AQA GCSE RS: St Mark's Gospel: The Life of Jesus: The Titles of Jesus in Mark's Gospel

Title of Jesus: Son of God: Definition:

Jews who where true to their faith were called sons of God, as were the Kings of the Old Times. It shows Jesus had authority from God and a special relationship between them. He didn’t use it of himself.

Title of Jesus: Son of God: Evidence

Mark’s gospel open with “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” Also, in his baptism, transfiguration and crucifixion.

Title of Jesus: Christ (Messiah, not his surname, the chosen one): Definition:

Christ (Greek) or Messiah (Hebrew) means “the anointed one”. There were many conflicting ideas about how the Messiah would be like.

Title of Jesus: Christ (Messiah): Evidence:

“The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah”. Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah”. 8:29. Jesus asked people not to use the term “Messiah” for him as it could lead to his ministry coming to an end too early. This is known as the Messianic secret.

Title of Jesus: Son of David: Definition:

Suggests that Jesus was the Messiah who God promised would come from the line of David.

Title of Jesus: Son of David, how does this cause people to have conflicting ides about what the Messiah would look like?

David was a king who was royal and wealthy but Jesus would be a servant king.

Title of Jesus: Son of David: Evidence:

“when he [a blind man] heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” 10:46-52

Title of Jesus: Son of Man: Definition:

Could refer to either just a human being or a human who was given power by God. Comes from the Book of Daniel. Most common title in Mark’s Gospel.

Title of Jesus: Son of Man: Evidence:

• When Jesus forgave and healed the paralyzed man, he said “But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on Earth to forgive sins”.

• Most common title for Jesus in Mark’s Gospel

• By using this name, he might be saying that Jesus was the only human that has lived out the true meaning of being made in God’s image and not given in to sin.

Who wrote Mark’s Gospel?

John Mark

Mark’s Gospel is important because…

Discipleship and suffering are relevant to Christians today. Mark presents a very human Christ.