The Gospel of Mark

John OakesFebruary, 2015

Theme of MarkTheme of Mark

Jesus: Messiah and Son of God: suffering servant and savior of mankind.

Theme Passage of MarkTheme Passage of Mark

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Q: What was Jesus’s purpose?Q: Did his life agree with this mission statement?Q: What is your purpose?

Short Outline of MarkShort Outline of Mark

I Mark 1:1-13 Prologue: Preparing for Jesus’ I Mark 1:1-13 Prologue: Preparing for Jesus’ ministryministry

II Mark 1:14-8:26 Galilean ministryII Mark 1:14-8:26 Galilean ministry

III Mark 8:27-16:8 (or 16:20) Passion and III Mark 8:27-16:8 (or 16:20) Passion and Death of JesusDeath of Jesus

Q: What impression does this give?Q: What impression does this give?

Transition Verse: Mark 8:31-38Transition Verse: Mark 8:31-38

As with Jesus, so with his disciples: As As with Jesus, so with his disciples: As I will serve and suffer for mankind, so I will serve and suffer for mankind, so you will suffer and serve for mankind.you will suffer and serve for mankind.

Jesus’ purpose is our purposeJesus’ purpose is our purpose

Jesus’ lifestyle is our lifestyleJesus’ lifestyle is our lifestyle

More Detailed Outline of MarkMore Detailed Outline of Mark

I Mark 1:1-13 Preparing for Jesus’ ministryI Mark 1:1-13 Preparing for Jesus’ ministry

II Galilean ministryII Galilean ministry

A. Mark 1:14-3:12 The Kingdom of GodA. Mark 1:14-3:12 The Kingdom of God

B. Mark 3:13-6:6 Jesus friends vs. outsidersB. Mark 3:13-6:6 Jesus friends vs. outsiders

C. Mark 6:7-8:26 Jesus’ missionC. Mark 6:7-8:26 Jesus’ mission

III Passion and death of Jesus:III Passion and death of Jesus:

A. Mark 8:27-10:45 Jesus, Servant of mankind A. Mark 8:27-10:45 Jesus, Servant of mankind

B. Mark 10:46-13:37 The Son confronts the B. Mark 10:46-13:37 The Son confronts the

JewsJews

C. Mark 14:1-15:47 Trial and death of JesusC. Mark 14:1-15:47 Trial and death of Jesus

D. Mark 16:1-8 Resurrection of JesusD. Mark 16:1-8 Resurrection of Jesus

Author of MarkAuthor of Mark

Mark! (John Mark Mark 14:51)Mark! (John Mark Mark 14:51)

Scribe/assistant of Peter? 1 Pet 5:13Scribe/assistant of Peter? 1 Pet 5:13

Date: Late 40’s or more likely 50’sDate: Late 40’s or more likely 50’s

Mark 16:9-20?Mark 16:9-20?

Not found in Codex Sinaiticus, VaticanusNot found in Codex Sinaiticus, Vaticanus

Eusebius (4Eusebius (4thth century) and Jerome (5 century) and Jerome (5thth century century say it was not in the originalsay it was not in the original

Very abrupt change from Mark 16:8 to vs. 9Very abrupt change from Mark 16:8 to vs. 9

Marked change in language, style of GreekMarked change in language, style of Greek

Other ancient manuscripts have a third, Other ancient manuscripts have a third, different, shorter ending.different, shorter ending.

Style of MarkStyle of Mark

Vivid, fast-paced, Vivid, fast-paced, action-packed action-packed narrative, with an narrative, with an authoritative authoritative Jesus completely Jesus completely in control.in control.

Style of MarkStyle of Mark

1. Very simple Greek.1. Very simple Greek.

2. Fast-paced: Greek 2. Fast-paced: Greek euthyseuthys immediately 42 immediately 42 times in Mark. Mark 1:10,12,18,20,21,23, times in Mark. Mark 1:10,12,18,20,21,23,

28,29, 30,42,43.28,29, 30,42,43.

3. Use of historical present Mark 1:213. Use of historical present Mark 1:21

Q: Are you a man/woman of action—with a Q: Are you a man/woman of action—with a mission?mission?

Things To Look for in MarkThings To Look for in Mark

1. Authority of Jesus emphasized. Mark 1:251. Authority of Jesus emphasized. Mark 1:25

2. People are amazed by Jesus. Mark 1:272. People are amazed by Jesus. Mark 1:27

3. Attacks by Satan on Jesus and the disciples.3. Attacks by Satan on Jesus and the disciples.

4. Jesus’ suffering, even before Jerusalem.4. Jesus’ suffering, even before Jerusalem.

5. Outsiders becoming insiders 5. Outsiders becoming insiders

6. Apostles put in a relatively negative light.6. Apostles put in a relatively negative light.

7. Material about discipleship.7. Material about discipleship.

Literary Style of MarkLiterary Style of Mark

1. Topical rather than chronological.1. Topical rather than chronological.

2. Intercalation (sandwiching)2. Intercalation (sandwiching)

3. Triads (things come in 3s)3. Triads (things come in 3s)

4. Use of irony4. Use of irony

Literary Style of MarkLiterary Style of Mark

1. Topical, not chronological1. Topical, not chronological

Examples: 1:21-45 demons being cast out.Examples: 1:21-45 demons being cast out.

