The author of the Gospel of Mark—John Mark (Acts 12:1212And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. (Acts 12:12))—was not an apostle, nor an eyewitness. It was this Mark who traveled with Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey, but left them at Pamphylia. When it came time for their second journey, Paul felt it unwise to bring Mark (in this Barnabas, Mark’s cousin, lacked discernment—Col. 4:1010Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) (Colossians 4:10); Acts 15:37-3937And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; (Acts 15:37‑39)). Later however, we find Mark restored, and Paul calls him his fellow laborer (Philemon 2424Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlaborers. (Philemon 24)). He is warmly commended to the Colossians (Col. 4:1010Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) (Colossians 4:10)) and Timothy is instructed to bring him with him, “for he is profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Tim. 4:1111Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11)).
Mark, the failing, though restored servant, is chosen by God in His sovereignty to present for us a divine picture of the perfect Servant—Jesus Christ, the Son of God—in His unwearied and faithful service. “They were astonished above measure, saying, He does all things well” (Mark 7:3737And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak. (Mark 7:37) JND).
The order of events in Mark’s Gospel is by and large, chronological. A genealogy is not to be found; though required for a king, it has no significance for a servant. The Lord is not once addressed as “Lord” by the disciples.
The word variously translated “immediately,” “straightway,” “forthwith,” and “anon” occurs frequently in this book—some 26 times directly of the Lord and His acts—but rarely in the other Gospels. This is a Gospel of action; there is immediacy to what is written.
Though the shortest Gospel, it is full of details not elsewhere recorded. How beautiful—and how it should touch us—to see this blessed Servant asleep on a pillow (Mark 4:3838And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (Mark 4:38)). In Mark we see displayed both the Lord’s divine power and the depths of His feelings as man.
If we contrast chapter 4 of Mark with the thirteenth chapter of Matthew, the distinct character of this Gospel may be clearly seen. Both chapters begin with the parable of the sower, yet the subject pursued in Mark is that of the Lord’s service, its history, character and results. He was the sower—that was His service and likewise the service of His disciples. A candle is not to be hid, either by industry or laziness. In His absence the gospel goes forth, and though the King be not here, the seeds sprout and grow. At the time of the harvest He will return, and the fruit, or lack of it, will be seen. He will personally take care of the harvest. There are storms, yet the Lord is with us. The One whom even the wind and the sea obey is in the ship—it cannot sink. If we feel that He has abandoned us, it is because of our own lack of faith. He shares in all our labors.
The book may be divided in the following manner: chapters 1-3, Christ’s ministry in Galilee, the opposition of the Jewish leaders, their apostasy, and the Lord’s rejection of the nation; chapters 4-5, a summary of His personal service among the Gentiles and His people, taking us to Israel’s future raising up; chapters 6-10:45, His service resumed, though rejected by a blinded people; chapters 10:46-13, His return to Jerusalem and final ministry; chapters 14-16, His death and resurrection.