Mark

Part One: Introduction to Mark

The Author

The early church consistently identified the author as John Mark, a young believer from Jerusalem. His story appears throughout the New Testament:

Mark's life is itself a gospel story: a young man who failed and was restored to useful service. Early Christian writers, beginning with Papias (around AD 125), say that Mark was Peter's interpreter and wrote down accurately what Peter preached about the Lord's words and deeds. This explains the vivid, eyewitness detail and the prominence of Peter, including his failures, in Mark's Gospel. Many believe the young man who fled naked when Jesus was arrested (14:51-52), mentioned only in Mark, was Mark himself.

Date and Readers

Mark was probably written in the AD 50s or 60s, many believe in Rome. It was written mainly for Gentile, especially Roman, readers:

• Mark explains Jewish customs, such as ceremonial washing (7:3-4).
• He translates Aramaic words: Boanerges (3:17), Talitha cumi (5:41), Corban (7:11), Ephphatha (7:34), Abba (14:36), Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani (15:34).
• He uses Latin terms: legion, centurion, praetorium (15:16), and explains a Greek coin in Roman terms (12:42).
• He quotes the Old Testament less often than Matthew.
• He mentions that Simon of Cyrene was "the father of Alexander and Rufus" (15:21), evidently known to his readers; Paul greets a Rufus in Rome (Romans 16:13).

Purpose and Theme

Mark presents Jesus Christ as the Son of God who came as the Servant of the LORD, to serve and to give His life a ransom for sinners.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

Mark 1:1

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45

The book opens by calling Jesus "the Son of God" (1:1) and reaches its climax when a Roman centurion at the cross confesses, "Truly this man was the Son of God" (15:39).

Distinctive Features

• The shortest Gospel, and probably the earliest written; almost all of Mark's content also appears in Matthew or Luke.
• Action. Mark records more of what Jesus did than what He said. The Greek word euthus ("straightway," "immediately," "forthwith") appears about forty times, giving the book a fast pace.
• Vivid detail. Mark notes that Jesus slept on "a pillow" in the boat (4:38), that the grass was "green" when the five thousand sat down "in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties" (6:39-40), and that Jesus looked round "with anger" (3:5), "sighed" (7:34), "marvelled" (6:6), was "much displeased" (10:14), and "loved" the rich young man (10:21).
• The Servant. Mark has no genealogy and no birth narrative; it begins with Jesus' ministry. A servant's work matters more than his pedigree.
• The cross. About a third of the book covers the final week in Jerusalem (11-16).
• The disciples' weakness. Mark honestly records the disciples' slowness to understand, their fear, and their flight, encouraging failing believers that Christ does not give up on His followers.
• Commands to silence. Jesus often told those He healed and demons He cast out not to make Him known (1:34, 44; 3:12; 5:43; 7:36; 8:30; 9:9), to avoid premature popularity as a political Messiah before the cross revealed what kind of Messiah He was.

The Turning Point

Mark divides into two halves around Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi (8:27-30):

Immediately after Peter's confession, "he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things" (8:31).

Material Found Only in Mark

The parable of the seed growing secretly (4:26-29); the healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment ("Ephphatha," 7:31-37); the blind man at Bethsaida healed in two stages (8:22-26); Jesus' family thinking He was "beside himself" (3:21); "The sabbath was made for man" (2:27); the young man who fled naked (14:51-52); Pilate's checking that Jesus was really dead (15:44-45); and "tell his disciples and Peter" (16:7).

The Ending of Mark (16:9-20)

Two early Greek manuscripts (Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, fourth century) end at 16:8. But the great majority of Greek manuscripts, early translations and quotations include verses 9-20; Irenaeus quoted verse 19 as Mark's in the second century, earlier than those two manuscripts. The King James Version, based on the Received Text, includes them, and this study treats them as Scripture. Their content agrees with the rest of the New Testament.

Outline of Mark

Part Two: Chapter-by-Chapter Analysis

Many events in Mark are also recorded in Matthew and are treated more fully in the Matthew study. This analysis focuses on Mark's distinctive emphases and details.

