Mark

About Mark

Mark is the shortest and fastest-moving Gospel, rushing from scene to scene with the word 'immediately' as Jesus announces that the kingdom of God has come near. It presents Jesus as the powerful Son of God who is also the suffering servant, giving His life as a ransom for many, and it devotes a striking share of its pages to His final week. Likely written for Christians facing persecution in Rome, Mark shows what it costs, and what it means, to follow a crucified Messiah.

Written by

Early church tradition says John Mark wrote this Gospel based on the preaching of the apostle Peter, though the book itself never names its author.

When

Most scholars date Mark to around AD 65 to 75, making it, in the view of most, the earliest of the four Gospels.

Themes

• Jesus the Son of God
• The kingdom of God is near
• The suffering servant
• The cost of following Jesus

Key verses

• Mark 1:14-15Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
• Mark 8:29And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
• Mark 10:45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.