Mark
New Testament · translated from the Greek
The shortest and most direct Gospel: Jesus, the Messiah, Son of God, acts with authority, heals, teaches and goes resolutely to the cross, because he came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.
How it is laid out
Key verses
- Mark 1:15 — The kingdom of God has come near; change your minds and believe in the good news
- Mark 8:29 — You are the Messiah
- Mark 10:45 — He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many
Who wrote it
The Gospel does not say who wrote it. Papias (2nd century) says that Mark, Peter’s interpreter, wrote down what he remembered of what the Lord said and did (quoted by Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15). Tradition identifies him with the Mark whom Peter calls “my son” (1 Peter 5:13).
When it was written
Around AD 60–70. Whether before or after AD 70 is debated.
For whom, and in what situation
The text does not name its readers. It explains Jewish customs and translates Aramaic words (7:3-4, 34), for readers who did not know them.
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