The Four Gospels: Mark

Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God

The word gospel is euangelion in Greek. In the Roman world, this word was used when Roman troops occupied a territory. The Romans would say the “Good News” is that “Caesar is your Lord” now. Mark flips that meaning – it’s about the good news that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The Passion of Christ occupies 1/3 to ½ of the gospel of Mark.

Mark focuses on “The Messianic Secret” – that Jesus did not want people to tell anyone about him. For instance, look at Mark 1:34 He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

And Mark 1:43-44 Jesus sent [the healed leper] away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone....

Mark brings the reader into the dilemma of Jesus’ followers trying to figure out who Jesus is. Note that the Jewish image of Messiah at that time was a ruling, kingly, military person who would throw off Roman rule. In the second half of Mark we find out this Messiah is not like that.

Mark 8:27-38 is the “hinge” point. Peter says, “You are the Christ.” The next part of Mark is devoted to what that means. Jesus joins together two portrayals of the Messiah: the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53) with the Son of Man (Daniel 7).

The Messianic Secret primarily appears before the “hinge” in Chapter 8. Perhaps Jesus asks them not to tell anyone because Jesus knows they don’t really understand, yet, who he is. Maybe it was important for Jesus’ closest friends to truly know who Jesus is before those on the periphery understand. Huge lesson for us: we do not understand who Jesus is instantaneously – we need to study, struggle with it, pray, etc.

Let’s look at two parables in Mark, on either side of the “hinge” in Chapter 8.

Chap 4: Parable of the Sower

Chap 12: Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Mark gives the sense that you have to be on the inside of Jesus’ circle. The mystery of the parable is revealed if you spend time with Jesus, if you invite God to help you interpret.

Comparing the two Parables:

They have a lot in common:

- Both have Old Testament references.

- Both show the rejection of Jesus by religious authorities.

- Both have an authority figure.

- Regular folks would understand these agricultural pictures. Most of the listeners were probably sharecroppers who were heavily taxed.

- Patience of the key figure (the sower; the owner of the vineyard)

- Both reflect Jesus’ thoughts on the status of his ministry

Differences:

1. The Sower: the disciples did not understand it and had to have it explained to them whereas with the Parable of the Wicked Tenants – the disciples understood it.

2. Jon mentioned another difference, but I didn’t get it.

In Mark, we see a progression from not understanding who Jesus is (through Chapter 8, the hinge) to understanding who Jesus is and exploring that further.