Introduction to the Gospel of Mark

Welcome
Prayer
Song

Historical Background of Mark

Mark Introduction and Chapter 1
Taped/Aired January 24th 2021
First time reading through TVAR and not preparing to teach.

Of Mark, the writer of this gospel, little is certainly known. He is commonly believed to be the same Mark that is mentioned several times in the New Testament. He was not an apostle, or companion of the Lord Jesus, during his ministry, though some of the early church leaders suggest that he was one of the seventy disciples called by Christ. This is improbable, as it is mentioned by Peter (in 1st Peter 5:13) that Mark was his son which typically means that he was converted by Peter to the faith directly.

We learn from Colossians 4:10 that Mark was Barnabas’s sister's son and that his mother's name was Mary (who was a pious woman in Jerusalem) and Acts 12:12 tells us that it was at her house that the apostles and primitive Christians would gather. According to that same verse Mark’s Hebrew name was John and it is probable that he adopted the name Mark when he visited the Gentiles which was a practice not uncommon to that age.

Mark's Ministry and Journey

According to Acts 13:5 he was at first the companion of Paul and Barnabas in their travels to share the faith. But for some reason he decided not to stay with them through their whole journey and left their company in Pamphylia where he probably returned to Jerusalem. It is possible that at that time he became a companion of Peter, and travelled with him to Babylon (based on 1st Peter 5:13). Afterwards he went with Barnabas to Cyprus, according to Acts 15:39, and then subsequently he went to Rome, at the express desire of Paul, in company with Timothy (2nd Timothy 4:11). He remained at Rome while Paul was a captive there, but how long is uncertain.

Eusebius, Epiphanius, and Jerome say that Mark went from Rome to Alexandria, in Egypt, where he planted a church, and died and was buried in the eighth year of the reign of Nero or 64 AD. The time when this gospel was written is not certainly known. It is believed to have been written between the years 56 and 63 AD. Most agree that it was written at Rome in the latter years of his life and after, according to Mark 16:20, after the apostles had left Judea.

Mark's Role with Peter

Mark was, for a considerable time, the companion of Peter and while he was never a contemporary of the Lord his long acquaintance with Peter helped him become familiar with the events of his life, and with his instructions thus enabling him to write this Gospel account. Most early church leaders suggest that Mark was Peter’s interpreter or amanuensis and that he wrote this Gospel under his direct direction. Therefore tradition says that it’s apostolic authorization came through Peter. When Peter, having been delivered out of prison by an angel, came to the house of Mary, mother of John, (whose surname was Mark) many were gathered together praying. This very first mention of John Mark ties us to an intimacy in that family with Peter and it is almost universally believed that this Mark wrote this Gospel.

There is another view out there, by the way, and that is as it is known that Peter was married, that some believe this Mark was actually Peter’s biological son. There are several things that have been omitted by Mark that are found in the other Gospels – which is why Mark’s Gospel is considered the most plain or unoriginal of the four. These things include:

1. A preface, found in Luke and John (Luke 1:1; John 1:1)
2. The CONCEPTION of Elizabeth (in Luke 1:5-25)
3. The SALUTATION of Mary (in Luke 1:26-38)
4. Mary's VISIT to Elizabeth, Lu 1:39-56.
5. John Baptist's BIRTH, Lu 1:57-79.
6. The Angel's APPEARANCE to Joseph, Mt 1:18-25.
7. The BIRTH of CHRIST, Mt 1:25; Lu 2:1-7.
8. The GENEALOGY of CHRIST, Mt 1:1-17; Lu 3:23-38.
9. The Appearance of the Angel to the SHEPHERDS, Lu 2:8-20.
10. The CIRCUMCISION of CHRIST, Mt 1:25; Lu 2:21.
11. The PRESENTATION of Christ in the Temple, Lu 2:22-38.
12. The Coming of the MAGI, Mt 2:1-12.
13. The FLIGHT into Egypt, Mt 2:13-15.
14. Herod's MURDER of the INNOCENTS, Mt 2:16-18.
15. The RETURN of the Holy Family from Egypt, Mt 2:19-23; Lu 2:39 and
16. Christ's JOURNEY to Jerusalem when

Introduction to the Gospel According to Mark

Twelve years of age, Lu 2:40-48.

We might also note that except for the preface John also excludes these events from his record. It is said that the Gospel according to Mark, possibly an abridgment of the Gospel according to Matthew, contains a neat abridged history of our Lord; and, taken in this point of view, is the best gospel to be read by the young. It is also believed to have been a Gospel written especially for Gentiles and most likely the Gentiles in Rome.

One interesting fact is that this account has undergone more inaccuracy of transcription than any of the others and as a result there are numerous readings and manuscripts around, more than any of the others. The language is very plain and unadorned by flourishes of creativity—some consider it inelegant. Those who read the Gospel in the Greek are said to note the frequent use of the words translated immediately and again.

Mark Chapter 1

The beginning of the gospel of Yeshua Christ, the Son of YHWH;

2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which will prepare your way before you.

3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

5 And there went out to him all the land of Judaea, and those from Jerusalem, and all were baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

7 And preached, saying, There comes one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Yeshua came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in Jordan.

10 And he came straight up out of the water and saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

12 And immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness.

13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.

14 Now after that John was put in prison, Yeshua came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of YHWH,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of YHWH is at hand: repent and believe the gospel.

The Calling of the First Disciples

16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

17 And Yeshua said to them, Come you after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

18 And immediately they forsook their nets, and followed him.

19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

20 And immediately he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

21 And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, Let us alone; have we to do with you, thou Yeshua of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know you who thou art, the Holy One of YHWH.

25 And Yeshua rebuked him, saying, Hold your peace, and come out of him.

26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

29 And forthwith,

Healing and Preaching in Galilee

When they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered to them.

And at even, when the sun did set, they brought to him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Solitary Prayer and Continued Ministry

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said to him, All seek for you. And he said to them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for this reason was I born. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

Cleansing of a Leper

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying to him, If you will, you can make me clean. And Yeshua, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and said to him, I will; be clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; and said to him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go your way, shew yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Yeshua could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.