Bible Study: Mark

Higgins, A. J. (Barrington, NJ)

The Man

John Mark is the author. Most agree that his Gospel was heavily influenced by the apostle Peter, his spiritual father. Controversy exists over whether Mark or Matthew was the first Gospel record to be written. Mark contains very little that is not found in Matthew or Luke. Yet, he does add his own unique touches even when the material is found in the other Synoptics.

It is commonly held that his Gospel was addressed to Rome, and especially the Christians who were slaves.

John Mark was the servant who turned back in Acts and was given the privilege of writing of the Perfect Servant who did not turn back. He was the son of Mary, one of several in Jerusalem, and a cousin of Barnabas.

The geographical focus of the Gospel appears to be Galilee, then moving out to another area, and back to Galilee. Many scenes are on the water and many “ships” are involved in this Gospel.

Lines to Be Traced

  • Capernaum (1:21; 2:1; 6:1; 9:33)
  • The house (1:29; 2:1,15; 3:19; 5:38; 7:17,24; 9:28,33; 10:10; 14:3)
  • Summary words (1:28,39; 4:33; 6:6; 7:37; 10:1,32; 16:19,20)
  • Questions in the house and other questions (2:16; 4:10; 7:17; 9:28,33; 10:10; 13:3,4)
  • Morning scenes (1:35; 11:20; 15:1; 16:2)
  • Look at women and the place they occupy in contrast to men (7:24ff; 12:41ff; 14:3ff; 16:1-10)
  • Compassion (1:41; 5:19; 6:34; 8:2; 9:22) – God’s Servant and compassionate service

The Marks of Distinction

  • The Unusual Entrance – sudden; no birth or mention of growth
  • The Unique Fitness for His Service – Sonship; Mark is establishing that all service begins with Sonship. There is no service apart from relationship.
  • The Urgent Nature of His Service – immediately, straightway, etc., occurs 42x; out of 16 chapters, 12 begin with “and.” Only four parables; rare appeal to OT
  • The Ultimate Motive for His Service – Mark 10:45
  • The Uniform Character of His Service – no variation; no deviations from the pathway or failure in His labor. He is the perfect Servant of Isaiah. “Morning by morning …”
  • The Utter Devotion of His Labor – Servant in the house 11x
  • The Unselfish Involvement of Others – From the very beginning, He is seen bringing men into fellowship to share in the joy of the work. Gospel ends with the “Lord working with them.”

The Material

  • Mandate – Sonship (1:1); All service begins with Sonship.
  • Movements – Servant who was always moving in the will of His Master
  • Ministry – came not to be ministered unto but to minister
  • Motives – the welfare of others. No hidden agenda; not serving others to manipulate something from them. He loved His neighbor as Himself.
  • Message – always consistent, selfless. “Did not cause his voice to be heard in the streets.”
  • Morning – look at the morning scenes in Mark; servant is diligent in His Master’s service. “Rising early a great while before day,” etc. Look also at the “even” scenes.
  • Miracles – 18 in Mark’s Gospel (Public, Personal, Parabolic, Prophetic)

Special Highlights

  • Translations (3:17; 5:41; 10:46; 14:36; 15:34)
  • Emotions – sighs (7:34; 8:12; 14:33-34); anger (1:43; 3:5; 8:33; 10:14); compassion (1:41; 6:34; 8:2; 10:16)
  • “Look around about” (3:5,34; 5:32; 9:8; 10:23; 11:11)
  • Hand of the Servant (1:31,41; 5:41; 6:5; 7:32; 8:23,25; 9:27; 10:16); see also touch (1:41; 7:33; 8:22; 10:13); “took by the hand” (1:31; 5:41; 9:27)
  • Servant Sitting – Kathizo (9:35; 11:2,7; 12:41; 16:19); Katheemai (4:1; 13:3; 14:62); Katakinai (2:15; 14:3)
  • Seven “even” scenes (1:32; 4:35; 6:47; 11:11; 14:17; 13:25; 15:42)
  • “Greatly amazed” (ekthmabeo) – only in Mark (9:15; 14:33; 16:5; 16:6)
  • Look for “sandwich stories,” when stories or events are interrupted and completed after the interruption
  • Israel had four appointed offices (Prophet – John, Priest – Luke, King – Matthew, Levite – Mark)

Outline of Mark

  1. The Servant’s Credentials (1:1-13)
  2. The Servant’s Capability (1:14-8:30)
  3. The Servant’s Consecrated Service (8:31-13:37)
  4. The Servant Cast Out (14:1-15:47)
  5. The Servant Continuing His Work (16:1-20)

Another Outline of Mark

  1. His Fitness as a Servant (1:1-13)
  2. His Faithfulness in Ministry – Galilee (1:14-13:37)
  3. His Final Act of Service (14:1-15:47)
  4. His Fruitfulness in Resurrection (16:1-20)