1. Gospel of Mark Background Ascension Men’s Bible Study

2. Background Who was the author Who was the author What do we know about the life and character of the author What do we know about the life and character of the author When was the gospel written When was the gospel written Who was the gospel written to Who was the gospel written to The structure of the gospel The structure of the gospel Themes of the gospel Themes of the gospel Outline of the gospel Outline of the gospel

3. AUTHOR: AUTHOR: The Gospel according to Mark. Who was Mark? The Gospel according to Mark. Who was Mark? The church’s tradition has Mark as the disciple of Peter The church’s tradition has Mark as the disciple of Peter 1 Peter 5:13 - NT pg 1735, Acts 10:36-42 - NT pg 1545 1 Peter 5:13 - NT pg 1735, Acts 10:36-42 - NT pg 1545 Peter was his source of information because his association with Peter is evident in the New Testament – Peter was his source of information because his association with Peter is evident in the New Testament – 1 Peter 5:13 “my son Mark”. NT pg 1735 General outline of Mark’s gospel is the similar to that used by Peter in Acts 10:36-42 NT 1545 General outline of Mark’s gospel is the similar to that used by Peter in Acts 10:36-42 NT 1545 Church Fathers have Peter as Mark’s authority Church Fathers have Peter as Mark’s authority Papias AD130, Irenaeus AD 180, Clement of Alexandria AD200 Papias AD130, Irenaeus AD 180, Clement of Alexandria AD200

4. AUTHOR: AUTHOR: What do we know about the life and character of Mark? What do we know about the life and character of Mark? Acts 12:25 - NT pg 1548, Col 4:10 pg 1675, 2 Timothy 4:11 pg 1695, Acts 13:5 Acts 12:25 - NT pg 1548, Col 4:10 pg 1675, 2 Timothy 4:11 pg 1695, Acts 13:5 Known principally by his Roman or Latin name Mark or Markus Known principally by his Roman or Latin name Mark or Markus Sometimes called by his Jewish name John (Acts 12:25) NT pg 1548 Sometimes called by his Jewish name John (Acts 12:25) NT pg 1548 Cousin of missionary Barnabas Col 4:10 pg 1675 Cousin of missionary Barnabas Col 4:10 pg 1675 Associate of Paul Acts 12:25 and accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey Acts 13:5 pg 1548 Associate of Paul Acts 12:25 and accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey Acts 13:5 pg 1548 He is present with Paul in Rome (Col 4:10) pg 1675 He is present with Paul in Rome (Col 4:10) pg 1675 Useful to Paul (2Timothy 4:11) pg 1695 Useful to Paul (2Timothy 4:11) pg 1695 Tradition states that after Peter and Paul’s martyrdom, Mark was the first to establish churches in Alexandria in northern Egypt. Tradition states that after Peter and Paul’s martyrdom, Mark was the first to establish churches in Alexandria in northern Egypt.

5. When was the Gospel written? When was the Gospel written? Two factors suggest a date before AD 70 within one generation of the events he records. Two factors suggest a date before AD 70 within one generation of the events he records. Mark 13: 1-2 pg 1424 Mark 13: 1-2 pg 1424 First in Mark 13 Jesus prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Pg 1424 First in Mark 13 Jesus prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Pg 1424 This occurred in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed the Holy City This occurred in AD 70 when the Romans destroyed the Holy City Mark does not mention this as a past event but leaves it as a future event. Mark does not mention this as a past event but leaves it as a future event. Second prominent tradition holds that Mark wrote soon after Peter’s death which is c A.D. 67 or earlier. Second prominent tradition holds that Mark wrote soon after Peter’s death which is c A.D. 67 or earlier. Clement of Alexandria fixes the date for Mark during the reign of Claudius between A.D.41 and A.D. 54. Clement of Alexandria fixes the date for Mark during the reign of Claudius between A.D.41 and A.D. 54.