Section I: The Servant Prepared (Chapter 1:1-13)

Chapter 1:1-13 — The Beginning of the Gospel

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

Mark 1:1

Mark starts not with a birth but with the ministry of John the Baptist, combining Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3: "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face... The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord" (1:2-3). John preached "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (1:4) and pointed to One mightier: "he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost" (1:7-8). At Jesus' baptism, coming "up out of the water," He saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father said, "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (1:10-11).

"And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him" (1:12-13). Mark alone mentions the wild beasts, a picture of the conflict and of the One who will restore creation (Isaiah 11:6-9).

Section II: The Servant's Ministry in Galilee (Chapters 1:14-8:30)

Chapter 1:14-45 — Authority and Compassion

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mark 1:14-15

Jesus called Simon, Andrew, James and John: "Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men" (1:17). In the synagogue at Capernaum, the people "were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes" (1:22). A man with an unclean spirit cried, "I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." Jesus rebuked it, and it came out. "What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him" (1:23-27).

He healed Peter's mother-in-law, and by sunset "all the city was gathered together at the door" as He healed many and cast out devils, "and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him" (1:29-34).

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Mark 1:35

After a day of intense ministry, Jesus sought His Father in prayer. When the disciples said everyone was looking for Him, He said, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth" (1:38). Preaching was His priority.

A leper begged, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean" (1:40-41). Touching a leper made one ceremonially unclean, but Jesus' touch made the leper clean. He told the man to tell no one but to show himself to the priest; instead the man spread the news everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city (1:43-45).

Chapter 2 — Conflicts Over Forgiveness, Fellowship, Fasting and the Sabbath

Five conflicts with the religious leaders follow (2:1-3:6):

• Forgiveness (2:1-12). Four men, unable to reach Jesus through the crowd, "uncovered the roof where he was" and let down a paralysed man on his bed (2:3-4). "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." The scribes reasoned, "Who can forgive sins but God only?" (2:5-7). They were right: only God can forgive sins. Jesus healed the man "that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins" (2:10-11). "We never saw it on this fashion" (2:12).
• Fellowship with sinners (2:13-17). Jesus called Levi (Matthew) and ate with tax collectors and sinners: "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (2:17).
• Fasting (2:18-22). The Bridegroom's presence is a time for joy; new wine needs new wineskins.
• The Sabbath (2:23-28). When His disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath, Jesus cited David eating the shewbread "in the days of Abiathar the high priest" (2:26). Then He said:

The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Mark 2:27-28

Chapter 3 — Hardened Hearts and the True Family

On the Sabbath, a man with a withered hand was in the synagogue, and the Pharisees watched to accuse Jesus. He asked, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?" They were silent. "And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts," He healed the man (3:1-5). Jesus' anger was righteous, mixed with grief. The Pharisees then joined with the Herodians, their political enemies, to plot His death (3:6).

Huge crowds came from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond Jordan, Tyre and Sidon (3:7-8). Jesus "ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach" (3:14). Being with Him came before being sent. He named James and John "Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder" (3:17).

His own family went to take Him, "for they said, He is beside himself" (3:21). The scribes from Jerusalem said He cast out devils by Beelzebub (3:22). Jesus warned that blasphemy against the Holy Ghost "hath never forgiveness... Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit" (3:28-30): calling the Spirit's work in Christ the work of Satan. When His mother and brothers called for Him, He looked at those sitting around Him: "Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother" (3:34-35).

Chapter 4 — Parables and Power Over the Storm

From a boat on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus taught in parables. The parable of the sower (4:3-20) shows four responses to the word. "Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel?" (4:21): what is hidden will be revealed. "Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you" (4:24).

Only Mark records the parable of the seed growing secretly:

So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

Mark 4:26-28

The sower plants, but God gives the growth, mysteriously and gradually (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). The mustard seed (4:30-32) shows the kingdom's small beginning and great growth.

That evening a great storm arose. Jesus "was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow." The terrified disciples woke Him: "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" (4:37-38).

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Mark 4:39-40

"And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (4:41).

