the gospel according to mark

193 Pages·2009·0.7 MB·English

- R e d e e m e r P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h -
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1998
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Introduction to Mark's Gospel
FELLOWSHIP GROUP CURRICULUM STUDIES IN MARK
Introduction Mark's Gospel is generally considered to be the earliest of the four gospels in the
New Testament. When it appeared around 65 - 70 AD it was utterly unique as
literature and apart from the other three gospels, nothing similar has appeared
before or since.
What is this genre called "gospel"? It can hardly be considered biography for it
takes little interest in the details of Jesus' life. In Mark's account, Jesus' birth and
childhood are ignored. In each of the four gospels only three years of public
ministry are described and even that material is highly selective. The gospels do
not account for everything Jesus did (Jn. 20:30, 21:25) and more than a third of
their content focuses on the last week of Jesus' life.
The gospels, are not truly historical accounts. While they explain historical
events, they impinge only slightly on the world affairs of the day and make no
attempt at a chronological presentation. Yet readers soon realize that the gospels
cannot be considered myth.
As one expert on myth says, "Greek mythology is largely made up of stories
about gods and goddesses but it must not be read as some kind of Greek
Bible an account of Greek religion. According to the most modern idea, a
real myth has nothing to do with religion; instead it is an explanation of
something in nature."
Myth is about man's search for meaning. Gospel, on the other hand is about
God's search for man.
What then is a gospel? A Gospel is a writing which announces good news. A
gospel proclaims the good news about Jesus Christ. A gospel is not a life of
Jesus. Instead, it instructs us how to find life in Jesus Christ. As such, it is a kind
of interactive literature which demands response, asking: Will you receive the
news or reject it?
Having received it as true, the genius of a gospel is that it will continue to
challenge us to further response. It is not a story of a past accomplishment that
bears one reading and one response. The beauty of the gospels is that for the
curious inquirer, the new believer and the seasoned veteran their is a great benefit
to be had in regular study of the gospels especially for the purpose of responding
to the challenge of the life of Jesus.
Themes and Structure Mark announces his purpose from the first sentence: "The beginning of the
gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God." His purpose is tell us the good
news about Jesus Christ. In order to do that he answers two questions. First:
Who is Jesus? Second: What did he come to do?
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These themes divide the book into two sections. The first eight chapters deal
with Who is Jesus? climaxing with Peter’s confession in 8:29. When Jesus asks
, "Who do you say I am?" Peter replies, "You are the Christ." He is the one
anointed by God, the King of the coming Kingdom.
From this point forward Jesus announces his purpose in coming: "The Son of
Man must suffer many things and be rejected...and killed and after three
days rise again."
And so the second eight chapters climax in his death and resurrection. The King
is rejected. But through that rejection he triumphs and accomplishes his purposes.
The distinctive emphasis of Mark’s Gospel which is not so apparent in Matthew
or Luke is that Jesus came as a servant. This underlies both sections of Mark.
In Mark 10:44 Jesus announces, "Whoever wants to be great among you must
be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For
even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his
life as a ransom for many.”
Because of this emphasis Mark's gospel serves wonderfully as a training manual
for Christians. In it, Jesus Christ, the great servant of God, teaches people how to
serve him and their fellow man.
The Author The author of the Gospel is not recorded, but unbroken tradition tells us that it is
John Mark who was with Peter in Rome during Nero's persecution. Mark was a
Jewish Christian. His mother, Mary, owned a house to which Peter came after
his release from prison (Acts 12:12). The house was a frequent meeting place
for the disciples.
As a result, Mark had a great amount of exposure to those who had been with
Jesus and their preaching. Many believe that Mark was Peter's secretary and
that his gospel reflects Peter's teaching. Bishop Papias (AD. 140) wrote: "Mark,
having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately all that he
remembered of the things said and done by our Lord, but not, however, in
order.”
How to Use This The questions and the study guide to those questions are designed to assist you in
Material enabling your group to work through the passage so that it is understood. The
study guide is made pastoral in nature so that you can better help people to
appreciate the depth of the material and to finds its application in their lives.
