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[[The New Testament]] > [[Mark]] <br>
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[[Home]] > [[The New Testament]] > [[Mark]] <br>
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:Subpages: [[Mark 1-8 |Chapters 1-8a]] &nbsp;• &nbsp;[[Mark 8-10 |Chapters 8b-10]] &nbsp;• &nbsp;[[Mark 11-12 |Chapters 11-12]] &nbsp;• &nbsp;[[Mark 13 |Chapter 13]] &nbsp;• &nbsp;[[Mark 14-16 |Chapters 14-16]]
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: Subpages: [[Mark 1 | Chapter 1]] [[Mark 2 | 2]] [[Mark 3 | 3]] [[Mark 4 | 4]] [[Mark 5 | 5]] [[Mark 6 | 6]] [[Mark 7 | 7]] [[Mark 8 | 8]] [[Mark 9 | 9]] [[Mark 10 | 10]] [[Mark 11 | 11]] [[Mark 12 | 12]] [[Mark 13 | 13]] [[Mark 14 | 14]] •  [[Mark 15 | 15]] [[Mark 16 | 16]]
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* [[Mark 1 | Chapter 1]]
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* [[Mark 2 | Chapter 2]]
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* [[Mark 3 | Chapter 3]]
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* [[Mark 4 | Chapter 4]]
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* [[Mark 5 | Chapter 5]]
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* [[Mark 6 | Chapter 6]]
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* [[Mark 7 | Chapter 7]]
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* [[Mark 8 | Chapter 8]]
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* [[Mark 9 | Chapter 9]]
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* [[Mark 10 | Chapter 10]]
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* [[Mark 11 | Chapter 11]]
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* [[Mark 12 | Chapter 12]]
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* [[Mark 13 | Chapter 13]]
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* [[Mark 14 | Chapter 14]]
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* [[Mark 15 | Chapter 15]]
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* [[Mark 16 | Chapter 16]]
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  [[Mark 1 | Next page: Chapter 1]]
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  [[Mark 1 | Next page: Chapter 1]]
  
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== Summary ==
 
== Summary ==
  
''This heading should be brief and may include an outline of the book. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
+
''This section should be very brief. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
  
Most non-LDS scholars believe that Mark was the gospel written first and that the other two synoptic writers used his gospel as a kind of first draft. In contrast, most LDS scholars believe that Matthew was written first because Matthew’s version of things is what we find in Christ’s teaching to the Nephites. We are not certain who Mark was, but a strong and very old Christian tradition says that he was the John Mark mentioned in Acts. There he is Paul’s assistant in missionary work (Acts 12:25; 13:5). He appears to have been a member of a wealthy Jewish-Christian family in Jerusalem and the cousin of a wealthy landowner, Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37; Colossian 4:10). Based on that, some have speculated that his family owned the Garden of Gesthemane and that he was the young man who escaped capture when Jesus was arrested in the Garden, but the evidence for that speculation is not very strong. The fact that he gets Palestinian geography wrong is reason to believe that if he was from a Jerusalem family, he did not live there long himself.
+
'''Relationship to New Testament.''' The relationship of Mark to the New Testament as a whole is discussed at ____. The similarities and differences among the four gospels (and Acts) are discussed at ____.
  
For a reason that we do not know, Paul refused to continue to work with Mark at the end of the first mission, though Barnabas used Mark (Acts 15:37-39). However, Mark and Paul seem to have been reconciled later, for his name appears throughout the letters of Paul (for example 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 24).
+
'''Story.''' Mark consists of three major sections:
  
Mark also seems to be the person to whom Peter refers as “my son” (1 Peter 5:13). Tradition has it that he was Peter’s interpreter, though that can mean “the person who explained Peter’s teaching” rather than “the person who translated them from one language to another”, and it may be he rather than Peter himself who after Peter’s death wrote down 2 Peter, which appears to be a collection of Peter’s sayings comparable to The Words of Ezra Taft Benson rather than an original speech by Peter. If this is correct, then Mark may also be a collection of Peter’s recollections recorded by Mark, perhaps after Peter’s death.
+
* '''[[Mark 1-8 | Mark 1-8a]]: Christ's Gallilean ministry.''' Mark never portrays Jesus as a helpless infant. Rather, in Mark's account Christ strides onto the world stage already fully formed, thronged by crowds and performing miracles. A major theme in this section is "Who is Jesus who performs all these miracles?"
  
