Studying the Bible -- What is the Book of Mark About?

The book of Mark is the second of the four gospels. The gospels--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John--tell the story of Jesus’ life. They do not contain everything that Jesus did or said (John 20:30-31; 21:25). They do tell us enough to teach us about Jesus, develop our faith, and learn how to live.

It seems that Mark primarily wrote to a Roman audience. Mark was not an apostle but a preacher who worked closely with Paul and Barnabas. Some have suggested that Peter was very influential in Mark’s work. Mark contains only 25 verses that are not repeated in Matthew and Luke. Though some believe that Matthew and Luke used Mark’s text for their own gospels--there is no evidence for or against this--we must remember that the Holy Spirit inspired all of the gospel writers, 2 Peter 1:21.


References: (King James version)

John 20:30-31   "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

John 21:25   "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."

2 Peter 1:21   "for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit"