THE GOSPEL OF MARK
A Commentary by Kay Murdy
Copyright © 2009

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INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK

The majority of contemporary New Testament scholars agree that Mark's Gospel was the first to be written and that Matthew and Luke used it as a source in the composition of their Gospels. According to some fathers of the early church (e.g., Papias, a.d. 135; Irenaeus, a.d. 200; and Origen, a.d. 250), the “Gospel according to Mark” was the work of an associate and interpreter of Peter. The Acts of the Apostles links a certain "John Mark" with Peter (Acts 12:12), and the First Letter of Peter concludes with greetings from Peter to "Mark my son" (1 Pet 5:13). Traditionally, it is said that Mark wrote from Rome in the late 60's shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem (70 CE) during persecution by Nero Caesar. Mark writes to Gentile Christians to encourage them to endure their sufferings, and urges them to continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mark's gospel is the shortest of the four. Mark's readers are drawn into a relationship with the powerful healer and preacher, Jesus of Nazareth. No one seems to understand Jesus' true identity, not even his disciples. In presenting them in this way, however, Mark hopes that his Christian readers will see better than they did. We learn that the way of the cross is the way of discipleship, which is summed up in 10:45, where Jesus says: "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." And that is what happens at the climax of the Gospel, as Jesus dies for his people (chs. 14–15). Mark's account of Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection emphasizes certain themes that were of great importance in the early church as they are today: service to others as the daily way of taking up Jesus' cross. Of the four Gospel portraits, Mark reveals Jesus who is at once the powerful Son of God and a human person who has experienced life as they have, with all its joy and sadness. It also becomes evident as one reads Mark's Gospel that his message is an urgent one. Mark writes to encourage Christians who are suffering persecution for their faith. In chapter 13, Mark uses an "apocalyptic" form of writing that was popular during times of crisis. This style borrows images from the Hebrew Scriptures which depict a time of turmoil and tribulation before the great "Day of the Lord." The author's purpose was not to instill fear, but hope in God's ultimate triumph over evil forces. The apocalyptic book of Revelation encourages Christians to stand firm in the face of suffering and possible martyrdom. Mark and his community belonged to the early Christian community that believed Jesus would to return very soon. While no one knows for certain the exact "day or hour" of Christ's return, God's servants must be vigilant for his inevitable coming. In order to be prepared for his glorious return coming in the clouds to gather his elect (13:26–27), Mark urges his readers to learn from Jesus the meaning of discipleship: Join him in serving the needs of your brothers and sisters, even unto death.
 

READ MARK 1 ̶  2
The Gospel of Mark begins with a powerful statement: Jesus of Nazareth is indeed alive as the risen Christ, the Son of God. Mark, unlike Matthew and Luke, does not record the infancy of Jesus; instead, he introduces his readers to the adult Jesus through his forerunner, John the Baptist. John announces the good news that the Messiah, the anointed one (the Christ), the Son of God, is coming to save his people. John is the "new Elijah" who prepares the people for the arrival of the "Day of the Lord" (Mal.3:1,23). Like the great prophet, John appears in the desert proclaiming a message of repentance. In the bible, the desert is a place of special encounters between the people and their God. The Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the desert after the exodus. Elijah spent 40 days in the desert until he was strengthened by God to resume his prophetic task. John realizes that his role is that of a lowly herald of the glad tidings; he himself is not the message. His baptism of water is for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is "one more powerful" who will baptize with the purifying grace of the Holy Spirit.  After Jesus' baptism, the Spirit sends him into the desert to confront the powers of evil. With John's arrest, Jesus continues the Baptist's proclamation: repent and believe the good news that God's reign is at hand. God's kingdom had arrived in Jesus' words and deeds. The Messianic era had begun, a time for the restoration of all creation (Is.11:6). As Jesus preaches along the Sea of Galilee, he calls his first disciples, four fishermen. Simon and his brother Andrew immediately respond to Jesus' call. James and John, another pair of brothers, forsake their family and livelihood to follow him. Jesus promises his disciples that they will be instruments to spread the gospel throughout the world. During their journey together, they will discover that there are no half measures to serving the Lord.

