The Gospel of Mark

Question 1

What are the Synoptic Gospels?

Answer 1

• Matthew
  -Mark
  -Luke
  They are summaries of the life and teachings of Jesus with a similar outline.

Question 2

Authorship of Matthew’s Gospel

Answer 2

-Matthew
- An unknown Jewish Christian

Question 3

Dates of Matthew’s Gospel

Answer 3

75-80 CE

Question 4

Audience of Matthew’s Gospel

Answer 4

A Jewish Christian community in Antioch, Syria

Question 5

Political/historical/social context of Matthew’s Gospel

Answer 5

• Written after destruction of the Jerusalem temple in c. 70 AD
• Period of settling down for Christians
  -Christians no longer attended synagogue
• No immediate persecution but still conflict between the Jews and the Gentiles

Question 6

Authorship of Luke’s Gospel

Answer 6

-Luke
-Gentile Christian
-Luke the Physician
-Paul’s travelling companion

Question 7

Dates of Luke’s Gospel

Answer 7

80-85 CE

Question 8

Audience of Luke’s Gospel

Answer 8

• Written to Theophilus
• Represents any Christian (Greece)

Question 9

Political/historical/social context of Luke’s Gospel

Answer 9

• Written around the time of the destruction of the Jewish temple between 65-80 AD
  -Expansion of the Church
  -Christians accepted that the Second Coming will not be for a while

Question 10

Authorship of Mark’s Gospel

Answer 10

-Mark
-Second generation Christian
-Follower of Peter

Question 11

Dates of Mark’s Gospel

Answer 11

65-70 CE

Question 12

Audience of Mark’s Gospel

Answer 12

A gentile Christian community in Rome undergoing persecution

Question 13

Political/historical/social context of Mark’s Gospel

Answer 13

• Audience knew St Peter
  -Christian community under threat of persecution by Roman Emperors, especially Nero
  -War between Rome and Israel
  -People were scared and distressed, thought this was the end

Question 14

What is the chiastic structure of Mark’s gospel?

Answer 14

Gospel can be read and understood in 5 sections which parallel
A- The Wilderness (1:1-15)
B- Galilee (1:16-8:21)
C- The Way (8:22-11:11)
B- Jerusalem (11:12-14:52)
A- The Tomb (14:53-16:20)

Question 15

Which section of Mark’s gospel has the same ideas and themes of The Wilderness (1:1-15)?

Answer 15

The Tomb (14:53-16:20)

Question 16

Which section of Mark’s gospel contrasts Galilee (1:16-8:21)?

Answer 16

Jerusalem (11:12-14:52)

Question 16

Which section of Mark’s gospel has the same ideas and themes of The Tomb (14:53-16:20) ?

Answer 16

The Wilderness (1:1-15)

Question 17

Which section of Mark’s gospel contrasts Jerusalem (11:12-14:52)?

Answer 17

Galilee (1:16-8:21)

Question 18

What is the purpose of the section The Way (8:22-11:11)?

Answer 18

It is the centre and key of the whole gospel.

Question 19

How many stories of discipleship are there in Mark’s gospel?

Answer 19

6

Question 20

What is the main idea of Mark’s gospel?

Answer 20

Jesus Christ brings good news and it is good news for all who hear and believe.

Question 21

What are gospels?

Answer 21

Documents of faith

Question 22

Who’s gospel was the first to be written?

Answer 22

Mark’s

Question 23

Who’s gospel is very different to the synoptic gospels?

Answer 23

John’s

Question 24

How many miracle stories are in Mark’s gospel?

Answer 24

-8 healing miracles
-4 nature miracles
-Take up 1/4 of the gospel

Question 25

What are the literary genres of Mark’s gospel?

Answer 25

• Discipleship
  -Miracles
  -Teachings about the Kingdom of God
  -Parables
  -The Messianic Secret