On the surface, Revelation and Mark’s gospel appear radically different, but structurally they are both narratives, stories. While Revelation depicts everything in highly symbolic language, Mark focuses on a more straightforward account of Jesus’ life and teachings.
In fact, when we begin to read Mark, we discover his focus is very specific.
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,” Mark 1:1, NASB
We can easily miss the significance of these words, but Mark let’s his audience know up front what his book is about. He intends to focus on “the gospel of Jesus Christ”—that is, the “good news about Jesus”—not about his birth, or his childhood, but about the “good news” he lived and taught during his ministry. If you want to read about Jesus’ birth or his genealogy you’ll have to go to Luke or Matthew, for Mark does not provide either.
He briefly anchors his account in a prophecy from Isaiah. This prophecy sets the stage for the appearance of John the Baptist. “John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4, NASB.”
Consistent with Mark’s initial declaration that his account concerns “the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he has Jesus define what that means, beginning in verse 14: “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the gospel.’”
As we read through the first chapter of Mark, we see no dialogue, no interaction between characters, only a series of announcements and declarations—such as the definition of the gospel just mentioned— concerning Jesus and his first disciples.
Suddenly, in verse 24, that changes, when a surprising entity initiates an interchange: “Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, ‘What business do You have with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are: the Holy One of God!’ And Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’”
Let’s pause and analyze this. The very first dialogue in Mark occurs between an ‘unclean spirit’ and Jesus! Mark has put us on notice: his gospel will highlight the conflict between evil spirits and Jesus. As we go forward, we will repeatedly see Jesus casting out demons and healing people—undoing the damage done by sin (and thus evil spirits)—as he preaches the gospel.
In calling his disciples, he equips them to do what he has been doing: “He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons. Mark 3:14-15, NASB.”
Mark has told us, in the way that he structures his account of the life and ministry of Jesus, that he sees it in terms of Jesus against the devil, his forces, and his works (such as death and disease). Keeping this in mind as we read the rest of Mark will enrich our understanding and clarify many questions. We will come to actually understand the gospel of Mark, and recognize when portions quoted as “proof texts” actually reflect what the author wants his audience to understand.
