Mark's Gospel

Question 1

Jesus is Baptised – story

Answer 1

John was baptising people in the River Jordan.
Jesus came and insisted John baptised him even though he thought he was unworthy.
As he came from the water, the heavens opened and the spirit came down like a dove saying ‘you are my son whom I love; I am well pleased with you’

Question 2

Jesus is baptised - Jesus’ character

Answer 2

What does this tell us about Jesus?
Mark saw this as a starting point to Jesus’ legacy.
It shows he is special - God is his father and he has the Holy Spirit in him.
Mark shows that Jesus is God’s Messiah because God calls him his son.

Question 3

Jesus is baptised - important to Christians

Answer 3

This is important to Christians today
Christians see this as a sign of the trinity.
They use baptism as a sign that they are following in Jesus’ footsteps.
They believe original sin is gone.

Question 4

Jesus is baptised - Keywords

Answer 4

Baptism - confession of sins and being immersed in water as a sign of purification

John the Baptist - the man who baptised Jesus in the River Jordan

Question 5

Peter’s Confession at Caesarea Philippi - story

Answer 5

Jesus asked who do you think I am
They said some people think you’re Elijah or John the Baptist
He said who do you say I am
Peter said you are the Christ
Jesus said don’t tell anyone and told them about his suffering and resurrection
Peter said that will not happen and was told off by Jesus

Question 6

Peter’s Confession at Caesarea Phillippi - Jesus’ character

Answer 6

What does this tell us about Jesus?
People are talking about him and he is gaining a reputation.
This is the first time someone says you are Christ and all of the disciples agree.
Jesus says he will suffer and the disciples don’t understand but he says it must happen.

Question 7

Peter’s Confession at Caesarea Philippi - important to Christians

Answer 7

This is important for Christians today
In Matthew’s gospel it is the same story and he says to Peter - on this rock I will build my church.
Catholics believe Matthew’s more because it is like Jesus is making him the first pope.

Question 8

Peter’s Confession at Caesarea Philippi - keywords

Answer 8

Confession - a declaration of something
Elijah - O.T prophet who would come before the messiah
Messiah - the anointed one who would bring in God’s kingdom

Question 9

Transfiguration - story

Answer 9

Jesus went up a mountain with Peter, James and John.
Jesus changed - his clothes turned white.
Elijah and Moses appeared with him.
The disciples were afraid.
Peter said that they should make 3 tents.
A voice came down and said - this is my son whom I love listen to him.
Jesus then said don’t tell anyone.

Question 10

Transfiguration - jesus’ character

Answer 10

What does this tell us about Jesus?
He has a supernatural change showing power and authority.
Mark shows this is an amazing event.
Because Moses and Elijah appeared it shows that the line of O.T prophets is continuing.

Question 11

Transfiguration - problems for Christians

Answer 11

The problems for Christians today
They find it hard to believe that people who are long dead can appear together.
They think it was a vision the disciples had.

Question 12

Transfiguration - keywords

Answer 12

Transfiguration - when Jesus’ appearance changed

Moses - O.T prophet who god’s laws were given to

Question 13

Jesus calms a storm - story

Answer 13

They were in a boat and a storm started.
Jesus was asleep.
They woke him and were afraid that they would die.
Jesus said - quiet, be still - and the storm stopped.
He then said - do you have no faith?
The disciples were terrified that even the wind and waves obeyed him.

Question 14

Jesus calms the storm - Jesus’ character

Answer 14

What does this tell us about jesus?
He had power over nature.
Even though some were fishermen the storm frightened them all.
They had no faith in Jesus’ abilities.

Question 15

Jesus calms a storm - problems for Christians

Answer 15

Some problems for Christians today
They find it hard to believe he has power over nature.
It could be seen as a metaphor -
Boat - Christians at the time
Storm - persecution

Question 16

Jesus feeds 5000 - story

Answer 16

He was speaking to a crowd of people and it became quite late.
The disciples said to Jesus send them away to eat.
Jesus asked them to get something to feed the crowd.
They said it would cost 8 months wages.
So he took 5 loaves and 2 fish and asked them to sit in groups.
The food was given out and there was 12 baskets of leftovers.

Question 17

Jesus feeds 5000 - Jesus’ character

Answer 17

What does this tell us about Jesus?
He has power over nature.
He can provide for everyone.
Mark shows the link between god providing for the people after escaping slavery (Moses)

Question 18

Jesus feeds 5000 - important to Christians

Answer 18

It is important for Christians today
Some would say this shows how God provides for his people and how he cares.
It encourages Christians to follow by example

Question 19

Jesus feeds 5000 - keywords

Answer 19

Nature miracle - when Jesus shows his power over nature

Question 20

Jesus walks on water - story

Answer 20

After feeding the 5000 they got in a boat.
Later that evening Jesus walked out on to the water to meet the disciples.
They were frightened and thought he was a ghost.
He then said - do not be afraid, it is I and climbed into the boat.
They were amazed.

Question 21

Jesus walks on water - Jesus’ character

Answer 21

What does this tell us about Jesus?
Shows his power over nature.
Mark shows the link between god and Jesus - psalm 77 gods path through the sea.
When he said it is I - i am - Hebrew for God another link

Question 22

Jesus walks on water - important to Christians

Answer 22

This is important to Christians today
They believe it happened just as mark wrote it.
The most important thing is the link mark makes between God in the O.T and N.T.

