He arrives on the scene and  as He comes out of  Galilee with the message of salvation. 

 Mark also is careful to depict Jesus as "the Son of Man" which is the most often used  title that Jesus calls Himself by, showing His love and identification with all humanity.  Jesus uses this title for Himself more than others , and is found over 80 times in the Gospel accounts, Mark give special attention in His writing to this title.  Mark is again supporting that Jesus' humanity is as important as His deity.    An interesting component of Marks account is that He speaks of the feelings of  Jesus, that His emotional reprocess to those around Him, to all of us more than the other writers.

A Call to Discipleship

The Roam world understood a call to duty, but Mark purpose goes beyond duty  , but rather discipleship and all that entails, Romans would have understood this as many of them had been legionnaires and experienced a long term commitment , 20 or more years in most cases. Mark calls on a life long dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ, which would take one through many unforeseen experiences rejection and possible even death, yet this call to live the life and be fully vested in service to Jesus was for some a powerful attraction.The note on rejection may have struck a cord with Mark, who himself had been rejected ,by Paul , due to his own lack Mark may have understood the pain and stigma such rejection can cause, however we see that at some point Mark was "redeemed"  in Paul's eyes when he wrote to the young Pastor Timothy regarding Mark.

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

Mark even in ministry had his moment of redemption, after leaving off the evangelism tour that he had been called to.

Mark's Gospel even in it brief form carry so much about our relationship with Jesus Christ as the  true Servant of the Almighty God having power and authority in his message , healing   and suffering...Amen

Rev.Todd Crouch, Pastor

Fountain of Life Church

Washington, Pa 

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