The Gospel According to Mark

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The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the New Testament gospels, but it contains many important and prominent themes. These themes include: titles used for Jesus, the messianic secret, Jesus' mighty actions, healing of the sick, and the human actions of Jesus.

There are many titles used for Jesus throughout the Gospel of Mark. The gospel begins by giving Jesus Christ the title, "the Son of God" (1:1). This assertion in the very first line of the gospel is a strong acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God. The repetition of the title of "the Son of God" by the voice from the heavens (1:11), the voice from the cloud (9:7), the unclean spirits (3:11, 5:7), and the centurion (15:39) further cement the fact that Jesus Christ is the Son of God in the mind of the reader. As a contrast to the title of "the Son of God," Jesus often refers to himself as "the Son of Man." The first example of the title, "the Son of Man," comes when Jesus is speaking to the paralytic (2:10). Jesus also refers to himself as "the Son of Man" when descending the mountain with Peter, James, and John after his transfiguration (9:9). Jesus continues to refer to himself as "the Son of Man," during the last supper (14:21) and while in the garden of Gethsemane (14:41). Jesus' referral to himself as "the Son of Man" is a direct contrast to the title given to him by others, "the Son of God." The juxtaposition of the two titles throughout the gospel serves to illustrate the fact that Jesus is both "the Son of God," and "the Son of Man." The title, "Son of David," which Bartimaeus uses for Jesus (10:48) alludes to the messianic promise of the Old Testament (2 Sam 7:12-16). Another title used for Jesus is, "teacher." The disciples refer to ...

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...ny humans had before him. This shows Jesus taking an active role in the teaching and saving of the people. Another example of Jesus performing human actions occurs when he encounters the fig tree. Jesus sees the tree from a distance and approaches it in hopes of finding something on it, but alas, it was not time for figs and Jesus cursed the tree (11:12-14). This almost comic account shows the humility and foresight of Jesus as he later uses the same fig tree to teach his disciples about prayer and faith (11:20-25). Jesus' cry of "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" and his death (15:34-37) are the most human of his actions. His final lament expresses the pain he felt and embodies pure human emotion and his death is the most universal human action of all. Through his resurrection he was "the Son of God," but through his death he was "the Son of Man."

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