Jesus' Baptism

John the Baptist, the messenger sent to prepare Israel for their Messiah and King, baptizes Jesus. God declares that Jesus is His son and the Messiah.

Jesus' Ministry

Jesus travels through Galilee introducing Himself to the people, forgiving sins and performing miracles as He shares the Old Testament story of God's rescue mission.

Disciples Questioned

Jesus asks His disciples if they believe He's the Messiah. He explains that He is a servant and will give His life to save many.

The Transfiguration

Jesus and three disciples ascend a mountain where God affirms Jesus as His son. The disciples are reminded that He will suffer to provide salvation.

Abrupt Ending

The Gospel of Mark is a story and ends abruptly and challenges us as readers to decide if we believe Jesus is the Messiah.

The gospel of mark

OT/NT: New Testament

SECTION: The Four Gospels (2 of 4)

TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: John Mark

KEY PEOPLE: Jesus Christ, Jewish Leaders, John the Baptist, Pontius Pilate, Twelve Disciples.

SUMMARY: Canonically, the Gospel of Mark is the forty-first book of the Holy Bible (1), the second of the Four Gospels narratives (2) and the second book of the New Testament (3).
 

One of the earliest official accounts of the life, Death (4) and Resurrection (5) of Jesus (6), Mark is generally accepted as the oldest of the Gospel manuscripts. The shortest of the three synoptic Gospels is a carefully crafted story that gives an account of Jesus' life and addresses the question of whether or not He is the Jewish Messiah (7). And if so, what kind of Messianic King was He if He suffered and died?

In the first half, everyone questions who He is, the middle questions the Disciples' (8) belief about Him and the second half tells how He became the Messiah. Many Jews hoped that the Messiah would overthrow the Romans and rule as king but, as we read this book, we see that He came as a servant to set up the kingdom of God on Earth. While He is the Son of God, He also sacrificed His life to save people from slavery to sin.

The book's abrupt ending challenges us to decide if we believe He is the Messiah.

COMING UP: Next up is the Gospel of Luke (9). Click HERE to explore!

FOOTNOTES:

  (1) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-good-news

  (2) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-four-gospels

  (3) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament

  (4) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/obituary-of-jesus

  (5) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/resurrection-of-jesus

  (6) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

  (7) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-the-messiah

  (8) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-the-apostles

  (9) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/luke

PAGE SOURCES:

  (a) https://thebibleproject.com/explore/mark/