Mark Introduction
Introduction
The Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark. He worked very closely with Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. Mark tells the story of Jesus for people living in Rome. Near the end of the story Mark tells about a Roman soldier. This soldier says that Jesus is the Son of God.
The Gospel of Mark moves quickly from one event to the next. The first half deals with the key question: Who do people say Jesus is? An event at the end of this section shows Jesus healing a blind man. The blind man slowly comes to see. In the same way the disciples slowly come to understand who Jesus is. Finally Peter states clearly that Jesus is the Messiah.
In the second half of the book there is a struggle between the religious leaders and Jesus. Jesus has come to introduce a very different way of life. That way of life will change things. It will change the existing power relationships among the leaders and the people. This second half of the story is presented in three parts.
First, Jesus and his disciples travel to Jerusalem. Jesus enters Jerusalem being called a king.
Second, Jesus teaches in the temple. There he challenges the leaders of the temple.
Third, those leaders put into action their plan against Jesus. They have Jesus arrested and crucify him. They believe they have undone the work of Jesus. But God overturns their evil deed and raises Jesus from the dead.
Those who read the book of Mark are called to be faithful to Jesus, even when they suffer. Jesus had to suffer in order for God’s saving plan to be completed. It is through suffering that God’s plan of new life is established.
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Mark Introduction: NIrV
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Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
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Mark About this book
About this book
This is the shortest of the four New Testament books that tell about the life and teachings of Jesus, but it is also the most action-packed. From the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus worked mighty wonders. After choosing four followers (1.16-20), he immediately performed many miracles of healing. Among those healed were a man with an evil spirit in him (1.21-28), Simon's mother-in-law (1.30,31), crowds of sick people (1.32-34), and a man with leprosy (1.40-45). Over and over Mark tells how Jesus healed people, but always in such a way as to show that he did these miracles by the power of God.
The religious leaders refused to accept Jesus. This led to conflicts (2.2—3.6) that finally made them start looking for a way to kill him (11.18). But the demons saw the power of Jesus, and they knew that he was the Son of God, although Jesus would not let them tell anyone.
This book is full of miracles that amazed the crowds and Jesus' followers. But, according to Mark, the most powerful miracle of Jesus is his suffering and death. The first person to understand this miracle was the Roman soldier who saw Jesus die on the cross and said, “This man really was the Son of God!” (15.39).
This Gospel is widely thought to be the first one written. The many explanations of Aramaic words and Jewish customs in Mark suggest that Mark wrote to Gentile or non-Jewish Christians. He wants to tell about Jesus and to encourage readers to believe in the power of Jesus to rescue them from sickness, demons, and death. He also wants to remind them that the new life of faith is not an easy life, and that they must follow Jesus by serving others and being ready to suffer as he did.
The first followers of Jesus to discover the empty tomb were three women, and the angel told them:
Don't be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who was nailed to a cross. God has raised him to life, and he isn't here.
(16.6)
A quick look at this book
1. The message of John the Baptist (1.1-8)
2. The baptism and temptation of Jesus (1.9-13)
3. Jesus in Galilee (1.14—9.50)
4. Jesus goes from Galilee to Jerusalem (10.1-52)
5. Jesus' last week: his trial and death (11.1—15.47)
6. Jesus is alive (16.1-8)
7. Jesus appears to his followers (16.9-20)
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