The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark

September 2025

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Mark is the shortest gospel, written by John Mark. It is an active, powerful account of the life and work of Jesus Christ. While the other gospels sometimes dwell at length on Jesus' teaching, Mark above all shows us what Jesus did. The word ‘immediately’ appears dozens of times — everything moves quickly, powerfully and with authority. Jesus is here the suffering Servant who came to give His life as a ransom for many.

Mark 1:1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:9-11)

The Gospel of Mark does not begin with a nativity story, but with the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan. This is the starting point of Jesus' public ministry. At His baptism the Trinity becomes visible: the Son is baptized, the Spirit descends as a dove, and the Father speaks from heaven. God here publicly confirms that Jesus is His beloved Son.

Mark 1:9-11 In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting, and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. A voice came out of the sky, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The heavens tear open — Mark uses a powerful word. God breaks through from heaven to earth. The same word returns at the end of the gospel, when the veil of the temple is torn. From beginning to end, Mark shows: in Jesus, God breaks through to humanity.

Jesus calls His disciples (Mark 1:16-20)

Right after His baptism and the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus begins to call disciples. He does not choose scholars or priests, but simple fishermen at the Sea of Galilee. His call is short and powerful — and the response of the disciples is immediate. They leave everything behind to follow Him.

Mark 1:17 Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.

Mark 1:18 Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.

Jesus still calls people to follow Him. The question is: are we willing to leave everything behind and obey Him? Discipleship begins with hearing His voice and responding in obedience.

Jesus heals the sick and casts out demons (Mark 1:23-34)

In the very first chapter of Mark we see the authority of Jesus over sickness and over the spiritual world. In the synagogue of Capernaum He is confronted with a man with an unclean spirit. Jesus speaks with authority and the demon obeys immediately.

Mark 1:25-26 Be quiet, and come out of him! The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.

Jesus has all authority over evil spirits. They know Him and fear Him. Where Jesus comes, the darkness must give way. This is not a battle between equal powers — Jesus speaks one word and it is done.

Mark 1:34 He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons.

Jesus heals not just one or two people — He heals many. He casts out many demons. He is the same Jesus, yesterday, today and forever. His power and His compassion for suffering people have not changed.

Jesus forgives sins (Mark 2:1-12)

In Capernaum a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus by four friends. The house is so full that they break open the roof and lower the man down. Jesus sees their faith and then speaks words no one expects:

Mark 2:5 Son, your sins are forgiven you.

The scribes accuse Jesus of blasphemy: who can forgive sins but God alone? But Jesus proves His divine authority by also healing the man physically:

Mark 2:10-11 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins — he said to the paralytic, “I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.”

Jesus shows here that He is not only a healer, but God Himself, with the authority to forgive sins. The healing of the body is the visible proof of the invisible forgiveness. He still forgives sins — for everyone who comes to Him in faith.

Jesus stills the storm (Mark 4:35-41)

Jesus and His disciples cross the Sea of Galilee. A violent storm arises, so fierce that the boat fills with water. The disciples are terrified — but Jesus is sleeping peacefully on a cushion in the stern. When they wake Him, He stands up and speaks to the wind and the sea:

Mark 4:39 He awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was a great calm.

With the same authority by which He casts out demons, Jesus commands nature. Wind and waves obey Him. He is Lord over creation.

Mark 4:41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Whatever storm you may face in your life — Jesus is greater. He speaks and it becomes still. Trust in Him, even when the water is at your lips.

The faith of the woman (Mark 5:25-34)

Among the crowd is a woman who has suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years. She has tried everything, spent all her money on doctors, but has only grown worse. In faith she touches His garment from behind — and immediately she is healed. Jesus feels power going out from Him and seeks her out. Not to rebuke her, but to confirm her faith:

Mark 5:34 Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.

It is faith that makes the connection with the power of Jesus. Not merit, not status, not money — but simple faith. Jesus calls her ‘daughter’ — a tender word showing how much He cares for her.

Peter's confession (Mark 8:27-29)

Halfway through the gospel Jesus asks His disciples the decisive question: ‘Who do men say that I am?’ The disciples mention various names — John the Baptist, Elijah, a prophet. But then Jesus turns the question personally to them:

Mark 8:29 Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”

This is the heart of the entire gospel. Jesus is the Christ — the Anointed One, the promised Messiah. But immediately afterwards Jesus makes clear what it means to follow Him:

Mark 8:34 If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Following Jesus is not optional. It costs you your own life — your own will, your own plans, your own pride. But what you receive in return is infinitely more: true life in Him.

The great commandment (Mark 12:28-31)

A scribe asks Jesus which commandment is the most important. Jesus' answer sums up the whole Law and the Prophets in two commandments that are inseparably bound together:

Mark 12:29-31 The first is, “Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the first commandment. The second is like this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Everything turns on love. Love for God with all that is in you — and love for your neighbour as for yourself. This is no superficial feeling, but a total surrender to God and an active devotion to the people around you. Whoever keeps these two commandments fulfils the whole Law.

The suffering, death and resurrection (Mark 15-16)

The Gospel of Mark moves relentlessly towards the cross. Jesus is betrayed, arrested, falsely accused, scourged and crucified. On the cross He cries out with a loud voice:

Mark 15:34 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

In this moment Jesus bears the sin of the whole world. The Father turns His face away from the Son — not because He does not love Him, but because He has taken our sin upon Himself. This is the deepest darkness, that we might receive the light.

Mark 15:37-38 Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit. The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.

The veil that closed off access to the holy of holies tears from top to bottom — God Himself opens the way. Through the sacrifice of Jesus the separation between God and man is removed. Everyone may now draw near with boldness to the throne of grace.

Mark 16:6 He has risen. He is not here.

The tomb is empty. Jesus has risen from the dead! Death could not hold Him. He lives and reigns for ever. This is the foundation of our faith: Jesus Christ is risen.

Mark 16:15 Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.

The risen Jesus gives His disciples — and us — a commission: go into all the world and proclaim the Good News. This gospel is not meant to be kept to ourselves, but to be shared with every person.

Mark 16:17-18 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

These are the signs that confirm faith. Jesus gives His followers authority and power to act in His name. The Gospel of Mark begins with power and ends with power — the power of the risen Christ working through everyone who believes.