Background To Mark's Gospel

Question 0

Sadducees

Answer 0

Jewish priests at the time of Jesus who controlled worship in the temple.

Question 1

Gospel

Answer 1

Literally means ‘good news’. There are four gospels telling of the life and work of Jesus.

Question 2

Pharisee

Answer 2

(‘Separated ones’) Jewish religious leaders, experts in the law.

Question 3

Zealot

Answer 3

Jews who were violently opposed to the roman occupation of Israel.

Question 4

Aramaic

Answer 4

A form of Hebrew; the language that Jesus spoke.

Question 5

Hebrew

Answer 5

Official language of Israel; the Old Testament was written in Hebrew.

Question 6

Greek

Answer 6

A common language in the ancient world, used to write the New Testament.

Question 7

Messiah

Answer 7

The saviour the Jews were waiting waiting for. (‘The anointed one’ - ‘Christ’ in Greek.

Question 8

Oral tradition

Answer 8

Stories passed on by word of mouth.

Question 9

Authority

Answer 9

Christians believed that the gospels should be viewed as divinely inspired by God and have deep religious truths.

Question 10

Source

Answer 10

A text, statement, person etc that supplies information.

Question 11

Ministry

Answer 11

This word means ‘service’. When used in reference to Jesus, it refers to his three years’ work of teaching and healing. His ministry began with his baptism and ended with his crucifixion.

Question 12

Disciples

Answer 12

Followers of Jesus; this term is often used to refer to the first twelve followers of Jesus; any Christian, in any age, who lives their life according to gospel values.

Question 13

The passion

Answer 13

The term used to describe Jesus’ suffering prior to his death.

Question 14

Kingdom of God

Answer 14

Wherever God is honoured as king and his authority accepted. Jesus taught about the kingdom of God both on earth and in heaven.

Question 15

Miracle

Answer 15

A healing or event attributed to God’s actions.

Question 16

Parable

Answer 16

A story Jesus told which contains a special meaning.

Question 17

Persecution

Answer 17

Being bullied or harassed because of your faith.

Question 18

Scribes

Answer 18

Experts on Jewish law; they also made copies of the scriptures.

Question 19

Synagogue

Answer 19

The Jewish place of worship (outside the temple).

Question 20

Sabbath

Answer 20

The Jewish holy day of rest; no work was allowed to be done.

Question 21

Temple

Answer 21

The great building in Jerusalem which was the centre of Jewish worship.

Question 22

Bible

Answer 22

Literally means ‘the book’ from the Greek ‘biblios’.

Question 23

Scripture

Answer 23

Sacred writings; the bible for Christians.

Question 24

Literalists

Answer 24

People who interpret the bible exactly as it is written (eg. The world was created in 6 days).

Question 25

Fundamentalists

Answer 25

People who believe the bible is completely inspired by god and cannot contain any errors.

Question 26

Conservatives

Answer 26

People who believe that the bible was inspired by God, but that it might need some interpretation.

Question 27

Liberals

Answer 27

People who believe that the writers of the bible expressed important stories in their own way, but were only human and could make mistakes.