Chapter 5 — Power Over Demons, Disease and Death

Legion (5:1-20). In the country of the Gadarenes, a man possessed by unclean spirits lived among the tombs. No chains could hold him; he cried night and day and cut himself with stones (5:2-5). He ran and worshipped Jesus. Asked his name, he said, "My name is Legion: for we are many" (5:9). (Matthew records two men; Mark and Luke focus on the one who spoke.) Jesus allowed the demons to enter about two thousand swine, which rushed into the sea (5:13). The townspeople found the man "sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind," and were afraid, and begged Jesus to leave (5:15-17). When the healed man wanted to go with Jesus, He said:

Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Mark 5:19

He became a missionary to the Decapolis, and all marvelled (5:20).

A woman and a girl (5:21-43). Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, begged Jesus to heal his dying twelve-year-old daughter (5:22-23). On the way, a woman who had suffered a haemorrhage for twelve years, and "had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse" (5:26), touched His garment and was healed instantly. Jesus, knowing "that virtue had gone out of him," asked, "Who touched my clothes?" She came trembling and told Him all. "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague" (5:30-34). He did not want her to go away with a secret healing, but with personal assurance.

News came that Jairus' daughter had died. Jesus said, "Be not afraid, only believe" (5:36). Taking Peter, James and John and the parents, He took the girl by the hand and said, "Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked" (5:41-42). He told them to give her something to eat (5:43).

Chapter 6 — Rejection, Mission and Miracles

At Nazareth the people asked, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?" and were offended (6:3). "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk... And he marvelled because of their unbelief" (6:5-6). Unbelief shut them off from blessing.

He sent the twelve out two by two with authority over unclean spirits; they preached repentance, cast out devils and "anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them" (6:7-13).

Mark gives the fullest account of John the Baptist's death (6:14-29). Herod Antipas "feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy... and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly" (6:20). Yet, trapped by a rash oath at his birthday feast, he had John beheaded at the request of Herodias' daughter (6:21-28). Herod liked hearing the truth but would not obey it.

When the apostles returned, Jesus said, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat" (6:31). But the crowds followed, "and Jesus... was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things" (6:34; Numbers 27:17). He fed five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, seating them "by companies upon the green grass... in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties" (6:39-40), with twelve baskets left over (6:43).

That night, the disciples were "toiling in rowing" against the wind. About the fourth watch Jesus came walking on the sea "and would have passed by them" (6:48), as God "passed by" Moses and Elijah in revealing His glory (Exodus 33:22; 1 Kings 19:11). "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid" (6:50); "it is I" is literally "I am." The wind ceased, and the disciples were amazed, "For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened" (6:52).

Chapter 7 — The Heart, a Gentile Woman and a Deaf Man

The Pharisees criticised the disciples for eating without ceremonial hand-washing. Mark explains the Jewish traditions for his Gentile readers (7:3-4). Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13 and showed how "Corban" (a vow dedicating property to God) was used to avoid supporting parents, "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition" (7:6-13). Food cannot defile a person spiritually, "because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly... purging all meats" (7:18-19). The real source of defilement is within:

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Mark 7:21-23

In the region of Tyre and Sidon, a Greek woman, "a Syrophenician by nation," begged Him to cast a demon out of her daughter. Her humble answer, "yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs," was rewarded, and her daughter was healed (7:24-30).

In the Decapolis, Jesus healed a deaf man with a speech impediment in a uniquely personal way: He took him aside, put His fingers in his ears, spat and touched his tongue, "And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened" (7:32-34). He communicated with a man who could not hear by touch and sight, and He sighed over the brokenness of the fallen world. The people were astonished: "He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak" (7:37; compare Isaiah 35:5-6).

Chapter 8:1-30 — Seeing Clearly

Jesus fed four thousand with seven loaves (8:1-9). The Pharisees demanded a sign, and "he sighed deeply in his spirit" and refused (8:11-12). He warned His disciples of "the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod," but they thought He was talking about bread. "Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?" (8:15-18).

Then, at Bethsaida, He healed a blind man in two stages, found only in Mark. After the first touch the man said, "I see men as trees, walking." After the second, "he was restored, and saw every man clearly" (8:22-25). The miracle pictures the disciples themselves: they saw Jesus partly, but not yet clearly. At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked, "But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ" (8:29). They now saw that He was the Messiah; they still needed a "second touch" to understand that the Messiah must suffer.