According to the early church historian, Eusebius, Clement (the bishop of Alexandria in the second century A.D.) said that Mark’s gospel was written for those being taught in Rome and that, after it was completed, Peter read it and ratified it for use in church. Though that seems to me to be reasonably possible, some other early writings say that Mark completed his gospel after Peter’s death. If so, he may have been writing down the things he had learned from Peter. The Greek of Mark is much less sophisticated than that of the other gospels, and he focuses on a series of brief and self-contained stories that prepare the reader for his lengthy treatment of the Garden of Gethsemane, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. For Mark, events are the focus rather than doctrines. Eusebius also says that Mark did not put the events of his gospel “in order,” but he is unclear as to what he means by “order.”
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:*
  
A comparison of the apparent intended audiences of each of the four gospels is treated at --page--.
+
:*
  
Each of these major sections of Mark is discussed separately on the following subpages:
+
* '''[[Mark 8-10 | Mark 8b-10]]: Christ's journey to Jerusalem.''' A major theme in this section is the cost of discipleship.
  
 +
* '''Mark 11-16: Christ in Jerusalem.''' Mark's account of Christ's time in Jerusalem falls into three principal parts:
  
== Historical setting ==
+
:* '''[[Mark 11-12 | Chapters 11-12]]: Christ's ministry in Jerusalem.'''
  
''This heading should be brief and explain facts about the historical setting that will help a reader to understand the book. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
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:* '''[[Mark 13 | Chapter 13]]: The Olivet Discourse.''' Christ's foretelling woes that will fall upon the Jewish nation.
  
The historical background setting of the four gospels is treated at --page--.
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:* '''[[Mark 14-16 | Chapters 14-16]]: The Passion.''' Christ trial's, crucifixion, death, and resurrection, and his commission to teach these things to the whole world.
  
A joint chronology of the four gospels is treated at --page--.
+
== Historical setting ==
  
 +
''This section should be brief and explain facts about the historical setting that will help a reader to understand the book. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
  
== Discussion ==
+
* '''Author: John Mark.''' Most non-LDS scholars believe that Mark was the gospel written first and that the other two synoptic writers used his gospel as a kind of first draft. In contrast, most LDS scholars believe that Matthew was written first because Matthew’s version of things is what we find in Christ’s teaching to the Nephites. We are not certain who Mark was, but a strong and very old Christian tradition says that he was the John Mark mentioned in Acts. There he is Paul’s assistant in missionary work (Acts 12:25; 13:5). He appears to have been a member of a wealthy Jewish-Christian family in Jerusalem and the cousin of a wealthy landowner, Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37; Colossian 4:10). Based on that, some have speculated that his family owned the Garden of Gesthemane and that he was the young man who escaped capture when Jesus was arrested in the Garden, but the evidence for that speculation is not very strong. The fact that he gets Palestinian geography wrong is reason to believe that if he was from a Jerusalem family, he did not live there long himself.
  
''This heading is for more detailed discussions of all or part of a passage. Discussion may include the meaning of a particular word, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout the passage, insights to be developed in the future, and other items. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
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: For a reason that we do not know, Paul refused to continue to work with Mark at the end of the first mission, though Barnabas used Mark (Acts 15:37-39). However, Mark and Paul seem to have been reconciled later, for his name appears throughout the letters of Paul (for example 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 24).
  
 +
: Mark also seems to be the person to whom Peter refers as “my son” (1 Peter 5:13). Tradition has it that he was Peter’s interpreter, though that can mean “the person who explained Peter’s teaching” rather than “the person who translated them from one language to another”, and it may be he rather than Peter himself who after Peter’s death wrote down 2 Peter, which appears to be a collection of Peter’s sayings comparable to The Words of Ezra Taft Benson rather than an original speech by Peter. If this is correct, then Mark may also be a collection of Peter’s recollections recorded by Mark, perhaps after Peter’s death.
  
== Points to ponder ==
+
: According to the early church historian, Eusebius, Clement (the bishop of Alexandria in the second century A.D.) said that Mark’s gospel was written for those being taught in Rome and that, after it was completed, Peter read it and ratified it for use in church. Though that seems to me to be reasonably possible, some other early writings say that Mark completed his gospel after Peter’s death. If so, he may have been writing down the things he had learned from Peter. The Greek of Mark is much less sophisticated than that of the other gospels, and he focuses on a series of brief and self-contained stories that prepare the reader for his lengthy treatment of the Garden of Gethsemane, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. For Mark, events are the focus rather than doctrines. Eusebius also says that Mark did not put the events of his gospel “in order,” but he is unclear as to what he means by “order.”
  
