St Mark's Gospel

Good news

It is believed the author was John Mark who was from Jerusalem
He is one of the four evangelists that wrote the gospels
He wrote the Gospel between about 64-66AD with the traditional it was written in Rome
His sources included Peter and early Christians.
John Mark was Peter’s assistant

literalism – every singe word in the Bible is true
fundamentalism – the Bible is a factual historical record
conservative view – writers views and opinions are within the Bible inspired by God so it is not literally true, we must use common sense and guidance from the Holy Spirit to interpret it
liberal view – authors were guided by God but as humans make mistakes it shouldn’t be taken literally, the Bible can be interpreted symbolically as stories have a spiritual meaning

Christians believe that the gospels should be respected as conveying deep religious truths.

Mark 1:1 states that it is the beginning of the Good News / Jesus is the Messiah / the Messianic Secret is revealed to the readers / Jesus is described as the Son of God / he could save people e.g. the calming of the storm / Jesus could cure sickness e.g. Jairus’ daughter, etc. / raise from the dead / he met their physical as well as spiritual needs / gave hope in the face of persecution / promise of the kingdom of heaven to those who believe etc.

Rome is the traditional view / the Papias tradition / Mark was Peter’s interpreter / Mark had followed Peter / Peter was in Rome / Mark was with him in Rome / Rome had become a centre of Christianity / Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Romans so the centre of Christianity could possibly have become Rome / Christianity had attracted slaves and the underclasses of which there were many in Rome / Latin terms like praetorium are not explained / connection with Peter, who died in Rome Aramaic terms are explained so there must have been a Gentile audience which could have been Rome / Mark explains some Jewish customs / it was suitable to the persecuted Christians in Rome / mention of Rufus (Rom 16:13) / Mark is also thought to have been with Paul so may have been in Rome with him

To be good news for persecuted Christians / that Jesus is more than just another person / that he is the anointed one / by use of the word Christ in Mark 1:1 / that Jesus is the Messiah / to encourage Christians / eyewitnesses dying out/delayed second coming/ written source of Jesus’ life/ to spread the good news

Encouragement Christians being persecuted in Rome so to give hope and courage to those who are afraid
Preservation: eye witnesses were getting older and future generations might miss out
Correct information: to stop heresy, to confirm and strengthen people’s faith
delay of the second coming: since the world was not ending soon, the good news had to be passed down to generations
teachings: to teach future generations about Jesus and the word of God
stop political conflict: to show those in authority that Jesus was not a threat
stop social conflict: early Christians could not take part in social events like offerings as they didn’t believe in it and they were thought of as cannibals and vampires because we eat and drink Christ

Warrior / Son of David / come after Elijah/ anointed one / used in the Old Testament
of kings / Christ is the Greek form of the Hebrew to help non Jewish Christians
understand / sent by God / chosen by God / a political messiah who was going to get the Romans out of Palestine / God’s son/ an understanding of Psalm 2 / saviour / redeemer

Linked him with humanity / shared human experiences / also pointed to him being a supernatural figure / showed his authority, e.g. to forgive sins / representative figure / suggestive of humility rather than worldly power / self-giving service of others / link with Suffering Servant.

It avoided the use of Christ (Messiah) / it was a safe title / it could just mean ‘a man’ / some would have recognised the links to Daniel and Enoch / it kept the messianic secret / it is a representative title to show that Jesus would suffer for others / he is God’s judge on earth / he is an example of one who carries out God’s will / not a messianic claim or title but with messianic overtones/servant etc.

This is the Good News about Jesus Christ the Son of God.
(Mark makes it clear that the gospel is good news and it is written by a believer for other believers or potential believers. It is written from faith and for faith)

The verse gives the message that Jesus is Messiah (Christ) / at once it emphasises that Jesus is sent by God / it gives the information that the book contains good news / reference to Jesus as Son of God / leaves the reader in no doubt / the person of Christ
The phrase Son of God is disputed / no mention of the birth as in other Gospels / nothing on Jesus’ early life / writer assumes that ‘gospel’ is understood and agreed with.

It would have been dangerous / Jesus could have been accused of blasphemy / he could have been arrested and put to death / the Romans could have seen it as a threat to their rule / it could have brought the ministry to a close earlier than Jesus planned / Jesus wanted to keep the messianic secret / some think that Jesus was not the Son of God / he did not see himself as the Son of God / people who called him Son of God could have been charged with blasphemy / Jesus styled himself Son of Man/there is no clear evidence in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus saw himself as Son of God , etc.

John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the river Jordan
as he came up out of the water, he saw heaven opening and the Holy Spirit coming down in the form of a dove - Kingdom of God is near
a voice came from heaven saying “you are my beloved Son and I am pleased with you”
God’s voice and comment about his love for Jesus shows his approval and encourages him to start his mission. The Holy Trinity is present

Jesus is the Son of God proven by the voice/ the dove an indicator of the Holy Spirit / the Spirit is with him / he is beginning his ministry / water is a sign of cleanliness / the water indicates the power of God in history and Jesus is part of this / Jesus had authority.
Explain briefly the importance of i the dove ii the voice from heaven.
i) the dove: sign of the Holy Spirit /presence of the third part of the Trinity /link to creation story /Noah releasing a dove at the end of the flood to show the new beginning of the world/presence of God/ a peaceful Messiah/shows Jesus’ divinity /sign of God’s blessing on him /shows the peaceful ministry Jesus would lead /Jesus receiving God’s power to do his work/
ii) the voice: mark of God’s favour /lets people know who Jesus really is /foreshadows the transfiguration /tells people God was pleased with him /Jewish tradition of the bath kol, etc.

Jesus goes to pray in the desert to prepare for the upcoming events
Satan and the wild animals are seen as opposition to God, leading Jesus and us astray
Jesus faith is tested but he shows he can resist temptation, we should try and follow this example
Angels are the messengers of God they help and give support to those good people going through difficult times, God is helping Jesus
It shows that if we do as God wants he will protect us
Jesus has strong will power physically, emotionally and spiritually, self discipline and devotion to God

Agree Temptation is a human experience / it does not depend on time factors / if people are tempted by what is around them then they will be / resisting temptation is a way of life and fits with the society people live in / there were just as many temptations in the past / they were different but still temptations / self-discipline is what is important.
Other views Jesus was the Son of God / he was ministered to by angels / life was less complex in the past / the temptations at the beginning of the Gospel of Mark are not indicated / later he was tempted by Peter suggesting that he should not die but Jesus could put this aside / there was less materialism / there is more to tempt people these days / technology and materialism have made it more difficult / advertising does not help.

Jesus was preaching to a crowd in a house when 4 men carrying a the man to him
They couldn’t get through so lowered the man through a hole in the roof
Jesus saw their faith and said “my son your sins are forgiven”
teachers believe it is blasphemy as only God can forgive sins
Jesus responds “I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
He says to the paralysed man “I tell you get up pick your mat and go home!”
The man got up and walks off this amazed everyone

Faith rewarded /man’s friends demonstrated faith in Jesus /Jesus was aware that the teachers of the law were thinking critical things about him because he had said that the man’s sins were forgiven /Jesus had the power to forgive sins /A chance for Jesus to show that God’s power could heal /it proved everything that he was claiming for himself though the crowds did not realise this yet /showed compassion /demonstrated physical as well as mental healing /sickness was seen as a punishment for sin /shows authority as the Son of Man /sick man had to have belief in Jesus.

Jesus is able to cure illness /he was a person that others had faith in /he was compassionate /met need when he saw it / had the power to forgive sins /able to discern others’ thoughts in challenging the scribes /willing to risk using what appeared to be blasphemous language to get his point over /able to demonstrate God’s power /someone who left the crowds wondering who he was etc.

Jairus an official of the local synagogue threw himself on Jesus feet begging “my daughter is very ill, please come and place your hands on her so that she will get will and live”
Jesus went with them but people were saying “your daughter has died, why bother the teacher?”, Jesus didn’t listen “don’t be afraid only believe”
they reached the house and everyone was crying he says “why all this confusion and crying? The child is not dead she is only sleeping”
they laughed so he only to the child’s parent, Peter, James and John into the child’s room
he said to the girl “talitha koum” which means little girl I tell you to get up
she got up at once and started walking, Jesus told them not to tell anyone and give her something to eat

Not necessarily just to challenge the authorities /it was a challenge even though they had not said anything /Jesus anticipated a challenge when he forgave the man’s sins the authorities were thinking that he did not have to authority to do this /Jesus healed the man because of the faith of the friends /healed to demonstrate his power / healed him because he was in need / Jesus healed to demonstrate the power of God /Son of Man has God’s authority /it was the right thing to do / the man needed healing / he would be able to work and earn a living, etc.

They demonstrate the power of God /calming of the storm shows Jesus had God’s power over nature /feeding of the 5000 shows Jesus was Son of God as he could multiply the loaves and fishes /God’s son feeds the hungry /healing miracles show him as God’s Son as he cured physical illnesses /Bartimaeus calls him Son of David which is a synonym for Messiah esurrection is the ultimate proof that Jesus is Son of God.