Section III: The Servant on the Way to the Cross (Chapters 8:31-10:52)

Chapter 8:31-38 — The Son of Man Must Suffer

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly.

Mark 8:31-32

Peter rebuked Him; Jesus answered, "Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men" (8:33). Then He called the crowd as well as the disciples:

Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Mark 8:34-36

"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (8:38).

Chapter 9 — Glory, Faith and Greatness

"There be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power" (9:1). Six days later, on a high mountain, Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John: "his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them" (9:2-3). Elijah and Moses appeared. Peter, "not knowing what to say," offered to build three tabernacles (9:5-6). A cloud overshadowed them, and the Father said, "This is my beloved Son: hear him" (9:7). Coming down, the disciples wondered what "rising from the dead should mean" (9:10). Jesus explained that Elijah had already come, meaning John the Baptist (9:11-13).

At the foot of the mountain, the other disciples had failed to cast a spirit out of a boy who had suffered seizures since childhood (9:14-22). The father pleaded, "if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us."

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Mark 9:23-24

Jesus turned the father's "if thou canst" back on him. The father's honest cry is the prayer of every struggling believer, and Jesus answered it. He cast out the spirit (9:25-27). "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting" (9:29).

Jesus again foretold His death and resurrection, "But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him" (9:31-32). On the road, they had argued about who was the greatest. "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all" (9:35). He took a child in His arms: receiving a little child in His name is receiving Him (9:36-37). When John reported forbidding someone who cast out devils in Jesus' name, Jesus said, "Forbid him not... For he that is not against us is on our part" (9:39-40). Even a cup of water given in His name will be rewarded (9:41). He warned against causing others to stumble, and urged radical dealing with sin, rather than be cast into hell, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (9:42-48; Isaiah 66:24). "Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another" (9:50).

Chapter 10 — The Servant's Way

Marriage (10:1-12). As in Matthew, Jesus pointed back to creation: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (10:9). Mark alone adds that a wife who divorces her husband and marries another also commits adultery (10:12), relevant to Roman readers, among whom women could initiate divorce.

Children (10:13-16). When the disciples rebuked those bringing children, Jesus "was much displeased": "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God... Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them" (10:14-16).

The rich man (10:17-31). A man ran and knelt before Jesus: "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Jesus asked, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God" (10:17-18), challenging him to think about who Jesus is. When the man claimed to have kept the commandments from his youth, "Then Jesus beholding him loved him," and told him to sell everything, give to the poor, "and come, take up the cross, and follow me." He went away grieved, "for he had great possessions" (10:20-22). "How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!" (10:24). "With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" (10:27). Those who leave all for Christ will receive a hundredfold now, "with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life" (10:30).

The third prediction (10:32-34). "And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid" (10:32). Jesus walked resolutely ahead toward the cross. He foretold in detail that He would be condemned, handed to the Gentiles, mocked, scourged, spat upon and killed, "and the third day he shall rise again" (10:33-34).

The Son of man came to serve (10:35-45). James and John asked to sit at His right and left hand in glory. "Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" (10:38): the cup and baptism of suffering. Then the key verse of the whole Gospel:

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:43-45

Blind Bartimaeus (10:46-52). As Jesus left Jericho, "blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging" (10:46). Hearing it was Jesus of Nazareth, he cried, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me." Many told him to be quiet; "but he cried the more a great deal" (10:47-48). Jesus stood still and called him. "Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus" (10:49-50). "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" "Lord, that I might receive my sight." "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way" (10:51-52). Unlike the disciples, slow to see, this blind man saw clearly, called Jesus the Son of David, and followed Him on the road to Jerusalem.

Section IV: The Servant in Jerusalem (Chapters 11-13)

Chapter 11 — The King Comes to His Temple

Jesus sent two disciples for "a colt tied, whereon never man sat," telling them to say, "the Lord hath need of him" (11:2-3). The crowds spread garments and branches and cried, "Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David" (11:9-10; Psalm 118:25-26). Jesus entered the temple, "looked round about upon all things," and, since it was evening, went out to Bethany (11:11).