''This heading is for prompts that suggest ways in which all or part of this passage can influence a person's life. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
+
* '''Audience.''' The Gospel of Mark is widely thought to have been written for an audience of Romans, whether Christian or pagan. A comparison of the apparent intended audiences of each of the four gospels is treated at --page--.
  
 +
* '''Setting.''' The historical background setting of the four gospels is treated at --page--.
  
== I have a question ==
+
* '''Chronology.''' A joint chronology of the four gospels is treated at --page--.
  
''This heading is for unanswered questions and is an important part of the continual effort to improve this wiki. Please do not be shy, as even a basic or "stupid" question can identify things that need to be improved on this page. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
+
== Discussion ==
 
+
 
+
== Relation to other scriptures ==
+
 
+
''This heading is for notes about the relationship of this book to other sections and passages. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
+
 
+
=== Related scriptures ===
+
 
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* The relationship of Matthew to the rest of the New Testament in general is addressed at [[New Testament: Organization]].
+
 
+
=== Parallel passages ===
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+
=== Text transmission ===
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=== Joseph Smith Translation ===
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+
The Joseph Smith Translation made changes to 423, or more than 60%, of the 678 verses in Mark. With so many changes, readers just have to constantly consult the Joseph Smith Translation.  Most significant changes are incorporated into the LDS edition of the Bible. All changes are noted in Wayment's ''Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible''.<ref>Wayment, ''The Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the New Testament'', p. 92-143.</ref>
+
 
+
 
+
== Complete outline and page map ==
+
 
+
''This heading contains an outline for the entire book. Items in blue or purple text indicate hyperlinked pages that address specific portions of this section. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
+
  
 +
''This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
  
[[Mark]]
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<div id="outline"></div>
 +
== Outline and page map ==
  
 +
''This section contains an outline for the entire book. Items in blue or purple text indicate hyperlinked pages that address specific portions of the book. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
  
 
:Chapters 1-5
 
:Chapters 1-5
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|}
 
|}
  
 +
== Unanswered questions ==
 +
 +
''This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
 +
 +
== Prompts for life application ==
 +
 +
''This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
 +
 +
== Prompts for further study ==
 +
 +
''This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
  
 
== Resources ==
 
== Resources ==
  
''This heading is for listing links and print resources, including those cited in the notes. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
+
''This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →''
  
=== Translations ===
+
'''Translations and Lexicons.'''
  
'''These are still pointed at Matthew'''
+
* [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark&version=AMP Amplified (The Amplified Bible, 1987 update)]
  
* [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=nahum&version=AMP Amplified] • The Amplified Bible, 1987 update
+
* [http://biblia.com/books/nasb95/Mark NASB (New American Standard Bible, 1995 update)]
  
* [http://biblia.com/books/nasb95/Matt NASB] • New American Standard Bible, 1995 update
+
* [http://biblia.com/books/niv2011/Mark NIV (New International Version)]
  
* [http://biblia.com/books/niv2011/Matt NIV] • New International Version
+
* [http://biblia.com/books/rsv/Mark RSV (Revised Standard Version)]
  
* [http://biblia.com/books/nrsv/Matt NRSV] • New Revised Standard Version
+
* Interlinear text ([http://biblehub.com/lexicon/mark/1-1.htm English-Greek]), ([http://biblehub.com/interlinear/mark/1-1.htm Greek-English])
  
* [http://biblia.com/books/rsv/Matt RSV] • Revised Standard Version
+
* [https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/mark/1/1/t_conc Strong's Greek Concordance and Lexicon]
  
=== Cited references ===
+
'''Related passages''' that interpret or shed light on Mark.
  
* Wayment, Thomas A., ed. ''The Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the New Testament''. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 2005. (ISBN 1590384393) BX8630 .A2 2005.
+
* The Joseph Smith Translation made changes to 423, or more than 60%, of the 678 verses in Mark. With so many changes, readers just have to constantly consult the Joseph Smith Translation. Most significant changes are incorporated into the LDS edition of the Bible. All changes are noted in Wayment's ''Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible''.<ref>Wayment, ''The Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the New Testament'', p. 92-143.</ref>
  
=== Other resources ===
+
'''References cited on this page.'''
  