The commentary subtitled Further Notes was developed by the staff at St.
Helen's, Bishopsgate in London. It is meant to satisfy the curiosity of those who
enjoy exploring beyond the central issues of the text. It covers things which did
not get covered in the section subtitled Commentary on the Passage and Notes
on the Questions.
It is critical that in your preparation to lead a group you make this material your
own. The study guide is not meant to be read to the group. Instead, it should be
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digested well enough through your preparation that its themes are easy to recall.
In this way you will find it straightforward to guide people through the questions.
Good preparation will free you to focus on the people in the group. You will
know which questions will best serve them and know when to fill the gaps in their
understanding of the passage so that the application of truth is achieved.
The study guide is not exhaustive. You and your group will have insights not
found in the notes.
Even the questions must become your own so that you can rephrase them in your
own words. (If you don't know what you are asking, neither will anyone else in
the group!) You may want to delete certain questions that the study suggests you
ask. Or you may want to add your own questions which you think will help mine
the text. Know which questions not to ask if time constraints arise in a given
meeting. In the early studies an asterisk marks those questions considered
essential. Preparation like this will make for a group atmosphere of discovery and
learning.
Finally, you will notice that some questions are multiple, an arrangement designed
to gain progressive insight into the passage. Look to appreciate how the questions
flow. This will assist you to choose which ones must stay together and which can
be discarded. In the early studies, a forward slash (/) is inserted to separate
questions that do not necessarily relate together.
But don’t be daunted by all these instructions. Leading a bible study is equal
parts art and science. Because it is an art each person will lead his or her group
through the passage in a unique way. Be disciplined enough to prepare the study
material from the guide but free enough to ensure it communicates to your group.
Because leading a bible study is partially an art you should also be encouraged by
the fact that your skills will certainly continue to grow and develop.
FURTHER BACKGROUND MATERIAL
Author. Mark’s author is anonymous, but earliest tradition refers to John Mark, who was
with Peter in Rome (1 Pet 5:13) as the author. He was a Jewish Christian,
whose mother owned a house in Jerusalem used by the disciples. He was an
early associate of Paul and Barnabus (Acts 12:25, but appears to have
disappointed Paul by his failure to persist in missionary work (Acts 13:5,13;
15:31).
Later, Paul’s opinion had changed (2 Tim 4:11). So presumably had Mark. As a
contemporary of the apostles, Mark is placed close to the source of accounts
about Jesus. His personal commitment as an evangelist is apparent in the whole
flavor of the book.
Date. Very early indeed. Peter was martyred around AD 60 and early references
suggest that Peter was the source of much of Mark’s material. This would be
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consistent with the prominence given to Peter's repeated failures. A date is
therefore usually assigned between Peter’s death and the fall of Jerusalem in 70
AD.
The Setting of the The tradition is that Mark wrote his gospel for the Christians in Rome, in the
Gospel. context of Nero’s persecution, particularly subsequent to the fire of AD 64. He
emphasizes faith in God's sovereignty and sufficiency in adversity, and Jesus'
radical expectation of a commitment to himself entailing an abandonment of life
and an acceptance of suffering and service (8:34-38).
This tradition is supported by the gentile “feel” of the gospel. Latin terms are
frequently employed along with Roman time periods. Jewish customs are not
assumed to be familiar and the climactic statement in Mark rests with a Roman
soldier recognizing Jesus.
Historical reliability. Various factors point to Mark's reliability: difficult or offensive material is often
included without modification or "smoothing". This is also apparent in Mark’s
reluctance to create geographical or temporal links between sections when they
are not known, frequently preferring the simple "and" (kai).
Striking detail is found in sections likely to be from Peter, but is often lacking
elsewhere, providing evidence that Mark edited with a light hand rather than
worked to achieve a consistent, finished style. Mark’s sources will have been
Peter, coupled with other oral and possibly written material, governed by both
friendly and hostile eyewitnesses. When these provide material grouped in topics,
he does not contrive to set them chronologically.
