By Jorge Cespedes

I.                   Authorship; date and place of composition

The fact of the identification of Mark as the author of this gospel was a late addition.  The first who speaks of Mark as the author was Pappias in the second century. According to Pappias and other early writings, Mark consigned in his gospel what he heard from Peter. But the idea of Mark as the author of this gospel had some critics. Pappias describe Mark as an interpreter of Peter; it does not necessarily mean that Peter was the only source. About the place of composition it is possible that this is Rome and about the time it is possible that was before AD 70, because there is not mention about the destruction of Jerusalem.

II.               Literary Structure and Content

The gospel of Mark is developed in a geographical context, showing a movement from Galilee to Jerusalem. Until Mk 8:21 Jesus is described as developing his ministry in Galilee. The other chapters describe the travel of Jesus to Jerusalem.

In the Gospel of Mark is also a theological emphasis in the authority of Jesus.  This authority is show in his works (1: 16 – 3: 6) this situation carries misunderstanding from their relatives and even, in some times, from his own disciples. He is put into death in Jerusalem by the hand of those who do not accept his authority.

This development Geographical-theological is a particularity of this gospel and it was never seen before. This way of writing created the new genre called “gospel”. Mark used different kind of sources. It is possible that he combined in some way these sources: Controversies (2:1 – 3:6) and seed parables (4: 1-34). The intention of Mark when he was writing was to contribute to make strong the faith of  the first Christians, showing the connection of their contents of faith with the teachings of Jesus. Other theories said that the intention was keep the reminiscences of the testimonies of Peter, or use this gospel in the defense of Faith.

III.            Marcan Theology

The kingdom of God and discipleship -which is the core of the teachings of Jesus- is the center of the Marcan theology. The first part (1: 1-15) is based in the preaching of Jesus of the imminent coming of the Kingdom.  The parables have as intention to help people to understand this reality. But in all the preaching the life of Jesus became the best parable about the Kingdom. Mark shows Jesus as wonder worker, especially when he puts much attention to the healings and miracles. But all the presentations of wonders have the intention of showing the most important moment of the life of Jesus: the cross. The Christological titles as Son of God and Lord are used very frequently in this Gospel.

It is frequent that Jesus ask people to not tell others about his messianic mission. The situation is what is called the messianic secret (1: 34, 3:12). Some scholars as W Wrede said that this situation is because nobody in the public life acclaimed Jesus as Messiah. But to Mark the real meaning of Jesus as Messiah is only discovered in the Passion, death and resurrection. But there is a lot of other implications that are involved in the messianic secret.