1. 1. The Gospel of Mark Background Information
2. 2. Author
   • Gospels do not name their authors.
   • Early church fathers are unanimous.
   • Justin Martyr (AD 150) referred to the Gospel of Mark as the memoirs of Peter.
3. 3. Date
   • Because of comments made by Christ, Mark must have been written before 70 AD.
   • Arguments for Markan Priority
   • • At many points Mark's descriptions are the most vivid.
   • • Mark's grammar and style is often the roughest.
   • • Mark narrates potentially embarrassing or misleading details.
   • • Mark's is the shortest gospel, but within the passages he narrates, his is typically the fullest form.
4. 4. Date
   • Arguments for Markan Priority
   • • There is very little in Mark that is not reproduced in Matthew or Luke.
   • • There seems to be no other explanation for why Mark left out important material common to Matthew and Luke.
5. 5. Date
   • Arguments against Markan Priority
   • • The nearly unanimous testimony of the early church was that Matthew was the first gospel written.
   • • Why would Matthew, an eyewitness to Christ's life, depend on Mark.
   • • Certain minor agreements of Matthew and Luke against Mark exist.
   • • A large chunk of Mark is missing from Luke.
6. 6. Background
   • Mark seems to have targeted Roman believers.
   • • When employing Aramaic terms, he translated them for his readers.
   • • In some places, Mark used Latin expressions instead of Greek equivalents.
   • • He reckoned time according to the Roman system and carefully explained Jewish customs.
   • • Omitted Jewish elements like genealogies found in Matthew and Luke.
   • • Makes fewer references to the Old Testament.
7. 7. Theological Themes
   • Presents Jesus as the suffering Servant of the Lord (10:45)
   • Focused on deeds more than teaching of Christ
   • Omits Christ's early life, beginning with the start of Christ's ministry
   • Demonstrated the humanity of Christ most clearly
   • • Christ's human emotions
   • • Christ's human limitations