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How to Read Mark

(Every time we begin a new book, I will post a short aide on How to Read that book that will hopefully help you get the most out of your reading)

Content: The story of Jesus from his baptism to his resurrection, about two-thirds of which tells of his ministry in Galilee, while the last third narrates his final week in Jerusalem.

Author & Date: Anonymous, but attributed (by Papias, ca. AD 125) to John Mark, a companion of Paul (Col 4:10) and later Peter (1 Pet 5:13); written around 65 AD (according to Papias, soon after the deaths of Paul and Peter in Rome).

Emphases: The kingdom of God, the reign of God, has come with Jesus; Jesus has brought about the new exodus promised in Isaiah; the kingly Messiah came in weakness, his identity a secret except to those to whom it is revealed; the way of the new exodus leads to Jesus’ death in Jerusalem; the way of discipleship is to take up a cross and follow Him.

How to read Mark: The Gospel according to Mark is an account of Jesus’ ministry, and therefore is among the easiest books to read in the Bible.  As you read, be on the lookout for the following three themes:

1) The importance of cross-bearing discipleship – The Gospel according to Mark was written during a time of intense persecution under Nero in Rome.  As you read Mark, you may be able to see how Mark pays special attention to the suffering of Jesus and the fact that discipleship means sharing in the sufferings of Jesus by taking up our cross and following Him.

2) Jesus as Messiah – Mark emphasizes that Jesus is the kingly Messiah, but that this is to be kept secret – Jesus keeps telling people and demons not to reveal who He is.  He does not want the people’s conception of what a Messiah should be to thwart His mission of suffering and dying on the cross for the sins of the people.

3) The new exodus – Mark links Jesus’ story to the story of Israel with many references to Isaiah, who used exodus language to speak of the return from the Babylonian exile as a new exodus.  Just like Israel, Jesus must go through the water (baptism), be tested in the desert, and will eventually lead his people from exile into the final promised land (Mark 13).  This new exodus, however, differs in that it will include the gathering of the Gentile nations.

Memory Verse – Mark 10:26-27 – The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Much of this material is drawn from “How to Read the Bible Book by Book” by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart.

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