Key word: Immediately
Mark was a cousin of Barnabas and ministered with him and Paul for a time. However, he became a close companion with Peter and most believe his gospel reflects Peter’s account. It was therefore written to a non-Jewish audience and emphasizes action more than teaching. The keyword is “immediately,” found 42 times. Mark’s purpose is to demonstrate that Jesus Christ was the Son of God (1:1) who had come to give His life a ransom for many (10:45 our kv).
Mark provides no nativity scene but opens with John the Baptist, followed by Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee. The first appearance of Jesus is at His Baptism (1:9-11), followed by His temptation by the Devil (1:12-13), followed by Jesus’ Gospel message (1:15), the kingdom of God is at hand so repent.
Mark records many miracles by Jesus, demonstrating His power and authority over virtually everything: nature (4:35-41), demons (5:1-20), death (5:21-24, 35-43), disease (5:25-34), and rituals (6:1-6a). Yet, while His miracles were signs of His deity most people refused to believe, so that even Jesus marveled at their unbelief (6:6).
A big part of their spiritual problem stemmed back to invaliding the Word of God by their traditions (7:7-8). Their traditions had replaced the Word of God and they were in no frame of mind to listen to Jesus. By chapter 8, the people had misidentified Jesus as a prophet or John, but not as the Christ (8:27-29), but Peter understood (v. 29), from this point on, Jesus is headed to the cross (v. 31). This is the first time Jesus has mentioned His death and resurrection to His disciples.
It is at this point that Jesus makes abundantly clear the characteristics of a true disciple, and its costs and rewards (8:34-37).
Key verse: Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