They are not proof except to those who believe them /Jesus refused to give proofs when asked to do so / they may have been exaggerated /defy natural law, so cannot have happened / if saints can perform miracles, miracles do not prove one is Son of God / it is not only in the miracles that Jesus is depicted as Son of God /Mark 11 the statement is made by the Gospel writer /voice at the baptism /voice at the transfiguration /the questioning in the trial of Jesus and the responses he made /the Roman Centurion at the crucifixion

Miracles are too easily questioned / some people don’t believe that miracles happen any more / the parables are easy to remember / neither helps today because they are out of date / the parables relate to everyday life situations / parables easy to repeat / parables can be updated / why did only some people have a miracle happen to them? / the miracles are enacted parables / the parables were hard to understand, e.g. the disciples and the sower.

The miracles taught about God’s power / people could see the change in those cured / they caused amazement in the crowds / they met the physical and spiritual needs of those who experienced a miracle / they were a dramatic demonstration of God’s presence / they were a sign that in the Kingdom of God there would be no suffering / changed people’s lives forever

People found Jesus’s teaching difficult to accept
• “Where did this man get all this?”
• Known as the son of Mary and Joseph
• Jesus uses an old proverb (Wisdom) saying “Prophets are not without honour accept in their own town”
• Jesus experiences persecution and rejections.
Encourage Christians to stay strong and have faith

Jesus and the disciples were tired so they went by boat to a quiet place but lots of people saw them and began to follow
there was a large crowd and Jesus was filled with pity as they were like sheep without a Shepherd, so he began to teach them
the disciples said “it is very late, send the people away to buy themselves something to eat”
Jesus answered “you yourself give them something to eat” and they replied “ Do you want us to spend 200 silver coins to feed them?”
Jesus asked “how much bread have you got?” and they told him “ five loaves and two fishes”
Jesus divide the people into groups of 50 or 100 and they sat down
Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish looked up to heaven and gave thanks to God, he broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to distribute with the two fish
everyone ate and had enough, there was 12 baskets of food left and they had fed 5000 people

disciples and Jesus had been teaching
they were tired so Jesus shows care telling them to rest
the crowd who wanted to see Jesus persevered, desperate for guidance and to believe, wanted to hear teachings and see miracles
he has pity and respond in a loving caring compassionate way unlike disciples

if you follow Jesus you will be rewarded with abundance or wealth (eternal life), always to cared for and have enough
foreshadows what happens at the last supper and what Christians do at Sunday (Eucharist/Holy Communion)
his control and authority over nature recognises the human needs

It shows that Jesus is the Messiah / he was a teacher / miracle worker / it demonstrates that disciples need faith / the people were fed both physically and spiritually / it is an image of the messianic banquet image / Jesus is able to demonstrate that God provides in abundance / the left overs alone demonstrate how good God’s gifts are / there are many links to the Old Testament emphasising that Jesus is the chosen one eg the 5 loaves linking to the 5 books of the law or the two fish being like the tablets of the 10 commandments / there could be link to manna and the Moses tradition / the 12 baskets of leftovers could be a reference to the twelve tribes of Israel / Jesus is interested in the whole person – physically and spiritually / Jesus is able to take our gifts and multiply them/Jesus’ compassion and pity demonstrated/allow link to last supper etc.

Jesus asked “who do people say I am?”
They answered “some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, while others say you are one of the prophets”
Jesus asked “who do you say I am?”
Peter replied “you are the Messiah” and Jesus told them not to tell anyone
Jesus teaches them about the Son of Man then Peter began to rebuke him
Jesus said “get away from me Satan! Your thoughts don’t come from God but from human nature.”

watershed as a turning point / about half way through the Gospel / preparing to go to Jerusalem and face the inevitable / Peter recognised Jesus as Christ / from here there is a darker tone to the gospel (e.g. Mark 13, credit even though not in spec) / messianic secret is broken / there are teachings on suffering and death after the incident. Gave Jesus an opportunity to ask the disciples what people were saying about him / Jesus was able to question what the disciples understood about him / he was also able to begin to prepare them for his arrest and death / Peter needed to be rebuked to ensure that he understood what Jesus was about / it showed that temptation had not gone away / Jesus taught about self-sacrifice / The first recognition of who Jesus was by any of the disciples / may have freed Jesus to be more open with them in the rest of his ministry/ it corrected in the disciples’ minds the confusion around Jesus as to whether he was Elijah or John the Baptist or one of the prophets / it preceded the transfiguration, which would have had less impact had Peter not made this statement / it enabled Jesus to explain that the Messiah was not going to get rid of the Romans but was a suffering Messiah who would die and rise again

Had Peter understood, he would not have argued with Jesus when he made the passion prediction / Peter did not understand what was happening at the transfiguration, hence the offer to build shelters / Peter fell asleep in the garden of Gethsemane just before the arrest / despite what Jesus predicted, Peter denied knowing him / Peter did not do the things that were expected of one so close / there is no evidence in Mark that he went to the tomb etc.