6. Who was the Gospel written to? Who was the Gospel written to? Mark wrote his gospel for the Gentile believers in Rome. Mark wrote his gospel for the Gentile believers in Rome. Mark 7: 3-4 pg 1414, Mark 12:42 pg 1424, Mark 15:16 pg 1430, Mark 15:39 pg 1431 Mark 7: 3-4 pg 1414, Mark 12:42 pg 1424, Mark 15:16 pg 1430, Mark 15:39 pg 1431 Demonstrated by his explaining Jewish customs that would be unfamiliar to his readers.i.e. Mark 7: 3-4. pg 1414 Demonstrated by his explaining Jewish customs that would be unfamiliar to his readers.i.e. Mark 7: 3-4. pg 1414 He uses “Latinized phrases instead of Greek) Mark 12:42, 15:16 pg 1424. 1430 He uses “Latinized phrases instead of Greek) Mark 12:42, 15:16 pg 1424. 1430 Story climaxes with a confession of faith by a Roman soldier (Mark 15:39) pg 1431 Story climaxes with a confession of faith by a Roman soldier (Mark 15:39) pg 1431

7. What is the “structure” of the gospel? What is the “structure” of the gospel? Mark 8:29 pg 1417, Mark 15:39 pg 1431 Mark 8:29 pg 1417, Mark 15:39 pg 1431 Portrays the events of Jesus’ life as he has learned them, Beginning by leading into Christ’s public ministry.. Portrays the events of Jesus’ life as he has learned them, Beginning by leading into Christ’s public ministry.. Consists of various events that build toward a confession of faith with Peter’s testimony in Mark 8:29 and then with the centurions declaration in Mark 15:39. pg 1417,1431 Consists of various events that build toward a confession of faith with Peter’s testimony in Mark 8:29 and then with the centurions declaration in Mark 15:39. pg 1417,1431 Ends with the climax of the Resurrection and Ascension Ends with the climax of the Resurrection and Ascension

8. What themes are carried out in this gospel? What themes are carried out in this gospel? Mark 2:8-12 pg 1404, Mark 4:41 pg 1408, Mark 1:23 pg 1403, Mark 3:11-12 pg 1406, Mark 1:1 pg 1402, Mark 5:7 pg 1408, Mark 15:39 pg 1431 Mark 2:8-12 pg 1404, Mark 4:41 pg 1408, Mark 1:23 pg 1403, Mark 3:11-12 pg 1406, Mark 1:1 pg 1402, Mark 5:7 pg 1408, Mark 15:39 pg 1431 1. Mark focuses most of his attention on Jesus’ mighty works of healing and exorcism emphasizing the immediate healing that takes place (40 times). i.e. Mark 2:8-12 pg 1404 1. Mark focuses most of his attention on Jesus’ mighty works of healing and exorcism emphasizing the immediate healing that takes place (40 times). i.e. Mark 2:8-12 pg 1404 2. Addresses Jesus’ authority to forgive sins and the environment Mark 4:41 pg 1408 2. Addresses Jesus’ authority to forgive sins and the environment Mark 4:41 pg 1408 3. Works around two identities of Jesus 3. Works around two identities of Jesus Jesus’ secret identity as the Messiah Mark 1:23-25, 3:11-12) pg 1403,1406 Jesus’ secret identity as the Messiah Mark 1:23-25, 3:11-12) pg 1403,1406 Jesus divine son ship Mark 1:1, 5:7, 15:39 pg 1402, 1408, 1431 Jesus divine son ship Mark 1:1, 5:7, 15:39 pg 1402, 1408, 1431

9. OUTLINE OF THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK OUTLINE OF THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK Preparation for the Messiah 1:1-13 Preparation for the Messiah 1:1-13 Mystery of Jesus 1:14-8:26 Mystery of Jesus 1:14-8:26 Mystery begins to be revealed 8:27-9:32 Mystery begins to be revealed 8:27-9:32 Full revelation of the Mystery 9:33-16:8 Full revelation of the Mystery 9:33-16:8 Longer ending: 16:9-20 Longer ending: 16:9-20

10. Discussion Questions: Discussion Questions: Why wasn't it important for Mark to include the infancy narrative that is found in Matthew and Luke? Why wasn't it important for Mark to include the infancy narrative that is found in Matthew and Luke? Marks audience was likely of Roman Origin; therefore the need for the lineage of Jesus was not of the same importance as it would have been for the Jews. Marks audience was likely of Roman Origin; therefore the need for the lineage of Jesus was not of the same importance as it would have been for the Jews. Does the gospel of Mark have any special significance for us as Roman Catholic Christians? Does the gospel of Mark have any special significance for us as Roman Catholic Christians? As a disciple of Peter, this gospel has Peter as its source of information, thus giving us a gospel of our first Pope. As a disciple of Peter, this gospel has Peter as its source of information, thus giving us a gospel of our first Pope. What might the main theme of the gospel be? What might the main theme of the gospel be? The gospel is all about Jesus as the Son of God. The gospel is all about Jesus as the Son of God.