The Gospel of Mark is one of the four canonical gospels and one of the three synoptic gospels. It tells the story of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Mark is the shortest of the four gospels and thought to be the first one written. Here is a summary of the key events and teachings covered in the Gospel of Mark:
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
Mark opens with John the Baptist preaching repentance and baptizing people in the wilderness of Judea (Mark 1:1-8). John proclaimed that someone greater was coming who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This sets the stage for Jesus’ ministry.
The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
Jesus came from Nazareth to be baptized by John in the Jordan River. As he came out of the water, the Spirit descended on him like a dove and a voice from heaven said “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11). Immediately after this, the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness where he was tempted by Satan for 40 days (Mark 1:12-13). Jesus overcame the temptations and was ministered to by angels.
Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee
After John was arrested, Jesus began preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God in Galilee (Mark 1:14-15). His message was, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he called his first disciples Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow him (Mark 1:16-20). They left everything immediately to become fishers of men. Jesus taught in the synagogues and cast out demons throughout Galilee (Mark 1:21-28, 32-34).
Jesus Heals Many People
News about Jesus spread rapidly throughout the region. He healed Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever (Mark 1:29-31). Crowds brought all their sick and demon-possessed to Jesus and he healed them (Mark 1:32-34). He also healed a leper by touching him, which was remarkable because lepers were outcasts (Mark 1:40-45). On a return visit to Capernaum, Jesus healed a paralytic who was lowered down through the roof by his friends so they could get to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12). He also called the tax collector Levi to follow him, and then had dinner at Levi’s house along with other tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:13-17). When questioned why he associated with such people, Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Jesus Challenges the Religious Rules
The Pharisees criticized Jesus and his disciples for not following their ritual laws and traditions regarding the Sabbath and not fasting enough. Jesus responded that he was the bridegroom and while he was with them it was a time for feasting, not fasting (Mark 2:18-22). He also proclaimed that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” to show that meeting human needs was more important than strict ritual observance (Mark 2:23-28). Conflict grew between Jesus and the religious rulers throughout Galilee.
Parables about the Kingdom of God
Jesus began teaching in parables to explain what the kingdom of God was like. The parable of the sower showed how the gospel is received in different ways and takes root in good soil (Mark 4:1-20). He also taught that we should live out the kingdom now by letting our lamp shine, and that God’s kingdom grows slowly but surely like a mustard seed (Mark 4:21-34). Jesus calmed the storm, showing his power over nature (Mark 4:35-41). He cast many demons out of the Gerasene man into a herd of pigs, displaying his power over evil spirits (Mark 5:1-20). Jesus also healed a hemorrhaging woman who touched his garment (Mark 5:25-34) and resurrected Jairus’ 12-year-old daughter (Mark 5:21-24, 35-43).
Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth
When Jesus returned to teach in the synagogue at Nazareth where he grew up, he was rejected by those who knew him (Mark 6:1-6). Jesus sent out the twelve disciples to preach, heal and cast out demons throughout Galilee (Mark 6:7-13). Herod thought that Jesus might be John the Baptist raised from the dead (Mark 6:14-29). Jesus had compassion on the crowds and fed 5,000 people from five loaves and two fish (Mark 6:30-44). He also walked on water across the sea to meet the disciples (Mark 6:45-52). Many people were healed by only touching Jesus’ cloak (Mark 6:53-56).
Debate Over Tradition
The Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for eating with unwashed hands, violating their tradition. But Jesus responded that it’s not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out of their heart (Mark 7:1-23). In Tyre, Jesus healed the daughter of a Gentile woman after she persisted in asking him to help her (Mark 7:24-30). Returning through the Decapolis region, Jesus healed a deaf man with a speech impediment (Mark 7:31-37). He also fed 4,000 people, and the disciples picked up baskets of leftovers afterward (Mark 8:1-9).
Opposition from the Pharisees
The Pharisees tested Jesus by asking for a sign from heaven. But Jesus refused and told them that the only sign to be given was the sign of Jonah, meaning his death and resurrection (Mark 8:11-13). Jesus warned the disciples against the yeast or teaching of the Pharisees and Herod (Mark 8:14-21). At Bethsaida Jesus healed a blind man in two stages by rubbing saliva in his eyes and laying hands on him (Mark 8:22-26). Peter declared Jesus to be the Christ, and Jesus explained that he would suffer, die and rise again (Mark 8:27-33). Jesus also taught that following him requires total commitment and a willingness to lose your life (Mark 8:34-9:1).
The Transfiguration
Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain where he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiantly white. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus (Mark 9:2-8). A voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” Jesus told them not to tell anyone until after his resurrection. As they came down from the mountain, Jesus healed a boy who had an evil spirit that caused him to experience seizures (Mark 9:14-29). Jesus predicted his death and resurrection again (Mark 9:30-32).
The Greatest in the Kingdom
The disciples argued about who would be the greatest in the kingdom. But Jesus taught them that the way to be great was to serve and welcome children (Mark 9:33-37). He also taught that anyone who gives a cup of water in his name would be rewarded, and that his followers should avoid causing “little ones” in the faith to stumble (Mark 9:38-50). Later, Jesus rejected the disciples efforts to stop someone driving out demons in Jesus’ name because “whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:38-41).