Peter followed Jesus without question / he had every opportunity to understand what Jesus was about as he saw the key events: Jairus’ daughter, the transfiguration / the declaration at Caesarea Philippi / more than anything, the Caesarea Philippi declaration showed that he understood what Jesus’ mission was etc.

Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain
Jesus clothes became shining white
the disciples then saw Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus
Peter asked to make three tents
a cloud appeared “this is my own dear Son, listen to him”
then they only saw Jesus with them

Jesus clothes transform into a pure divine white colour symbolising his divinity and being without sin
The disciples were scared – fear in the presence of God
God commands the disciples to listen to him
It takes place on a mountain which shows closeness with God
Moses is the law giver (the 10 commandments), this shows Jesus has come to fulfill the old laws and is the new law giver
Elijah is the greatest of the prophets as he foretold that the Son of God would come to save us, this shows Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies

Moses - A sign of the law / Jesus a second Moses / the old covenant/ salvation.
Elijah - A sign of the OT prophets/ Jesus in that tradition/ will come before the Messiah. The appearance of both shows the disciples that Jesus is not Elijah or Moses.

unique event in Jesus’ ministry /watershed event indicates he was the Son of God / the voice from heaven is accepted as proof / witnessed by three disciples/ white as a sign of purity e.g. Christians use it at Baptisms/ may make Christians think of the resurrection which is regarded by many as the most important event in Jesus’ ministry/ suffering goes with glory/ fulfilling the OT prophecies and law/Church Feast Day/the disciples did not understand it and this might help Christians/Jesus had power

Such things do not happen /how could Jesus glow white and not be harmed /no evidence outside the Bible /it was exaggerated to make Jesus look important etter understood as a vision-allegory /symbolic story not an event
There were witnesses / It is in the Bible must be true/ early Church did not question it /a sign of God’s power /Jesus was the Messiah / just another miracle / important in ensuring the disciples understood who Jesus was so God made it happen / fulfilled the prophecies.

Jesus knew he would face suffering and death as part of his ministry
It was important that the disciples realized this and that they understood the promise of the resurrection.
His reference to the ‘Son of Man’ wold have left the disciples no doubt that he meant himself
Jesus confirms that the messiah will suffer and that suffering will lead to death
Jesus refers to the Gentiles who are in this case the Romans
Only the Romans could impose the death penalty
There are two other passion predictions
Conversation at Caesarea Phillippi and Transfiguration

James and John ask to sit on the “right and left in glory of Jesus”
Jesus gives his response that he cannot grant this.
Disciples get upset and fail to grasps the message of Jesus. Shows their failings
“For the Son of Man came not to serve, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many” Disciples and Christians should focus on people and a life of service (Humanists agree)
Idea of Jesus ransom and sacrifice
Jesus as the lamb
Suffering and Discipleship

a blind beggar names Bartimaeus began to shout “Jesus Son of David, take pity on me!” when he heard that Jesus was passing
many people told him to be quiet but she shouted even louder
Jesus stopped and told them to call him
“what do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked
Bartimaeus replied “teacher I want to see again”
Jesus told him “go, your faith has healed you”
he was able to see Jesus and followed him on the road

Bartimaeus recognised Jesus as Jewish / it was a Messianic title / it was a title which indicated a belief that Jesus had power / it would have been dangerous to call Jesus Son of David / Bartimaeus may not have known other titles such as Son of Man / Bartimaeus was prepared to risk arrest

Jesus said “go to the town you will find a donkey tied up which no one has ridden untie it and bring it to me, if anyone asks tell him its Master needs it”
his followers did and they let them take it
they put their cloaks on the donkey, Jesus sat on it and they entered Jerusalem
many people spread their cloaks on the road and other spread palm leaves
many shouting “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!”

