Page 15 - Advanced New Testament Survey Student Textbook

The Book of Mark: Suffering Servant of God

Introduction to Mark
Mark presents Jesus as the suffering servant of God who before seeing His glory, would die a shameful
death for the sins of the world. The Gospel of Mark abruptly opens by proclaiming the good news of Jesus
the Messiah (Mark 1:1). The story depicts Jesus and the kingdom of God that He announces as advancing
against both worldly powers and supernatural forces. While the disciples consistently struggle to
understand His mission, Jesus proceeds unflinchingly toward the cross. Along the way, He calls those who
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would follow Him to take up their own crosses (8:34–38).
Author
The Gospel of Mark is attributed by early church fathers to John Mark, whose mother was a prominent
member of the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). In the first century, it was not unusual for some
Jews to have a Hebrew name (“John”) as well as a Greek one (“Mark”). Mark joined his cousin Barnabas
and the Apostle Paul on their initial missionary journey (Acts 12:25; 13:5; Col 4:10). Somewhere along the
way, he had a falling out with Paul, but they apparently reconciled in later years (Acts 15:37–40; 2 Tim
4:11; Philemon 24). Mark also is associated with the Apostle Peter’s ministry in Rome (1 Pet 5:13, where
“Babylon” is generally understood to be a metaphorical reference to Rome). According to early Christian
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tradition, Peter told Mark all about Jesus’ earthly ministry, and Mark put these accounts in writing.
Date
The majority of recent scholars agree that among the four Gospels, Mark is likely the earliest. It might
have been written even before Peter’s execution in Rome in the mid-60s AD. Because of Mark’s connection
to Peter, the Gospel could have been addressed initially to the church in Rome. Noting that both Matthew
and Luke show no knowledge of the fall of Jerusalem and so predate AD 70, scholars following in the
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tradition of John A.T. Robinson date Mark even earlier, around AD 55–59.
Themes
Mark proclaims the good news of God’s kingdom which came in the person of Jesus (1:15)—Jews did not
understand this kingdom because they were anticipating for a different one. Jesus did not come as
conquering king they perceived, instead he brought about the kingdom as He humbly served others—
going even to the point of dying for humanity. In light of this unexpected development, a major theme of
Mark’s Gospel is the so-called “messianic secret.” During the majority of His ministry, Jesus alludes to
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His true identity as the Messiah, the Anointed One of Israel, all the while commanding His disciples and
most people not to speak openly about His identity. Jesus also often teaches His disciples separately from
the crowds. When He does address the masses, He speaks in parables (4:10–20). Only during His trial does
Jesus make it clear publicly that He is the Messiah, the Savior that the Jews have been anticipating (14:61–
62). Jesus seems to do this to wait for the appointed time—the right time—to tell the world of His
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identity.

35 Barry, J. D. et al
36 Barry, J. D. et al
37 Ibid
38 Ibid
39 Ibid

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