Mark's Gospel Passage Analysis
Essays
Essay # 1 The three major themes of Mark’s Gospel would be faith, discipleship and the Jesus as a faith healer and healing by forgiving of sins. Faith is displayed all throughout Mark’s Gospel. For example in “The Healing of a Paralytic” it says “Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven” (2:4-6). This passage from the gospel of Mark show how much faith they have in Jesus. Why else would these people go through this to get there friend to him, if they did not have faith in Jesus. Another example of faith from Mark’s Gospel …show more content…
would be found in “Jairus’s Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage” and it says “The woman realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction” (5:33-35). I don’t believe that the woman totally believed that she was going to be healed until she actually put her hand on Jesus and realized what truly happened. At that point is when she had full and utter faith in Jesus.
This theme suggests that Mark may feel as though his community needs more faith. Maybe it is that his community does not believe that Jesus in the messiah and Mark thinks if he shows all these other in his stories that have faith, his community will be faith filled too. Mark paints a picture of Jesus spreading the faith to everyone.
Discipleship is a huge theme in Mark’s Gospel, he depicts the disciples as not understanding who they are following. For example, in “The Calming of a Storm at Sea” it says, “Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?’ They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey” (4:40-41). In this example you have the disciple asking each other, who is this. This is the author of Marks’s Gospel show the disciples as not understanding who Jesus is. Moving through Mark’s Gospel you find another example in, “The second Prediction of the Passion” and it says, “He was teaching his disciples and telling them “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will raise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him” (9:31-32). In this small passage in Mark’s Gospel so much is happening. It shows Jesus trying to teach his disciples what is going to happen to him.
This second theme of Mark, portraying the disciples as fearing Jesus and this is why they don’t understand him. They are in fear of questioning him. Because of that fear they have of Jesus, it takes away their ability to learn from him.
Mark’s theme of Jesus as a faith healer and healing by forgiving of sins is seen throughout Mark’s Gospel. For example in, “The Healing of a Boy with a Demon” it says, “Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is Possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowed rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you come out of him and never enter him again!” This passage show Jesus telling the father of the boy all you have to do is believe and your son is healed. This is a common theme in Mark, the one how have faith in him he heals or forgives their sins to heal them.
Essay #2
The prophecies of the Old Testament are predictions or revelation of a future event. The theme of Matthew’s Gospel is portraying Jesus as being the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies starting in “The Infancy Narrative”. In “The Genealogy of Jesus” it says, “The book of genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Aberham” (1:1). This example of the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies is where it starts, showing Jesus is of the Davidic line linking Jesus to the historical Israel.
Matthew’s Gospel also tells us in “The Birth of Jesus”, that the angel told him “She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the Prophets:” (1:21-22). This passage helps in setting up Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus beginning the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Lord.
There is evidence that Jesus is a born ruler. In “The Visit of the Magi” it says, “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (2:1-2). In the Matthew’s time it was believed that a new star would appear at a time of a new ruler’s birth. Also Magi were believed to have more than just humanly knowledge.
Then you see more of Jesus fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies insuring people he did not come to start a new religion. In “The Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus teaches the “Blessed are” and in the “Teaching about the Law”, he said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (5:17). In this passage Jesus tells you that he is here to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies and he is not here to do away with the law.
As Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies he talked about the new and old. For example in “Treasures New and Old”, Jesus says, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old” (13:52). In this example of Jesus’ is asking them if they understand him, as he fulfills the prophecies and adds to them.
As Jesus teaches he fulfills the prophecies, in “Denunciation of the Scribes and the Pharisees” he says, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example for they preach but they do not practice” (23:2-3). Jesus is telling his follower to follow the Jewish laws and tradition trusting the scribes to teach them the proper things but do not follow their examples. In this he is fulfilling the prophecies by teaching people to follow the Jewish law.
The final prophecy fulfilled is when Jesus is resurrected. An example of this is in “The Resurrection of Jesus”, and it says, “Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you” (28:7) This fulfills Jesus’ final prophecy of the resurrection.
Essay #3 Luke’s Gospel portrayed Jesus as a teacher someone who is merciful and Jesus is the son of God. Jesus performs miracle that display these attributes of being merciful. Luke paints a picture of Jesus as the Messiah. He shows Jesus spreading the word of God, teaching all, Gentile and Jew. In Luke it tells us that Jesus has authority over all in this world.
Jesus shows his Mercy in “Rising of the Widow’s Son” saying, “When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” (7:13-14).
This passage shows how Jesus fells pity and gives mercy to people who are distressed. The passage could also depict how Luke shows Jesus as having authority.