The above all tends to suggest that in Mark we have an honest compiler rather
than a literary artist (the Greek in Mark being notoriously "rough").
Acknowledgments We gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to the staff at St. Helen's Church,
Bishopsgate in London. They have granted us permission to use the material they
have developed on Mark's gospel as the basis for what you now hold in your
hands. We are especially grateful to R.C. Lucas, their senior minister, and Doug
Olsen, who is also on staff, for use of their insights into Mark's Gospel.
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Study 1 - The Beginnings
MARK CHAPTER 1:1-15
Questions 1. What is the best news that you have received during the past month? How did
you respond to it?
READ Mark 1:1-15
2. * What title or headline would you want to give this passage of Mark?
3. * What does verse 1 reveal about Mark's understanding of the events he was
about to describe? * By calling it a gospel what kind of response is Mark seeking
in his readers?
4. Is the gospel something we respond to once or continually? Why? / Can you
think of a metaphor that explains the type of response we need to make?
5. In verses 2-8 John the Baptist is introduced as the one preparing the way for
the coming of Jesus. * What is the significance of Mark quoting the Old
Testament?
6. John is preaching "forgiveness of sins". * How serious is the problem of
sin? * How valuable is the forgiveness of sins? * Is such forgiveness an
automatic benefit for everyone? * If not, what is involved? / How would you
define repentance?
7. * What was the center of John's preaching? / * What was his angle or main
point about the "one to come"? * How did knowledge of Jesus’ identity affect
his view of himself? / * How does it affect your view of yourself?
8. * What do we learn about Jesus in the stories of his baptism and desert
experience? Mark put these stories side by side, why?
9. What was Jesus' message? How did it differ and how was it similar to John
the Baptists? What is the relationship between the two messages?
10. * What do you think is meant by the phrase "the kingdom of God"? What
is implied by the term "kingdom"? Why is its arrival such good news?
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LEADER NOTES MARK 1:1-15
Main Points. This passage declares itself the beginning of the gospel message. Here and
throughout this gospel Mark’s purpose is to draw our attention to the greatness of
Jesus. "Who is this person?” is his immediate theme.
He answers that Jesus is the powerful one from God. Anchoring this gospel’s
origins in Old Testament prophecy, he introduces John the Baptist as the
forerunner of the Messiah. Jesus appears with a majesty attested by John and
the Father and the Holy Spirit at his baptism. Then again by angelic and demonic
activity in his desert experience. We are then confronted by Jesus the King
proclaiming his kingdom.
Commentary on the 1. What is the best news that you have received during the past month?
Passage and Notes on How did you respond to it?
the Questions.
The studies will begin with an "approach" question as a warm up and
conversation starter. Use this question before the passage is read.
2. * What title or headline could we give to this passage of Mark?
This simple question will focus people on the passage as a whole. It is our goal
in group studies to model intelligent Biblical interpretation. Therefore we avoid a
fragmentary approach to Bible study. We look for the flow and themes of entire
passages. Detail is best understood in terms of the broad picture.
A number of different titles would be equally appropriate: The Beginnings of the
Gospel; The Forerunner of the Messiah; John Prepares the Way of the Lord;
Jesus Prepares for Ministry; The Preparations for Jesus' Ministry; Initial Clues
about who Jesus Is; What John's Ministry Tells Us About Jesus; etc. All of these
and more enable you to see the big picture.
3. * What does verse 1 reveal about Mark's understanding of the events
he was about to describe? * By calling it a gospel what kind of response
is Mark seeking in his readers?
Mark clearly regards his gospel as true. Therefore it was genuinely good news.
For many people a sacred story does not have to be true so long as it helps you
feel better about life and encourages you to improve. This is not Mark’s purpose.
He describes real historical events which he witnessed or recorded through
eyewitnesses. He was close enough to the events, and the people to report
accurately and explain their significance.
