MARK BOOK OVERVIEW
NEW TESTAMENT GOSPEL: MARK’S ACCOUNT OF JESUS
The Gospel of Mark is most commonly attributed to a scribe named Mark who collected eyewitness accounts of Jesus (primarily from the disciple Peter). Mark wrote to a Roman audience, focusing on the incredible acts of Jesus and His miraculous healing abilities. Many Jewish people believed that Jesus would come as a strong military leader and ruler; instead, Jesus came as a suffering servant. Mark focuses on the servanthood of Jesus, showing how the Son of God came to serve rather than to be served.
As the shortest and earliest gospel, Mark is the most brief and straightforward account, focusing more on Jesus’ actions than His teaching. Mark emphasizes the importance of viewing the selfless miracles of Jesus as evidence of His true identity as the Savior.
MAIN IDEAS: THE MANY MIRACLES OF JESUS
Jesus called people to draw near to God, repent, and believe the good news of salvation. (Mark 1:15)
Through faith and prayer, Jesus healed many from sickness and oppression. (Mark 5:34)
Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve others and give His life as a ransom. (Mark 10:45)
After seeing Jesus’ faithfulness, a centurion believed that He was the Son of God. (Mark 15:39)
EXAMPLE OF GOD’S CHARACTER: ACTIVE + MOVING
Throughout the book of Mark, the focus remains on Jesus’ actions, including His miracles and acts of compassion. Mark’s account shows that Jesus was not idle or complacent; rather, He took every opportunity to improve the lives of those He encountered. Jesus travelled to teach and share God’s Word, hoping to impart God’s wisdom to many. Once Jesus began His public ministry, He was on mission. Because of His miraculous acts, Jesus drew large crowds wherever He went. Jesus strategically helped those who were in need while proving His divinity to those who doubted His power and authority.
As the Son of God, Jesus reveals characteristics of God the Father. Because Jesus was human, He served as a physical sign of God’s goodness. Jesus served as a visual reminder of God’s character: active, alive, and moving. Despite not always being able to see God working behind the scenes, God is powerful, mighty, and sovereign. Jesus’ life and leadership show how God is not static or disengaged; He is present, active, and working for the good of those who follow Him.
JESUS IN MARK: THE SUFFERING SERVANT
The Gospel of Mark emphasizes Jesus’ suffering and addresses the costs associated with following Jesus. Multiple times, Jesus revealed that His future would include suffering and death on the cross, but the disciples were afraid and did not understand. Jesus told the disciples to pick up their own crosses and follow Him, implying that being a follower of Jesus requires self-denial and sacrifice (Mark 8:34). Similarly, the Gospel of Mark recalls the parable of the rich young ruler who was unwilling to sell his possessions to follow Jesus.
Mark’s writing was greatly influenced by the firsthand accounts of the disciple Peter. Because Peter knew that he would also die by crucifixion, it is possible that the knowledge of this future suffering added to his perspective of Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus followed God’s will and paid the price for humanity’s sin, offering Himself as a sacrifice so that anyone who accepts His gift of salvation will be reunited with God for eternity.
