Morning Bible Study: The Gospel of Mark

Who was Mark the Evangelist? Why is his gospel important? Why study Mark's account of Jesus' life? These are all questions that I've had as I feel my mind "tugged" to study the book of Mark.

This entry at Bible Wikia gives a brief introduction to Mark, also known as John Mark. https://bible.wikia.org/wiki/Mark_the_Evangelist 

According to Bible Wikia, Mark was discipled by Peter and was a cousin of Barnabas. Mark traveled with both Barnabas and Paul at various points in his evangelism.

For a more in-depth reading about Mark, Overview Bible has a great article. https://overviewbible.com/john-mark/

Bible Project provides a capsule of why the Book of Mark has become increasingly important to scholars in recent years. https://bibleproject.com/blog/mark-gospel-servant-messiah/

It is believed that Mark's account is the oldest of the 4 gospels and was a source for both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Gospel of Mark gives us greater understanding of who Jesus was as the Messiah and Son of God and His mission. 

If you find yourself with some of the same questions that I've had, I invite you to read these 3 articles before we begin studying the Gospel of Mark.

Introduction to the Gospel according to Mark with outline of chapter 1, from Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary (from christianity.com)

"Mark's narrative does not take rise so early as those of Matthew and Luke do, from the birth of our Saviour, but from John's baptism, from which he soon passes to Christ's public ministry. Accordingly, in this chapter, we have, I. The office of John Baptist illustrated by the prophecy of him (v. 1-3), and by the history of him (v. 4-8). II. Christ's baptism, and his being owned from heaven (v. 9-11). III. His temptation (v. 12, 13). IV. His preaching (v. 14, 15, 21, 22, 38, 39). V. His calling disciples (v. 16-20). VI. His praying (v. 35). VII. His working miracles. 1. His rebuking an unclean spirit (v. 23-28). 2. His curing Peter's mother-in-law, who was ill of a fever (v. 29-31). 3. His healing all that came to him (v. 32, 34). 4. His cleansing a leper (v. 40-45)."