Jesus foretold where the donkey would be indicating he has amazing power and knows what is going to happen including his death​
Jesus is shown to be King even though he is going to be put to death​
people shouting, waving their palms and putting their cloaks on the ground are the same people who call for Jesus to be crucified​
Jesus is fulfilling old testament prophecy, making the scriptures come true​
Messianic Secret is being revealed, Jesus is the Messiah who comes in peace and humility​
shows Jesus to be a triumphant peaceful humble leader as he enters Jerusalem on a donkey​
Hosanna means save us and refers to King David, Messiah said to be the Son of David

on the first day of unleavened bread Jesus told them “go to the city following a man carrying a jar of water, say to the master of the house ‘teacher says where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples”​
disciples found a large room where they prepared the Passover​
as the twelve ate at the table “one of you will betray me who is dipping bread into bowl with me, Son of man will die as the scriptures say, but how terrible it will be for the person who hands the Son of Man over to be killed it would have been better for him if he had not been born”​
Jesus took bread blessed and broke it giving it to them “take it, this is my body”​
he took the cup gave thank and shared it with them “this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many, I will not drink again until I drink it new in the kingdom of God”

Emphasises Jesus’ power of foretelling​
Passover remember the Jews being freed from slavery in Egypt​
Shows that he even cares for the person who is going to betray him as he knows that he is going to suffer a lot​
Jesus shows that he is sacrificing himself for humanity offering his body and blood so that we be saved​
Jesus is going to fulfill the promise God made to us in the Old Testament​
This is the last time Jesus has a meal with his disciples​
last time Jesus drinks wine as he has to die naturally to fulfill the prophets​
Institution of the Holy Eucharist which is celebrated at Mass
Institution of the Holy Priesthood

they went to a place called Gethsemane​
Jesus took Peter, James and John along with him “sit here awake and keep watch while I pray”​
Jesus fell to the ground “Abba, Father everything is possible for you, take this cup from me and yet not what I will but what you will”​
he saw his disciples sleeping “couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation, the spirit is willing but the flesh it weak”​
Jesus prayed the same thing and went back to find them sleeping again, their eyes were heavy and didn’t know what to say to him​
he returned the third time “are you still sleeping? enough, the hour has come and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners, rise let us go here comes my betrayer”

Jesus shows his humanity as he is scared, he is distressed and anguish​
Jesus refers himself to the Son of God and shows his human side as he is angry at the disciples and asks his father not to allow him to die​
the disciples shows they’re not understanding and their fallibility, they lack strength and belief in Jesus mission​
it is at this point Jesus puts himself completely into his father’s hands​
this story teaches Christians that Jesus felt scared at what he had to face

Judas arrived with a crowd armed with swords and clubs and had given them a signal “the man I kiss is the one you want, arrest him and take him away under my guard”​
he then went up to Jesus and said “teacher” then kissed him​
they arrested Jesus and one of them struck his sword cutting a High Priests slaves ear​
Jesus said “did you have to come with swords and clubs to capture me as if were an outlaw? I was with you teaching in the temple and you didn’t arrest me, but the scriptures must come true”​
all the disciples ran away and they tried to arrest a young man following Jesus but he ran away naked leaving the cloth behind

The failings of the disciples are highlighted Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, one of the disciples shows violence by cutting off the slaves ear.​
The disciples run off. They do not meet Jesus again until after he is raised from the dead.​
the High Priest brought armed soldiers because they are afraid that Jesus followers will fight​
Jesus is not an ‘outlaw’ or Zealot. He stops the scuffle.​
This event teaches Christians that Jesus is peaceful as he doesn’t resist his arrest, also his true care for others as even when getting arrested​
If Mark’s first readers faced death because of their faith, they could draw strength from Jesus’ example to go through with it in spite of their fear. But if they fail, there is comfort in knowing that the disciples were welcomed back by the risen Jesus, even though they had not held out to the end.

Agree Although Jesus prayed that the hour would pass – it did not / asked God to remove the cup but he did not / Jesus was then arrested and the process to crucifixion began / some people believe that their prayers are not answered because they do not get what they pray for / Jesus was praying for the wrong thing; he should have prayed for strength to face his trial and death.

Other views Jesus believed that prayer was an essential part of the religious life / he would understand that answer to prayer can be ‗no‘ / he encouraged his disciples to pray so he felt it was important to pray / prayer was part of some healings so he recognised that he needed to pray / prayer is important to those facing real difficulties in trying to understand that it does not just take the difficulties away / he had predicted his death so the prayer must have been a way of expressing his sense of vulnerability rather than a straight request for God to change his mind.

Agree Jesus was clearly distressed and uncomfortable / he left the disciples to be alone, a sign of someone frightened to be with others / he prayed to be released from what was going to happen / asked that the hour might pass from him / asked God (Abba) to take the cup from him / wanted the disciples to support him in his fears but they slept.

