Mark

The earliest written gospel material was anonymous but attributed to a man named Mark.

The Gospel According to Mark 

The Gospel According to Mark probably dates from 56–70 AD. It may have been the earliest Gospel that survived. It was shorter than the others with only 16 chapters compared to Matthew's 28 chapters, Luke's 24, and John' 21 chapters. 

Mark's original text abruptly ends at chapter 16 verse 8 with verses 9-19 clearly added at a later date by others.

Many once held that Mark’s Gospel must have been written no later than the fifties but the common consensus of modern scholars believe it was written around 70 CE. Their reasoning is because it contains detailed information about the First Roman-Jewish and civil wars that took place within the Jerusalem during the Roman's siege from outside.

Some of this is because they do not believe Jesus prophesied a promise that he would return within the lifetimes of his listeners, and failed to do so.

But did he fail to do so?

Their are accounts of Jesus at the fall of Jerusalem.

Mark does not appear first because it was thought to be an epitome or summary of Matthew, but to many others it is likely the earliest written gospel. Whatever the truth is it is not subject to a democratic vote of scholars.

It was probably not written by John Mark the Evangelist, the companion of Peter. It is generally regarded as the work of an unknown author working with various sources that have generally been lost.

It tells us of Jesus' ministry from his baptism by John the Baptist to his death and burial and the discovery of the empty tomb. In it Jesus is a man of action, an exorcist, a healer, and a miracle worker. Jesus keeps his Messianic identity secret, speaking in parables so that even the disciples fail to understand. The gospel in its earliest version end with the discovery of the empty tomb, a promise to meet again in Galilee, and an instruction to spread the good news of the resurrection. There is no genealogy of Jesus or birth narrative, no any post-resurrection appearances. Mark 6:3 is the only place in the New Testament Jesus is referred to as "the son of Mary" and the only gospel where Jesus himself is called a carpenter.

Mark and Luke bear a striking resemblance. Their contents can easily be set side by side in parallel columns.

OUTLINE of Mark

Chapter 1

Mark 1

1 Theg gospel of Jesus

1.1 Priest of Parthia

1.2 Not worthy

2 Out of the water

3 The wilderness

4 John in prison

5 Walked by the sea

6 Capernaum

6.1 Unclean spirit

6.2 Amazed

6.3 Fame spread

6.4 Simon's mother

6.5 In the morning

7 A leper

Mark 1 Jesus as priest and king with his fame spreading as John the Baptist is imprisoned. His teachings are radical but healing are miraculous.

Chapter 2

Mark 2

1The crowd at Capernaum

1.1 The word of reason

1.2 The Paralyzed with friend

2 Saw faith

2.1 Secret Heart

2.2 Jesus knew

2.3 What is easier

3 By the sea

3.1 Alphaeus

4 Sinners and repentance

4.1 Fasting

4.2 Bridegroom

4.3 New and Old

4.4 Sabbath

Mark 2 includes reasoning with the multitude and tempting the opposition. The need for repentance and fasting. The Bride and the true Sabbath.

Chapter 3

Mark 3

1 The Withered hand

1.1 Withered hearts

1.2 Held their peace

1.3 Conspired to destroy

2 Jesus withdrew

2.1 healed many

2.2 Charged spirits

2.3 Ordained twelve

2.4 The multitude

3 Beelzebub divide

3.1 They said

4 Mother and brethren

Mark 3 highlites the conspiracy to destroy the healer, appointing twelve, and defining brethren.

Chapter 4

Mark 4

1 By the sea side

2 Hearken the sower

3 stony ground

3.1 Scorched no root

3.2 Among thorns

3.3 good ground

4 What means the parable

4.1 Mysteries

4.2 How will ye know

5 Sow right reason

5.1 Unreasonable hearts

5.2 Offended with no root

5.3 Thorns and unfruitful distractions

6 Good ground

7 The measure you mete

7.1 Casting seeds

8 He departs by boat

9 Peace, be still

Mark4 Explains the parable of the sower of the Logos who teaches about the fruitfulness of the good grown and how faith can still the storm.

Chapter 5

Mark 5

Chapter 6

Mark 6

Chapter 7

Mark 7

Chapter 8

Mark 8

Mark | Mark 1 | Mark 2 | Mark 3 | Mark 4 | Mark 5 | Mark 6 | Mark 7 | Mark 8 | Mark 9 | Mark 10 | Mark 11 | Mark 12 | Mark 13 | Mark 14 | Mark 15 | Mark 16 |

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