Background to St. Mark's Gospel

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What is a Gospel?
Good News
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Who was Mark?
An Early Christian Writer Papias who said that there was a mark who was an interpreter for Peter. In the New Testament, a Mark was mentioned and his mother Mary owned the upper room where the last supper took place. Naked man in gethsemane
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When was the Gospel Written?
About 60-70CE. Thought to be the earliest Gospel.
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Where was the Gospel Written?
Other references to him in the New Testament suggest that in the 60s CE he was in Rome with Peter and Paul, and so could have written the Gospel.
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Why was the Gospel Written?
Mark wanted to encourage and reassure persecuted Christians in Rome, that their suffering was worthwhile.
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1 Primary Source for the Gospel?
Peter - this would account for the details in many of the stories. e.g. the calming of the storm and the story of Jarius' daughter, jesus' words are recorded in Aramaic rather than the usual Greek (Mk 5:37-38, 40-43).
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2 Primary Source for the Gospel?
Mark would have known the other disciples of Jesus, as they met in his mother's house. Here he would have heard their stories of their time with Jesus.
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3 Primary Source for the Gospel?
Other eyewitnesses - Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus' cross. His sons were Christians in Rome. He would have told Mark about Jesus.
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4 Primary Source for the Gospel?
Personal Experience - (Mk 14:15) Mark might have witnessed the arrest, before running from the guard. Mark could have been the naked man in Gethsemane.
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5 Primary Source for the Gospel?
Divine Inspiration - Christians believe Mark was directly inspired by God and it is the word of God.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

An Early Christian Writer Papias who said that there was a mark who was an interpreter for Peter. In the New Testament, a Mark was mentioned and his mother Mary owned the upper room where the last supper took place. Naked man in gethsemane

Back

Who was Mark?

Card 3

Front

About 60-70CE. Thought to be the earliest Gospel.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Other references to him in the New Testament suggest that in the 60s CE he was in Rome with Peter and Paul, and so could have written the Gospel.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Mark wanted to encourage and reassure persecuted Christians in Rome, that their suffering was worthwhile.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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