Basic Required Information
ANTHONY LEE | APRIL 17TH 2022 | NRSV | MARK
Basic Required Information for Gospels
1 . Critical Method
A. Who wrote the book? 1
- In the early church, the second gospel was unanimously attributed as to be
composed by John Mark who compiled and presented the preachings of the
Apostle Peter.
- An early Church Papias (c. AD140) quotes Eusebius as saying: “The Elder said this
also: ‘Mark, who became Peter's interpreter, wrote accurately, though not in order, all
that he remembered of the things said or done by the Lord. For he had neither heard
the Lord nor been one of his followers, but afterwards, as I said, he had followed
Peter, who used to compose his discourses with a view to the needs of his hearers,
but not as though he were drawing up a connected account of the Lord's sayings. So
Mark made no mistake in thus recording some things just as he remembered them.
For he was careful of this one thing, to omit none of the things he had heard and to
make no untrue statements therein.’" (Eccl. Hist. 3.39). This suggests that Mark wrote
a summarized account of Peter’s messages.
- Justin Martyr (c. AD150) quotes Mark 3:17 as from “Peter’s Memoirs.”
- Irenaeus (c. 185) writes that after the “departure” (either meaning death or leaving
Rome) of Peter and Paul from Rome, “Mark the disciple and interpreter of Peter, also
transmitted to us in writing what had been preached by Peter” (Eusebius, Eccl. Hist.
5.8). Clement of Alexandria, however, affirms that the Gospel was written during
Peter’s lifetime. In spite of this minor confusion, the early church fathers, including
specifically Tertullian (c. 200) and Origen (c. 230), unite in affirming that Mark’s gospel
gives us the preaching of Peter.
- This evidence reveals that Mark learned about Jesus from following Peter as he
travelled to visit different churches. As Peter was preaching, he tailored his message
of what he learned directly from Jesus, to serve the culture and understanding of his
listeners. What Mark recorded as his gospel were the stories, preachings and the
teachings of Peter that Mark then specifically compiled for his intended audience.
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Premier Reference Series) (pp. 896). Zondervan
Academic. Kindle Edition.
1
B. When was it written? 2
- Most scholars today believe that Mark is the earliest gospel. If the book served as a
literary source for Matthew and Luke, the book may have been composed as early as
in the 50s AD. If one holds the view that the book was written after the death of
Peter, than the date of the book would be around 65AD but no later than after the
destruction of the temple in 70AD since because Mark wrote about that in chapter 13
as something still to come.
C. From where was it written? 3
- Mark’s Gospel is traditionally believed to be written in Rome because of the unique
and distinctive language of how the book was written.
- 1 Peter 5:13 Peter calls Mark his ‘son’. Peter is believed to be in Rome in 1 Peter,
while also suggested that Mark is with him.
D. To whom was it written?
- As it is believed Mark wrote the book in Rome, it is believed he also composed the
book for the Roman’s themselves.4
- The evidence that suggests this is found by:
• Mark using ten Latin words, some of which are not found anywhere else in the NT
(legion in 5:9; census in 12:14; flagellare in 15:15; praetorium in 15:16; centurion in
15:39).
• The need of Mark to explain Jewish customs for his audience to understand its
context reveals that he is clearly writing to a non-jewish audience (2:26; 4:31; 7:3;
7:11; 9:43; 12:18; 14:12; 15:42).
• Mark also explains certain Aramaic words or phrases (e.g. 3:17; 5:41; 7:11; 7:34;
10:46; 14:36; 15:22; 15:34).
• Mark also explains Greek Expressions with Latin ones (e.g. two copper coins =
worth a penny in 12:42; palace = praetorium 15:16)
• Lastly, the Rufus found in Mark 15:21 is often agreed and connected to the Christian
believer from the Church in Rome name Rufus found in Romans 16:13. Mark’s
purposeful mention of Rufus and his brother Alexander suggests that they should be
known and recognized by his readers. And if it is the same Rufus found in the book
of Romans, it could be suggested that Mark is writing to the Roman church who
would be the ones to recognize this fellow believer. Luke 23:26 and Matt. 27:32 are
both the same moment as Mark 15:21 but only in Mark’s Gospel does it mention the
sons of Simon.
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Premier Reference Series) (pp. 896). Zondervan
Academic. Kindle Edition.
2
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Premier Reference Series) (p. 896). Zondervan
Academic. Kindle Edition.
3
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Premier Reference Series) (p. 896). Zondervan
Academic. Kindle Edition.
4
2 . Historical Method
A. What is the historical setting of the readers of this gospel? 5
- A city-state in the Italian Peninsula.
- Reign of Claudius (41-54AD)
- Suetonis reports: “Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of
Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome”. It could also be that ‘Chrestus’ was a
deliberate change to the title ‘Christ’, as the early fourth century Lactantius says: “But
the meaning of this name must be set forth, on account of the error of the ignorant,
who by the change of a letter are accustomed to call Him Chrestus.” Wether this be
true or not, there was clearly a large political disturbance during this time.
- In Acts 18:2 “And he (Paul) found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus,
who had recently arrived from Italy with Priscilla his wife, on account of Claudius
commanding all the Jews to leave Rome.” Paul’s first encounter with Aquila and
Priscilla can be dated around 49AD, based on the year and a half Paul remained in
Corinth (Acts 18:11) and the proconsulship of Gallio (Acts 18:12). This means at
around 49AD was when Jews were commanded to leave Rome.
