Gospels · New Testament
Mark
c. AD 27–30
- Section
- Gospels · New Testament
- Events span
- c. AD 27–30
- Written
- c. AD 55–65 critical view: c. AD 65–70
- Author
- John Mark, companion of Peter critical view: Anonymous, c. AD 70
Mark is the shortest, fastest-paced Gospel, portraying Jesus as the suffering Servant who is always on the move — “immediately” doing mighty works. It races through his Galilean ministry and miracles to the cross, calling readers to take up their own cross and follow him.
Key themes
- Jesus the suffering Servant
- Action and miracles
- Discipleship and the cross
- Faith and unbelief
- The Son of God revealed
Key events
Galilean Ministry (Mark 1–8)
- John baptizes Jesus, who is tempted and begins preaching, "the kingdom of God is at hand"
- Jesus calls the first disciples and heals many, casting out demons
- The Pharisees oppose Jesus over the Sabbath and his forgiving of sins
- Jesus teaches in parables and calms a storm with a word
- Jesus heals a demoniac and a bleeding woman and raises Jairus's daughter
- Jesus feeds the five thousand and walks on the water
- Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, and Jesus foretells his death
The Way to the Cross (Mark 9–16)
- Jesus is transfigured and teaches that greatness is servanthood
- Jesus enters Jerusalem and cleanses the temple
- Jesus debates the leaders and foretells the temple's fall and his return
- The Last Supper, Gethsemane, and Jesus' arrest
- Jesus is tried, crucified, and buried
- Jesus rises from the dead; the women find the tomb empty
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”