 +
* Wayment, Thomas A., ed. ''The Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the New Testament''. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 2005. (ISBN 1590384393) BX8630 .A2 2005.
 +
 +
'''Other resources.'''
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
  
''Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves, such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word. In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources are preferable to footnotes.''
+
''Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.''
  
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
  
 
----
 
----
  
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  [[Mark 1 | Next page: Chapter 1]]
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  [[Mark 1 | Next page: Chapter 1]]

Revision as of 23:27, 16 November 2015

Home > The New Testament > Mark

Subpages: Chapters 1-8a  •  Chapters 8b-10  •  Chapters 11-12  •  Chapter 13  •  Chapters 14-16
Subpages: Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

                                                                 Next page: Chapter 1


This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.


Summary

This section should be very brief. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Relationship to New Testament. The relationship of Mark to the New Testament as a whole is discussed at ____. The similarities and differences among the four gospels (and Acts) are discussed at ____.

Story. Mark consists of three major sections:

  • Mark 1-8a: Christ's Gallilean ministry. Mark never portrays Jesus as a helpless infant. Rather, in Mark's account Christ strides onto the world stage already fully formed, thronged by crowds and performing miracles. A major theme in this section is "Who is Jesus who performs all these miracles?"
  • Mark 8b-10: Christ's journey to Jerusalem. A major theme in this section is the cost of discipleship.
  • Mark 11-16: Christ in Jerusalem. Mark's account of Christ's time in Jerusalem falls into three principal parts:
  • Chapter 13: The Olivet Discourse. Christ's foretelling woes that will fall upon the Jewish nation.
  • Chapters 14-16: The Passion. Christ trial's, crucifixion, death, and resurrection, and his commission to teach these things to the whole world.

Historical setting

This section should be brief and explain facts about the historical setting that will help a reader to understand the book. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

  • Author: John Mark. Most non-LDS scholars believe that Mark was the gospel written first and that the other two synoptic writers used his gospel as a kind of first draft. In contrast, most LDS scholars believe that Matthew was written first because Matthew’s version of things is what we find in Christ’s teaching to the Nephites. We are not certain who Mark was, but a strong and very old Christian tradition says that he was the John Mark mentioned in Acts. There he is Paul’s assistant in missionary work (Acts 12:25; 13:5). He appears to have been a member of a wealthy Jewish-Christian family in Jerusalem and the cousin of a wealthy landowner, Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37; Colossian 4:10). Based on that, some have speculated that his family owned the Garden of Gesthemane and that he was the young man who escaped capture when Jesus was arrested in the Garden, but the evidence for that speculation is not very strong. The fact that he gets Palestinian geography wrong is reason to believe that if he was from a Jerusalem family, he did not live there long himself.
For a reason that we do not know, Paul refused to continue to work with Mark at the end of the first mission, though Barnabas used Mark (Acts 15:37-39). However, Mark and Paul seem to have been reconciled later, for his name appears throughout the letters of Paul (for example 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 24).
Mark also seems to be the person to whom Peter refers as “my son” (1 Peter 5:13). Tradition has it that he was Peter’s interpreter, though that can mean “the person who explained Peter’s teaching” rather than “the person who translated them from one language to another”, and it may be he rather than Peter himself who after Peter’s death wrote down 2 Peter, which appears to be a collection of Peter’s sayings comparable to The Words of Ezra Taft Benson rather than an original speech by Peter. If this is correct, then Mark may also be a collection of Peter’s recollections recorded by Mark, perhaps after Peter’s death.
According to the early church historian, Eusebius, Clement (the bishop of Alexandria in the second century A.D.) said that Mark’s gospel was written for those being taught in Rome and that, after it was completed, Peter read it and ratified it for use in church. Though that seems to me to be reasonably possible, some other early writings say that Mark completed his gospel after Peter’s death. If so, he may have been writing down the things he had learned from Peter. The Greek of Mark is much less sophisticated than that of the other gospels, and he focuses on a series of brief and self-contained stories that prepare the reader for his lengthy treatment of the Garden of Gethsemane, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus. For Mark, events are the focus rather than doctrines. Eusebius also says that Mark did not put the events of his gospel “in order,” but he is unclear as to what he means by “order.”
  • Audience. The Gospel of Mark is widely thought to have been written for an audience of Romans, whether Christian or pagan. A comparison of the apparent intended audiences of each of the four gospels is treated at --page--.
  • Setting. The historical background setting of the four gospels is treated at --page--.
  • Chronology. A joint chronology of the four gospels is treated at --page--.