​Other views Jesus knew that he had to die / it was God’s plan / he had predicted it himself elsewhere / he could have not gone to Gethsemane / he could have run away and avoided being arrested / without the arrest in Gethsemane which led to the crucifixion there could be no resurrection / he prayed that he would do God’s will not his own.

Jesus was taken to the High Priests house where everyone was gathering​
Council failed to find evidence against Jesus to put him to death, they lied but their stories didn’t match​
a man accused him of saying he will destroy the temple and rebuild it in 3 days, not man made​
High Priest asked “have no answer to the accusations, are you the Messiah?”​
Jesus replied “I am and you will see the Son of Man seated on the right hand of the Almighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven”
High Priest tore his robes “we don’t need any more witnesses, you have heard his blasphemy”​
they voted him guilty and should be put to death, then they spat and slapped him

Jews were responsible for Jesus death as they broke all the rules, they were desperate to be rid of Jesus​
Jesus insulting as he told false Messianic claims but he was foreshadowing his death and resurrection, as Jesus is the temple and will die then rise up in 3 days​
Throughout the accusations Jesus did not defend himself or claim that the charges were false.​
Jesus called himself the Son of Man ​
Jesus openly admits he is the Christ and doesn’t try to make witnesses silent, however he avoided direct reference to God​
tearing of the robes symbolizes the end of the trial and his grief/horror at the blasphemy

early in the morning the Jews put Jesus in chains and handed him over to Pilate​
Pilate “are you the King of the Jews”, Jesus “so you say”​
Pilate “aren’t you going to answer to all their accusations” Jesus replied nothing​
every Passover festival Pilate set free any prisoner the people asked for​
the chief priests stirred up the crowds to have Barabbas a vicious killer released​
Pilate “what do you want me to do with the one you call King of the Jews?”​
they shouted louder and louder “crucify him!”​
to please the crowd Pilate released Barabbas and handed Jesus over to be crucified​
Jesus had put on him a purple robe and crown of thorns then was mocked, beaten and spat at

Jesus had to face a trial in front of the Romans who were in charge, to decide his punishment​
it was a tradition on the Passover that one Jewish prisoner was pardoned, this allowed Romans to keep Jews on their side​
Jesus was convicted of blasphemy a religious offence but it had to be political to gain the attention of Pilate, the idea of a Messiah referring to a political figure was a King​
claiming to be a King was treason which the Roman penalty was crucifixion​
Jesus gave a broad answer indicating he was their King in a religious but not political sense​
Pilate wants to release Jesus as he knows that he is not guilty of any crime​
Pilate saw that the situation could get out of control so to keep peace he granted their request​
Jesus went through all types of suffering including physical and emotional

Agree Pilate had a duty to maintain order / Pilate knew that there would be trouble / he may have heard of Jesus as a religious teacher not a rebel against Rome / he knew that the Jewish leaders wanted him dead / Jesus admitted to nothing / he knew that there was malice in the Jewish leaders against Jesus / he asked the crowd calling for Jesus’ death: what wrong he had done? / he satisfied the mob rather than make a judgement / part of God’s plan.

Other views Pilate should not have gone with preference / if he believed Jesus to be innocent his duty was to release him / Pilate was just weak in the face of potential violence / we cannot know what Pilate wanted in himself / if he had not wanted Jesus crucified he should have conducted a proper trial and listened to the witnesses.

Simon of Cyrene was forced to help Jesus carry his cross to Golgotha (place of the skull)​
they tried to give him wine with myrrh a drug but he refused​
they divided his clothes by gambling​
at 9am he was crucified with a notice above him saying “King of the Jews”​
he was crucified with two robbers either side of him and they too insulted him​
the chief priests and the teachers of the law along with passers by kept mocking him​
“so you are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it, so come down and save yourself”​
“he saved others, but he can’t save himself”

Jesus had been greeted as a king at the entry to Jerusalem / he had clearly been accused of this to Pilate / Pilate asked if he was king of the Jews / Jesus had talked about the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God regularly / to annoy the Jews. So people knew what he was accused of / as a deterrent / mock Jesus / emphasise how powerless Jesus was.

