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The Book of Mark

Lesson 44

 

 

Background:

  • The four Gospels deal with the same basic material and the first three are called Synoptists (Syn= together and opsis= a view). Matthew, Mark, and Luke are Synoptists (giving a like view) while John relates the Divine aspects of our Lord’s life.

 

  • Mark. Known throughout Scripture as John Mark, wrote for the Romans (primarily). John was his Jewish name while Mark was his Roman name. He was a Jew, the son of Mary (Acts 12:12). He was a companion of Paul on some of his journeys. He was a learner and a close companion of Peter. It is believed that Peter won Mark to the Lord and that’s Peter style and influence is seen throughout this Gospel of Mark.

 

  • Mark presents Christ as the Servant. Mark presents what Jesus did-Jesus at work.

 

  • There is no opening genealogy, as in Matthew, nor is there an account of the birth of Christ.

 

  • Mark gives work after work of the Lord-recording twenty miracles in detail. The key word “Eutheos” translated “straightway,” “immediately”, “forthwith.” Examples 1:10, 18,20,21,29,31,42,43, all in chapter one. The word occurs 42 times in Mark- only 7 times in Matthew and only 1 time in Luke.

 

The Central Message:

  • “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.     Mark 10:45

  • Philippians 2:7-8

  • But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

  • And being found in fashion, as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

The Structure of the Book:

  • Sanctification (Introduction)- Chapter 1:1-13

  • Service- Chapters 1:14 through 8:30

  • Sacrifice- Chapters 8:31 through 15

  • Resurrection and Ascension- Chapter 16

 

The Introduction-Sanctification: 1:1-13

 

  • Mark wastes no time in introducing us to Jesus, He states simply in 1:1, “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” notice Mark does not present the beginning of Jesus but of the Gospel.

 

  • Then four voices announce the Lord Jesus.

    • V.1-Mark- “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

    • V.3-Isaiah- “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”

    • V.7-John the Baptist- “There cometh one mightier.”

    • V.10-God- “Thou art my beloved Son.”

 

  • This One, the “beginning of the Gospel” is thus introduced, and immediately was tested. Notice V.12 –“The Spirit driveth Him” indicating Divine permission and in V.13 “tempted of Satan” indicating real temptation.
     

Service: 1:14-8:30

  • The ministry of Jesus in Galilee begins by his “preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.  1:14-15

 

  • He selected four to become the first of the twelve. 1:16-20

 

  • He taught: V.21

  • People were astonished at his doctrine- V.22

  • Demons cast out- V.23-26

  • Fever healed- V.30

  • Invalids (weak, disabled, illness, injury) healed-V.34

  • Leper healed-V.41

  • People amazed at his authority-V.27

  • His fame spread through Galilee- V.45

 

  • Chapter 2-brings quick reaction:

  • From the Scribes-V.7

  • From the Phaisees-V.16 and V.24

  • The perfect answers of Jesus: V.8-11 and V.17

  • These two chapters are examples of the mighty works of the Master.

 

  • Chapter 3-8:30

    • Jesus ordained the Twelve Disciples-V.13-19

    • The remainder of this part of our Structure of the Book is an accounting of His work with the disciples, more miracles and more opposition.

    • Such miracles revealed the identity of Christ, the like had never been witnessed before in all earth.

    • This is truly the Son of God the people flocked to hear and see.

    • The scene changes after tells Jesus “Thou art the Christ”- the Lord began to teach why he came.

    • The change is sudden.

 

Sacrifice: Chapters 8:31-15

 

  • Mark 8:31

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

 

  • The book shifts from Service to Sacrifice.

    • Mark 9:12, 9:31, 10:32-34, 10:45, 14:8, 14:24-25

    • Instead of a throne, He knew there would be a cross first.

    • The rest of the chapters through 15 are about the last days of Christ and the trials.

 

Resurrection and Ascension: Chapter 16

 

  • The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the cardinal doctrines of the Christian Faith.

  • All four Gospels record the fact.

  • Jesus appeared to several people after his resurrection.

  • Great Commission- “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

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