Mark describes a typical day as Jesus teaches and heals. The people are enthralled by the power of Jesus' words. They marvel that he teaches on his own authority, and does not depend on the tradition of the rabbis. In the synagogue at Capernaum, Jesus heals a man possessed by an "unclean spirit" (v.23). The demons know that divine power is at work in Jesus, and they attempt to overpower Jesus by invoking his name. Jesus is more powerful than the demons, and he rebukes them and commands their silence. Following the sabbath service, Jesus goes to the home of Simon Peter where the apostle's mother in law lay ill. Taking her by the hand, Jesus raises her up and she is healed. In gratitude, she serves others. With the sabbath's end at sundown, the people are free to bring their sick to Jesus and he heals many. Early the next day, Jesus goes to a place of solitude for prayer. Even there his disciples search him out and urge him to return. Jesus tells them that he must spread the good news to other towns, for that is why he has come. Jesus went throughout Galilee, preaching in the synagogues, and driving out demons. A leper dares to approach Jesus and humbly begs to be healed. Jesus is filled with compassion; it is always his will that his people be whole. A person afflicted with leprosy was forced to live apart from family, friends and the community. Jesus touches the man even though contact with leprosy made one "unclean." Then Jesus sends the man to the priest who alone can pronounce him cured (Lv.14:1 32). Jesus is concerned that his miracles might be misinterpreted as wonder working, so he admonishes the man not to speak of the healing. But the man cannot restrain himself and proclaims the good news to everyone. Now it is Jesus who is forced to live on the outskirts of town. Jesus returns to Capernaum and great crowds gather at his house. Four people try to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, but they cannot get through the crowd. They carry the man to the roof top, make an opening in the thatching, and lower him to the feet of Jesus below. When Jesus sees their faith, he is moved with pity. Jesus tells the paralytic that his sins are forgiven as sin was thought to be the cause of a person's illness or misfortune (Jb.4:7 9). The religious leaders are scandalized as only God could forgive sins. Jesus shows his divine authority by healing the man. The awed people praise God for these mighty works. These miracles are signs that God's kingdom has arrived.

When Jesus sees a man named Levi ("Matthew" in Mt.9:9) sitting at his custom post, he invites him to become a disciple. Tax collectors (Publicans) were despised by their fellow Jews because many of them charged exorbitant profits on the collection of duties. Furthermore, their work was viewed as collaboration with the occupying Roman government. Later, when Jesus and his disciples dine with Levi and many other "known sinners," some Pharisaical scribes are outraged at such association. Jesus declares that he has not come for the self righteous who think they have no sin, but for those who recognize their need for salvation, and respond to Jesus' invitation to change their lives. The people demand to know why Jesus' disciples do not fast in the custom of the Pharisees and the disciples of John. Jesus describes his relationship with his followers with the Biblical metaphor of marriage (Is.54:5 7). Jesus is the long awaited bridegroom whose arrival inaugurates a new era. While Jesus is in their midst, his followers must celebrate. Jesus says it is impossible to mix the new ways with the old. It is as futile as trying to patch an old garment with new fabric, or putting fresh wine into old worn out flasks. The old order cannot contain the new life that Jesus brings. But once again Jesus meets opposition from the religious leaders when his hungry disciples pick grain to eat on the sabbath, as they considered this as work. Jesus cites the precedence of David who fed his hungry men with the bread of offering that was reserved for the priests (1 Sm.21:4 7). He says that the sabbath is a gift from God, and that charity should prevail over rules and rituals.

FOR REFLECTION: Do I understand my own baptismal promises so I can share mu faith with others? Do I make time for prayer in my busy activities?