The next morning, He found a fig tree full of leaves but with no fruit, "for the time of figs was not yet," and said, "No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever" (11:12-14). Fig trees normally produce small early fruit with their leaves; leaves without any fruit signalled a barren tree, like Israel's religion. Mark sandwiches the temple cleansing between the cursing and the withering. Jesus drove out the buyers and sellers, overturned the tables, "And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple," saying, "Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves" (11:15-17; Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11). Mark alone includes "of all nations": the merchants were operating in the Court of the Gentiles, the only place where non-Jews could pray.

The next morning the fig tree had withered from the roots (11:20). Jesus said:

Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart... he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any

Mark 11:22-25

Prayer must be offered in faith in God and with a forgiving heart. The chief priests questioned His authority, and He answered with a question about John's baptism (11:27-33).

Chapter 12 — Questions in the Temple

The vineyard (12:1-12). Jesus told of a vineyard owner whose servants were beaten and killed by the tenants, until, "Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son" (12:6). They killed him. The stone the builders rejected has become the head of the corner (12:10-11; Psalm 118:22-23). The leaders knew He spoke against them (12:12).

Caesar and God (12:13-17). "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (12:17).

The resurrection (12:18-27). To the Sadducees: "Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?" (12:24). "He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living" (12:27).

The first commandment (12:28-34). A scribe asked which commandment is first of all. Jesus began with the Shema:

Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Mark 12:29-31

The scribe agreed that this is "more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." Jesus said, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God" (12:32-34). Being near is not the same as being in.

David's Lord (12:35-37). If David calls the Messiah "Lord," how is He David's son? "And the common people heard him gladly" (12:37).

The scribes and the widow (12:38-44). "Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing... Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers" (12:38-40). Then Jesus sat opposite the temple treasury and watched people giving. Many rich people gave much, "And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing" (12:41-42).

Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Mark 12:43-44

God measures giving not by the amount but by the sacrifice and the heart (2 Corinthians 8:12). The contrast is striking: the scribes devoured widows' houses; this widow gave everything to God.

Chapter 13 — The Olivet Discourse

As in Matthew 24, Jesus foretold the temple's destruction (13:1-2) and described the signs leading to the end (see the Matthew study). Mark's account emphasises watchfulness:

• "Take heed lest any man deceive you" (13:5).
• Believers will be delivered up to councils and beaten, "And the gospel must first be published among all nations" (13:9-10).
• "Take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak... for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost" (13:11).
• "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (13:13).
• At "the abomination of desolation... (let him that readeth understand,)" those in Judea must flee (13:14).
• "Except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days" (13:20).
• "Then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory" (13:26).
• "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away" (13:31).

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Mark 13:32-33

In His incarnation, the Son voluntarily limited the use of His divine knowledge (Philippians 2:7); He fully knew what the Father willed Him to reveal. The discourse closes with the parable of the porter commanded to watch, and the words: "And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch" (13:34-37).

Section V: The Servant's Death and Resurrection (Chapters 14-16)

Chapter 14 — Anointing, Supper, Agony and Trial

The anointing (14:3-9). At Bethany, a woman broke an alabaster box of very costly spikenard ointment and poured it on Jesus' head (14:3). Some complained it could have been sold for "more than three hundred pence" (about a year's wages) for the poor (14:5). Jesus defended her: "She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying" (14:8). Her act would be told wherever the gospel is preached (14:9).

Betrayal and the Passover (14:10-25). Judas agreed to betray Him for money (14:10-11). Jesus sent two disciples into the city to follow "a man bearing a pitcher of water" (unusual, since women usually carried water) to a large upper room, furnished and prepared (14:13-16). At the meal He foretold His betrayal by one "that eateth with me" (14:18; Psalm 41:9), and instituted the Lord's Supper: "Take, eat: this is my body... This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many" (14:22-24).

Peter's boast (14:26-31). Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7: "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered," and promised, "after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee" (14:27-28). Peter insisted, "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I." Jesus told him, "this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice" (14:29-30).