at noon the whole country covered with darkness for three hours
at 3pm Jesus cried out “Elio Elio lema sabachthani?” (my God, my God why have you forsaken me)​
people thought he was calling Elijah to bring him down and so gave him wine​
with a loud cry Jesus died​
the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom​
a centurion who saw everything said “surely this man was the Son of God”​
some women were watching from a distance including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and Joseph and Salome​

the darkness shows God’s anger at humanity as we have made a terrible sin crucifying and rejecting the Messiah​
they offered Jesus wine to prolong his life to see if his call will be answered​
he took on the sin of humanity and experienced the separation that it created between God and humans showing his self sacrificial love​
he willing accepted his fate even though it meant he felt cut off from God and set an example for us​
tearing of the temple curtain had a symbolic meaning, the curtain separated off the Holy of Holies where only God was present​
Jesus death tore down the barrier of sin that cut humanity off from God​
indicated the temple will be destroyed (as it was in 70AD by the Romans)​
temple is no longer the only place to find God, he is now to be found in Jesus, within everyone​
God is now everywhere in the world for everyone​
a gentile declared the truth about Jesus which was a clear statement that the good news was for everyone​
disciples were nowhere to be seen so it was left to the women to be witnesses showing they were true followers of Jesus and had important roles

Jesus’ death was not an awful tragic accident but was planned, he was not a victim of circumstance, but he was in control of his destiny. His death needs to be viewed as an intrinsic part of his mission.​
The first Christians faced a stumbling block to their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, for he had died the death of a criminal, by crucifixion. To get over this obstacle they appealed to sayings Jesus had made during his ministry:​
The passion predictions. Jesus had said the Son of Man was to suffer and die.​
Also Jesus had spoken of the effects of his death, “give his life to redeem many people”, “my blood poured out for many, my blood which seals God’s covenant.”​
Another piece of the jigsaw in getting over the problem was that Jesus’ death occurred during the Passover festival.​
It is this last point that gives the greatest insight into Jesus’ death. The Passover celebrated God’s saving act towards the Hebrews and the covenant (agreement between two parties) between them. At the festival a lamb would be sacrificed at the Temple, to God, this was a sign of keeping the covenant. Jesus at the Passover becomes the lamb, the sacrifice offered to God. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the lamb. In Paul’s letters Jesus is the Passover lamb, in John he is described as the Lamb of God.​

Agree From Caesarea Philippi on, Mark’s Gospel is leading up to the death / Christian beliefs about Jesus’ death as leading to forgiveness of sin / atonement / opening up the possibility of eternal life / supreme act of self-sacrificial love / without Jesus’ death, the resurrection could not have taken place.

Other views The resurrection the most important as it marks the victory of good over evil / life over death / hope over despair / without the resurrection, Jesus’ death would just have been that of a martyr / other events such as the baptism and transfiguration equally important as Christians believe they show Jesus’ unique relationship with God.

Agree Jesus did not have had to go through the pain of crucifixion / he could have continued his work / the disciples could have had more time to understand the message / he could have helped more sick people / he could have avoided going to Jerusalem and stayed around Galilee / he became mixed up in the political issues of the day when that was not his main purpose / he could have kept silent at his trial / could have escaped from Gethsemane.

Other views Jesus predicted that it would happen / Jesus had no choice really / Gethsemane shows this / it is all part of God’s plan / there was a need for a blood sacrifice / it was only if he died that the resurrection could take place / salvation comes from his death / the world would have to take notice of someone who rose from the dead but crucifixion just made him another dead teacher / without the crucifixion the disciples would never have been able to face what they later faced / he was a role model for persecuted Christians / his mother would not have had to suffer the anguish of her son dying in that way.

it was preparation day (day before the Sabbath)​
Joseph of Arimathea a member of the Council went to Pilate and boldly asked for Jesus body​
Pilate was surprised that Jesus was already dead and confirmed it with centurion, so gave the body to him​
he took the body down wrapping it in linen cloth and places it in a tomb cut out of rock​
he then rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb​
Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of Joseph saw where he was laid

Jewish tradition stated that bodies had to be buried as soon as possible, the next day was the Sabbath so Jesus had to be buried on the Friday evening before the Sabbath began as burying someone was considered as work​
Joseph was a member of the council (probably the Sanhedrin), he may have been a secret supporter of Jesus or simply a devout Jew horrified at the idea of the body being left hanging over night​
Jesus was placed in an empty tomb and rolled a large stone across the entrance, this is important as it adds authenticity to the resurrection​
Jesus really died and the check Pilate made shows that his death was a confirmed fact​
there was no time to anoint the body

after the Sabbath just after sunrise Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James and Salome went to anoint Jesus body​
they saw that the stone which was very large had been rolled away​
they entered the tomb and saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side​
he said “don’t be alarmed you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene but he has risen see the place where they laid him, tell his disciples and Peter he is going ahead of you into Galilee there you will see him just as he told you”​
the women fled and said nothing to anyone as they were afraid

