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
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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.