MacArthur Bible Studies: Mark

Top Highlights

“Mark demonstrates the humanity of Christ more clearly than any of the other evangelists, emphasizing Christ’s human emotions (1:41; 3:5; 6:34; 8:12; 9:36), His human limitations (4:38; 11:12; 13:32), and other small details that highlight the human side of the Son of God (for example, 7:33–34; 8:12; 9:36; 10:13–16).” (Page 3)

“The simplest solution to the Synoptic Problem is that no such problem exists! Because critics cannot prove literary dependence among the gospel writers, there is no need to explain it. The traditional view that the gospel writers were inspired by God and wrote independently of each other—except that all three were moved by the same Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20)—remains the only plausible view.” (Page 6)

“All of this supports the traditional view that Mark was written for a Gentile audience initially at Rome.” (Page 3)

“Mark is the gospel of action; the frequent use of ‘immediately’ and ‘then’ keeps his narrative moving rapidly along. Jesus appears in Mark as the Servant (Mark 10:45) who bursts on the scene to suffer for the sins of many. Mark’s fast-paced approach would especially appeal to the practical, action-oriented Romans.” (Page 7)

“The early church fathers, however, unanimously affirm that Mark wrote this second gospel. Papias” (Page 2)