Author: Not stated but traditionally attributed to John Mark, a missionary companion of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25) and an associate of the apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:13).
Date: Probably AD 60s, during the Roman persecution of Christians.
In Ten Words or Less: Jesus is God’s Son, a suffering servant of all people.
Details: The second of the four Gospels is believed by most to be the first one written. The book of Mark is the briefest and most active of the four biographies of Jesus, the majority of which is repeated in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Mark addresses a Gentile audience, portraying Jesus as a man of action, divinely capable of healing the sick, controlling nature, and battling the powers of Satan. Mark’s theme of the suffering servant comes through in his narratives of Jesus’ interaction with hostile doubters—the Jewish leaders, who want to kill Him (9:31); His neighbors, who take offense at Him (6:3); and even His own family members, who think He’s crazy (3:21). The abasement of Jesus pictures what His disciples should pursue: “Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (10:43–45).
From Know Your Bible, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.