Page 25 - April 2025 - Truth & Tidings

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 an-
other 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 path-
way 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 bring-
ing 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.
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