THE GOSPEL OF MARK
Mark called the Gospel of action
- Earliest Gospel: Mark was the first of the four Gospels written.
- Style: “Mark’s Gospel is described as the gospel of action… It’s Jesus on the move.” – William Barclay
- Dramatic, emotional, fast-paced – uses “immediately” 40+ times – a real “page-turner.”
Author and Context
- Author: John Mark – Not one of the 12 disciples – cousin of Barnbas – companion of Peter (scribe)
- Audience: Roman/Gentile Christians
- Historical Moment: Written during Nero’s persecution (c. AD 50 – 60) – urgency to action
Big Idea
- Last Week: Matthew – The King and His Kingdom
- Mark Presents Jesus as the Servant King.
- Every chapter forces the question: Who is Jesus, and what will you do with Him?
Broken into 3 Acts: Based on Jesus geographical location.
- The Power of the King – Galilee (1-8a)
- The Purpose of the Kingdom – On way to Jerusalem (8-10)
- The Passion of the King – Jerusalem (11-16)
1. The Power of the King – Galilee (Ch. 1–8a)
Setting the scene for Jesus as the Messiah (1:1-15)
Opens by setting Jesus up as the Messiah
Mark 1:1-8 (NIV)
1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” – 3“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”4 This messenger was John the Baptist. 7 John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am… 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
- Messianic Prophecy
- John’s announcement
- Jesus declaration…
Mark 1:14-15 (NIV)
“The time has come… The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Kingdom at work – Evidence that Jesus is Messiah (1:21-8:26)
- Ch. 1-8 action packed full of miracles.
- Jesus heals diseases, casts out demons, calms storms, and even forgives sin.
- Evidence of Jesus power.
- Not random acts – signs that the Kingdom of God is breaking in.
Varied responses – some follow, some unsure, some reject
- Jesus describes these responses through parable of 4 soils – (Ch.4)
- Even the disciples have to respond to who Jesus is.
Close: Who do you say I am?
This is the turning point in Mark – the confrontation of who Jesus is.
- Prophecy has declared who he is.
- John the Baptist has declared who He is.
- Jesus Himself has intimated who He is
- Now the disciples are confronted with the question: Who is He?
Application: Who do you say I am?
2. The Purpose of the Kingdom – On the Way to Jerusalem – (Ch.8b-10) Why He came?
Turning Point (8:27-29)
- Start with a crucial conversation with his disciples:
Mark 8:27-29 (NIV)
27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
- Peter gets the answer right, but his understanding is wrong.
- Peters ideas is a victorious military conqueror.
- Jesus has to redefine Messiahship.
Jesus Redefines Messiah (8:31-10:45)
- The disciples looking for glory, not suffering.
- Jesus speaks about death and suffering, not glory
- 3 times sequence
- Ends with key statement: Mark 10:45 (NIV) 45 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.
- WHAT MESSIAH ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Application:
- Jesus came to serve, not to be served.
- As a disciple, what is Kingdom living for you?
- “God, what can you do for me, or God what can I do for you?”
Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9: 2-12)
- Jesus takes some of the disciples up the mountain – like mount Sinai where glory of God came down
- 2 prophets next to him – Moses and Elijah – witnesses – This is my beloved son
- A voice from heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
- Just like Sinai—but now God’s glory is in a person.
3. The Passion of the King – Jerusalem (Ch. 11–16)
Final Week
Mark 11:1-10 (NIV)
1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives… 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway… 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road,while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
The Royal Entry (11:1-10)
- Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey—symbol of peace, not war.
- Crowds shout “Hosanna!” but they don’t understand what kind of King He is.
- Whole week of Jesus debating the hypocrisy of the Pharisees – they set about a plan to have him killed
The Last Supper (Mark 14:12-31)
- Jesus reframes Passover: He is the Passover Lamb who brings freedom through His blood.
The Cross (Mark 15)
- Jesus is mocked, beaten, and crucified.
- The disciples scatter. Silence and darkness fall.
Mark 15:33-39 (NIV)
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” 36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
- Closes with an answer to the question that Mark is posing: Who do you say I am.
- Roman Centurion who answers this: Surely this man is the son of God.
Burial, resurrection, and Appearing (15:42-16:19)
- Jesus buried, resurrected and then appears to various people.
CONCLUSION & APPLICATION
1. Mark’s Gospel forces you to Decide
- The Entire story based on showing claims of who Jesus was and how people had to come to grips with it.
- Who do you say I am?
- Surely this man was the Son of God!
- Story ends without closure and forces you the reader to decide who he is for yourself.
- Are you going to run away? Or are you going to recognise him? as your King?
2. Marks Gospel forced you to Act
- Will you follow the Servant King?
- Will you become a servant on His behalf?Faith isn’t about observation; it’s about participation.
Mark 16:15-16 (NIV)
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.