Gospels of Mark and Luke Mark: the Author • John whose surname is Mark – Acts 12:25; 15:37,39; 13:5,13 • Mark and Peter were companions who enjoyed a close relationship. • Mark authored the gospel that bears his name. • He lived in Jerusalem, and his mother’s name was Mary. (Acts 12:12) Mark: The Author • Mark and the apostle Paul also had a close relationship. – Acts 13:13; 15:37-39; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11 • John Mark was a cousin of Barnabas. • That’s probably why Barnabas insisted on taking him with he and Paul on the second missionary journey. Mark: When Written • Tradition favors Mark’s gospel as being written in Rome. • There’s a great deal of uncertainty concerning when it was written. • It couldn’t have been prior to 50 A.D. or later than 70 A.D. • That places its writing between 64 and 70 A.D. • Mark was written in Greek. Mark: Purpose of Mark’s Gospel • Passes over Christ’s genealogy. “Beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” • Son of David and King of Israel. (10:47,48; 11:10; 15:32) • Mark wrote among and for the Gentiles, especially the Romans. • He was intent on setting forth the person and character of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Mark: Purpose of Mark’s Gospel • Explanation of Jewish customs. (14:12; 15:42) • Moses Law is not mentioned, and the OT is quoted only once. • Gentile sections of gospel. (chapters 6-8) • Preponderance of Christ’s activity; emphasis on His power. (2:10) • “Straightway” and “immediately,” most common expressions; mentioned 42 times. The Roman people were people of action! Mark: Contents and Character • Introductory events (1:1-13) – The coming of Jesus’ herald (1:2-8) – His baptism by John in the Jordan (1:9) – His endowment with the Holy Spirit (1:10) – The divine witness of His Sonship (1:11) – His conflict with Satan (1:12,13) Mark: Contents and Character • Early Galilean Ministry (1:14; 7:23) – Mark omits Jesus’ early Judean ministry – Tour of Tyre and Sidon (7:24-30) – Teaching in northern Galilee (7:31-9:50) – Journey to Jerusalem (10:1-52) – Week of suffering ending in crucifixion; resurrection, commission (11-16) Mark: Contents and Character • Mark is the shortest of the four gospels. – Its style is vivid and picturesque. – Mark records 19 of Jesus’ miracles. – Its narrative gives the works that Jesus did. – It records only four of Jesus’ parables. – Shows the beneficence of His works. (1:23—3:27) – The writing is graphic, realistic, and detailed. Mark: Contents and Character • Descriptions of details – Hunger (11:12) – Seeking rest and seclusion (6:31) – Sleeping on a boat cushion (4:38) – Pity for the multitudes (6:34) – Wondering at their unbelief (6:6) – Sighing over sorrow and blindness (7:24) – Grieving over hardness (3:5) – Concern for His disciples (4:41; 10:32) Mark: Contents and Character • Narrative of the person of Christ – Son of God and author of the gospel – Peter’s confession that Christ is God’s son (8:29) – Truth of resurrection (16) – Servant of all (10:35) – The disciples’ failure to grasp the early date of Christ’s kingdom – Aspirations for a return to fleshly Israel. They failed to see the other side of the story—submission to a spiritual king and His spiritual work! Mark: Contents and Character • Closing passages have caused discussion and division among scholars. (16:9-20) – Did Mark write these verses, and do they belong at the end of his narrative? – Without these verses, the Gospel would end abruptly! – Important testimony contained: • Resurrection first day of the week; appearance to Mary Magdalene; appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus; appearance to the 11, rebuking their lack of faith; ascension; execution of the commission and the signs that confirmed the words preached. Luke: The Author • Authored both this Gospel and Acts – Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-5 • Physician and close friend of apostle Paul – Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11 • Gentile by birth and education; yet very knowledgeable about Jewish customs and prejudices • Wrote as a recorder and historian of eye-witness testimony Luke: When Written • Book of Acts, written by Luke, closed with Paul’s two years of imprisonment (the first) in Rome about 60 AD. • Gospel of Luke preceded the book of Acts; probably written during Paul’s stay as a prisoner in Caesarea before going to Rome. • Around 60 AD. Luke: To Whom Written • Books of Acts and Luke directed to an individual named Theophilus. • Luke wrote particularly for the benefit of the Greeks. • He was eminently qualified to write to them in his attractive style. • An orderly account of Christ’s life. • Presented Christianity’s origin from the vantage point of one who wasn’t a Jew. Luke: Purpose of Luke’s Gospel • Introduction offers some keys (1:1-4) – Set forth true account; arranged systematically (1:1) – Things fulfilled among the disciples (1:2) – Capable and accepting of this writing task (1:3) – Got information from competent sources – Familiar with the facts--observation and inquiry. Lived during the generation when these things occurred! – “From the very first...” (Contemporary knowledge) Luke: Purpose of Luke’s Gospel • Luke’s knowledge covered all the major facts. The book contains many things that do not appear in the other accounts. It is the most representative of Christ’s life. • He had been orally informed concerning Christ. • Needed further instruction to establish him in the faith and give him complete knowledge of the truth! Luke: Contents and Character • Introduction (1:1-4:13) • Beginning of Christ’s public ministry in Galilee (4:14-9:50) • Journey toward Jerusalem through Samaria and Perea (9:51-19:28) • Last days of Christ’s life, including crucifixion (19:29-23:55) • Resurrection, the final commission, and ascension (24) Luke: Distinctive Features • Opening events closely identified with current history. – Birth of Son (1:5) – Link with days of Caesar Augustus (2:1) – John’s ministry began with the reign of Tiberius Caesar (3:1) • Christ came at a crucial time in human history, under unique circumstances. • “Fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4) Luke: Distinctive Features • Details of Christ’s birth – Annunciation – Mary’s conception by the Holy Spirit – Jesus’ birth and early years – Temple scene (2:41-52) – Coming of John as forerunner fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy (40:3) – Jesus baptism by John – Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness – Victory over Satan (4:14) Luke: Distinctive Features • Galilean ministry – Jesus in the synagogue as God’s anointed (4:16-21) – Luke records a number of miracles to support Jesus’ claim of Deity – Night of Prayer – Choosing the 12 disciples – His approaching death at the hands of His enemies Luke: Distinctive Features • Travel from Galilee to Jerusalem – Passes through Samaria and Perea. (9:51) – Suffering on His way defines meaning of discipleship. Dispatches the 70 for preaching tour. (9:2) – Larger group was commissioned to go two by two to heal and announce the approaching Kingdom. (10:9) Luke: Distinctive Features • The Parables of Christ – Good Samaritan (10:25-37) – Prayer in story of importunate friend (11:5-13) – Grace of God in seeking the lost (15) – Rich man and Lazarus (16:19-31) – Meaning of true righteousness in incident of publican and Pharisee (18:9-14) Luke: Distinctive Features • Closing scenes of Christ’s life – Bold announcement on the way to Jerusalem (18:31) – Fulfilling the words of the prophets (18:31-34) – Drawing near Mount of Olives (19:37-45) – Destruction of Jerusalem (21:20-24) Luke: Distinctive Features • Last events of Christ’s life in greater detail – Discussion of the greatest (22:24-30) – Penitent thief on the cross (23:39-43) – Christ’s appearance to disciples on the road to Emmaus (24:13-35) – Ascension into heaven (24:50-53) – Gospel of the Son of Man – Emphasis on Christ’s human side Luke: Distinctive Features • Christ’s compassion toward the less fortunate – Poor disciples (6:20) – Sinful woman (7:37) – Mary Magdalene (8:2) – Samaritans (10:33) – Publicans and sinners (15:1) – Lepers (17:2) – Dying thief (23:43) – God’s universal grace (2:32; 3:6; 24:47) Luke: Distinctive Features • Three parables not in other gospels: – Friend at midnight (11:5-8) – Unjust judge (18:1-8) – Pharisee and publican (18:9-14) Luke: Distinctive Features • Great emphasis on Christ’s prayers : – At His baptism (3:21) – In the wilderness (5:16) – Before choosing His disciples (9:29) – Prayer given to His disciples (11:1) – For Peter (22:32) – In the garden of Gethsemane (23:27) – On the cross (23:46) Luke: Distinctive Features • Emphasizes recognition bestowed on women: – Mary, mother of Jesus (1:26-35) – Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist (1:7-17) – Mary and Martha (10:38-42) – Daughters of Jerusalem (23:37) – Several widows mentioned (2:27; 4:26) Luke: Distinctive Features • Six miracles found only in Luke: – Draught of fishes (5:1-11) – The widow’s son raised (7:11-17) – Woman with infirmity healed (13:10-17) – Man with dropsy healed (14:1-6) – Ten lepers cleansed (7:11-19) – Malchus’ ear healed (22:49-51) Luke: Distinctive Features • Emphasis on the Holy Spirit – In the book of Acts, the Spirit worked through the apostles. (2:2-4) – Jesus was conceived by the Spirit (1:35) – The Spirit attested to Jesus’ divinity. (3:22) – The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. (4:1) – The Spirit anointed Jesus. (4:18) – Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit. (10:21) Luke: Summarized • • • • • • Portrays Christ as the Son of Man The Savior of the world Traces His genealogy to Adam Father of the race Friend of the sinners The solution to life’s problems.