In this series we offer brief introductions to the books of the Bible, including background, authorship, content, and application to the lives of today’s Christians.
Mark’s Gospel is remarkable for many reasons. We begin at the end: modern translations note that the last twelve verses (16:9-20) may not be part of Mark’s Gospel, since they are missing in two Greek copies from the fourth century. Yet, they are found in most copies, and in early translations of Mark’s Gospel into Latin, Syriac, and Coptic languages. Already in the second century, the church father Irenaeus quoted from these verses, and the early Church received them as Mark’s words, as agreeing with the other Gospels, and without error.
Mark’s name does not appear in his book, yet we can be sure he authored it. His Gospel may have been written as early as A.D. 45-55 to Gentiles in Rome. If so, it may predate Matthew’s Gospel.
At a young age, Mark may have been converted by the witness of Peter, who refers to him as his spiritual “son.” (1 Peter 5:13) Papias and other church fathers state that Mark recorded Peter’s testimony concerning Jesus.
Mark is associated with both Peter and Paul. When Peter was miraculously freed from prison, “he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark.” (Acts 12:12) Mark was with Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey, but left them in Perga and went home to Jerusalem. (Acts 13: 5,13) Paul would not bring him on the second journey; but Barnabas (Mark’s “cousin” – Colossians 4:10) strongly disagreed! So, Paul chose Silas, and “Barnabas took Mark with him” to Cyprus. (Acts 15:36-40)
Mark had failed in Paul’s eyes; but God was working “all things together for good” in the case of this young man who had been “called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) As God also purposed, Mark wrote his Gospel after returning to Jerusalem. Paul was surely aware of it by A.D. 61, when under arrest in Rome he wrote to the Colossians (4:10): “Mark . . . sends you his greetings.” Mark was with Paul again! During his second imprisonment, Paul wrote to Timothy, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:11)
Was Mark the unnamed youth of 14:51-52, who had followed Jesus until he himself felt an immediate need to save himself from the mob? Probably. By one count, the short form of the Greek word immediately is used ten times in the other Gospels and Acts; but Mark uses it forty-one times to quickly carry the reader from one lively scene to the next! He writes with a sense of immediate urgency, not to save himself but to reveal Jesus as “the Christ” (Messiah) to Greek-speaking Gentiles in Rome.
Already in the first verse of his Gospel, Mark confesses boldly: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” The last verse speaks of the continuing power of God’s Son and the spread of His message to the world: “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.” (16:20) In between, Mark records far more miracles than any of the longer Gospels. He focuses on Jesus’ works of power, His life, His death, and His resurrection, in order to identify Him as the promised Christ, the Son of God from eternity, God’s holy Servant, and man’s only Savior.
Mark knew there was no time to waste, as Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel!” (1:15) Jesus’ words are still true! Read Mark’s Gospel. Encourage others to do so, too!
The Greek word immediately is used ten times in the other Gospels and Acts; but Mark uses it forty-one times to quickly carry the reader from one lively scene to the next!
is a retired pastor. He lives in West Columbia, South Carolina.