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MARK
AUTHOR: John Mark. Many believed that Mark was in uenced a great deal by Peter. Read these verses
on Mark: Act 12:25, 13:13. Compare Acts 15:26–40 with what Paul later says about Mark in Colossians
4:10–11 and 2 Timothy 4:11. It is signi cant that Mark, the unfaithful missionary and servant of God,
later made faithful by the grace of God, should be chosen to write the gospel of the obedient servant.
PEOPLE TO WHOM WRITTEN: The Romans in particular.
THEME: Jesus, the Servant.
KEY VERSE: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to
give his life a ransom for many.”
CHARACTERISTICS:
1. It is the gospel of rapid- re action. The word “straightway” occurs 40 times in Mark.
2. Miracles are more emphasized in Mark than in any other gospel. Little attention is given to the
words of Christ but much to His works.
3. It is the briefest of the Gospels, having only 16 chapters.
4. Mark is lled with descriptive details.
5. The public life of our Lord is stressed.
6. Christ is called “Master” frequently in Mark.
7. Christ’s seasons of retirement and prayer are prominent.
8. There are very few references to the Old Testament in Mark. The Roman people would be unfa-
miliar with the sacred writings of the Jews.
9. There are only about 24 verses given in Mark which could not be found in some form in either
Matthew or Luke.
THINGS FOR YOU TO DO:
1. Read the entire book, watching for the parts which seem to help you to know Jesus better. Watch for
verses which would help a Christian become a better servant of God.
2. Memorize Mark 10:45 and Mark 8:35–38.
3. As you read, list the miracles found in Mark.
4. As you read, identify the outstanding characters mentioned.
5. Learn from Mark 11–16 the happenings of the last week of Jesus’ life. (Study pages 38, 39)
Why is this week called the “Passion” Week?____________________________________________
Approximately one-third of all four gospels is given over to the last week of our Lord’s life. Man is
born to live, and his death is incidental. With the Lord Jesus, it was di erent. He was born to die.
MIRACLES:
Purposes of Miracles:
1. To show that Jesus was God, doing the works of God.
2. To help people in need.
Kinds of Miracles—Miracles show Jesus’ control over:
1. Death—raised the dead;
2. Hell—cast out demons;
3. Disease—healed the sick;
4. Nature—showed power over the forces of nature (such as miracles connected with food, sh,
the sea, etc.).
Inner Spiritual Meaning: The outward physical miracle is a sign of a deeper spiritual miracle Jesus
performs. Cleansing the leper is an outward sign of a greater thing that Christ does when He cleanses
a sinner. Stilling the tempest is no greater than the miracle God performs even today when He stills the
heart of a worried, anxious person.
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