MARK
Introduction

The Gospel of Mark is the shortest Gospel.  If you have the time, it is inspiring to read Mark straight through.  It takes about one hour.  As you read jot down impressions, questions, and significant things that stand out for you.  We also encourage you to “hear” the Gospel of Mark spoken at FACE starting on Sunday, November 20 and continuing through the next four Sundays.  There will be some interesting questions to ask yourself.

Our Lutheran Study Bible says:

“The writer of this Gospel, according to tradition, is Mark (a companion of Peter and Paul mentioned in Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37-39; Col 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11 and Phlm 24), who would have written in Rome during the 60s C.E.  We cannot be certain of this claim, but evidence from the Gospel itself suggests that it was written for a community of Christians situated within the Roman Empire but outside of Palestine, sometime around the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.”   (p. 1659)

“While chapters 1-10 may reflect up to three years of ministry, chapters 11-16 record the events of a single week.  The pace slows, but the action intensifies.  The entire story leads to the cross, but it also leads from the cross back into mission, as the disciples are directed to return to Galilee, where they will again see Jesus.”  (p. 1659)

“[This Gospel] was written at a time when Christians needed to define who they were in connection to their Jewish heritage.  They were also experiencing challenges, if not outright persecution, from the prevailing Greco-Roman culture.  In effect, Christians were struggling with a question we often face today:  If Jesus Christ did such wonderful things and has overcome death in his resurrection, why can things often be so bad for us today?”  (p. 1660)

“Mark, however, consistently focuses our attention on the cross.  Jesus is indeed the Son of God, but this is not truly realized except in his serving, suffering, and death.  Jesus is indeed the hoped-for Messiah, but we only fully realize how he is making God’s kingdom present when we experience him as the crucified Messiah.”  (p. 1660)

We read in “The New Testament: A Student’s Introduction,” Second Edition, by Stephen L. Harris:

“…Mark arranges his narrative around a geographical north-south polarity:  The first half of his narrative takes place in Galilee and adjacent areas of northern Palestine, a largely rural area of peasant farmers where Jesus recruits his followers, performs numerous miracles, and—despite some opposition—enjoys considerable success. 

The second half (after Ch. 8) relates Jesus’ fatal journey southward to Judea and Jerusalem, where he is rejected and killed.  Besides dividing Jesus’ career into two distinct geographical area, Mark’s Gospel presents two contrasting aspects of Jesus’ story. 

In Galilee, Jesus is a figure of power, using his supernatural gifts to expel demons, heal the sick, control natural forces, and raise the dead…the Galilean Jesus speaks and acts with tremendous authority, effortlessly refutes his detractors, and affirms or invalidates the Mosaic Torah at will. 

Before leaving Caesarea Philippi, however, Jesus makes the first of three Passion predictions, warning his uncomprehending disciples that he will go to Jerusalem only to suffer humiliation and death…”   (p. 86)   

“By using the Passion predictions as a device to link the indomitable miracle worker in Galilee with the helpless figure on the cross in Judea, Mark reconciles the two seemingly irreconcilable components in his portrait of Jesus.  The powerful Son of God who astonishes vast crowds with his mighty works is also the vulnerable Son of Man who, in weakness and apparent defeat, sacrifices his life ‘as a ransom for many’” (p. 86)

“Mark’s Gospel can be divided into five parts:

1. Prelude to Jesus’ public ministry (1:1-13)
2. The Galilean ministry; inaugurating the kingdom (1:14-8:26)
3. The journey to Jerusalem (8:27-10:52)
4. The Jerusalem ministry (11:1-15:47)
5. Postlude:  the empty tomb (16:1-8)”    (pp. 86-87)

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Mark 13:24-37.
24 ‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,

25 and the stars will be falling from heaven,  and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 

26 Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. 

27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

28 ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.

 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.

 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

32 ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33 Beware, keep alert;* for you do not know when the time will come. 

34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.

35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 

36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.

 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ 

• Mark is talking to Messianic Jews (new Christians) who are being persecuted by Nero an the traditional Jews.

• This quote (verses 24-26) is based on Daniel 7 which is apocryphal* writing.

“An apocalypse carries the message that God will set things right in the end and that in spite of the chaos and oppression that the people are undergoing they should not lose hope.”  ( “The Beginning of the Good News” Study Curriculum, p. 29)

The Coming of the Son of Man
24 ‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,

25 and the stars will be falling from heaven,  and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 

26Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. 

27Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

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Literary devices that Mark uses:

• Stark language.

• Coupling:  “Despite Mark’s often bleak language, he does not—ever—deliver a singular message of difficulty.  Nor does he depict trials that lead only into despair.”  (Hidden Power p. 110)  Mark always includes hope.  Notice that we have verses 24-27 followed by verses 28-30.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree
28 ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and

 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.

 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away

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The Necessity for Watchfulness
32 ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 

33Beware, keep alert;* for you do not know when the time will come. 

34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.

35Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 

36or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.

 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ 

Check the Blog

Check the Blog

Mark 13:24-37.
24 ‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,

25 and the stars will be falling from heaven,  and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 

26 Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. 

27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

28 ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.

 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.

 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.

 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

32 ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33 Beware, keep alert;* for you do not know when the time will come. 

34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.

35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 

36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.

 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’

This Gospel Bible Study is

written by members of

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
667 East First Avenue
Chico, CA  95926
530-895-3754

TO THE GLORY OF GOD

   
  

MARK
1.ADVENT
                              1st Week (27 Nov-3 Dec)
                                                            Day 1
                                                            Day 2
                                                            Day 3
                                                            Day 4
                                                            Day 5
                              2nd Week (4-10 Dec)
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                                                             Day 2
                                                             Day 3
                                                             Day 4
                                                             Day 5
3rd Week (11-17 Dec)
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                                                            Day 2
                                                            Day 3
                                                            Day 4
                                                            Day 5
                              4th Week (18-25 Dec)
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                                                            Day 3
                                                            Day 4
                                                            Day 5
		2.CHRISTMAS
                              1st Week (26 Dec-1 Jan)
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                                                            Day 3
                                                            Day 4
                                                            Day 5
                              2nd Week (2-8 Jan)
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                                                            Day 5
		3.EPIPHANY                  
                              1st Week (9-15 Jan)
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                              2nd Week (16-22 Jan)
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                                                            Day 5
                              3rd Week (23-29 Jan)
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                                                            Day 5
                              4th Week (30 Jan-5 Feb)
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                                                            Day 5
                              2nd Week (6-12 FeB)
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                                                            Day 5
                              3rd Week (13-19 Feb)
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                                                            Day 5
                              4th Week (20-26 Feb)
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		4.LENT  
                              1st Week (27 Feb-4 Mar)
                                                            Day 1
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                                                            Day 3
                                                            Day 4
                                                            Day 5
		5.HOLY WEEK  
		6.EASTER  
		7.PENTECOST  
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