The Gospel According to Mark
Mk was probably written ca. 65-70, possibly in Rome, although no one really
knows where or when it was written. However, many scholars think that it was
written for a Christian community that was experiencing tribulation. As far as
we know, this is the first written narrative account to relate Jesus'
ministry, death, and resurrection. The author may have used written sources in
composing Mk (e.g., the passion narrative), but these sources were likely not
as comprehensive as Mk's account.
As far as we know, the Gospel of Mark is an anonymous document. In the 2nd cen.,
ca. 130 CE, Papias, bishop of Hierapolis, wrote the Exposition of the Oracles
of the Lord. He claimed that Mark was Peter's interpreter, and that Mark wrote
down what Peter had told him, though not in order.
Mk's gospel begins with the words, "The beginning of the good news of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God." This is called the "incipit," the opening line. It
may well have been the original title of the document.
We can see a couple of things from this: (1) This is a gospel (good news) - a
proclamation. The proclamation is about Jesus, who is the Messiah, and who is
the Son of God. The rest of Mk is spent telling us about the Messiah - what he
did; with whom he associated; what happened to him; his conflicts; his
enemies; some of his teachings; his passion, death, and resurrection.
Jesus' ministry is prophetically foretold by John the Baptist, and it is
initiated in Jesus' baptism. Psalm 2 is about the establishment of God's
anointed as a ruler. In Ps 2.7, we read, "I will tell of the decree of the
Lord: He said to me, 'You are my son; today I have begotten you.'" In Mk 1.11
we read, "And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you
I am well pleased." Whether Mk intended for us to understand that Jesus became
the Messiah at his baptism is unclear. At the very least, we can think of
Jesus' baptism as the beginning of his ministry.
After being driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and being tempted by
Satan, Jesus goes about teaching, healing, and casting out demons (e.g.,
1.21-28). Jesus is said to have great authority. This is an authority that he
sometimes openly claims for himself (e.g., 2.10-12). He even has the power to
raise the dead (5.21ff). Jesus' great authority and power is revealed in his
words, in his deeds, in the testimony about him (such as the voice from
heaven), and in the author's explicit commentary (e.g., when the narrator of
the story tells us that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God).
Mk's gospel emphasizes suffering, service, and humility. Jesus' messiahship is
inseparable from his suffering. Beginning with ch. 8, the story begins to move
toward the cross. Jesus predicts his passion, death, and resurrection three
times, and he also says that those who would be his disciples must deny
themselves and take up the cross. Most scholars believe that Mk's gospel was
written for a community of Christians who were undergoing hardship and
possibly persecution because of their faith. Given, Mk's emphasis on
suffering, we can certainly see how Mk's presentation would help to address
some of the issues that a rejected and persecuted community might face.
Peter did not intend to give to Mark a complete account of Jesus words and
deeds; rather, his accounts were delivered to meet the needs of the moment.
(We read about John Mark in Acts 12.12, 25; 13.5; 13.13; 15.37). It seems
unlikely that Papias' claim was correct. For one thing, Papias made other
remarks that appear inaccurate. Furthermore, if Mark had written down Peter's
account, we might expect a bit more sympathetic presentation of Peter.
