Reading Notes: Gospel of Mark, Part B

 The Gospel of Mark Reading Notes

After reading the first part of the Gospel of Mark yesterday, I was so excited to continue reading! I couldn't wait to read how the story finished with Jesus's resurrection. As I mentioned before, I am familiar with this gospel, but reading it a second time has allowed me to pick up on details, symbols, and characters I missed the first time. I have so much better of a grasp this time!


Characters: Jesus, Paul, Peter, Mary Magdalene, Pontius Pilate, Barnabas, Judas Iscariot, Stephen, Timothy, Mary (mother of Jesus), Joseph, Luke, Caiaphas, Herod


Plot:

Jesus travels to Jerusalem where he continues to preach the the gospel and the common people are amazed by him and accept his teachings. On the other hand, the scribes priests reject Jesus. To the common people, Jesus preaches how the End Day will come and how they must obey Caesar.

 At the Passover, Jesus provides the Eucharist with his twelve disciples. He shares that one of his disciples will betray him (Judas Iscariot). Jesus then leaves to go pray while Peter, James, and John fall asleep in the garden. As Jesus leaves the garden, Judas Iscariot gives a sign to the chief priest's by kissing Jesus. The priests immediately arrest Jesus and take him to court.

Jesus was brought to Pontius Pilate where he agrees to the common people's chanting to "crucify him." Jesus died on the cross and was later buried by Joseph. On the third day, Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus's tomb to find it empty. An angel appears to her and says "Jesus has Risen." Jesus then returns to Mary and his disciples as a resurrected man.

Symbols:

1. The Eucharist

2. The Cross

3. The Olive Tree

Motifs:

One main repeated detail throughout the story was the use of a map or geography. The story shifts from one location to another, from village to village as Jesus preaches the gospel. This emphasizes the importance of spiritual discipleship to teach as many people possible about the word of God. The story ends with Jesus on cross. The cross signifies that followers of Christ may endure persecution and suffering in their faithfulness. 

"The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." -Mark 4:19-20

Bibliography:

Title: The Gospel of Mark

Author: John Mark who is a close interpreter of Peter


(Mark the Evangelist 16th Century Russian Icon, Wikipedia)


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