Discussion

This section is for detailed discussion such as the meaning of a symbol, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout a passage, or insights that can be further developed in the future. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Outline and page map

This section contains an outline for the entire book. Items in blue or purple text indicate hyperlinked pages that address specific portions of the book. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Chapters 1-5

Here's a possible outline for chapters 1-5. In this outline, you’ll see that the narrative focuses on Jesus’ power and powerful works, but that focus is interrupted regularly by moments when apostles are called or instructed. These interruptions are marked with double asterisks. The movement is stories of power - organization of the church - stories of power - organization, etc.

Mark 1:1-13 Jesus' mission was divinely ordained and he is in conflict with Satan.
         Mark 1:1 The title/theme of the work.
         Mark 1:2-8 John the Baptist.
         Mark 1:9-11 Jesus' baptism.
         Mark 1:12-13 The Temptation in the wilderness.
Mark 1:14-15 A summary of Jesus' mission: "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel.'"
Mark 1:1-13 Jesus' mission was divinely ordained and he is in conflict with Satan.
         Mark 1:1 The title/theme of the work.
         Mark 1:2-8 John the Baptist.
         Mark 1:9-11 Jesus' baptism.
         Mark 1:12-13 The Temptation in the wilderness.
Mark 1:14-15 A summary of Jesus' mission: "Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel.'"
Mark 1:16-3:35 Jesus has power from God (to which there is opposition, though he is always victorious).
        ** Mark 1:16-20 Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John. **
        Mark 1:21-28 He heals a man of an unclean spirit.
        Mark 1:29-31 He heals Peter’s mother-in-law.
        Mark 1:32-34 He heals many others.
        Mark 1:35-39 He preaches throughout Galilee, healing many.
        Mark 1:40-45 He heals a leper.
        Mark 2:1-12 He heals a man of palsy and says specifically that he does so "that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins" (verse 10).
        ** Mark 2:13-28 Jesus calls Levi (Matthew) and confronts the Pharisees. **
        Mark 3:1-6 Jesus heals the man with the withered hand, drawing the Pharisees’ criticism and enmity.
        Mark 3:7-12 Because of his healing—recognized by unclean spirits—he withdraws to a private place.
        ** Mark 3:8-19 He teaches and ordains the Twelve. **
        Mark 3:20 The multitudes demand more miracles.
        Mark 3:21-30 His friends think he is mad and, urged on by scribes from Jerusalem, they try to stop him, but he rebukes them.
        Mark 3:31-35 His family asks him to come out of the synagogue to see them. (The context suggests that they may also wish to stop him from continuing his mission.) He refuses and denies that they are his family.
** Mark 4:1-34 The kingdom of God. **
Mark 4:35-5:43 Jesus has power from God, but his disciples do not understand that power.
        Mark 4:35-41 Even the elements of the earth must obey him.
        Mark 5:1-20 He casts evil spirits out of a possessed man and into a herd of swine.
        Mark 5:21-43 He heals the daughter of Jarius and a woman with a hemorrhage.

Unanswered questions

This section is for questions along the lines of "I still don't understand ..." Please do not be shy. The point of these questions is to identify things that still need to be addressed on this page. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Prompts for life application

This section is for prompts that suggest ways in which a passage can influence a person's life. Prompts may be appropriate either for private self reflection or for a class discussion. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Prompts for further study

This section is for prompts that invite us to think about a passage more deeply or in a new way. These are not necessarily questions that beg for answers, but rather prompts along the lines of "Have you ever thought about ..." Prompts are most helpful when they are developed individually, thoughtfully, and with enough background information to clearly indicate a particular direction for further study or thought. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Resources

This section is for listing links and print resources, including those that are also cited elsewhere on this page. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →

Translations and Lexicons.

Related passages that interpret or shed light on Mark.

  • The Joseph Smith Translation made changes to 423, or more than 60%, of the 678 verses in Mark. With so many changes, readers just have to constantly consult the Joseph Smith Translation. Most significant changes are incorporated into the LDS edition of the Bible. All changes are noted in Wayment's Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.[1]

References cited on this page.

  • Wayment, Thomas A., ed. The Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the New Testament. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 2005. (ISBN 1590384393) BX8630 .A2 2005.

Other resources.

Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves (such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word). In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources (such as Strong's Bible Concordance or the Joseph Smith Papers) are preferable to footnotes.

  1. Wayment, The Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the New Testament, p. 92-143.

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