The gospel goes on to show how God through Christ accomplished the
redemption of mankind. It becomes like a marriage proposal to all people which
individuals must accept or reject. Whenever the gospel is presented to people
God is in essence asking: "Will you marry me?". It requires a "yes" or a "no".
Mark says that Jesus is the Son of God, that is, God himself incarnate.
Immediately we are faced with a claim so bold that it is unrepeated in human
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history. Much that follows in this passage and throughout Mark's gospel is
written to reveal Jesus' identity and to enable people to see his greatness and
glory. This powerful and exalted one, through his death and resurrection, had
come to reconcile us to God. By calling it a gospel he was saying: “This is good
news which demands a response.” It was not merely information.
Finally, by using the word “beginning”, Mark probably intended people to make
a connection to Genesis 1:1 (“in the beginning..”). Thus Mark was seeking to
underscore the grandeur of what he was writing.
4. Is the gospel something we respond to once or continually? Why? /
Can you think of a metaphor that explains the type of response we need
to make?
Actually, we do both. We become Christians once and for all at the moment of
our first believing in Christ, departing the kingdom of darkness, entering the
kingdom of light. This Spirit-led exercise of faith is the proof that we are
regenerated, born again, given new life. We are legally forgiven, acquitted of
guilt, are no longer under God's wrath, no longer need fear God's condemning
judgment and have become part of God’s family. This heritage is permanent.
Yet a continued response is also necessary. Consider marriage. It has a definite
beginning. However, to enjoy marriage we must continually develop the
relationship, be willing to re-order our life, cultivate friendship and intimacy. If we
don’t, although we are legally married, the relationship loses its life. It dies. There
is no growth or joy in it. In our relationship with God, it is the gospel which
provides the basis for its ongoing development.
We must continue to expose ourselves to the character of Christ and the good
news that in Christ we have been radically forgiven so that it to penetrates more
deeply into our hearts. Then we will find ourselves growing in humility. We will
be less defensive. We will find ourselves quick to forgive others and to reach out
to people to meet their needs. Their will be less emphasis on advancing our own
causes and more emphasis on advancing Christ's cause. There will be a deeper
concern for the poor and the victims of injustice. There will also be a deepening
experiential knowledge of God's love and a greater joy in worship.
It is ordinary Christian experience that the more we expose ourselves to the good
news of the life of Christ the more we realize a daily response is necessary.
5. In verses 2-8 John the Baptist is introduced as the one preparing the
way for the coming of Jesus. * What is the significance of Mark quoting
the Old Testament?
This was not some new and exotic religion, it had its antecedents in the beginning
of time and had been anticipated throughout history. Mark demonstrates this by
quoting from Isaiah who wrote 800 years earlier and Malachi who wrote 400
years earlier, claiming that their statements referred to the coming of John the
Baptist and Jesus. He shows that Christianity is the fulfillment of the ancient
record of God’s actions and plans in the Old Testament.
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One present writer explains this by referring to Judaism and Christianity as "Old
Testament Judaism" and "Christian Judaism". Christianity has all of its roots in
God's dealings with the Jewish people. Without Judaism there is no Christianity.
Everything relating to John the Baptist and Jesus was part of God's original plan.
It was not something new he did out of frustration with history. Even John’s
camel hair habit and desert food illustrated that he was the "Elijah to come" who
was predicted in the Old Testament (Mal. 4:5, 2 K 1:8, Mark 9:11-13). The fact
that Christianity is so deeply grounded in history is no doubt a comfort to many
believers who care deeply that their religious beliefs have integrity.
6. John is preaching "forgiveness of sins". * How serious is the problem
of sin? * How valuable is the forgiveness of sins? * Is such forgiveness
an automatic benefit for everyone? * If not, what is involved? / How
would you define repentance?
Sin is the central human problem. It refers not to behavior but to something more
fundamental, a universal attitude. According to one writer: "The essence of sin
is Godlessness ... the will to live without God, to ignore him, to be one's own
source and beginning...”