Jesus in Luke’s Gospel is portrayed more than once as having authority. In “The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry” it says, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all” (4:14-15). Luke is tells us that Jesus has the authority and the people of Jesus’ time can hear it in his teachings.
Luke shows Jesus forgiving even the worst of people even the one’s the betray him. Luke tells us this in “The Call of Levi” in saying, “Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowed of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners” (5:29-30). Luke is portraying Jesus as forgiving to everyone no matter you social status or even if you are a sinner, all have a chance to sit with him at his
table.
Essay #4
Scholars believe that Matthew was a disciple and apostle of Jesus. Since Mark was written before Matthew, Matthew used Mark as one of the three main sources. Another source is the Q, which comes from the German word Quelle. The meaning to the word Quelle is source. The Q would have been used by Matthew and Luke. The Q is a source believed to hold other written and traditional materials. The third source is other written and oral sources from Matthews’ community, known as the “M” source.
Matthew portraying Jesus as the New Moses by revising Mark’s Gospel can be seen in “The Rich Young Man” in Matthew and “The Rich Man” in Mark. In Matthew it says “Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brother or sister or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”(19:27-29) Matthew adds a lot more to Mark written.
Whereas Mark says “Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:” (10:28-30) Mark does not go on to talk about how they will judge the twelve tribes.
In these two passages it shows how Matthew revises Marks written to portray Jesus as the new Moses through interpreting Mosaic type law.
I think Matthew’s Gospel does target the Judaic Christian audience. Matthew’s Gospel displays knowledge of the Jewish customs and practices. For example in “The Tradition of the Elders”, Is says “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash [their] hands when they eat a meal.”(15:2).This passage it tells you how Matthew saw his understanding of the Jews traditions, but also his contempt for the Pharisees.
The Criticism of the Pharisees is also seeing in other parts of Matthews. An example would be in “Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees”, “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice” (23:1-3) Jesus says that the Jewish should follow what the Pharisees say, but not as they do.
Matthew also uses the words “our church” and “their synagogues”, which show that he is a part of them. For example in (16:18), it says “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Also in (18:17) “If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or tax collector.” These passages suggest that Matthew is Jewish written to his fellow followers. Since the author of Matthew wrote his Gospel for this audience you will find that it leads you more on the Jewish side of the beliefs, meaning this Gospel is geared for the Jewish.
Essay # 1 The three major themes of Mark’s Gospel would be faith, discipleship and the Jesus as a faith healer and healing by forgiving of sins. Faith is displayed all throughout Mark’s Gospel. For example in “The Healing of a Paralytic” it says “Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven” (2:4-6). This passage from the gospel of Mark show how much faith they have in Jesus. Why else would these people go through this to get there friend to him, if they did not have faith in Jesus. Another example of faith from Mark’s Gospel …show more content…
would be found in “Jairus’s Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage” and it says “The woman realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction” (5:33-35). I don’t believe that the woman totally believed that she was going to be healed until she actually put her hand on Jesus and realized what truly happened. At that point is when she had full and utter faith in Jesus.
This theme suggests that Mark may feel as though his community needs more faith. Maybe it is that his community does not believe that Jesus in the messiah and Mark thinks if he shows all these other in his stories that have faith, his community will be faith filled too. Mark paints a picture of Jesus spreading the faith to everyone.
Discipleship is a huge theme in Mark’s Gospel, he depicts the disciples as not understanding who they are following. For example, in “The Calming of a Storm at Sea” it says, “Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?’ They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey” (4:40-41). In this example you have the disciple asking each other, who is this. This is the author of Marks’s Gospel show the disciples as not understanding who Jesus is. Moving through Mark’s Gospel you find another example in, “The second Prediction of the Passion” and it says, “He was teaching his disciples and telling them “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will raise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him” (9:31-32). In this small passage in Mark’s Gospel so much is happening. It shows Jesus trying to teach his disciples what is going to happen to him.
This second theme of Mark, portraying the disciples as fearing Jesus and this is why they don’t understand him. They are in fear of questioning him. Because of that fear they have of Jesus, it takes away their ability to learn from him.
Mark’s theme of Jesus as a faith healer and healing by forgiving of sins is seen throughout Mark’s Gospel. For example in, “The Healing of a Boy with a Demon” it says, “Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is Possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowed rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you come out of him and never enter him again!” This passage show Jesus telling the father of the boy all you have to do is believe and your son is healed. This is a common theme in Mark, the one how have faith in him he heals or forgives their sins to heal them.
