Introduction to Gospel of Mark

Mark is a short Gospel written for a busy Roman audience to show Jesus as the Son of God. Unlike Matthew’s Gospel, the book is short and to the point without as many Old Testament references. Tradition states the author was John Mark, the son of a woman named Mary who was part of the early church and well known to the Apostles, including Peter and Paul. Traditional dateline for the writing is 50-60 A.D. Some scholars say the book may have been put in writing by Mark from the narration of the Apostle Peter, or from his preaching and teaching. Can you say shorthand?

When I was in high school, shorthand was a viable skill for employment in the clerical field. A secretary needed to have good vocabulary, typing and shorthand. My mother was an exceptional Legal Secretary for most of my life, and she was a speed-demon at shorthand. My skills were good enough to take a letter now and then but I was never as fast as Mom.

Before my mother’s time, there lived a lady named Biddy Chambers. She was the wife of Oswald Chambers, author of the devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest. The missionary’s manuscript was compiled thanks to the amazing note taking abilities of Biddy Chambers. Oswald Chambers died in 1917, but thanks to Biddy, the book for which he is best known, was published ten years later in 1927. The devotional brought international recognition to Chambers and remains amongst the top selling Christian books in publication. Copious note taking, before computers were even thought of, gave us this wonderful masterpiece, and possibly, the same technique was used by John Mark to complete the Gospel of Mark.

The first mention of John Mark comes after Saul of Tarsus has been converted and brought to Antioch by Barnabus. In Antioch, where followers of Jesus were first called Christians, Barnabus and Saul spent a year sharing with and teaching in the church. Afterwards, when a great famine arose, the church in Antioch took up an offering and sent it with Barnabus and Saul to the brothers living in Judea. (Acts 11)

“About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword.” (Acts 12:1)

Herod killed James, one of the sons of Zebedee, and early disciple chosen by Jesus. Herod realized the killing of James brought him notoriety with the Jewish leaders, so after killing James and during the Days of Unleavened Bread or the Feast of Passover, Herod arrested Peter.

I have never been to Israel, but in 2001, I visited Rome, saw the Vatican, the Coliseum and the Roman Forum. Local guides led tours giving wonderful information about ancient Rome, forum activities, and the origins of Christianity. At one point we walked toward a dark cutout in the earth closed by heavy metal bars. This was typical of a Roman prison cell, not unlike the one, which held Peter and Paul. The lower cell of the Marmertine Prison is open to visitors today. Inside is a stairway leading down to the chamber where many famous people, throughout the course of its use, were imprisoned and either strangled or beheaded.

In Acts 12, King Herod arrested Peter, put him in chains, forced him to sleep between two guards with sentries posted at the door. In the middle of the night an angel came and woke Peter by striking him on the side. The angel loosed his chains and led him from the prison. Acts describes the heavy iron gates swinging open of their own accord. For Peter, this seemed like a dream or a vision. Today, we might see that scene written into a Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings movie. However, it was not long before Peter realized his experience was no fantasy. He soon found himself knocking on the gate of a home where believers were gathered in prayer for his release. This was Mary's home, the mother of John Mark—the writer of the Gospel of Mark.

Another side note and back to Rome: There is another church, which is called San Pietro en Viccoli (St. Peter in Chains). Inside, a large glass box holds the chains that held Peter in Jerusalem and in Rome. The story is told when the chains from Jerusalem were presented to the Pope, who also had the chains from Rome in his possession; the two chains became supernaturally linked together. I don’t know if that is true, but at San Pietro en Viccoli you may see the two chains on display. I saw them—they appeared very sturdy, heavy and extremely uncomfortable.

Back to Judea: When Peter finally enters the home of Mary, the believers are incredulous and exultant. Peter has to quiet them so as not to be discovered and eventually, he departs to another place. John Mark was at the house when Peter was set free from the prison. I wonder what sort of impact this immediate answer to prayer had on his life.

Eventually, John Mark becomes the missionary companion of Barnabus and Saul but at one point, he leaves them in mid journey. The reason is unclear. Later when Barnabus again wants to bring John Mark on another missionary journey, Saul disagrees and this becomes a sharp point of contention so that the men go their separate ways. Barnabus travels with John Mark and Saul travels with Silas.

Even later in the book of Acts, John Mark is restored with Saul/Paul, who writes John Mark is useful to him. Afterwards, John Mark travels and works with Peter before Peter is killed—crucified upside down.

What I like about John Mark is that, regardless of a slip somewhere along the way, he remained involved and committed to the work of the ministry for many years. John Mark was involved with the Lord Jesus personally and with His church. His mother, Mary, was also an active member. Together they formed a strong family of faith serving the Lord and the church with their time, talent and resources.

Teaching our children about the LORD is a repeated mandate in scripture. The LORD through Moses instructed the Jews to teach their children at all times about the ways of the LORD, when coming and going etc. (Deut 6:4-9) Making a family habit to discuss spiritual issues, to attend church together, to pray at meals, to pray at bed or other times, to discuss the scriptures etc. may seem trivial, unimportant or something that should be left to each ones convictions, but clearly God was saying to the nation of Israel—it is too easy to forget the things of God, so talk about them all the time, especially to your children.

As parents, we must teach our children well to know the Lord. We must be an example of someone who constantly goes to the Lord in prayer for everything. Eventually, children develop a relationship with the LORD apart from mom and dad. But, the foundation for the spiritual house children build early, will come from the convictions they see modeled in their godly parents and established in their family unit.

Mark's Gospel has wonderful things to note. First: notice the word “immediately.” John Mark keeps using that word! He uses it more than any other Gospel writer and more times in the first chapter of his book than any other. It might be encouraging to make a list of the "immediately" verses and see if any themes become evident to you. Second: John Mark captures several declarations by others about the Son of God. See how many you can find. Third: John Mark points to Jesus going off by Himself to pray or having His disciples go to a quiet place to rest several times. Because Romans were busy, just like we are, this would have served as a great lesson for them. Perhaps it will be a good lesson for us too.

I am so glad you are reading the Gospels 4 Lent with me. I hope the book of Mark leads us to a greater rest in the LORDship of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Abandoned to God--Oswald Chambers - Read his life story available at Amazon.com