Sinners position themselves in rebellion to God, contrary to God, distant from
God. Sinful behavior is a symptom of this fundamental heart attitude whether it is
hideous and horrifying or appears attractive and morally upstanding. The issue
for chronic offenders and the morally upright alike is whether they are motivated
by love and dependence on God or by independence and contempt of him.
That attitude is considered a far greater evil than any particular behavior. It is
that attitude which is at the core of the breakdown of society. It creates
alienation from God (loss of divine destiny), alienation from one another
(breakdown in relationships), alienation from the created order (the rape and
destruction of our natural world given for us to tend like a garden) and alienation
from ourselves (we don't know who we really are apart from a relationship with
God).
Ultimately it leaves us under the judgment of God, sealed with eternal punishment
on our death. Therefore, it has tremendous consequences both for this life and
the life to come. Until one sees how great is the problem, the solution seems
unremarkable. And sin’s deceit is that it cannot recognize itself.
Once we see the horror of sin and the predicament it has left us in then
forgiveness becomes precious. Indeed, nothing could be more valuable. In 1
Corinthians 15:17 Paul writes. "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is
futile; you are still in your sins." Unless our faith delivers forgiveness and so
deals with this problem of God's judgment of sin, it isn’t worth a cracker. The
fact that the God of the Bible holds out the possibility of forgiveness does not
guarantee that forgiveness is an automatic for everyone. Repentance is required.
Future studies will have more to say about the content of our repentance and
what genuine repentance looks like.
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Suffice it to say now that repentance is essentially a turning toward God and his
purposes and a turning away from those things which are contrary to God's
purposes for mankind. One necessarily involves the other. By definition, you
cannot turn to God without simultaneously turning from the thoughts, attitudes and
actions which offend God. Repentance involves more than sorrow, but it does not
involve less. It involves acknowledgment that you have grieved God.
"More than a wringing of the hands or a hanging of the head, it is a
working, of the heart so that your sin is as odious to you as any
punishment." It is not what you have to do in order to get God to take you back,
it is the description of what going back to God looks like. When it is genuine it
always produces a new lifestyle.
7. * What was the center of John's preaching? / * What was his angle or
main point about the "one to come"? * How did knowledge of Jesus’
identity affect his view of himself? / * How does it affect your view of
yourself?
Central to John's preaching is the greatness and glory of Jesus. But this view of
Jesus does not reduce him to self-hatred. When he compares his worth to that of
Jesus some might make the mistake of thinking so. Rather, his exalted view of
Jesus inspires in him a gladness for the opportunity to serve him. John knows that
he is not even worthy of that honor.
Now, Jesus said John was the greatest among all the Old Testament prophets
(Lk. 7:28). If John viewed himself as fortunate, how much more should we? So
we see the focus is not to diminish our self respect but to develop in ourselves the
appropriate awe and profound respect for the majesty of Jesus. The more
specific is our recognition of Christ’s majesty, (e.g. his beauty, power, might and
glory) the more we will both want to serve him and consider it a privilege to do
so. Our service of Christ often lacks zeal and perseverance because our thoughts
of him are so small. One of Mark's goals is that we sense the greatness of Jesus
in ways that we have never realized.
Optional question: To what degree do you view it as an honor to serve Jesus?
8. * What do we learn about Jesus in the stories of his baptism and
desert experience? Why has Mark included them?
Mark leaves out details about Jesus' baptism and desert experience that are found
in the other gospels. He has a different focus.
We have noticed that Mark wants us to see the glory of Jesus. One reason for
Mark’s concern is that many Gentiles (Mark's main audience) considered Jesus'
death on the cross very demeaning and unworthy of a hero. The most despicable
criminals died this way. This was a stumbling block for many Gentiles in choosing
to embrace the Christian faith. (Would the law execute someone without good
reason?)
Therefore, Mark extends himself to show the majesty of Jesus and to show his
readers that the cross was God's plan for him; that he was not a weak, tragic
figure to be despised because he had died in this way. Both the account of his
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