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New Testament Survey
Lesson Three

Mark

The Gospel of Mark was directed mainly at the Romans. It shows Christ as the Servant of Jehovah. The language of the Book is the coarse Greek of the slave market. Mark takes time to explain Jewish customs that Roman readers would not have understood. He emphasizes Christ's deeds because he wanted to impress the businesslike Romans that Jesus was a man of action. It is a down-to-earth gospel.

1. There are 16 chapters in the book of Mark.

2. The book does not name its author, but there is little or no dispute among New Testament scholars that John Mark wrote it.

3. The book was probably written around A.D. 50 or possibly A.D. 54 - 58. Some give the date range from A.D. 44 to A.D. 75, but it was undoubtedly written before A.D. 70. The date A.D. 64-68 is another possibility, but the A.D. 50 dated is probably the closest date.

4. It is generally believed that Mark wrote his Gospel from Rome and primarily for the Gentile leaders at Rome and in the Empire.

5. It has been suggested that it is really the Gospel of Peter written by Mark. Those who feel this way often suggest that the book is an expansion of Peter's sermon in Acts 10:34-43. Peter is believed to have supplied the basic facts that form the basis of this writing.

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Theme

The theme of the Gospel is the evangelistic portrayal of Christ giving His life as a ransom.

Christ

Christ is seen as the suffering servant of Yahweh. He is seen as the mighty King. He is also seen as a person of action.

Key Words

The key word is 'straightway' [42], which is also translated as 'immediately', 'forthwith' and 'anon;. The words "kingdom" and "kingdom of God" are important in Mark.

Key Verse

Mk.10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Purpose

1. It was written to present Christ as the Servant of Yahweh.

2. The Gospel is primarily evangelistic.

3. It was written to show the work of Christ to the public as a new message. The Gospel could be presented to those without a background in theology or the Old Testament.

Events And Characters

1. The book begins with the ministry of John the Baptist, ignoring the first 33 years of the life of Jesus. Jesus is baptized and then goes into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days. John is cast into prison, and Jesus comes preaching repentance, for the kingdom of God is at hand.

2. The disciples are called to follow Him. He performs many miracles. He even eats with publicans and sinners and releases His disciples from keeping the traditions of the religious leaders. He teaches by many parables.

3. He sends out His disciples to minister, and they have power over even unclean spirits. He continues to perform miracles, including the feeding of the five thousand. He also continues His healing ministry, including the daughter of the Syro-Phoenician woman.

4. Jesus is transfigured before His disciples. He teaches them about humility and warns them not to give offence. He blesses the children, shows the danger of riches and reproves James and John for their carnality.

5. He rides triumphantly into Jerusalem, the next day, He curses the fig tree and cleanses the temple, which irritates the Pharisees and other religious leaders. The attempts of the religious leaders to trap Him in His words are thwarted, and He silences them.

6. Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple and persecutions for the sake of the Gospel. There is a conspiracy against Him, and Judas makes a contract to betray Him. A woman pours precious ointment on His head. He has the passover with His disciples and institutes the Lord's supper. He is arrested and abused. Peter denies Him.

7. Pilate, because of pressure from the people, delivers Jesus to be crucified. He is crucified between two thieves. Joseph of Arimathea buries Him. On the third day, the angel declares to the women the resurrection of Jesus. He appears to the disciples. Before His ascension, He commanded them to preach the gospel to every creature.

Lessons To Remember

1. God can bring a man back from failure and use him to present the gospel. [John Mark deserted Paul on a missionary journey, before he wrote this gospel.]

2. There are times when action is what is needed to present the message.

3. We are to present the gospel on the level of the hearers rather than the level we prefer.

4. There are many ways to present the Gospel, and service is one of them.

Outline

I. Preparation of the Servant      1:1 - 13

   A. Forerunner      1:1 - 8
   B. Baptism      1:9 - 11
   C. Temptation      1:12 - 13

II. The Work of the Servant      1:14 - 8:26

   A. Calling the Disciples      1:14 - 20
   B. Miracles      1:21 - 3:12
   C. Apostles Ordained - Scribes warned        3:13 - 35
   D. Four Parables      4:1 - 34
   E. Miracles      4:35 - 6:6
   F. Apostles Sent Out      6:7 - 31
   G. Miracles      6:32 - 8:26

III. The Suffering of the Servant      8:27 - 15:47

   A. Predicted      8:27 - 10:52
   B. Causes Of   11:1 - 13:37
   C. Death   14:1 - 15:47

IV. The Victory of the Servant   16 - 20

   A. Resurrection   16:1 - 18
   B. Ascension   16:19 - 20

Outline (Alternative)

I. The Preparation      1:1 - 13

   A. Son of God      1:1
   B. Forerunner Nazareth      1:2 - 8
   C. Baptism to       1:9 - 11
   D. Temptation Wilderness      1:12 - 13

II. The Opening Ministry      1:14 - 5:43

   A. Introduction Works Galilee        1:14 - 2:12
   B. Continuation and Teaching        2:13 - 4:34
   C. Further Ministry Authority: Decapolis          4:34 - 5:43

III. The Full Ministry: Conflict      6:1 - 8:26

   A. Unbelief Nazareth        6:1 - 6
   B. Political Danger      6:7 - 29
   C. Popular Acclaim: Desert        6:30 - 56
   D. Traditionalism      7:1 - 23
   E. Sensationalism:    Tyre, Sidon Decapolis      7:24 - 8:26

IV. The Closing Ministry      8:27 - 10:31

   A. Revelation to the Disciples: Caesarea Philippi      8:27 - 9:50
   B. Challenge to the Public: Judea and Perea   10:1 - 31

V. The Last Journey   10:32 - 13:37

   A. Teaching the Disciples En route to Jerusalem   10:32 - 45
   B. Healing the sick:   Jericho    10:46 - 52
   C. Triumphal Entry: Jerusalem   11:12 - 12:44
   D. Apocalyptic Prediction   13:1 - 37

VI. The Passion   14:1 - 15:47

   A. The Plot   14:1 - 2,10,11
   B. The Interlude Bethany   14:3 - 9
   C. The Last Supper: Jerusalem    14:12 - 26
   D. Gethesemane   14:27 - 52
   E. Trial Before Caiaphas   14:53 - 65
   F. Peter's Denial   14:66 - 72
   G. Hearing Before Pilate   15:1 - 20
   H. Crucifixion   15:21 - 41
   I. Burial   15:42 - 47

VII. The Resurrection   16:1 - 8

VIII. Postscript   16:9 - 20

Assignment

Before the next lesson, do the following:

1. Read through the Book of Luke two or three times.

2. Record all the historical/social context that you see. Who were the rulers? What were the customs/culture like? What was it like to live during that time?

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New Testament SurveyLesson Three