2:1-3:6 controversy/authority emphasized2:1-3:6 controversy/authority emphasized

4:1-34 kingdom parallels4:1-34 kingdom parallels

2. Intercalation2. IntercalationMark 3:20-35 rejected by family rejected by Mark 3:20-35 rejected by family rejected by religious leaders rejected by family.religious leaders rejected by family.

Mark 5:21-43 Jarius woman healed Jarius Mark 5:21-43 Jarius woman healed Jarius

Mark 11:12-25 fig tree Clears temple fig tree Mark 11:12-25 fig tree Clears temple fig tree

If Mark’s material is not chronological, If Mark’s material is not chronological, does this bring inerrancy into question?does this bring inerrancy into question?

Chicago Statement on Inerrancy:Chicago Statement on Inerrancy:

Article XIII.Article XIII.

WE AFFIRM the propriety of using inerrancy as a WE AFFIRM the propriety of using inerrancy as a theological term with reference to the complete theological term with reference to the complete truthfulness of Scripture.truthfulness of Scripture.

WE DENY that it is proper to evaluate Scripture WE DENY that it is proper to evaluate Scripture according to standards of truth and error that are alien according to standards of truth and error that are alien to its usage or purpose. We further deny that inerrancy is to its usage or purpose. We further deny that inerrancy is negated by Biblical phenomena such as a lack of modern negated by Biblical phenomena such as a lack of modern technical precision, irregularities of grammar or spelling, technical precision, irregularities of grammar or spelling, observational descriptions of nature, the reporting of observational descriptions of nature, the reporting of falsehoods, the use of hyperbole and round numbers, the falsehoods, the use of hyperbole and round numbers, the topical arrangement of material, variant selections of topical arrangement of material, variant selections of material in parallel accounts, or the use of free citations.material in parallel accounts, or the use of free citations.

Literary Style of MarkLiterary Style of Mark

3. Triads3. Triads

3 boat scenes3 boat scenes

3 predictions of his death 3 predictions of his death

3 denials3 denials

4. Irony Situational (not verbal) Irony4. Irony Situational (not verbal) Irony

Mark3:22fMark3:22f

Mark 15:31-32 Mark 15:31-32

I. Mark 1:1-13 PrologueI. Mark 1:1-13 Prologue

Malachi 3:1Isaiah 40:3

My messenger will prepare the way…

A voice crying in the wilderness….

Elijah/John

The Kingdom is at hand…

Malachi 3:1, 4:5 A bridge from the Old to Malachi 3:1, 4:5 A bridge from the Old to the New Testamentthe New Testament

The Kingdom of God is at hand…. Matt 3:2The Kingdom of God is at hand…. Matt 3:2

The Messiah is here. Prophecy is fulfilledThe Messiah is here. Prophecy is fulfilled

Baptisms in the Jordan RiverBaptisms in the Jordan River……of repentance, for the forgiveness of sinsof repentance, for the forgiveness of sins

Mark 1:14-3:12Mark 1:14-3:12The Kingdom of GodThe Kingdom of God

Mark 1:14-20 The call of discipleshipMark 1:14-20 The call of discipleship

The time has come The time has come JTB 1:7-8 JTB 1:7-8 God 1:11 God 1:11 Jesus 1:14Jesus 1:14

v. 18 at once… v. 20 without delay…v. 18 at once… v. 20 without delay…

Q: What is the point?Q: What is the point?

Now that the kingdom of God has come, it is Now that the kingdom of God has come, it is time for action. The things of the world are time for action. The things of the world are not important in the kingdom of God.not important in the kingdom of God.

Mark 1:21-45Mark 1:21-45Jesus has great authorityJesus has great authority

Mark 1:21-24 v. 22 amazementMark 1:21-24 v. 22 amazement

v. 22 authority.v. 22 authority.

1:24 irony. The demons believe before the 1:24 irony. The demons believe before the disciples.disciples.

1:25 vs 1:43 more irony. Demons obey but 1:25 vs 1:43 more irony. Demons obey but the man does not.the man does not.

Q: Message for us?Q: Message for us?

1:35-39 Even a powerful godly man of action 1:35-39 Even a powerful godly man of action needs to pray.needs to pray.

Mark 2:1-28Mark 2:1-28Jesus has great authorityJesus has great authority

Mark 2:1-12 Authority to forgive sinsMark 2:1-12 Authority to forgive sins

Mark 2:13-17 It doesn’t matter who Mark 2:13-17 It doesn’t matter who you are, but whether you will answer you are, but whether you will answer the call.the call.

Mark 2:18-Mark 2:18-2828 Authority even over the Authority even over the Sabbath/Law!!!!Sabbath/Law!!!!