Gospels of Mark and Luke. Mark: the Author John whose surname is Mark –Acts 12:25; 15:37,39; 13:5,13 Mark and Peter were companions who enjoyed a close

Gospels of Mark and LukeGospels of Mark and Luke

Mark:the Author

• John whose surname is Mark– Acts 12:25; 15:37,39; 13:5,13

• Mark and Peter were companions who enjoyed a close relationship.

• Mark authored the gospel that bears his name.

• He lived in Jerusalem, and his mother’s name was Mary. (Acts 12:12)

• Mark and the apostle Paul also had a close relationship.– Acts 13:13; 15:37-39; Colossians 4:10;

2 Timothy 4:11

• John Mark was a cousin of Barnabas.

• That’s probably why Barnabas insisted on taking him with he and Paul on the second missionary journey.

Mark:The Author

Mark:When Written

• Tradition favors Mark’s gospel as being written in Rome.

• There’s a great deal of uncertainty concerning when it was written.

• It couldn’t have been prior to 50 A.D. or later than 70 A.D.

• That places its writing between 64 and 70 A.D.

• Mark was written in Greek.

Mark:Purpose of Mark’s Gospel

• Passes over Christ’s genealogy. “Beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

• Son of David and King of Israel. (10:47,48; 11:10; 15:32)

• Mark wrote among and for the Gentiles, especially the Romans.

• He was intent on setting forth the person and character of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

• Explanation of Jewish customs. (14:12; 15:42)

• Moses Law is not mentioned, and the OT is quoted only once.

• Gentile sections of gospel. (chapters 6-8)

• Preponderance of Christ’s activity; emphasis on His power. (2:10)

• “Straightway” and “immediately,” most common expressions; mentioned 42 times. The Roman people were people of action!

Mark:Purpose of Mark’s Gospel

Mark:Contents and Character

• Introductory events (1:1-13)

– The coming of Jesus’ herald (1:2-8)

– His baptism by John in the Jordan (1:9)

– His endowment with the Holy Spirit (1:10)

– The divine witness of His Sonship (1:11)

– His conflict with Satan (1:12,13)

• Early Galilean Ministry (1:14; 7:23)

–Mark omits Jesus’ early Judean ministry

– Tour of Tyre and Sidon (7:24-30)

– Teaching in northern Galilee (7:31-9:50)

– Journey to Jerusalem (10:1-52)

–Week of suffering ending in crucifixion; resurrection, commission (11-16)


• Mark is the shortest of the four gospels.– Its style is vivid and picturesque.–Mark records 19 of Jesus’ miracles.– Its narrative gives the works that Jesus did.– It records only four of Jesus’ parables.

– Shows the beneficence of His works. (1:23—3:27)

– The writing is graphic, realistic, and detailed.


• Descriptions of details– Hunger (11:12)

– Seeking rest and seclusion (6:31)

– Sleeping on a boat cushion (4:38)

– Pity for the multitudes (6:34)

–Wondering at their unbelief (6:6)

– Sighing over sorrow and blindness (7:24)

– Grieving over hardness (3:5)

– Concern for His disciples (4:41; 10:32)


• Narrative of the person of Christ– Son of God and author of the gospel– Peter’s confession that Christ is God’s son

(8:29)– Truth of resurrection (16)

– Servant of all (10:35)– The disciples’ failure to grasp the early date

of Christ’s kingdom– Aspirations for a return to fleshly Israel.

They failed to see the other side of the story—submission to a spiritual king and His spiritual work!


• Closing passages have caused discussion and division among scholars. (16:9-20)– Did Mark write these verses, and do they belong at

the end of his narrative?– Without these verses, the Gospel would end

abruptly!– Important testimony contained:

• Resurrection first day of the week; appearance to Mary Magdalene; appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus; appearance to the 11, rebuking their lack of faith; ascension; execution of the commission and the signs that confirmed the words preached.


Luke:The Author

• Authored both this Gospel and Acts– Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-5

• Physician and close friend of apostle Paul– Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11

• Gentile by birth and education; yet very knowledgeable about Jewish customs and prejudices

• Wrote as a recorder and historian of eye-witness testimony

Luke:When Written

• Book of Acts, written by Luke, closed with Paul’s two years of imprisonment (the first) in Rome about 60 AD.

• Gospel of Luke preceded the book of Acts; probably written during Paul’s stay as a prisoner in Caesarea before going to Rome.

• Around 60 AD.

Luke:To Whom Written

• Books of Acts and Luke directed to an individual named Theophilus.

• Luke wrote particularly for the benefit of the Greeks.

• He was eminently qualified to write to them in his attractive style.

• An orderly account of Christ’s life.

• Presented Christianity’s origin from the vantage point of one who wasn’t a Jew.

Luke:Purpose of Luke’s Gospel

• Introduction offers some keys (1:1-4)– Set forth true account; arranged

systematically (1:1)– Things fulfilled among the disciples (1:2)– Capable and accepting of this writing task

(1:3)– Got information from competent sources– Familiar with the facts--observation and

inquiry. Lived during the generation when these things occurred!

