THE GOOD NEWS ACCORDING TO
MARK
ΜΑ͂ΡΚΟΣ MARCUS
⇐
THE GOOD NEWS ACCORDING TO
MARK
ΜΑ͂ΡΚΟΣ MARCUS
Author: John Mark, a companion of Peter and previously Paul. “Early church fathers such as Papias affirm that Mark documented the teachings and experiences of Peter, making this gospel a reflection of Peter’s apostolic witness.” (BibleHub)
Time: c. AD 55-70.
Genre/style: Narrative, fast-paced, action-oriented.
Summary: A short narrative of Jesus the Anointed One, more focused on his actions and movements than his words. Jesus is the Suffering Servant and the Son of God.
Purpose: Show Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, and strengthen believers going through persecution, encouraging them to follow in Jesus' footsteps as the Suffering Servant.
Audience: Written to Gentile Christians in Rome.
Key verse: “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.” (Mark 10:45)
Contemporary literature:
Material for further study:
Translations used for comparison and combination:
THE GOOD NEWS ACCORDING TO
MARK
ΜΑ͂ΡΚΟΣ MARCUS
This is the beginning of the good news of Jesus the Anointed One, the Son of God!
As Isaiah the prophet wrote:
“Look, I’m sending my messenger before You
who will make your way ready.
A voice of one shouting in the desert:
‘Y’all make the way of the Eternal One ready!
Y’all make His paths straight!’”
John came immersing in the desert, proclaiming an immersion of a change of mind and heart for the forgiveness of sins. Everybody from the Judean region and Jerusalem were going out to John and being washed by him in the Jordan river, as they confessed their sins.
By the way, John wore camel hair as clothes with a leather belt on his waist. He eats locusts and wild honey.
And he was preaching:
─ Someone who’s much stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not worthy enough to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals. I washed y’all with water, but this Man, He will wash y’all with the Holy Spirit!
Then one day Jesus came from Natsareth of Galilee and was washed by John in the Jordan river. Then immediately Jesus got up from the water and He saw the skies tearing open, and the Holy Spirit coming down on Him like a dove. Then a voice came out of the skies:
─ You are My Son, the One I love. I’m pleased with You.
Then immediately the Spirit drives Jesus out into the desert. He was in the desert for 40 days, being tempted by the Adversary. Jesus was with the wild animals and messengers were attending to Him.
Then after John was sent to jail, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming God’s good news, saying:
─ Time’s up! God’s Kingdom is near! Change y’all’s ways and believe in the good news!
Then as Jesus was passing Lake Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, throwing their nets into the lake - ‘cause they were fishermen. Jesus told them:
─ Follow Me. I’ll make y’all fishers of men!
Then immediately after leaving their nets, they followed Jesus.
Going on a little further, He saw Jacob, son of Zebedee, and John, his brother. They were in the boat adjusting the nets. Immediately Jesus called them and, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, they followed Him.
Then they enter Capernaum. Immediately when the Sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching. And they were dumbfounded because of His teaching, ‘cause He was teaching them like someone with authority, unlike the law experts.
Then immediately in the synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit. He screamed:
─ Mind Your own business, Jesus Nazarene! Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are, the Holy One of God!
Then Jesus rebuked him:
─ Shut up and come out of him!
Then the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions, screamed at the top of his lungs and left his body. Everybody was flabbergasted and questioned each other:
─ What’s this? A new teaching? And with authority? He even commands the unclean spirits and they obey Him!
News about Him immediately spread everywhere in every region surrounding Galilee.
[...]
Translation in progress.
Footnotes