Gethsemane (14:32-42). Jesus "began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death" (14:33-34).

Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Mark 14:36

"Abba" is the intimate Aramaic word for "father." Even in agony, Jesus trusted His Father and submitted to His will. Finding Peter asleep, He said, "Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?" (14:37).

The arrest (14:43-52). Judas betrayed Him with a kiss (14:44-45). "And they all forsook him, and fled" (14:50). Only Mark adds: "And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked" (14:51-52), probably Mark's own humble signature.

The trial (14:53-65). Many false witnesses testified, "but their witness agreed not together" (14:56, 59). Jesus was silent (14:61). Then the high priest asked:

Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Mark 14:61-62

In Mark, Jesus' answer is direct: "I am." He was condemned for blasphemy. Some "began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy" (14:65), while at that very moment His prophecy about Peter was being fulfilled outside.

Peter's denial (14:66-72). Peter denied Him three times. "And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him... And when he thought thereon, he wept" (14:72).

Chapter 15 — The Crucifixion of the Servant

Before Pilate (15:1-15). "Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it" (15:2). To the many accusations "Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled" (15:5). Barabbas had been imprisoned for insurrection and murder (15:7). Pilate "knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy" (15:10), yet, "willing to content the people," he released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to be crucified (15:15). The innocent Servant took the place of the guilty.

The mocking (15:16-20). In the praetorium the whole band of soldiers clothed Him in purple, crowned Him with thorns, saluted Him "Hail, King of the Jews!", struck Him with a reed, spat on Him and mockingly worshipped Him.

The crucifixion (15:21-41). Simon of Cyrene, "the father of Alexander and Rufus," was compelled to carry His cross (15:21). At Golgotha they offered Him wine mingled with myrrh, a drug to dull pain, but He refused it (15:23). "And it was the third hour, and they crucified him" (15:25), about 9 a.m. They divided His garments by lot (15:24; Psalm 22:18). The accusation read "THE KING OF THE JEWS" (15:26). Crucified between two thieves, "the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors" (15:27-28; Isaiah 53:12). The mockers said, "He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe" (15:31-32).

From the sixth hour to the ninth (noon to 3 p.m.) there was darkness over the whole land (15:33).

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Mark 15:34

Some thought He was calling Elijah. One offered Him vinegar on a reed (15:35-36; Psalm 69:21). "And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom" (15:37-38). Then the climax of Mark's Gospel:

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Mark 15:39

The Gospel began, "Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (1:1); here a Roman, a Gentile, the commander of the execution squad, makes the same confession. It was the way Jesus died that convinced him. Many women watched from afar, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less and Joses, and Salome, who had followed and ministered to Him in Galilee (15:40-41).

The burial (15:42-47). Joseph of Arimathea, "an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus" (15:43). Pilate "marvelled if he were already dead," and called the centurion to confirm it before releasing the body (15:44-45). Mark thus records official Roman confirmation of Jesus' death, answering any later claim that He merely fainted. Joseph wrapped the body in fine linen, laid it in a rock-hewn tomb and rolled a stone against the door, while Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where He was laid (15:46-47).

Chapter 16 — The Risen Servant

After the Sabbath, very early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome came with spices to anoint the body. "And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" (16:1-3). But the stone, "very great," was already rolled away (16:4). Inside they saw "a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment" (an angel), and were frightened (16:5).

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

Mark 16:6-7

"And Peter": only Mark includes these words. Peter, who had denied Jesus three times and wept, was specially named. The risen Lord had not given up on him. This detail, recorded by Peter's interpreter, must have meant a great deal to Peter. The women fled trembling and amazed, saying nothing to anyone along the way, "for they were afraid" (16:8).

Appearances (16:9-14). Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, "out of whom he had cast seven devils," but the mourning disciples did not believe her (16:9-11). He appeared to two walking into the country (compare Luke 24:13-35); they were not believed either (16:12-13). Then He appeared to the eleven at a meal "and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart" (16:14).

The commission (16:15-18).

