The Gospel of Mark
Who was Mark?
External and internal evidences
Papias, a church father was the
first person to mention that Mark was the author of the book in 125 AD.
According to him, Mark recorded from memory the words and deeds of the Lord as
they were transmittd and interpreted in the teachings of Peter. Mark was the
interpreter of Peter. He was a young Christian worker in the early Church and
he was a relative of Barnabas.
Date
Mark is the first Gospel to be
written (70AD)
Structure:
Literary
A threefold division with Chapter 8
as the major dividing period.
i.
Prologue 1:1-15
ii.
Ministry of Jesus 1:16-8; 26
iii.
8:27-16 focusses on the events
leading to the death of Jesus
Mark is the shortest gospel in
terms of length. It is considered as the most simple gospel because of its
linguistic features – simple and connective language. It is characterized by
urgency.
Identities: son of man
Refers to
i.
His humanity
ii.
Circumlocation for using the
pronoun “I”
iii.
Apocalyptic meaning
This term appears 14 times in the
gospel. It is never conferred upon Jesus by others.
In the Gospel of Mark, the use of
the phrase can be classified under 3 categories
i.
Referring to his earthly ministry
ii.
In sayings which refer to his
passion, death and resurrection
iii.
In sayings which refer to his
coming as judge and savior.
A careful analysis of the phrase
reveals two meanings
i.
A self-designation which employs as
a Messianic title and also to express his Messianic role to his listeners. TW
Manson expresses the view that by the use of this title, Jesus expresses his
corporate personality where he identified himself with the whole human
suffering as representations of all mankind.
ii.
12 out of 14 occurrences centers
around his passion. In Jesus’ conception of the son of man, suffering is an
essential element which must preceed his glorification in his triumph.
Titles of Jesus
Messiah- Anointed one-Christos
It is t be noted that this title
was never used by Jesus to refer to himself. But others did and he silently
accepted this title. He was very silent about this because his role as the
Christ/Messiah was quite contrasting to what his people has expected.
The suffering Messiah
Messianic secret – W. Wrede
Some of his teachings are barely
understandable even to his own disciples
Whenever he heals people, he asks
them not to reveal his identity to others
Son of God
8 times in Mark, 124 times in the
NT. Kings and rulers were also referred to sons of God in the Hellenistic
world. But only Jesus calls God as Abba, not rulers or kings.
Miracles
“Miracles are the kingdom of God in
action and they were demonstrations of the rule of God. As such, the miracles
that Jesus performed prove that he was from God.” – AM Hunter
Discipleship
Another motif in Mark’s gospel that
begins with the calling of Peter, James and John. Throughout the gospel, there
are pericopae… the gospel ends with reference to the disciples. In Mark,
disciples consist of the 12 who are specially commissioned and a larger circle
of followers. Nevertheless, they fail to understand Jesus’ teachings. They fail
to understand who he really is.
The way motif
The sayings of John the Baptist are
quotations from Isaiah 40:1-11. Israelites led by Yahweh through the
wilderness. Jesus as Messiah expected to lead the people though the way again.
Therefore, the ay motif is related with Messiah and discipleship.
Faith
Robert E. Guelich has noted that
faith precedes the miracles which set off from their counterparts whare faith
always follows the miracles. This is a unique presentation by Mark.
Prayer
Eden motif – Adam and Eve were
tempted and they fell for it. Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus defeated his
temptation.
Purity
The Pharisees’ attention to purity
derived from God’s command for Israel to be holy people. Purity was important
because impurity drives God’s presence from the midst of the people. Impurity
belongs to the realm of death. It clings to a person and can be transferred to
others – vessels, clothing and houses by coming in contact. Serious impurities
occurring anywhere among the people pollutes the sanctuary where God dwells.
What the Pharisees considered
sinful was choosing not to avail oneself of the opportunities to be cleansed of
the impurity. The Pharisees also sought to promote obedience to God’s law, but
they thought that true obedience means interpreting the law and enforcing it
upon all Israel.