Scripture:
"The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God." - Mark 1:1
Mark emphasized the power and authority of Jesus Christ
over sickness, sin, diseases, nature, and even the law of Moses. Walk with us as we visit 31 people
who were powerfully touched and transformed by Jesus Christ. Mark is the only Gospel writer to use the term "gospel" or "good news"
to describe the story of Jesus.
The Author
It is the current and apparently well-founded tradition that Mark derived his information mainly from the discourses of Peter. In his mother's house he would have abundant opportunities of obtaining information from the other apostles and their coadjutors, yet he was "the disciple and interpreter of Peter" specially. As to the time when it was written, the Gospel furnishes us with no definite information. Mark makes no mention of the destruction of Jerusalem, hence it must have been written before that event, and probably about A.D. 63.
The Place
The Gospel of Mark was the first Gospel to be written. The place where it was written was probably Rome. Some have supposed Antioch (comp. Mark 15:21 with Acts 11:20).
It was intended primarily for Romans. This appears probable when it is considered that it makes no reference to
the Jewish law, and that the writer takes care to interpret words which a Gentile would be likely to misunderstand,
such as, "Boanerges" (3:17); "Talitha cumi" (5:41); "Corban" (7:11); "Bartimaeus" (10:46); "Abba" (14:36); "Eloi,"
etc. (15:34). Jewish usages are also explained (7:3; 14:3; 14:12; 15:42).
Uniqueness
Mark also uses certain Latin words not found in any of the other Gospels, as "speculator" (6:27, rendered,
A.V., "executioner;" R.V., "soldier of his guard"), "xestes" (a corruption of sextarius, rendered "pots," 7:4, 8),
"quadrans" (12:42, rendered "a farthing"), "centurion" (15:39, 44, 45). He only twice quotes from the Old Testament
(1:2; 15:28).
Chronology
Mark's Gospel is not chronological. It was not an attempt to put the life of Jesus into any chronological order. Mark
heard the stories of Jesus life from Peter's preaching which he translated. From that first hand information he put down
the stories. The emphasis of Mark is the "stories" of people touched and forever changed by Jesus.
This Devotional
The purpose of this devotional is to focus on the characters of the story and see how Jesus transformed their lives.
Further details not contained here can be found in the series of messages preached on this theme beginning in January 2006.
