theology: the gospel of mark

who was traditionally attributed as the author of mark's gospel? what details does the article recall about his life?

mark, a disciple of simon peter, wrote the gospel. some details say he is sometimes referred to as the jewish name, "John." he is the cousin of the missionary bernabus, was an associate of st. paul, went with st. paul on his first missionary journey, but withdrew early, causing tension between the two. it was quickly resolved, though, and was the first to establish churches in alexandria in northern egypt after the martyrdom of peter and paul

which apostle(s) did the traditional author of this gospel likely gain information from in order to help compose this narrative?

st. peter was the primary source of information about the life of jesus

who was the primary original audience for mark's gospel?

the primary original audience for mark's gospel was gentile believers in imperial rome

what are the four basic parts of the gospel of mark according to the provided reading?

1. prologue: preparations for the messiah and his forerunner

2. public ministry: the messiah's secret and his widespread ministry

3. passion narrative: the suffering messiah and passion weak narrative

4. resurrection epilogue: the risen messiah and easter narratives

fortitude (courage)

the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good

john the baptist before herod

john the baptist was not afraid to preach and tell herod that it was unlawful to have his brother's wife (mark 6:17-20)

jesus before pontius pilate

pontius pilate heard that jesus was accused of many things. when he asked jesus, he doesn't succumb to pressure or fear, and stuck to his stance on truth (mark 15:1-5)

the four men carrying the paralytic

even though there was no room to bring the paralytic to jesus, the four men found another way by removing the roof above jesus, digging through it, and letting the paralytic down on a mat (mark 2:3-4)

the first disciples called by jesus (simon {peter}, andrew, james, john)

simon, andrew, james, and john immediately followed jesus willingly! (mark 1:16-20)

the twelve apostles commissioned by jesus

the twelve apostles proclaimed that all should repent, casted out demons, and anointed those who were sick with oil and cured them (mark 6:7-13)

the woman with a flow of blood/hemorrhage

after jesus asked who touched his cloak, she calmly revealed herself, even though it went against societal norms (mark 5:31-34)

the syrophonecian woman

the syphonecian woman persisted to heal her daughter, even when jesus initally hesitated (mark 7:26-30)

bartimaeus

although the people in jericho told bartimaeus to stop begging, he continued and got jesus' attention to be healed from his blindness (mark 10:46-52)