Gospel of Mark

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Roles of Disciples in Gospel Of Mark3

Disciples and Discipleship5

Jesus will have Disciples (Followers).6

Simple People7

Workers7

True Disciples Are Servants7

The Disciples Left All — They Paid a Price8

Disciples Are Called To a Life of Uncertainty.9

Notice the Inevitable.9

Mimic10

Conclusion11

End Notes12

Introduction

The Gospel of Mark, written in the eastern part of the Roman Empire around 70 CE, forms together with Q the second source for the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. It contains designations about Jesus as 'Son of God', as 'Anointed', as 'Son of David' (Mark 12:35), as 'King of Israel' and as 'Son of Man'. All of these expressions are connected with each other in Mark 14:61-62.

The Gospel of Mark thus designates Jesus with several other biblical epithets, such as 'Anointed', in addition to 'Son of Man' in Q. In all of this, Mark's Jesus is first of all the 'Son of God' and the 'Son of Man'. As most of the sayings about Jesus' life and work in Mark are to be understood as christological ones, that is as 'realized messianology', there are few messianic expectations in Mark's Gospel with a clear eschatological focus, notably the Synoptic Apocalypse in Mark.

Roles of Disciples in Gospel Of Mark

In addition to those specifically called by Jesus, a number of individuals mentioned by the Markan evangelist, such as Peter's mother-in-law, Joseph of Arimathea, and the women mentioned in 15:41 who had followed Jesus and ministered to him, seem to function as disciples, and 13:37 indicates that Jesus' words are intended for all who are willing to accept them. Nonetheless, the Markan Gospel depicts the call of particular disciples in 1:16-20. In 3:13 Jesus summons a company of “those whom he wanted” and makes specific appointments for a smaller group of twelve. In 6:7 Jesus gives the twelve authority over unclean spirits and sends them on a mission, which, according to 6:12, seems to have included a commission to preach repentance as well as to exorcise.

It is commonly said that the Markan Gospel does not appear to stress any theological significance of this group. However, it may be suggested that “the twelve” for Mark are a representative group, as Peter is an individual representative, of what the disciples should be and do as well as of how they fail. In 6:12-13, they are represented as doing what Jesus did: preaching repentance, exorcising, and healing. Yet John Donahue and Daniel Harrington point out that the disciples' original commission in 3:13-19 already foreshadows their ultimate goal, to follow Jesus in the way of the cross. The commission “to be with him” takes place on a mountain; it is from a mountain that Jesus will go to his suffering and death. The last named of the twelve is Judas, who will betray him. Mark 8:27-38 and the other two passion predictions make clear that while for the author of Mark's Gospel disciples are called to preach, heal, and exorcise as Jesus did, the overwhelming challenge for the disciple is to keep on following Jesus even when faithful ...