Introduction to the Gospel according to St. Mark The Gospel of Mark presents the
Good News about Jesus like a reporter.
Non-Jewish readers, and particularly those in Rome to whom it is believed Mark was
writing, needed to know the facts surrounding Christ's life, death,
and resurrection.
Mark's Gospel is a simple yet vivid account of Jesus' ministry, emphasizing
more what Jesus did than what He said.
Mark often moves quickly from one episode in Jesus' life and ministry to another by
using the adverb immediately.
Many believe that this Gospel was the first of the four Gospels written and that
Matthew and Luke used Mark as a major source for their Gospels.
If so, Mark was composed in the A.D.
50s or early 60s before the destruction of Israel's Temple in A.D.
70 by the Romans.
Most believe Mark's Gospel was written by John Mark, the cousin of the missionary
Barnabas.
John Mark, usually called simply Mark, was not an apostle, but he accompanied the
Apostle Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey.
There is also strong evidence from the early Church that Mark was a close
associate of the Apostle Peter, from whom he received the tradition of the
things said and done by Jesus.
Mark's Gospel appears to rely heavily on the preaching of Peter.
Mark makes it clear that Jesus entered history as a servant, a suffering servant.
He came not as a conquering king, but to sacrifice his life.
One-third of this Gospel story is devoted to telling the events of Jesus' last week
on earth, including his death and resurrection.
Listen now to Mark's report of Jesus' life as the Savior of the world and the model
servant for us all.