Mark 1:14-45

Each of the four Gospels in the New Testament takes on a different “personality” and focus. Matthew (dated late 50s/early 60s) is written to the Jews to show that Jesus is the Messiah. Luke writes a two-volume set (his Gospel and Acts) around A.D. 62. His Gospel is written to a Greek audience (in particular, Theophilus), proving that Jesus is the Son of Man. John, who wrote his Gospel around A.D. 80-90, makes his purpose clear in John 20:31: “…These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Mark was the first Gospel written. It is dated in the A.D. 50s. It is a hard-hitting and fast-paced account. Mark does not focus so much on what Jesus said but on what he did. Throughout the book, there is a sense of urgency. The word translated “immediately” is found over forty times in the book. He presents Jesus as the Servant. The key verse of this book is, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Most scholars believe that Mark was led to Christ by Peter (1 Pet 5:13) and that his book is based on Peter’s sermons. Papias wrote in A.D. 140 that Mark was the “interpreter of Peter,” and many early church fathers agree.

Mark came from a wealthy family, and his mother was a well-known believer in Jerusalem. It is possible that the last supper was served in her home. Her house was a meeting place for the early church in Acts (Acts 1:13-14, 12:12).

 

Mark’s uncle was Barnabas. Mark joined Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey but returned home in the middle of the trip. When Barnabas wanted to take Mark on the second trip, Paul refused, and that ended in Barnabas and Paul splitting up. Later they reconciled.

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