- It is generally agreed that local, non-apostolic Jewish Christians brought the faith of
Christ to Rome in the early decades of the church. After generating both interest and
controversy within the synagogues, Christianity was forced to reorganize in the wake
of Claudius’s edict against the Jews. The resulting Gentile-dominated church that
received Paul’s letter in the late 50’s met in small groups around the city of Rome but
maintained communication and held onto a common identity and mission. Paul and
Peter leave their mark on these believers, though they merely strengthen the work
that had already begun to flourish in the capital city. Beyond these main points,
scholars still differ on the exact timeline of the birth and growth of the Christian
community, as well as on to what degree Roman reactions against Jewish instability
stem from disagreements about Christ. When all is said though, the overall picture of
the emergence of Christianity in Rome constitutes yet another significant example of
God’s extraordinary work in the early church during the decades following Christ’s
death and resurrection.
- Reign of Nero (54-68AD). Following Nero’s suicide, a brief period of civil war. In
between 68-69AD, there were four successive emperors in succession: Galba, Otho,
Vitellius and then Vespasian.
- Paul wrote his letter to the Roman church around 56-57AD who were facing
challenges similar to the Galatian’s regarding Jewish-Gentile issues. There was
friction and division amongst Jewish and Gentile believers. 6
- According to Tacitus and later Christian tradition, Nero blamed Christians for the
Great Fire of Rome which destroyed portions of the city and economically devastated
5
https://bible.org/article/origins-church-rome
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Premier Reference Series) (p. 1248). Zondervan
Academic. Kindle Edition.
6
the Roman population. It is generally accepted that death was inflicted on Christians
by Nero following the fire of Rome. It is unclear whether Nero condemned Christians
solely under the charge of organized arson, or for other general crimes associated
with Christianity. Several Christian sources also report that Paul the Apostle and Saint
Peter both died during the Neronian persecution. In the Annals of Tacitus 15.44, it
reads: “To get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite
tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Chrestians by the populace.
Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the
reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most
mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in
Judea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and
shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular.” 7
B. What cultural issues (language, etc.) must be considered by the author?
- Rome was the home to both Jews and Gentiles, and as such, needed the cultural
distances to be bridged in order for the mainly Latin speaking/cultured to understand.
- Jewish/Palestinian festivals need to be explained in order to understand its context
(2:26; 4:31; 7:3; 7:11; 9:43; 12:18; 14:12; 15:42).
- Aramaic words or expressions, including Greek into Latin understanding (e.g. 3:17;
5:41; 7:11; 7:34; 10:46; 14:36; 15:22; 15:34; 12:42; 15:16)
3 . Literary Method
!" Describe the unique structure and composition of this Gospel (compared with the
other Gospels)
# This gospel unlike the other two synoptic gospels, does not report anything
concerning Jesus’ genealogy, birth, childhood or any events prior to the time He was
baptized by John.
# This gospel is characterized as the “action packed” storyline of Jesus that really
emphasizes and quickly ties together event after event of Jesus’s power and life. It
does not focus on his teachings as heavily as the other gospels but quickly recounts
one after the other of the action filled moments. Which would make sense to the
culture and personality of the average Roman as well as the high energy personality
of the Apostle Peter. The word euthus, “at once” or “immediately,” occurs more than
40 times.
# Mark uses the present tense to relay past happenings. Mark employs this historical
present over 150 times (when other writers use simple past tense). This tended to
make Jesus the contemporary of those who heard or read the account.8
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Persecution_of_Christians_in_the_Roman_Empire#Persecution_from_AD_49_to_250
7
8
https://ywamelearning.com/moodle/mod/page/view.php?id=19151
# Mark begins with a very brief introduction to the commencing of Jesus’ ministry to
#
#
#
#
be a servant of all by His baptism by John followed by the forty day wilderness
temptation (1:1-13).
Next is Jesus’ Galilean ministry characterized by the appointing of the twelve
apostles, miracles, healings and deliverances, all while wanting to remain hidden
(1:14-8:30).
A turning point moment takes place when Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah;
revealing His true identity and his highest purpose on earth (8:27-30).
Next is Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem (8:31-10:52) where Jesus begins to expound
more on His coming suffering and resurrection as the Son of Man.
Lasty, the two part ending to this gospel begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into
Jerusalem (11:1-14:31) which culminates to Jesus’ suffering and His resurrection
in Jerusalem (14:32-16:20).
B. Give examples (with chapter and verse references) of literary devices/genre used in
this Gospel. (i.e. parables, poetry/OT references, etc.)
- 1:2-3 OT Reference
- 2:8-10 Rhetorical Question
- “Hardness of heart” 3:5 Hyperbole
- 4:1-9 Parable
- 4:30-32 Simile
- 9:42-48 Hyperbole
4 . Survey Method
A. What is the occasion (situation and need of the audience)?
- It was clear that at the time of this book, the audience in Rome was divided; both in
the church between Jews and Gentiles but even as the nation’s capital, there were
political, civil and religious divide and unrest. Mark knowing this, strategically wrote a
book to highlight keys that would best serve his intended audience. These keys were
to highlight Jesus as both the humble servant and the sufferer who gives His life up
for the ransom of many. Mark gave an answer for the entire Roman people, both in
the church and out: in the face of division and unrest, the answer is to be the greatest
servant of all, elevating others out of love even when sometimes it can cause
suffering for a moment.
B. What is the task theology of the book (its main idea, the particular aspect of Jesus
and his ministry being portrayed)?
- The proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
(1:1,11,14-15,38, 3:11, 4:1-32, 5:7, 9:42-50, 10:13-30)
- Jesus, the Servant (1:21-27, 29-34,39,40-45, 2:1-11, 10:45)
- Jesus, the Son of Man (2:10,28, 8:31,38, 10:33, 10:45, 13:1-37, 14:21)
- Jesus, the sufferer (8:31-32,34-38, 9:9-12,30-32, 10:33-34, 14-15:47)
5. Please write down how many times you've read the book.
Read 5+ times