THE SYNOPTIC GOSPEL (MARK THE GOSPEL OF THE SERVANTS)
The gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four gospels and is generally considered to be the earliest. Like Matthew it does not bear the name of its author, yet earliest tradition of the church accorded it to John Mark, a relative of the Apostle Barnabas.
Mark was the son of a woman of Jerusalem named Mary she was a devoted follower of Christ, a woman of considerable means, whose house was a meeting place of the early Christians Acts. 12:12; Between his mother and his kinsman Barnabas, both, prominent Christians Mark was no doubt accustomed to an atmosphere of spiritual strength.
Yet in his youth he was a deserter for it is on record that on a missionary journey to Asia minor with Paul and Barnabas, Mark ran away, leaving the two apostle, this act of cowardice was not quickly forgiven by Paul (acts 15:36-40). However, Barnabas retained faith in Mark, and encouraged him.
Sometime later Mark came under the influence of Simon Peter, who regarded him as his spiritual son (1Pt.5:13).
This close spiritual relationship seems to have lasted until the sudden, dramatic death of Peter in Rome.
Mark learned much about Jesus from the aging apostle as he preached and spoke of him. The gospel of Mark is widely held to be fruit of Peter’s recollections of Christ. Carefully written down by Mark, by the early church fathers.
Mark having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatever he remembered.
It was not in the exact order that he related the sayings or needs of Christ. For the author neither heard the Lord nor accompanied him. But he was very careful not to omit anything he had heard from Peter about Jesus, and refused to put anything fictitious into the statements.
Writing for the Gentle mind, he wasted no words, yet gave colorful and detailed accounts of Christ’s teaching and actions.
Throughout the book there is evidence of his awareness of Gentile (especially Roman) readers.
Among other things, he carefully interpreted his Aramaic expressions and explained of the Jewish customs, something unnecessary for Jewish readers.
He really quoted the Hebrew Scriptures as Matthew did for the Jews, and never engaged in contemplation as Luke did for the Greeks; he wrote with force, order, and action; so that the Roman mind could also comprehend and accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Mark’s picture of Christ is that of a servant under orders, affecting the will of God.
The key verse of the book seems to be this, “for even the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many” Mk.10: 45.
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