READ MARK 3  ̶  4
Jesus was often critical of sabbath laws which prevented ministering to the needs of others. While he was worshipping in the synagogue, Jesus saw a man with a crippled hand. Knowing that the man dare not ask for healing on the sabbath, Jesus calls him before the entire assembly, and asks those gathered whether it was preferable to heal on the sabbath or to do evil by avoiding the needs of others. When no one answers him, Jesus is angry and grieved by their cold heartedness. Then he heals the man with a simple command. The religious leaders see no violation of the sabbath law when they plot Jesus' death. After this confrontation, Jesus withdraws to the area around the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus teaches and heals, he attracts large crowds from many regions. Some unclean spirits dentify Jesus as "The Son of God" (v.11) in an attempt to ward off God's power. Jesus silences this demonic attempt to thwart God's plan. Then Jesus goes to the mountain to summon those with whom he will share his ministry. His co workers will be "sent forth" (the meaning of the word "apostle") to preach with the power and authority of his name. In the first covenant, there were twelve tribes who formed the foundation for the people of God (Gn.49). In the new covenant, there would be twelve apostles. Peter is always first in the list of apostles. He is the foundation "rock" (Gk. Petros) upon whom the Church would be built (Mt.16:18). News of Jesus' ministry reaches members of his family who have difficulty understanding his life style as an itinerant preacher. They fear that he has lost his mind and cannot handle his own affairs. Some scribes attribute Jesus' power over disease as coming from Beelzebul (ancient term for Satan). Jesus shows the foolishness of a divided kingdom. His every word and deed was an attack on Satan's domain. Jesus is informed that his mother and relatives were looking for him (In Hebrew and Aramaic, brothers and sisters can mean various degrees of kinship). Jesus says that more than blood relationship, it is doing God's will that makes one his "brother and sister."

Jesus regularly taught by means of parables that compelled people to hear God's truth in a new way. The unexpected ending of these stories often surprised his audience, and confused those whose ears and hearts were closed to the meaning. The key point of Jesus' parables is the coming of God's reign. He uses examples from everyday life: farmers, grain, seeds and plants, to invite his followers to discover the meaning of his message. Jesus explains that the growth and fruitfulness of the kingdom is God's work. Human inadequacy will not hinder the coming of the reign of God. It will grow imperceptibly until it is fully established at the final judgment. Jesus compares the irrepressible nature of the kingdom to a mustard seed that is small when it is sown, but which grows to the height of a tree when the plant matures. So too the kingdom moves steadily forward toward its fulfillment. Jesus' disciples are greatly encouraged; their own inadequacies will not hinder the coming of the reign of God. Then Jesus teaches by means of a parable in action. While he and his disciples cross the Sea of Galilee, a storm suddenly arises and threatens to capsize their small craft. The disciples are terrified and chastise Jesus who is asleep in the stern of the boat (the pilot's seat). Jesus uses the same authority that God used at creation (Gen.1:2). He restores order to the elements with a simple command, "Peace, be still!" Jesus assures his fearful followers of his abiding presence and concern. Jesus again shows the power of his word. In the pagan territory of the Gerasenes, Jesus encounters a troubled individual. The demons possessing the man recognize Jesus as their enemy, and they try to overpower him by invoking the divine name. With a word, Jesus commands the evil spirits to depart from the man. He sends the demons into a herd of swine, and they throw themselves into the turbulent sea. The grateful man begs to follow Jesus, but he sends him home to bear witness to his family.

FOR REFLECTION: Do I need to examine my religious practices? Have I allowed rules to be a substitute for love?

READ MARK 5  ̶  6
Jairus, an official in the synagogue, pleads with Jesus to come to his house and heal his dying daughter. A woman follows them, hoping to be cured of a persistent hemorrhage. Though her condition prohibits her from having contact with anyone (Lv.15:19), she reaches out and touches Jesus in desperation. Instantly, she is healed. Jesus assures the frightened woman that her faith has made her whole. At that moment, Jairus is informed that his daughter has died. Jesus tells the distraught father not to be afraid but to put his faith in him. Sending the mourners away, Jesus enters the house, takes the little girl by the hand, and raises her to new life. When Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth, his neighbors are astonished by his teachings, but they wonder where he has acquired his wisdom and amazing power. Like the prophets of old, Jesus is not accepted by those to whom he was sent. Because they lack faith, Jesus is able to perform only a few miracles among his own kin.

Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs to preach repentance and heal by the power and authority of his name. Previously these men followed Jesus, now they are sent ahead of him. Jesus instructs them not to take along excess baggage. They are to trust in God's providence and the hospitality of others. If their message is not received, Jesus' disciples are to leave that place, emptying the dust from their shoes as a testimony against these unbelievers (a Jewish custom when returning from a pagan land). Empowered by Jesus, the new missionaries set out to announce God's reign. As Jesus' reputation spreads, King Herod wonders who is this mighty one who performs such works. Herod believes that he is John the Baptist raised from the dead. John had spoken out against Herod's illicit marriage with Herodias, the wife of his half brother (Lv.18:16,20:21). Because of this, Herodias wanted to kill John. She finds her opportunity during a banquet given in honor of her husband's birthday. When Herodias' daughter dances to the delight of her step father, Herod offers the girl anything she wants. Herodias tells her daughter to ask for the head of the Baptist. In giving his life for faithfully announcing the coming of God's kingdom, John's martyrdom prefigures Jesus' own death.

The twelve apostles return from their first mission and report all that had occurred. Because the needs of the people had been so great, the apostles scarcely had time to eat. Jesus takes his tired apostles across the Sea of Galilee to rest in a quiet place. When they arrive, a great crowd is there to greet them. Jesus is not annoyed, but is moved with compassion because the people are spiritually hungry. After he teaches them at length, his followers urge Jesus to dismiss the crowds so they can find something to eat. Jesus tells his disciples to feed the people themselves. Then he blesses the offering and feeds the multitude. The miracle looks back to the feeding of Israel in the desert, and anticipates the Eucharistic banquet where all are fed by Christ. After the multiplication of loaves in the wilderness, Jesus sends his disciples back across Lake Galilee to Bethsaida, while he goes to a mountain to pray alone. While his disciples are at sea, a sudden storm threatens to capsize their small boat. Jesus is master of all creation, and he walks on the water toward his terrified disciples. When they fear he is a ghost, Jesus tells his followers not to be afraid. He is with his people in all their needs, in their hunger and their fears. When Jesus gets into the boat, the storm subsides. Though they have just witnessed the miracle of the loaves and fish, the astonished disciples still do not understand the meaning of these events. When Jesus and his disciples arrive by boat in Gennesaret, the crowds gather again, bringing their sick from far and wide. Their faith is so great that they are healed just by touching the tassel on his cloak. Though the disciples had seen Jesus' mighty deeds in the wilderness, at sea, and in the villages, they still do not understand the full meaning of these events (v.51).

FOR REFLECTION: How have I been called to serve the Lord? In what ways do I feed hungry souls?

READ MARK 7  ̶  8
The religious leaders of Israel had developed elaborate rituals to separate themselves from those who did not believe in God. These oral traditions were regarded as having the same binding force as the law of Moses. Jesus and his disciples are criticized for their failure to perform the market and kitchen purification rites. Jesus says that external acts should reflect the moral intent of God's law and not be mere pious observances. It is not food or objects that defile a person. It is sinful motives of the heart which lead to immoral acts. Jesus opens the way for unity with "unclean" Gentiles, an important question that the early Church faced (Acts 10:1 15). Jesus moves on to the Gentile city of Tyre, in Phoenicia . Here a pagan woman from the province of Syria approaches Jesus and begs him to cure her daughter. Thus far, Jesus' ministry has only been to the Jews. He says it is not right to give away the food that is meant for God's children. The woman says she is willing to accept whatever the children have thrown away (a reference to the Gentile's acceptance of Jesus after his own had rejected him). Because of the woman's faith, Jesus heals her daughter. Jesus continues to minister to the Gentiles by going to the Decapolis, a league of ten cities in eastern Palestine. There a deaf man with a speech impediment is brought to him for healing. The gestures that Jesus employs were used by healers of his time. With Jesus they impart the presence of God just as the signs of the sacraments do today. Jesus looks to the divine source of his healing power, and with a word and touch, the man's hearing and speech are restored, fulfilling the Messianic promise that "the deaf shall hear" and "the dumb will sing" (Is.29:18, 35:6). Fearing his deeds might be misinterpreted, Jesus asks the people not to speak of this miracle. But the people cannot restrain their praise. A second account of the multiplication of the loaves occurs in Gentile territory. When Jesus see the hungry crowd, he takes pity on them, while his disciples wonder how they can feed them. Jesus takes the seven loaves offered to him, gives thanks to God, breaks them, and gives them to his disciples to distribute. When everyone has eaten their fill, the fragments are gathered in seven baskets (twelve in the first story), a number representing the seven ministers in the Gentile Christian church (Acts 6:1 6). Jesus shows that all people have equal right to be at the table of the Eucharist.

