The Synoptic Gospels & Acts

Quick Facts: Gospel of Mark

You might be a little terrified to ride a Harley if you didn’t even know the basics of riding a bicycle. If you find that your knowledge of the Gospels is just beginning, then the best place to start is with the Gospel of Mark. Reading Mark is much like learning to ride a bicycle. It is the shortest and simplest of the four Gospels. Mark did this on purpose. He wanted to write for those who had not yet heard about Christ and also for those entering the Church. He uses summaries and his style is fast paced. Jesus is constantly on the move, never still, and thus Mark’s Gospel is compared to a roaring lion.

	Author: Johannes Markus, disiciple of Paul, then of Peter Date—60-64 AD Creator of Gospel genre Audience: -cosmopolitan Christian community of Rome -Gospel is written for people who have not received the Gospel, invitation to follow Christ Symbol: the Lion -lion is symbol of John the Baptist, the first lines of Mark -Jesus' royal power in Mark -Bible usage of lion as king's anger, wicked ruler, predator who suddenly appears, roaring lion judges and destroys Preferred Scene: Boat on the sea Theology: I. Confessions and Theophanies A. confessions = creedal formula B. Three confessions, 1. Jesus Son of God, at begining (followed by God's address to His Son), 2. Jesus Son of Blessed One, Peter's at Caesarea Philippi, 3. Truly this man is the Son of God, Centurion at cross II. Messianic Secret "Only Jesus can reveal his identity (Mk 14:62), and when finally he revealed it no one hears about it for the women were in fear (16:8). Mark’s intention in presenting Christ’s identity in such an intriguing way was to captivate the audience’s attention (literary device), but also to defend Christology from deviations, as there were some heresies circulating among the first Christians (theological device). He who wants to know the true identity of Jesus must become his follower (acolyte), his disciple, so that Jesus himself may reveal his identity." (Fr. Soto-class lecture) Also it is in the cross and resurrection that Christ truly reveals his identity.

Author: Johannes Markus, disiciple of Paul, then of Peter
Date—60-64 AD
Creator of Gospel genre
Audience:
           -cosmopolitan Christian community of Rome
           -Gospel is written for people who have not received                       the Gospel, invitation to follow Christ
Symbol: the Lion
            -lion is symbol of John the Baptist, the first lines of Mark
            -Jesus' royal power in Mark
            -Bible usage of lion as king's anger, wicked ruler,                       predator who suddenly appears, roaring lion                       judges and destroys
Preferred Scene: Boat on the sea
Theology:
            I. Confessions and Theophanies
                       A. confessions = creedal formula
                       B. Three confessions,
                                 1. Jesus Son of God, at begining                                  (followed by God's address to His Son),
            2. Jesus Son of Blessed One, Peter's at Caesarea                       Philippi,
            3. Truly this man is the Son of God, Centurion at                       cross
            II. Messianic Secret

"Only Jesus can reveal his identity (Mk 14:62), and when finally he revealed it no one hears about it for the women were in fear (16:8). Mark’s intention in presenting Christ’s identity in such an intriguing way was to captivate the audience’s attention (literary device), but also to defend Christology from deviations, as there were some heresies circulating among the first Christians (theological device). He who wants to know the true identity of Jesus must become his follower (acolyte), his disciple, so that Jesus himself may reveal his identity." (Fr. Soto-class lecture) Also it is in the cross and resurrection that Christ truly reveals his identity.