Teachings in Judea
Jesus taught about marriage and divorce, saying that divorce should only be allowed in cases of adultery (Mark 10:1-12). He welcomed little children and said the kingdom belongs to those like them (Mark 10:13-16). A rich young ruler asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor (Mark 10:17-31). At Jericho, Jesus healed the blind Bartimaeus who persistently cried out for mercy (Mark 10:46-52).
The Triumphal Entry
Jesus sent two disciples to get a colt he would ride into Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-7). People welcomed him by throwing cloaks and branches on the road, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:8-10). Jesus cleared the temple of money changers, saying God’s house should be called a house of prayer for all nations (Mark 11:15-19). The religious leaders challenged Jesus’ authority but he responded with a question about John’s authority and the source of his own authority (Mark 11:27-33).
Controversies at the Temple
Jesus told the parable of the tenants who killed the landowner’s servants and son, predicting his own death (Mark 12:1-12). He was also tested by the Pharisees and Herodians about paying taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:13-17). Jesus responded that they should “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” When asked about the resurrection, Jesus affirmed it by quoting Exodus 3:6 and saying God is the God of the living, not the dead (Mark 12:18-27). Jesus commended the poor widow who gave two small copper coins, because she gave all she had (Mark 12:41-44).
The Olivet Discourse
As Jesus and his disciples left the temple, they commented on its massive stones. But Jesus predicted the entire temple complex would be destroyed (Mark 13:1-2). Later, as Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked him when this would happen and what the signs would be. Jesus answered with the Olivet Discourse, foretelling wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution and false prophets in the last days (Mark 13:3-13). He said that before his return, the gospel would be preached to all nations (Mark 13:10). Jesus said his words would never pass away and that only the Father knows the day and hour when the Son of Man would return (Mark 13:28-32). He commanded his disciples to keep watch, stay alert and be ready for his return at any time (Mark 13:33-37).
The Plot to Kill Jesus
While Jesus was in Bethany, a woman poured expensive ointment over his head, prompting criticism from some who were present. But Jesus defended her saying she had anointed him beforehand for his burial (Mark 14:1-9). Judas went to the chief priests and agreed to betray Jesus in exchange for money (Mark 14:10-11). At the Passover meal, Jesus predicted his betrayal (Mark 14:17-21) and also instituted the Lord’s Supper, explaining that the bread and wine represented his body and blood (Mark 14:22-25). After supper they sang a hymn and Jesus predicted Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed twice (Mark 14:27-31).
Gethsemane
Jesus went with his disciples to the Mount of Olives to pray. He asked Peter, James and John to keep watch while he prayed, but found them sleeping. Jesus prayed for the cup of suffering to be taken from him, but submitted to the Father’s will (Mark 14:32-42). Judas arrived with a crowd to arrest Jesus and betrayed him with a kiss (Mark 14:43-52). As Jesus predicted, Peter denied knowing him three times before the rooster crowed twice (Mark 14:66-72).
The Trial and Death of Jesus
Early in the morning the religious leaders put Jesus on trial, ultimately condemning him to die for claiming to be the Messiah, the Son of God (Mark 14:53-65). They brought Jesus before Pilate, but Pilate could find no basis for a charge against him (Mark 15:1-5). Nevertheless, Pilate caved in to the crowd’s pressure and condemned Jesus to be crucified (Mark 15:6-15). The soldiers mocked and beat Jesus, then led him away to be crucified (Mark 15:16-20). At the place called Golgotha, they crucified Jesus between two criminals (Mark 15:21-27). Bystanders mocked him while he suffered and died (Mark 15:29-32). Darkness came over the land from noon until 3pm when Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” then breathed his last breath (Mark 15:33-37). A centurion who witnessed his death declared, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39).
The Burial and Resurrection of Jesus
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Jewish leader, boldly asked Pilate for Jesus’ body and buried him in a tomb cut out of rock (Mark 15:42-47). The women who had followed Jesus saw where he was buried and planned to anoint his body after the Sabbath. When they arrived on Sunday morning, they found the stone rolled away and a young man dressed in white inside the tomb who announced that Jesus had risen from the dead (Mark 16:1-6). The man told them to go tell the disciples that Jesus was going ahead of them to Galilee, where they would see him again (Mark 16:7-8). The original form of Mark ends abruptly at this point. Later manuscripts add verses about the women fleeing in terror and not saying anything (Mark 16:9-11) along with Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene and two disciples (Mark 16:12-13), then commissioning the eleven disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:14-18). Jesus was then taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19-20).
In summary, the Gospel of Mark proclaims Jesus Christ as the Son of God who died for the sins of humanity and conquered death in his resurrection. It records Jesus’ public ministry of teaching, healing the sick, casting out demons and confronting the religious hypocrisy of his day with divine authority. Despite facing rejection and suffering, Jesus remained faithful to God’s will. Mark calls all people to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. This Gospel account is fast-paced and action oriented, intent on sparking faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world.