The Mark Gospel Narrating the Life of Jesus
There are
four Gospels narrating the life of Jesus, that is, Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John. Although Mark`s the briefest, it`s the most detailed. The main features
of Jesus` life constitute a useful `pocket` New
Testament.
1 John baptizes Jesus (9), and God`s
voice is heard as the Holy Spirit upon Jesus, `Thou art my beloved son, in whom
I am well pleased.` (11) Jesus casts out an unclean spirit from a man who tells
him he has no business with the congregation in their place of worship (26),
and Jesus begins healing many others. 2 Jesus cures
a man of palsy (12), is criticized for performing God`s work, and defines `sin`
as `sickness` (17). 3 Jesus cures a man of a
withered hand (5), while onlookers wait to accuse him of magic (2). Jesus
appoints the twelve disciples (14). He`s accused of healing by the power of
Satan (23). Jesus says whoever helps him is `family` (35). 4 Jesus explains fruition depends on the receptiveness
of the Earth to the `seed` (19). He becalms the sea in a storm (39). 5 Pigs run off a cliff possessed by spirits Jesus
casts out of a man (13). On his way to heal a daughter, a woman touches his
clothing (27), and she is healed (29), but he feels the healing power go from
him (30). When he goes to heal her, the daughter is dead (35), but he says she
sleeps (39) and, healed, she awakens (42). 6 The
subsequent crucifixion of Jesus is explained. Herod married Herodias, his
brother Philip`s wife, and John, who baptized Jesus, told Herod he couldn`t, so
Herodias would`ve killed John. When Herod promises Herodias` daughter `anything`
for dancing, Herodias tells her to ask for John`s `head` (24). Herod fears
Jesus is John resurrected (16). Jesus feeds 5000 with some bread and fish from
his bag (42). He walks on the sea of Galilee to his ship from the land of Bethaisda (45),
during a storm, before arrival at Gennaseret (53). 7
Jesus explains pollution doesn`t come from without, but within (15), and heals
a woman`s daughter (29), and a deaf man who can`t speak (35). 8 Jesus heals a blind person (23-25). 9 Jesus appears transfigured with Moses, who accepted
the law from God against taking life (Exodus:
24. 12-13), and Elijah, who rebuked king Ahab for acquiring a vineyard by
murder, `Have you killed and also taken possession?` (1 Kings: 21. 19). Jesus restores the power of speech to a dumb boy
(25), and approves of one who heals in his name (39). 10
Jesus supports marriage (8), children`s education (14), and says a rich person can
enter heaven (25). He restores a man`s sight (52). 11
Jesus rides on a horse into Jerusalem (9) while people bless him. Jesus rebukes
extortionists in the temple (15) and, in explanation of his withering a tree
that didn`t have fruit when he wanted it (21), says `anything` is possible to
the prayerful (33). 12 Jesus relates the
narrative of an heir to a vinery who`s murdered (8) and explains the builders`
rejection of murder is the `cornerstone` (10) of Christianity. Jesus says there`ll
be no marriage in resurrection (25), while the overriding precept of God`s law
is, `love your neighbor` (31), while the mean are damned (40), but those who
give in poverty are for heaven (43). 13 Jesus
speaks of `false prophets` (22) bringing desolation and his `second coming` (26)
as restorer. 14 Jesus rebukes Judas for
suggesting his feet aren`t worth anointing (6) and gives the disciples `bread
and wine` as his `body and blood` (22-24). He says Judas will betray him to
death (10-11), but he`ll have resurrection (28). He is taken and sentenced to
death (64), after saying that he`ll be at God`s `right hand` as `the son of
man` (62); triumphing over falsity when someone accuses him of saying he`ll
destroy the temple in Jerusalem and rebuild it by magic (58). Peter denies
knowing Jesus three times (72), as Jesus said he would, out of fear for his own
life. 15 Pilate releases the insurrectionist, Barabbas
(15), because the people value him more, and orders Jesus to be crucified. He
is made `king of the jews` (18, 26) in mockery, and cries out at his death `My
God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?` (34) The temple curtain is mysteriously
rent in twain (38), and the Roman guard, Longinus, says, `Surely this was the
son of God.` (39) Jesus` women want his body, and Joseph of Arimathea has it
placed in a sepulcher (46) with a stone before the entrance. 16 Jesus` tomb is discovered by Mary Magdalene and
Mary, mother of James and Salome, with the stone rolled aside and a man in
white raiment, who says Jesus is resurrected and they`ll see him (6). Mary Magdalene,
whom Jesus had cast seven possessive spirits out of (9), meets Jesus and he
sits with the eleven disciples during their meal exhorting them to continue his
teaching (14). Through baptism and belief is salvation and unbelievers will
have damnation (16). In Jesus` name they`ll cast out harmful spirits and be
immune (18). Jesus has Ascension (19).
