Analysis Of The Gospel Of Mark 1-4
Interpretation of Mark 1-4
The Gospel according to Mark is shortest of all the Gospels, and with being set in around 26-30 CE it is the earliest accounting of Jesus ministry. The Gospel of Mark, in contrast to the other gospels, emphasizes the servanthood of the Lord rather than that of the Messiah. Mark tells us who Jesus is by telling us what Jesus did.
Similar to many historical books written in the Old Testament, Mark was written several years after the events actually took place. But in contrast, Mark was not present during any of the events that took place in his narrative. Marks story takes the remembrances and recollections of his colleague Peter, and interprets them into a story of Jesus life, ministry, miracles and words.
The events shared in Mark chapters 1-4 all took place in Galilee. The Roman Empire provided the power that ruled this area but Greece was the greatest cultural influence. The Greek language was the universal language (much as English is today) and Greece had a richer culture than Rome which made it a natural source of stimulation for the intellectuals of the time.
If there was one identifying theme for the Gospel of Mark it would be conflict. The first big …show more content…
conflict is that between Jesus and Satan in the wilderness. Satan is relentless in his quest to influence Jesus to give in to his influence. Jesus also experienced much conflict with the demons as he came into contact with, and cast each out. They all knew who Jesus was, but the Lord reprimanded them and told them not to tell. Each exorcism also showed the ongoing historical battle between God and Satan. Jesus also endured struggle with his disciples. Even though the fact that on many occasions Jesus subjected them to constant private instruction sessions, the apostles persistently failed to understand what Jesus wanted them to grasp. What is portrayed as the largest conflict in this book would be the challenges Jesus faced in light of the Pharisees and other religious leaders who condemned Jesus. The conflicts escalate from Jesus’ preaching’s in Galilee to his dramatic demonstrations against the temple. The religious leaders condemn Jesus for eating with sinners and breaking Sabbath. They even go so far as to accuse Jesus of having an impure spirit and that he is driving out Satan by the power of Satan.
Jesus was silently watched from a distance so the Pharisees could verify their suspicions that Jesus had no regard for the Sabbath law. Marks dialog insinuates that Jesus was very much aware of their suspicions, and that is why Jesus made a point to call out the man with the withered hand to stand in the middle of the crowd so that Jesus could perform his healing.
Despite all of the conflict in the passage of Mark chapters one to four, Jesus is portrayed as having come to us as a servant.
Jesus not only served God but also all of humanity. Jesus crossed national, racial and economic barriers without hesitation. Jesus is shown again and again as one having authority not only by his spoken word but over the forces of nature, over Satan and his demons, over sickness and disease, and even over death. Although Jesus authority became widely known throughout the area of Galilee and he often referred to himself as the son of man, he did not want to reveal that he was the son of God. Even though the Lord was quite clearly doing things that only God is capable of doing, Jesus constantly urged the apostles not to talk about who he really
was.
Marks narrative depicts Jesus as a controversial man who turned society upside down in all that he did. Mark was very intentional about showing Jesus as shamelessly challenging societal and religious traditions and rules. Jesus actions were solely to further his own agenda, the agenda of God. This is a concept that is still pertinent today, something that we as modern Christians often ignore. We too often interpret what we should be as the perfect church goer - properly dressed, no tattoos or piercings, using appropriate language and always submitting to “church standards”. But this is just not so. Marks story inspires us to strive to behave more like Jesus. Unlike Jesus we don’t know how our story ends, the best anyone can do is to serve all people as if they were Jesus, because we may be the only Jesus they will ever know.
The Gospel according to Mark is shortest of all the Gospels, and with being set in around 26-30 CE it is the earliest accounting of Jesus ministry. The Gospel of Mark, in contrast to the other gospels, emphasizes the servanthood of the Lord rather than that of the Messiah. Mark tells us who Jesus is by telling us what Jesus did.
Similar to many historical books written in the Old Testament, Mark was written several years after the events actually took place. But in contrast, Mark was not present during any of the events that took place in his narrative. Marks story takes the remembrances and recollections of his colleague Peter, and interprets them into a story of Jesus life, ministry, miracles and words.
The events shared in Mark chapters 1-4 all took place in Galilee. The Roman Empire provided the power that ruled this area but Greece was the greatest cultural influence. The Greek language was the universal language (much as English is today) and Greece had a richer culture than Rome which made it a natural source of stimulation for the intellectuals of the time.
If there was one identifying theme for the Gospel of Mark it would be conflict. The first big …show more content…
conflict is that between Jesus and Satan in the wilderness. Satan is relentless in his quest to influence Jesus to give in to his influence. Jesus also experienced much conflict with the demons as he came into contact with, and cast each out. They all knew who Jesus was, but the Lord reprimanded them and told them not to tell. Each exorcism also showed the ongoing historical battle between God and Satan. Jesus also endured struggle with his disciples. Even though the fact that on many occasions Jesus subjected them to constant private instruction sessions, the apostles persistently failed to understand what Jesus wanted them to grasp. What is portrayed as the largest conflict in this book would be the challenges Jesus faced in light of the Pharisees and other religious leaders who condemned Jesus. The conflicts escalate from Jesus’ preaching’s in Galilee to his dramatic demonstrations against the temple. The religious leaders condemn Jesus for eating with sinners and breaking Sabbath. They even go so far as to accuse Jesus of having an impure spirit and that he is driving out Satan by the power of Satan.
Jesus was silently watched from a distance so the Pharisees could verify their suspicions that Jesus had no regard for the Sabbath law. Marks dialog insinuates that Jesus was very much aware of their suspicions, and that is why Jesus made a point to call out the man with the withered hand to stand in the middle of the crowd so that Jesus could perform his healing.
Despite all of the conflict in the passage of Mark chapters one to four, Jesus is portrayed as having come to us as a servant.
Jesus not only served God but also all of humanity. Jesus crossed national, racial and economic barriers without hesitation. Jesus is shown again and again as one having authority not only by his spoken word but over the forces of nature, over Satan and his demons, over sickness and disease, and even over death. Although Jesus authority became widely known throughout the area of Galilee and he often referred to himself as the son of man, he did not want to reveal that he was the son of God. Even though the Lord was quite clearly doing things that only God is capable of doing, Jesus constantly urged the apostles not to talk about who he really
was.
Marks narrative depicts Jesus as a controversial man who turned society upside down in all that he did. Mark was very intentional about showing Jesus as shamelessly challenging societal and religious traditions and rules. Jesus actions were solely to further his own agenda, the agenda of God. This is a concept that is still pertinent today, something that we as modern Christians often ignore. We too often interpret what we should be as the perfect church goer - properly dressed, no tattoos or piercings, using appropriate language and always submitting to “church standards”. But this is just not so. Marks story inspires us to strive to behave more like Jesus. Unlike Jesus we don’t know how our story ends, the best anyone can do is to serve all people as if they were Jesus, because we may be the only Jesus they will ever know.