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:15-16

The order is belief, then baptism, the believer's public testimony. Condemnation comes from unbelief, not from lack of baptism: "he that believeth not shall be damned" (compare John 3:18). Jesus promised that "signs shall follow them that believe": casting out devils, speaking with new tongues, taking up serpents, surviving deadly poison, and healing the sick (16:17-18). These signs were fulfilled in the apostolic age to confirm the gospel message (Acts 2:4; 16:18; 28:3-6; Hebrews 2:3-4). They are not a command to handle snakes or drink poison to prove faith; that would be to tempt God (Matthew 4:7).

The ascension and the mission (16:19-20).

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Mark 16:19-20

The Servant who came to serve and give His life is now exalted at the right hand of God (Philippians 2:9-11), and He continues to work through His servants as they preach.

Part Three: Christ in Mark

The Servant of the LORD

Mark presents Jesus as the perfect Servant foretold by Isaiah:

The Son of God

Mark frames his Gospel with Jesus' divine sonship: "the Son of God" (1:1); the Father's voice at the baptism (1:11) and the transfiguration (9:7); the demons' recognition (3:11; 5:7); Jesus' own confession, "I am" (14:61-62); and the centurion's confession (15:39). He is the Servant who is also the Son.

The Authority of the Servant

The Humanity of the Servant

Mark shows Jesus' true humanity more vividly than any other Gospel: He was hungry (11:12), tired and slept (4:38), felt compassion (1:41; 6:34; 8:2), anger and grief (3:5), amazement (6:6), sighing (7:34; 8:12), indignation (10:14), love (10:21), and deep distress (14:33-34). He is truly God and truly man.

Part Four: Fulfilled Prophecies

Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Mark

Jesus' Own Prophecies Fulfilled

Part Five: Key Passages in Depth

Mark 1:35 — Prayer Before Ministry

After a long, demanding day, Jesus rose before dawn to pray alone. If the Son of God needed time alone with the Father, how much more do we? His priorities were set in prayer.

Mark 2:1-12 — Faith That Carries Others

Four friends brought a paralysed man to Jesus, refusing to let obstacles stop them. Jesus saw "their faith" and forgave and healed the man. Bringing others to Christ is an act of faith and love. And the healing proved that Jesus has the authority only God has: to forgive sins.

Mark 4:35-41 — Peace in the Storm

The disciples asked, "Carest thou not that we perish?" while the Lord of creation slept in their boat. He calmed the storm with a word. Christ's presence does not always prevent storms, but He is Lord over them, and those with Him cannot perish.

Mark 5:1-20 — Tell What the Lord Has Done

The man once possessed by a legion of demons became the first missionary to the Decapolis. Every believer has a testimony: "how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee."

Mark 8:22-30 — The Second Touch

The blind man saw partially, then clearly. The disciples, too, saw partly who Jesus was but not yet what He came to do. Spiritual understanding often grows in stages, and Jesus patiently leads His followers to see clearly.

Mark 9:23-24 — "Help Thou Mine Unbelief"

Faith is not the absence of doubt but turning to Christ even with weak faith. The father's honest prayer was answered. Jesus does not reject weak faith that comes to Him.

Mark 10:45 — The Servant Who Gives His Life

This verse summarises Mark's Gospel: Christ came to serve, and His greatest service was His death as a ransom, the price paid to set sinners free, in their place ("for many"). It is also the pattern for every believer: greatness in God's kingdom is measured by service.

Mark 12:41-44 — The Widow's Mites

God sees what we give and what it costs us. The widow's tiny gift was greater than all the large gifts, because she gave everything in faith. God values the heart behind the gift.

Mark 14:32-42 — Gethsemane

"Abba, Father... not what I will, but what thou wilt." In His agony, Jesus showed both full trust in His Father and full submission to His will. He drank the cup of wrath so that we would never have to.

Mark 15:39 — "Truly This Man Was the Son of God"

A hardened Roman soldier, seeing how Jesus died, confessed what the religious leaders refused to see. The cross reveals who Jesus is.

Mark 16:7 — "And Peter"

The risen Lord sent a special message to the disciple who had denied Him. Failure is not final for those Christ calls; He restores (John 21:15-19). Mark, who had once failed himself, would have treasured this truth.

