Introduction to Gospel according to Mark

The 41st book of the Bible, the 2nd in the New Testament

The early Church Fathers attribute the Second Gospel to John Mark, the son of a woman named Mary from Jerusalem and the nephew of Barnabas (Acts 12:12; 2 Timothy 4:11).
Mark was not one of the disciples; even though he likely encountered Jesus in person, he was still a teenager or even a child during Jesus’ ministry.

He accompanied Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey but parted ways with them in Perge for unknown reasons (Acts 13:13); later, he became their colleague again.
Finally, according to early witnesses, he wrote his Gospel while serving as Peter’s companion and interpreter during Peter’s stay in Rome between the years 64 and 68 AD (1 Peter 5:13).

The target audience for the Gospel according to Mark was not Jews, as with Matthew, but the “Gentile Christian” world of the Roman cultural sphere. That is why many Jewish expressions and customs are explained in his account.

The Gospel of Mark is the shortest account of Jesus, and the emphasis is on the actions of Christ—on serving, on being a “servant of humanity.”
At the same time, it clearly presents Jesus’ power and authority as the Son of God, both in the natural and supernatural realms. Mark most clearly reveals the invisible power structures of the demonic world.

It concludes with Jesus’ voluntary self-humiliation as a servant even unto death, which thereby becomes the source of our redemption and salvation.

The Gospel of Mark is structured as follows:

Interestingly, the Gospel of Mark can also be organized geographically:

1. The time Jesus spent in Galilee, in chapters 1 through 9
   
2. The journey with his disciples to Jerusalem, in chapter 10
   
3. Jesus’ time in Jerusalem, in chapters 11 through 16

Content of the Gospel According to Mark:

Mark chapter 1
Introduction: The Preparation
I. The Beginnings of Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee (1:14–45)
Mark chapter 2
II. Clashes with the Leaders of the People (Scribes and Pharisees) (2:1–3:6)
Mark chapter 3
III. The Great Signs and Words of Jesus in Galilee and Outside Galilee (3:7–8:26)
Mark chapter 4
Mark chapter 5
Mark chapter 6
Mark chapter 7
Mark chapter 8
IV. Jesus Prepares the Disciples for His Suffering and Death (8:27–10:45)
Mark chapter 9
Mark chapter 10
V. Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem and Final Ministry (10:46–13:37)
Mark chapter 11
Mark chapter 12
Mark chapter 13
The First Signs of the End Times
The Persecution of the Disciples
The Climax of the Tribulation in Judea
Prophecy Concerning False Prophets
Mark chapter 14
VI. Jesus’ Suffering and Death (Chapters 14–15)
Mark chapter 15
Mark chapter 16
VII. The Resurrection Accounts (Chapter 16)