Welcome to this new podcast, Bible Wisdom Today, and to our first book of study, the Gospel of Mark. Believed to be one of the source documents for both Matthew and Luke, the Gospel of Mark is perhaps the most important gospel despite its shorter length. In this introductory episode, we will meet Mark, the author. We will also learn about the historical context of Mark’s gospel, Mark’s writing style and the narrative structure of his book. We will also see how Mark uses this structure to communicate his theological message. In the gospel of Mark, Jesus slowly and methodically reveals who He is. He is the Son of God, who came to establish his kingdom on earth through humble suffering and calls his followers to follow him on the same road.

Narrative Structure of the Book of Mark[1]

Prologue: In the desert (1:1-15)

Galilee: On the shore (1:16-3:35). Phase 1: Secrecy

Galilee: Parables Discourse (4:1-36)

Galilee: On the lake (4:35-8:22)

Healing a nameless blind man (8:22-26)
The Journey (8:27-10:45). Phase 2: Schooling
Healing blind Bartimaeus (10:46-52)

Jerusalem: In the temple (11:1-12:45). Phase 3: Suffering

Jerusalem Discourse—The last times (13:1-37)
Jerusalem: Toward the cross (14:1-15:39) |

Epilogue: At the tomb (15:40-end)

[1] Oefele , C. (2019). "To Have or Not to Have” and its Polyphonic Meaning in Mark 8,1-22a. In Reading the Gospel of Mark in the Twenty-First Century (pp. 691–704). essay, Universität Bern. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
352251520_TO_HAVE_OR_NOT_TO_HAVE_AND_ITS_POLYPHONIC_MEANING_IN_MARK_81-22A

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