Jesus goes to Dalmanutha (place unknown). Some Pharisees there demand that Jesus display some mighty work of God as a sign that God's reign has arrived. They refuse to accept the miracles that Jesus has accomplished, missing the significance of these works as a manifestation of God's presence. Similarly, God told Moses in the wilderness that the people refused to believe or heed God's voice "despite all the signs" that were performed in their midst (Nm.14:11,22). Jesus leaves this faithless place, telling the hypocritical leaders that because of their blind lack of faith, no such sign will be given. Jesus and his disciples then journey by boat to Bethsaida. On the way, the disciples realize they have forgotten to bring enough provisions. Jesus uses this as an opportunity to warn them about the corrupting influence of Herod and the Pharisees. Since yeast, or leaven, induces fermentation in bread dough, it is an apt symbol of the insidious affect of those who opposed Jesus. The disciples fail to understand him, and Jesus castigates them for being blind and deaf to his words and deeds. Those in power had missed the meaning of his miracles. Had his disciples missed it too?

The healing of the blind man can be read alongside the gradual enlightenment of the disciples. When a blind man is brought to Jesus for healing, Jesus takes him by the hand and leads him outside the village. Taking spittle (thought to have curative powers), Jesus begins the healing process. At first the man is unable to see clearly. When Jesus lays his hands upon him, the man's sight is restored. Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" This episode marks a turning point in the disciples' understanding of Jesus' role and mission. While the people regard him just as another prophet, the disciples slowly come to believe that he is the Messiah, the one who brings salvation. Jesus begins to reveal what it means to be God's anointed one. He will be rejected, suffer and die for the sins of the people. Although Peter professes his faith in Jesus, he has difficulty accepting a suffering Messiah. Jesus warns Peter that he is allowing Satan to cloud his understanding and impede God's will. Anyone who wishes to follow Jesus but get behind him, take up the cross, and share in his struggles and sufferings.

FOR REFLECTION: Do I try to help others understand who Jesus is? Am I patient with the slow spiritual growth of myself and others?

After his resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples and commissions them to preach the Gospel throughout the world. The disciples are sent forth assured that the Lord will continue to worth through them by the power of the Holy Spirit. All who believe the good news will be saved; whoever does not will bring condemnation upon themselves. Forty days after Easter, Jesus ascends in glory to the "right hand" of the Father, a symbol of authority and power. The feast of the Ascension commemorates the elevation of Christ's human nature into the condition of divine glory. It is the final act of Christ's work of redemption on earth. Christ's ascension gives us hope in the promise of our own ascension into heaven.

On Holy Saturday, the Church waits with the women at the Lord's tomb, meditating on his suffering and death. There is no sacrifice of the Mass celebrated during the day. The solemn vigil at night anticipates Easter morning, symbolizing light versus darkness. The Easter candle expresses Christ our light. In the Sacrament of Baptism, candidates will experience the dying and rising of Christ. The faithful will renew their own baptismal commitment, dying to the sinful self, and dedicating their lives to the love and service of the risen Lord. Like the women at the tomb, we each have a choice. We can continue to search in all the wrong places for the answers to life's questions, or we can believe the testimony of the empty tomb and experience true life with Christ.

FOR REFLECTION: Is my life a "Gospel" that others can read? Have I the courage to share the good news with those who do not believe?

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