Gospel Book

Lore & Background

The Gospel of Mark is traditionally attributed to Mark the Evangelist, a companion of the Apostle Peter, though the author is not named and scholars debate the identity. It is dated to around 70 CE and was likely written in Rome for a Gentile audience. It is classified as an ancient biography that was intended to strengthen the existing faith of its intended audience rather than to evangelize. Most scholars believe that Mark is the earliest gospel and was used by Matthew, Luke, and John; some scholars have regarded Mark as the most reliable gospel, though this view is debated. There is no universal agreement on the structure of Mark, but a break at Mark 8:26–31 is widely recognized. Mark 16:8, which ends with a resurrection announcement, was the original ending.

In Their Own Story

The room was freezing, the air thick with the smell of sulfur and rotting meat. Father Merrin's hands trembled not from fear, but from exhaustion as he opened the worn leather binding on the bedside table. The pages seemed to glow faintly against the shadows dancing in the corners. He began to read, his voice raspy yet commanding, reciting verses that had driven back darkness for centuries. Outside, the wind howled like a dying beast, but inside, the words of the Gospel carved a circle of light around the bed, holding the encroaching nightmare at bay.

Reader's Guide

The Gospel of Mark was written in Greek for a gentile audience, probably in Rome—although Galilee, Antioch, and southern Syria have also been suggested. The consensus among modern scholars is that the gospels are a subset of the genre of bios (ancient biography). Ancient biographies were typically written shortly after the subject's death and included substantial historical material. They aimed to provide readers with examples to emulate, to preserve and promote the subject's reputation and memory, and to convey moral and rhetorical content. The gospels were written to strengthen the faith of those who already believed, rather than as tracts for missionary conversion. Christian churches were small communities of believers, often based on households. Aune argues that the evangelists wrote on two levels: a 'historical' presentation of Jesus and a layer addressing the concerns of the author's own day.

Did You Know?

• The Gospel of Mark is the second of the four canonical Gospels and one of the three Synoptic Gospels.
• Mark 16:8, which ends with a resurrection announcement, was the original ending.
• The gospel is traditionally attributed to Mark the Evangelist, a companion of the Apostle Peter, though the author is not named.
• Most scholars believe that Mark is the earliest gospel and was used by Matthew, Luke, and John.
• The Gospel of Mark was written in Greek for a gentile audience, probably in Rome.