New Testament
Mark
16 chapters
Start reading: Mark 1About this book
Mark is the shortest and fastest-moving of the four Gospels. It skips a birth story and opens with John the Baptist and Jesus' baptism, then hurries from scene to scene, often using the word immediately. Jesus teaches with authority, heals the sick, silences storms and casts out demons, yet the disciples keep misunderstanding who he is. The turning point comes at Caesarea Philippi, where Peter names Jesus as the Christ and Jesus begins to speak plainly about suffering, death and rising again. From there the story heads to Jerusalem, and nearly a third of the book covers the final week: the temple confrontation, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the trial and the cross. A Roman centurion is the one who confesses Jesus as God's Son. The book's oldest ending is the women's frightened silence at the empty tomb, and Christians have long discussed how the last verses were added. Throughout, Mark shows a Messiah who serves and gives his life for many.
- Author
- Church tradition names John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul; the book itself does not name its author.
- Date
- Usually placed c. AD 55–70, and often considered the earliest Gospel; some scholars date it a little later.
- Audience
- Early Christians, probably in Rome, facing pressure and suffering; often thought to include Gentile readers.
Themes
Outline
- 1:1–1:13Beginning: John, baptism and testing
- 1:14–8:26Ministry in Galilee
- 8:27–10:52The way to the cross
- 11:1–13:37Jerusalem and the temple
- 14:1–15:46Arrest, trial and crucifixion
- 16:1–16:20The empty tomb
Key verses
Chapters of Mark
- 1Mark 1Mark begins with the good news of Jesus the Messiah, announced by John the Baptist calling people to repentance in the wilderness.
- 2Mark 2Back in Capernaum, four friends lower a paralyzed man through a roof to reach Jesus.
- 3Mark 3On a Sabbath Jesus heals a man with a withered hand in the synagogue, and the Pharisees begin to plot with the Herodians against him.
- 4Mark 4Jesus teaches from a boat by the lake, telling the parable of the sower whose seed lands on path, rocky ground, thorns and good soil.
- 5Mark 5Across the lake Jesus meets a man living among tombs, tormented by many demons.
- 6Mark 6In his hometown Jesus teaches in the synagogue, but neighbors take offense at him, and their unbelief limits the miracles he does there.
- 7Mark 7Pharisees and scribes criticize the disciples for eating without ritual handwashing.
- 8Mark 8Moved by compassion for a hungry crowd, Jesus feeds four thousand with seven loaves and a few fish.
- 9Mark 9Six days later Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James and John, and the voice from the cloud tells them to listen to his beloved Son.
- 10Mark 10Jesus travels toward Jerusalem.
- 11Mark 11Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt as crowds spread cloaks and branches and shout blessings for the coming kingdom of David.
- 12Mark 12Jesus tells the parable of tenants who kill the owner's servants and finally his beloved son; the leaders understand it is aimed at them.
- 13Mark 13Leaving the temple, Jesus tells his disciples its great stones will be thrown down.
- 14Mark 14Leaders plot to arrest Jesus quietly, while a woman in Bethany pours costly perfume on him, and he says she has prepared him for burial.
- 15Mark 15At dawn the leaders hand Jesus over to Pilate, who asks whether he is the king of the Jews.
- 16Mark 16Very early on the first day of the week, three women bring spices to the tomb, wondering who will roll away the stone, and find it already moved.