Question 1

The Gospel of Mark was written by a Gentile to a Gentile community. Pick a side of this resolution and argue for it using as many specific examples from the text as possible. Keep in mind that the most persuasive arguments anticipate (and answer) counterarguments.

Accepted Answer

Students should include relevant information from the conclusion of this chapter. On the affirmative side, students might argue that when Mark explains the Jewish custom of washing hands before eating, his explanation is incorrect. Furthermore, it seems clear that Mark's audience was located outside Palestine and spoke Greek (not Aramaic); this may indicate that they were a Gentile group that had converted to Christianity. The Jewishness of this Gospel may derive from oral traditions inherited by Mark's community. On the negative side, students might argue that Jesus is undeniably Jewish in this Gospel. Even though he appears in an unexpected form as the messiah, Mark goes out of his way to explain how it is that Jesus can be, and is, the Jewish messiah. The community could certainly be a Jewish-Christian community located in the Diaspora. Since this Gospel does not contain a birth narrative, Mark may be intimating that Jesus was adopted by God (and thus was not divine himself) at his baptism-a central element of Jewish-Christian belief.

Question 2

The Gospel of Mark begins with Jesus' birth.

Accepted Answer

The Gospel of Mark does not include a narrative of Jesus' birth. It begins with John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness and baptizing Jesus.

Question 3

The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus as keeping his messianic identity hidden.

Accepted Answer

The Gospel of Mark frequently portrays Jesus as instructing those he has healed or silenced demons not to reveal his identity as the Messiah. This is often referred to as the "Messianic Secret" in Mark.

Question 4

The Pharisees are responsible for Jesus' death in the Gospel of Mark.

Accepted Answer

In the Gospel of Mark, while the Pharisees are depicted as opponents of Jesus, it is the Roman authorities, specifically Pontius Pilate, who are responsible for sentencing Jesus to death.

Question 5

The Gospel of Mark consistently portrays Jesus as misunderstood.

Accepted Answer

Throughout the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is often misunderstood by his followers, his disciples, and the religious leaders of his time. For example, they do not understand the true nature of his teachings, the purpose of his miracles, or his identity as the Son of God. Jesus frequently has to explain his actions and correct their misunderstandings.

Question 6

The Gospel of Mark says Jesus broke the Torah, which upset the Pharisees.

Accepted Answer

The Gospel of Mark does not say Jesus broke the Torah; it depicts instances where Pharisees accused Jesus of violating traditional interpretations of the Torah, but Jesus defended his actions with scripture and teachings that often expanded upon or reinterpreted the law.

Question 7

Of the four New Testament Gospels, Mark was probably written:&#10;A) First&#10;B) Second&#10;C) Third&#10;D) Fourth

Accepted Answer

Many scholars believe that Mark was the first gospel written because it is the shortest and most straightforward account of Jesus' ministry, lacking the extensive teachings and theological explanations found in the later gospels of Matthew and Luke. Additionally, both Matthew and Luke draw heavily from Mark in their own accounts of Jesus' life, indicating that Mark likely predates them.

Question 8

In Mark, what is Jesus' response to his impending death?&#10;A) He is cheerful.&#10;B) He is indifferent.&#10;C) He seems to doubt his mission.&#10;D) He refuses to go through with it.

Accepted Answer

In Mark, Jesus' response to his impending death is marked by anguish and doubt. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays to God, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt" (Mark 14:36). This prayer shows Jesus' reluctance to go through with his impending death and suggests that he is uncertain about his mission.

Question 9

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is called all of the following except:&#10;A) Son of God&#10;B) Messiah&#10;C) Son of Man&#10;D) the true High Priest

Accepted Answer

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is referred to as the Son of God (1:1, 3:11), the Messiah (8:29), and the Son of Man (8:31, 14:62). However, he is not referred to specifically as the true High Priest in this Gospel.

Question 10

What is the name of the person who is freed instead of Jesus in Mark's Gospel?&#10;A) Barnabas&#10;B) Peter&#10;C) Barabbas&#10;D) Pontius Pilate

Accepted Answer

In Mark's Gospel, the person who is freed instead of Jesus is Barabbas.

Deck 6: Jesus, the Suffering Son of God: the Gospel According to Mark