women discovered the empty tomb encouraging 1st century women ​
the stone rolled aside was the first sign of the resurrection​
the man in white represents an angel​
this story teaches us that Jesus rose from the dead and is the true Messiah​
women were true disciples as they were the first to find out the good news​
Jesus defeated sin and death allowing us to have a relationship and entry to Gods kingdom​
they all failed Jesus but were assured forgiveness

atonement – brings us together and make up with God through reconciliation, the death of Jesus removed the barrier of sin enabling people to move closer to God​
liberation – Jesus death set humans free from sin and opens up the possibility of eternal life, this enables people to cope with difficulties in life while at the same time working peacefully for change​
victory – Jesus willingly accepted his suffering peacefully and conquered evil, in his self sacrifice love conquered hate

Agree The resurrection is the key moment in the gospel / it proves that Jesus had authority / it transformed the disciples / it confirmed all Jesus’ teaching / it give hope to believers / it shows that Christianity is worth believing in / it confirms that there is life after death / it separates Jesus out from the other teachers at the time / it gives a uniqueness to Christianity which ensures that the belief continues.

Other views Jesus’ teaching would have survived without the resurrection / his miracles were enough to demonstrate that Christianity is a belief worth holding / his teaching about how the kingdom of God should come about is enough / the baptism and transfiguration contain references to the voice from heaven. These are enough.

Mark was inspired by God​
God’s power overrides the laws of nature​
it includes unlikely detail that women were witnesses​
women noted where Jesus was buried​
empty tomb story is not dramatic​
centurion would not have made a mistake​
unlikely his body would have been moved, disciples were too afraid and Jews and Romans had no reason too​
disciples who lacked faith would not have made the Resurrection up​
many died as martyrs, they would not have given up their lives if it was a lie

Mark was human, capable of making mistakes​
rising from the dead is impossible​
the author had a purpose​
women went to the wrong tomb​
empty tomb was a parable making the point that Jesus would never be forgotten​
he was unconscious not dead​
disciples moved it to honor it, Jews/Romans took it to prevent his memory being honored​
wishful thinking to make up for lack of faith​
hallucinations​
disciples so involved in the lie that they started to believe it

Agree The crucifixion is what brought God back to people / there was atonement at work / blood sacrifice was necessary to get rid of sin / without the crucifixion the resurrection could not have happened / the crucifixion was the mark of the suffering Messiah that Jesus claimed to be / the crucifixion enabled others eg the Roman centurion to recognise Jesus as Son of God / Jesus died for others / the new relationship between God and people was symbolised by the tearing of the curtain in the Temple / it was essential in the Early Church to be clear that Jesus had actually died / the darkness was an important sign that day of the Lord had come / in some churches there is a crucifix rather than an empty cross / Jesus was true to his teaching / he had integrity / he was a role model for Christians / stood firm when he was persecuted / Christian can identify with this / it helps Christian be strong, etc.

The resurrection proves that Jesus was the Son of God / it fulfilled his ministry / it demonstrated God’s power / it laid the foundation of the Christian Church / the empty tomb was witnessed and nobody was ever discovered / the resurrection gave Jesus the chance to return and commission the disciples / it has become a central belief in the Christian Church / for many Christians including St Paul (I Cor 15) without the resurrection there is no Christian faith / Christians believe that the promise of eternal life is the most important belief from the resurrection/it was the resurrection that transformed the disciples from fear of arrest etc.

Mark’s Gospel is a guide for us of how to behave and so receive eternal life in the Kingdom of God. We must listen and follow it’s teachings as it has been inspired by God and has the words of which Jesus spoke. Even in this century there is still evil and temptation in the world so we can look at the Gospel for help, support, inspiration and advice. Jesus was human so he felt and went through everything we are going through. He too went through hard and difficult times facing betrayal, suffering, execution and death. But there is a happy ending and that is what we must learn from the Gospel. We should persevere and lead a good life trying to be a good disciple and follower of Jesus Christ because in the end all the hurt and suffering we felt on Earth will go away when we are rewarded eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

Agree The Christian message was new and exciting so encouraging / people believed in the promise of life after death more easily in the past / the resurrection narrative was still in living memory / people seemed to be less sceptical about miracles / believers were being persecuted actively, they are not now in many parts of the world.

Christians are persecuted in many parts of the world today / people still treat the Gospel as new to them and can be encouraged by the stories of Jesus‘ ministry / miracles still happen and can give hope to Christians in difficult situations / the teaching on life after death and resurrection will help people to have hope.