The Gospel of Mark: A Bible Study and Commentary

Start Here: Understanding Mark

Who wrote it, when, for whom, and how the book is built.

• Gospel of Mark Summary and OutlineThe full summary
• 13 Themes in the Gospel of Mark
• Why Is It Called “The Gospel of Mark”?
• Mark’s Audience
• When Was Mark Written?

Who Was Mark? The Man and His World

The Gospel never names its author, but the New Testament tells a remarkable story about the man tradition credits with writing it: a young believer in Jerusalem, a missionary who turned back, a coworker restored, and finally Peter’s companion in Rome. Follow his story through Acts and the letters, then step into the Roman world where his Gospel was first heard.

Mark’s story in the New Testament

• Who Wrote the Book of Mark?Start here
• Peter’s Escape to the House of John Mark’s MotherActs 12:1–19
• Barnabas and Saul Bring John Mark AlongActs 12:24–25
• Sent Off with Paul and BarnabasActs 13:1–12
• John Mark Turns Back at PergaActs 13:13–41
• Paul and Barnabas Part Company over MarkActs 15:36–41
• Who Was Barnabas, Mark’s Cousin?Colossians 4:10
• Who Was Peter?Mark’s source, by tradition
• Who Wrote 1 Peter? (“My Son Mark”)1 Peter 5:13

Mark’s world: Rome and the first readers

• Who Was Mark’s Audience?
• Persecution of Early Christians in the Roman Empire
• Life Under Roman Rule
• Acts and the Roman Empire
• Citizenship and Identity in the Roman Empire
• Emperor Worship and the Imperial Cult
• Paul Arrives in RomeActs 28:11–16
• When Was the Second Temple Destroyed?Background to Mark 13

The Shape of Mark: Galilee, the Way, Jerusalem

Mark tells the story in three movements. In Galilee, Jesus astonishes crowds with authority over sickness, demons, and storms. At the center, Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah (8:27–30), and Jesus turns toward the cross, teaching his disciples on the way. The journey is framed by two healings of blind men, one at Bethsaida and one at Jericho. In Jerusalem the story moves quickly to the cross and an empty tomb.

1. GalileeMark 1:1–8:21 · Authority and amazement
2. On the WayMark 8:22–10:52 · The cost of following
3. JerusalemMark 11–16 · Cross and empty tomb

Framed by two blind men healed

Galilee: Mark 1:1–8:21

• The Beginning of the Good NewsMark 1:1–8
• The Baptism of JesusMark 1:9–11
• The Temptation of JesusMark 1:12–13
• Jesus Begins the Galilean MinistryMark 1:14–15
• Jesus Calls the First DisciplesMark 1:16–20
• Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean SpiritMark 1:21–28
• Jesus Heals Many at Simon Peter’s HouseMark 1:29–34
• A Preaching Tour in GalileeMark 1:35–39
• Jesus Cleanses a LeperMark 1:40–45
• Jesus Heals a ParalyticMark 2:1–12
• The Faith of the Syrophoenician WomanMark 7:24–30

On the Way: Mark 8:22–10:52

• Who Is the Greatest? (Devotional)Mark 9:30–37
• The Rich Young Ruler Asks About Eternal LifeMark 10:17–31
• Blind Bartimaeus: The Courage to Call, the Faith to FollowMark 10:46–52

Jerusalem: Mark 11–16

Commentary on Jesus’ final week, the cross, and Mark’s startling ending is being added.

Mark Chapter by Chapter

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5
6. 6
7. 7
8. 8
9. 9
10. 10
11. 11
12. 12
13. 13
14. 14
15. 15
16. 16

Highlighted chapters have a full overview, outline, and commentary. More chapters are being added.

Miracles and Parables in Mark

Mark is a Gospel of action, full of mighty works and short, striking parables.

• How Many Miracles in Mark?
• The 8 Parables in the Gospel of Mark

Mark Among the Gospels

Mark is the shortest Gospel and, most scholars think, the earliest. Matthew and Luke draw much of their material from it.

• What Are the Gospels in the Bible?
• Why Are Matthew, Mark, and Luke Called the Synoptic Gospels?

Preaching and Worship from Mark

Sermons on Mark in the order of the text, plus liturgies for Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary, the year of Mark.

• Is Keeping the Sabbath Relevant Today?Mark 2:23–28
• The A, B, Cs of Following JesusMark 3:13–35
• The Parable of the SowerMark 4
• Daughters RestoredMark 5:21–43
• Prayer of Intercession Using Mark 5Mark 5:21–43
• Pushing Buttons and BoundariesMark 7:24–30
• Following Jesus in a Power-Hungry WorldMark 9:30–37
• The Rich Young Ruler Asks About Eternal LifeMark 10:17–31
• Blind Bartimaeus: Shadows, Shouting, and SightMark 10:46–52
• All Sermons from Mark
• Year B Liturgies (Mark)