Gospel in Mark

Continuing the series looking for 'the gospel' in the gospels. Six posts in this series here:

1. Gospel in the Gospels - introduction and some thoughts to consider 
2. Gospel in Matthew - verses related to the term gospel in Matthew 
3. Gospel in Mark - verses related to the term gospel in Mark 
4. Gospel in Luke - verses related to the term gospel in Luke 
5. Gospel in John - verses in John that that make similar points 
6. Gospel in the Gospels - Summary

This time considering what Mark has to say. If Mark was asked "What is the gospel?", how would he respond?

I'll try to organize some scripture snippets, and look for a gospel theme. (All taken from NIV)

The term 'gospel' is not foreign to Mark

8:35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

10:29-30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.

13:10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.

14:9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

The opening sentence is about the gospel

1:1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,

Then Jesus starts preaching the gospel

1:14 - 15 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Good news of the kingdom of God is described in Parables

4:11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables

4:26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.

4:30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?

Jesus is often refereed to be Lord (ie. King)

1:3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

2:28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

5:19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

7:28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

11:3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

12:37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.

16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

16:20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

More kingdom topics

3:24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

9:1 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

11:9-10 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

9:47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,

10:14-15 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

10:23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

12:34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

14:25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Observations:

• Mar 1:14 - 15 gives a good idea of what good news message Jesus preached from town to town.
• We could assume this would be the same message that His disciples preached from town to town later before His death/resurrection (and enhanced after).
• Some references to the kingdom of God seem to be present tense and something to be received now
• Some references to the kingdom of God are future tense
• It may be helpful to substitute kingdom of God in these verses with reign, rule, authority or dominion of God

Go and preach the gospel

16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

In context, what is 'the gospel' according to Mark (or Jesus)? I'd love to hear your thoughts.