– ““From the very first...” From the very first...” (Contemporary knowledge)(Contemporary knowledge)

• Luke’s knowledge covered all the major facts. The book contains many things that do not appear in the other accounts. It is the most representative of Christ’s life.

• He had been orally informed concerning Christ.

• Needed further instruction to establish him in the faith and give him complete knowledge of the truth!

Luke:Purpose of Luke’s Gospel

Luke:Contents and Character

• Introduction (1:1-4:13)

• Beginning of Christ’s public ministry in Galilee (4:14-9:50)

• Journey toward Jerusalem through Samaria and Perea (9:51-19:28)

• Last days of Christ’s life, including crucifixion (19:29-23:55)

• Resurrection, the final commission, and ascension (24)

Luke:Distinctive Features

• Opening events closely identified with current history.– Birth of Son (1:5)

– Link with days of Caesar Augustus (2:1)

– John’s ministry began with the reign of Tiberius Caesar (3:1)

• Christ came at a crucial time in human history, under unique circumstances.

• ““Fullness of time”Fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4)

• Details of Christ’s birth– Annunciation –Mary’s conception by the Holy Spirit– Jesus’ birth and early years– Temple scene (2:41-52)

– Coming of John as forerunner fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy (40:3)

– Jesus baptism by John– Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness – Victory over Satan (4:14)


• Galilean ministry– Jesus in the synagogue as God’s anointed

(4:16-21) – Luke records a number of miracles to

support Jesus’ claim of Deity– Night of Prayer– Choosing the 12 disciples– His approaching death at the hands of His

enemies


• Travel from Galilee to Jerusalem

– Passes through Samaria and Perea. (9:51)

– Suffering on His way defines meaning of discipleship. Dispatches the 70 for preaching tour. (9:2)

– Larger group was commissioned to go two by two to heal and announce the approaching Kingdom. (10:9)


• The Parables of Christ–Good Samaritan (10:25-37)

–Prayer in story of importunate friend (11:5-13)

–Grace of God in seeking the lost (15)

–Rich man and Lazarus (16:19-31)

–Meaning of true righteousness in incident of publican and Pharisee (18:9-14)


• Closing scenes of Christ’s life– Bold announcement on the way to

Jerusalem (18:31)

– Fulfilling the words of the prophets (18:31-34)

– Drawing near Mount of Olives (19:37-45)

– Destruction of Jerusalem (21:20-24)


• Last events of Christ’s life in greater detail– Discussion of the greatest (22:24-30)

– Penitent thief on the cross (23:39-43)

– Christ’s appearance to disciples on the road to Emmaus (24:13-35)

– Ascension into heaven (24:50-53)

– Gospel of the Son of Man– Emphasis on Christ’s human side


• Christ’s compassion toward the less fortunate– Poor disciples (6:20)

– Sinful woman (7:37)

–Mary Magdalene (8:2)

– Samaritans (10:33)

– Publicans and sinners (15:1)

– Lepers (17:2)

– Dying thief (23:43)

– God’s universal grace (2:32; 3:6; 24:47)


• Three parables not in other gospels:– Friend at midnight (11:5-8)

– Unjust judge (18:1-8)

– Pharisee and publican (18:9-14)


• Great emphasis on Christ’s prayers :– At His baptism (3:21)

– In the wilderness (5:16)

– Before choosing His disciples(9:29)

– Prayer given to His disciples (11:1)

– For Peter (22:32)

– In the garden of Gethsemane (23:27)

– On the cross (23:46)


• Emphasizes recognition bestowed on women:–Mary, mother of Jesus (1:26-35)

– Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist (1:7-17)

–Mary and Martha (10:38-42)

– Daughters of Jerusalem (23:37)

– Several widows mentioned (2:27; 4:26)


• Six miracles found only in Luke:– Draught of fishes (5:1-11)

– The widow’s son raised (7:11-17)

–Woman with infirmity healed (13:10-17)

–Man with dropsy healed (14:1-6)

– Ten lepers cleansed (7:11-19)

–Malchus’ ear healed (22:49-51)


• Emphasis on the Holy Spirit– In the book of Acts, the Spirit worked

through the apostles. (2:2-4)

– Jesus was conceived by the Spirit (1:35)

– The Spirit attested to Jesus’ divinity. (3:22)

– The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. (4:1)

– The Spirit anointed Jesus. (4:18)

– Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit. (10:21)


Luke:Summarized

• Portrays Christ as the Son of Man

• The Savior of the world

• Traces His genealogy to Adam

• Father of the race

• Friend of the sinners

• The solution to life’s problems.

Documents

Gospels of Mark and Luke. Mark: the Author John whose surname is Mark –Acts 12:25; 15:37,39; 13:5,13 Mark and Peter were companions who enjoyed a close