Mark 16:15-20 — Into All the World

The risen Christ commissioned His followers to preach the gospel to every creature. Salvation comes through believing; baptism follows faith; condemnation comes from unbelief. The ascended Lord works with His people as they go.

Part Six: The Major Teachings of Mark

1. Jesus Is the Son of God

From the first verse to the centurion's confession (1:1; 15:39).

2. Jesus Is the Servant Who Gives His Life

He came to serve and to give His life a ransom (10:45).

3. Jesus Has All Authority

Over demons, disease, nature, sin, the Sabbath and death (1-5).

4. Jesus Is Truly Human

He felt compassion, anger, grief, weariness and anguish (3:5; 4:38; 14:33-34).

5. The Necessity of the Cross

"The Son of man must suffer" (8:31). The cross was not a defeat but His purpose.

6. Discipleship Means Following the Servant

Deny self, take up the cross, be servant of all (8:34; 9:35; 10:43-44).

7. Faith

Faith in God moves mountains; even weak faith that turns to Christ is answered (5:34, 36; 9:23-24; 11:22-24).

8. The Danger of Hardness of Heart

The leaders, the people of Nazareth and even the disciples showed hard hearts (3:5; 6:6, 52; 8:17).

9. Grace for Failing Disciples

The disciples misunderstood, feared and fled, yet Christ restored them, "and Peter" (16:7).

10. Watchfulness

"What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch" (13:37).

11. The Gospel to All the World

"Preach the gospel to every creature" (16:15; 13:10).

Part Seven: Connections — How Mark Links to the Rest of the Bible

Mark and the Old Testament

Mark and the New Testament

Themes That Run from Mark Through Scripture

Part Eight: Practical Lessons

• Make time alone with God a priority (1:35).
• Keep preaching the gospel central (1:38).
• Let compassion move you to touch the untouchable (1:41).
• Bring others to Jesus, whatever the obstacles (2:3-5).
• Spend time with Jesus before going out for Him (3:14).
• Be angry at hardness of heart, but grieve over it (3:5).
• Trust God to make His word grow (4:26-29).
• Trust Christ in the storm (4:39-40).
• Tell others what the Lord has done for you (5:19).
• Don't be afraid; only believe (5:36).
• Beware of unbelief that limits blessing (6:5-6).
• Rest a while with Jesus (6:31).
• Hearing the truth is not enough; obey it (6:20).
• Guard your heart; it is the source of defilement (7:21-23).
• Let Jesus give you the "second touch" (8:22-25).
• Don't be ashamed of Christ and His words (8:38).
• Pray, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (9:24).
• Be servant of all (9:35; 10:43-44).
• Receive the kingdom like a little child (10:15).
• Don't let possessions keep you from following Christ (10:21-22).
• Keep crying out to Jesus, even when others discourage you (10:47-48).
• Pray in faith and with forgiveness (11:22-25).
• Don't be merely "not far from the kingdom" (12:34).
• Give sacrificially (12:41-44).
• Do what you can for Jesus (14:8).
• Submit to the Father's will (14:36).
• Watch and pray (13:37; 14:38).
• Remember that failure need not be final (16:7).
• Preach the gospel to every creature (16:15).

Part Nine: Key Verses to Memorize

Conclusion

Mark, the young man who once deserted the mission field and was later called "profitable... for the ministry," wrote down the gospel as Peter preached it. In fast-moving, vivid scenes, he presents Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the Servant who came not to be served but to serve. With authority He taught, cast out demons, healed the sick, forgave sins, calmed the storm, and raised the dead; with compassion He touched lepers, fed the multitudes, took children in His arms, and sighed over the deaf. At the turning point, Peter confessed Him as the Christ, and from then on Jesus walked resolutely ahead of His frightened disciples toward Jerusalem, teaching them that the Son of man must suffer. There, betrayed, deserted, spat upon and crucified, He gave His life a ransom for many, and a Roman centurion confessed, "Truly this man was the Son of God." Three days later the tomb was empty, and the message went out to the disciples, "and Peter." The risen Servant, now seated at God's right hand, sends His people into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature, and works with them as they go.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Mark 10:45