Question 23

Jesus walks on water - keywords

Answer 23

I Am - Hebrew term used in O.T used to refer to God.

Question 24

Jesus heals Legion - Story

Answer 24

Over the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and his disciples met a man possessed by demons.
He lived in tombs and harmed himself.
People tried to chain him up but he escaped.
Jesus went over to the man and ordered the spirits out and into pigs.
They then ran off the cliff.
Many people saw what happened and asked him to leave.
Legion asked to join Jesus but he was told to stay and spread his story.

Question 25

Jesus heals Legion - important to Christians

Answer 25

This is important for Christians today
It shows he can cure mental illness as well as physical.
Pigs were considered unclean by Jews so mark is showing that’s I and evil can corrupt a person.

Question 26

Jesus heals Legion - keywords

Answer 26

Legion - a man from whom Jesus cast many demons

Question 27

Jairus’ daughter - Story

Answer 27

Jairus, a synagogue ruler, asked Jesus to help his daughter.
As they were leaving he was told his daughter died.
Jesus said - don’t be afraid just believe.
At the house people were crying but Jesus went inside with Peter, James and John.
He said - she’s only sleeping - but everyone present laughed.
Jesus said - little girl, get up - she got up and was fine.
He then said - get her something to eat.

Question 28

Jairus’ daughter - Jesus’ character

Answer 28

What does this tell us about Jesus?
That he could heal people and bring people from the dead.
He had power over death.

Question 29

Jairus’ daughter - story background

Answer 29

The fact that Jairus was so desperate to ask Jesus for help, is a very important point in the story because Jewish leaders were very critical of Jesus.
Also, the fact there was so many people to witness the event was proof that she was probably dead.

Question 30

Jairus’ daughter - important to Christians

Answer 30

This is important for Christians today

Because it shows that Jesus had power over death and was truly the son of God.

Question 31

Jairus’ daughter - keywords

Answer 31

Healing miracle - a miracle which shows jesus’ power over illness
Jairus - a synagogue ruler whose daughter was brought back to life by Jesus

Question 32

The Messiah - stories involved

Answer 32

Mark uses these stories to show clearly that Jesus was the messiah:
Transfiguration 
Peter's Confession 
Jesus entering Jerusalem
The trial before the high priest

Question 33

The messiah - meaning for Jews

Answer 33

The meaning of the messiah for Jews
They believed the messiah was someone who would come to restore Israel’s fortunes.
He would be a descendant of King David.
He would be chosen by God to rule as King of the Jews.
He would establish God’s peace and rule over the Earth.
All faithful Jews would be saved and brought back to their homeland from exile.

Question 34

The messiah - meaning for Christians

Answer 34

The meaning of messiah for Christians
They believe that Jesus is the messiah.
That Jesus is a descendant of king David.
That Jesus came to establish gods peace and rule in the hearts of people.
That Jesus came to free people and save them from sin.
All faithful believers will be saved and brought to heaven.
That Jesus did fulfil all the O.T prophecies about the messiah but he fulfilled them forever.

Question 35

The messiah - keywords

Answer 35

Messiah - the anointed one who would bring in gods kingdom

Question 36

Son of Man - definition

Answer 36

Jesus used the term often to describe himself, especially when talking about his suffering.

Question 37

Son of Man - meaning for Jews

Answer 37

The meaning for Jews
In Daniel in the O.T, Daniel has a vision which he sees God defending the nations by giving ‘one like the son of man who has authority to govern and be worshipped by the people’. God is rescuing his people by sending a son.
Jesus by referring to his suffering, also linked the term son of man with another O.T book Isaiah which is a reference to Gods suffering servant.
When he called himself the son of man the Jewish teachers would have known the reference to the O.T books.

Question 38

Son of man - meaning for Christians

Answer 38

The meaning for Christians
They believe that he was the suffering servant and it was thought that suffering that they can be saved.
They believe that he was sent by God to defend and save his people.
They believe he has power over all things and he is to be worshipped.
They also believe that by using this term himself Jesus was showing himself to be sent by God to save all those who believe.

Question 39

Son of man - keywords

Answer 39

Son of man - a title used by Jesus to say he would suffer before bringing in gods kingdom.

Question 40

Son of God - stories involved

Answer 40

This is referred to in:
Jesus’ baptism
Transfiguration

Question 41

Son of God - mentions

Answer 41

Marks use of the title
‘The beginning of the gospel of Christ the son of God’
Near the end of the book he quotes a roman centurion ‘surely this was the son of God’
In both the stories above a voice is heard saying - this is my beloved son

Question 42

Son of God - meaning for Jews

Answer 42

Meaning for Jews
In Jewish tradition a son is equal to his father and inherits all his father has.
When Jesus called himself the son of God (at his trial), it isn’t surprising that the leaders were shocked because he was putting himself level with God.

Question 43

Son of God - meaning for Christians

Answer 43

Meaning for Christians
They believe he is a perfect mirror of God - see Jesus - see God.
That God is the trinity- father, son and Holy Spirit.
By calling himself this he was showing not that he was only a human but god come to earth.
They believe that God himself took the punishment of sin upon himself.