Question 1

Why does Mark's Gospel start with Jesus as an adult, not his birth?

Accepted Answer

Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark begins with Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist (Mark 1:9-11). This is because Mark focuses on Jesus' public ministry and his identity as the Son of God, which is immediately revealed at his baptism. Mark's Gospel is action-oriented, so he skips the nativity to get straight to Jesus' mission.

Question 2

What is the 'Messianic Secret' in Mark's Gospel?

Accepted Answer

The Messianic Secret refers to Jesus' repeated commands for people not to reveal his identity as the Messiah. For example, after healing a leper (1:43-44) and after Peter's confession (8:30), Jesus tells them to keep quiet. Scholars believe Mark used this to explain why Jesus was not widely recognised during his lifetime and to emphasise that his true identity as the suffering Messiah would only be fully understood after his resurrection.

Question 3

How does Mark portray the disciples?

Accepted Answer

Mark portrays the disciples as flawed and often failing to understand Jesus. They are called to follow him (1:16-20) but frequently misunderstand his teachings (e.g., 8:14-21). They fall asleep in Gethsemane (14:37-41), and Peter denies knowing Jesus (14:66-72). This shows that discipleship is difficult and that even the closest followers struggled, which encourages Christians to persevere despite their own failures.

Question 4

Why is the crucifixion so important in Mark's Gospel?

Accepted Answer

The crucifixion is the climax of Mark's Gospel. Jesus is portrayed as the suffering Son of God who dies for humanity's sins. Mark emphasises Jesus' isolation and agony, with his final cry 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' (15:34). The centurion's declaration 'Surely this man was the Son of God!' (15:39) is the first human recognition of Jesus' true identity, showing that his death reveals his divinity.

Question 5

What is the significance of the empty tomb in Mark's Gospel?

Accepted Answer

Mark's original Gospel ends at 16:8 with the women finding the empty tomb and fleeing in fear. This abrupt ending emphasises the mystery of the resurrection and calls for faith. The empty tomb is a sign that Jesus has conquered death, but Mark does not include post-resurrection appearances (these were added later). This challenges readers to believe without seeing, highlighting the importance of faith.

Question 6

How does Mark's Gospel teach about the cost of discipleship?

Accepted Answer

Mark teaches that following Jesus requires sacrifice. Jesus says, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me' (8:34). The rich young man is told to sell everything (10:21), and the disciples leave their families and jobs (1:16-20). Mark also shows that discipleship involves suffering, as Jesus predicts his own death and warns his followers to expect persecution (13:9-13).

Theme G: St Mark's Gospel – the life of Jesus

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How to Revise Theme G: St Mark's Gospel – the life of Jesus — AQA GCSE Religious Studies

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