Introduction

Mark was a close associate of Apostle Peter. The eyewitness account of Peter about Jesus compelled Mark to write the life story of Jesus for the benefit of future generations.  Mark’s full name was John Mark (Acts 12:12). His mother, Mary, had servants. That means Mark was not poor.  Mark joined his cousin Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). Halfway through the journey it became difficult, and he returned home. When Paul and Barnabas planned their second missionary journey, there was an intense disagreement about taking Mark with them. So, the two leaders parted company (Acts 15:39).  But Barnabas took Mark with him and mended him to become a useful servant for the ministry. Years later, Paul commended Mark’s effort in the ministry (2 Timothy 4:11). Scholars suggest that Mark probably wrote his gospel not earlier than A.D 65 from Rome. He presents Jesus as the Lord’s Servant in his gospel (Mark 10:45).  He wrote his gospel to encourage Christians to remain faithful as they were facing persecution from the Roman government. There is an emphasis on the activities of Jesus than his teaching in this gospel. The word “immediately” appears frequently in this gospel.  This gospel is an action-oriented account of Jesus’ life and ministry.  Mark records the account of Jesus’ ministry around Galilee. He points out that Jesus' relatives considered him out of his mind (Mark 3:21). This gospel gives the graphic details of the mockery and suffering Jesus endured on the cross. There is a strong emphasis on the miracles Jesus performed in this gospel to prove his deity.