The Gospel Quartet: The Melody The Gospel according to Mark

What do we know about Mark? Name: (Acts 12:12; 12:25; 15:37) Name: (Acts 12:12; 12:25; 15:37) –John (Hebrew/Jewish name) –Mark (Hellenistic name) Home Life: (Acts 12:12) Home Life: (Acts 12:12) –“son of Mary”—no father in the home –Home was meeting place for early Jerusalem church –House was separated from street by courtyard, therefore the family was wealthy

What do we know about Mark? Extended Family: (Colossians 4:10) Extended Family: (Colossians 4:10) –Cousin (nephew?) to Barnabas (Acts 4:36) Travel/Ministry Notes: (Acts 11:27-30; 12:25; 13:1- 5; 14:36; 15:38-42) Travel/Ministry Notes: (Acts 11:27-30; 12:25; 13:1- 5; 14:36; 15:38-42) –Traveled with Barnabas & Paul to Antioch in first Church Plant –Went along on first mission journey with Paul & Barnabas –Left the mission group to return home; angered Paul –Caused split between Barnabas & Paul

What do we know about Mark? Spiritual Journey: Spiritual Journey: –Later reconciled with Paul (Colossians 4:10) –Fellow-worker with Paul (Philemon 24) –Useful Assistant to Paul (2 Timothy 4:11) –Peter, “My son Mark…” (2 Peter 5:13) Other Glimpses: Other Glimpses: –Mark 14:51-52? “A young man wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.” –Nickname: “Kolobodaktulos” (“stubby fingers”)

What do we know about how the Gospels were written? Papias (Bishop of Hieropolis near the end of the second century): Papias (Bishop of Hieropolis near the end of the second century): –Matthew wrote the Logia in the Hebrew language, and everyone interpreted them as he was able. –Mark, who was Peter’s interpreter, wrote down accurately, though not in order, all that he remembered of what Christ had said or done.

Mark’s Portrait of Jesus First glimpse of Jesus (1:1): First glimpse of Jesus (1:1): –“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” First impressions of Jesus (chapters 1-2): First impressions of Jesus (chapters 1-2): –Action, healing, power Broad Outline of the Gospel: Broad Outline of the Gospel:

Broad Outline of the Gospel 1-8 Jesus blasts the powers with the greater Power of the Kingdom 1-8 Jesus blasts the powers with the greater Power of the Kingdom –Transitional Event: Transfiguration in ch Jesus teaches his disciples about Discipleship 9-10 Jesus teaches his disciples about Discipleship –Transitional Event: Entry into Jerusalem, ch Jesus moves to the cross Jesus moves to the cross –Transitional Event: Resurrection in ch. 16

Mark’s Memorable Moments No infancy story No infancy story Isaiah’s Prophecy; John the Baptist’s ministry (something big is coming!) Isaiah’s Prophecy; John the Baptist’s ministry (something big is coming!) Peter first to be called as disciple Peter first to be called as disciple Action, healing, controversy, wonder (1-3) Action, healing, controversy, wonder (1-3) Parables (Seed & Soils; Light); chapter 4 Parables (Seed & Soils; Light); chapter 4 Healings, raisings; chapter 5 Healings, raisings; chapter 5 Disciples sent; John the Baptist dies; chapter 6 Disciples sent; John the Baptist dies; chapter 6 “Messianic Secret” (“Shhh…! Don’t tell!”) “Messianic Secret” (“Shhh…! Don’t tell!”) Entry into Jerusalem: no place for Jesus; fig tree Entry into Jerusalem: no place for Jesus; fig tree

Lingering sense of Jesus Centurion at Cross (15:38-39): “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Centurion at Cross (15:38-39): “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

What about the strange ending? Changed? Changed? Lost & Replaced? Lost & Replaced? Intended by Mark as we have it? Intended by Mark as we have it? –“Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.” (16:8) –If this is really true, everything changes!

Who is most powerful?