Essay #2
The prophecies of the Old Testament are predictions or revelation of a future event. The theme of Matthew’s Gospel is portraying Jesus as being the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies starting in “The Infancy Narrative”. In “The Genealogy of Jesus” it says, “The book of genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Aberham” (1:1). This example of the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies is where it starts, showing Jesus is of the Davidic line linking Jesus to the historical Israel.
Matthew’s Gospel also tells us in “The Birth of Jesus”, that the angel told him “She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the Prophets:” (1:21-22). This passage helps in setting up Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus beginning the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Lord.
There is evidence that Jesus is a born ruler. In “The Visit of the Magi” it says, “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage” (2:1-2). In the Matthew’s time it was believed that a new star would appear at a time of a new ruler’s birth. Also Magi were believed to have more than just humanly knowledge.
Then you see more of Jesus fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies insuring people he did not come to start a new religion. In “The Sermon on the Mount”, Jesus teaches the “Blessed are” and in the “Teaching about the Law”, he said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (5:17). In this passage Jesus tells you that he is here to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies and he is not here to do away with the law.
As Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies he talked about the new and old. For example in “Treasures New and Old”, Jesus says, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old” (13:52). In this example of Jesus’ is asking them if they understand him, as he fulfills the prophecies and adds to them.
As Jesus teaches he fulfills the prophecies, in “Denunciation of the Scribes and the Pharisees” he says, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example for they preach but they do not practice” (23:2-3). Jesus is telling his follower to follow the Jewish laws and tradition trusting the scribes to teach them the proper things but do not follow their examples. In this he is fulfilling the prophecies by teaching people to follow the Jewish law.
The final prophecy fulfilled is when Jesus is resurrected. An example of this is in “The Resurrection of Jesus”, and it says, “Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you” (28:7) This fulfills Jesus’ final prophecy of the resurrection.
Essay #3 Luke’s Gospel portrayed Jesus as a teacher someone who is merciful and Jesus is the son of God. Jesus performs miracle that display these attributes of being merciful. Luke paints a picture of Jesus as the Messiah. He shows Jesus spreading the word of God, teaching all, Gentile and Jew. In Luke it tells us that Jesus has authority over all in this world.
Jesus shows his Mercy in “Rising of the Widow’s Son” saying, “When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” (7:13-14).
This passage shows how Jesus fells pity and gives mercy to people who are distressed. The passage could also depict how Luke shows Jesus as having authority.
Jesus in Luke’s Gospel is portrayed more than once as having authority. In “The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry” it says, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all” (4:14-15). Luke is tells us that Jesus has the authority and the people of Jesus’ time can hear it in his teachings.
Luke shows Jesus forgiving even the worst of people even the one’s the betray him. Luke tells us this in “The Call of Levi” in saying, “Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowed of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners” (5:29-30). Luke is portraying Jesus as forgiving to everyone no matter you social status or even if you are a sinner, all have a chance to sit with him at his
table.
Essay #4
Scholars believe that Matthew was a disciple and apostle of Jesus. Since Mark was written before Matthew, Matthew used Mark as one of the three main sources. Another source is the Q, which comes from the German word Quelle. The meaning to the word Quelle is source. The Q would have been used by Matthew and Luke. The Q is a source believed to hold other written and traditional materials. The third source is other written and oral sources from Matthews’ community, known as the “M” source.
Matthew portraying Jesus as the New Moses by revising Mark’s Gospel can be seen in “The Rich Young Man” in Matthew and “The Rich Man” in Mark. In Matthew it says “Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brother or sister or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.”(19:27-29) Matthew adds a lot more to Mark written.
Whereas Mark says “Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:” (10:28-30) Mark does not go on to talk about how they will judge the twelve tribes.
In these two passages it shows how Matthew revises Marks written to portray Jesus as the new Moses through interpreting Mosaic type law.
I think Matthew’s Gospel does target the Judaic Christian audience. Matthew’s Gospel displays knowledge of the Jewish customs and practices. For example in “The Tradition of the Elders”, Is says “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash [their] hands when they eat a meal.”(15:2).This passage it tells you how Matthew saw his understanding of the Jews traditions, but also his contempt for the Pharisees.
The Criticism of the Pharisees is also seeing in other parts of Matthews. An example would be in “Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees”, “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice” (23:1-3) Jesus says that the Jewish should follow what the Pharisees say, but not as they do.
Matthew also uses the words “our church” and “their synagogues”, which show that he is a part of them. For example in (16:18), it says “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Also in (18:17) “If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or tax collector.” These passages suggest that Matthew is Jewish written to his fellow followers. Since the author of Matthew wrote his Gospel for this audience you will find that it leads you more on the Jewish side of the beliefs, meaning this Gospel is geared for the Jewish.