Mark 3:26 – Strange Bedfellows: Herodians and Pharisees
Mark – Introduction to the Gospel of Mark
This chapter forms an introduction to the Gospel of Mark. Introductory matters addressed are its authorship, the audience, the date, the emergence of Mark in gospel studies, theological emphases (Christology, the Messianic secret, the disciples and discipleship), and an outline of the Gospel.
Mark 1:40-45 – I Will
Mark 1:21-28 – Amazement at Authority
This article contains a sermon on Mark 1:21–28, on Jesus preaching and exorcising with authority.
Mark 1:29-39 – A Sabbath and Its Aftermath
This article provides a sermon on Mark 1:29-39, where Jesus healed many, cast out demons, and prayed early the next morning.
The Sabbath in Capernaum
Mark 1:1-13 - Preparation for Ministry
Mark 2:23-3:6 – Sovereign over the Sabbath
Mark 2:18-22 – Inappropriate Fasting
Mark 2:13-17 – The Scandal of the Company He Keeps
This article is a sermon on Mark 2:13-17.
Preaching the Gospels: Methodology and Contextualization
The author wants to demonstrate the value of critical exegetical tools, in particular redaction criticism, for the task of preaching. The paper makes use of Mark 9:14-29 as a test case to illustrate how preaching from the gospels should function.
The Parable of the Sower
The Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly
True Spirituality: The Transforming Power of the Gospel
True spirituality cannot be found in intellectualism, emotionalism, and moralism. From Mark 1:14-15 this article shows that true spirituality can only be found in understanding the gospel message and its transforming power.
Does Peter Draw a Line?
What Is the Unforgiveable Sin?
The Lord Jesus in Mark 3 speaks about the unforgiveable sin. This article considers in detail just what this sin against the Holy Spirit is.
Mark 3:22-30 – The Sin That Won't Go Away
This article is a sermon on Mark 3:22-30, on blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Mark 3:7-21 – Foes, Friends, and Family
This article is a sermon on Mark 3:7-21.
A Closer Look at the Widow's Offering: Mark 12:41–44
The Hopeful Parent & Teacher
Darkness over the Whole Land: A Biblical Theological Reflection on Mark 15:33
Prayer and Faith
Mark 4:1 – Preaching to the Coast
This article argues that Jesus' preaching to the crowds beside the Sea of Galilee in Mark 4:1 should be seen in the light of references in the Old Testament to the coastlands and to the mixed multitude in Exodus 12:38.
The Resurrection of Our Lord (Part 1)
This first of a two-part series focuses on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, testified to in Mark 16:6, as central to Christianity.
The Baptism of Jesus according to the Gospel of Mark
What is the significance of the baptism of Jesus according to the Gospels? Mark 1:9-11 relates the baptism of Jesus. Edwards considers the significance and function of this baptism in Mark. The baptism is related to the coming of the kingdom of heaven. Edwards further works out the significance of Jesus' baptism for our understanding of him as Son of God.
Silencing the Storm at Sea Mark 4:35-41
Mark 4:12 – Unwillingness Exposed
Mark 4:36 – More than Jonah!
Mark 4:26-29 - The Seed Growing in Secret
Mark 5 – Why Jesus Allowed Jairus' Daughter to Die
This article offers a few reasons why the Lord Jesus allowed the daughter of Jairus to die (Mark 5).
The Markan Narrative's Use of the Old Greek Text of Jeremiah to Explain Israel's Obduracy
This article suggests that a close reading of the Septuagint translation of Jeremiah reveals that his prophetic message influences the way Mark portrays Jesus’ words and deeds.
Mark 5 – Why Jesus Let Jairus' Daughter Die
This article considers three reasons why the Lord Jesus allowed the daughter of Jairus to die (Mark 5).
Mark's Jesus on Divorce: Mark 10:1-12 Reconsidered
The Raising of the Daughter of Jairus
The Woman with the Issue of Blood Read: Mark 5:25-34
The Healing of the Gadarene Demoniac Read: Mark 5:1-20
Mark 5:36 – Only Believe!
Does Mark's Gospel Have an Outline?
No outline can ever be a substitute for the reading of the Gospel of Mark. At most, it is an attempt to offer guidance about the significant divisions, turning points, interconnections, and developments in the narrative/story. Williams argues in this article for an overall outline or map of Mark’s Gospel. He wants to takes seriously the narrative shape of Mark.
Is Our Reading the Bible the Same as the Original Audience's Hearing It? A Case Study in the Gospel of Mark
This study wants to work out some of the implications of an author-oriented reading of the Bible. Its primary goal is to answer this question: “Is a modern reading of the Bible the same as the original readers who read and listened to the text? It answers the question by means of a case study in the Gospel of Mark.
A Review of Selected Narrative-Critical Conventions in Mark's Use of Miracle Material
This essay wants to demonstrate how a literary-narrative study of Mark's use of miracle material might give insight into how Mark crafted the story he has given to us.
A Reconsideration of the Ending of Mark
The ending of the Gospel of Mark 16 poses text-critical and exegetical problems. Thomas addresses these problems and makes constructive proposals for textual reconstruction and interpretation.
Jesus' Philosophy of Ministry: A Study of a Figure of Speech in Mark 1:38
Interpreting figurative language is part of biblical exegesis. Mark 1:38 contains such figurative speech, called amphibologia.
The Miracle of Jesus: The Feeding of the Five Thousand Read: Mark 6:31-44
Mark 6 – God’s Son Guarantees Life
Resisting Traditionalism
“Ephphatha” Scripture reading: Mark 7:31-37
Defining the Titles “Christ” and “Son of God” in Mark's Narrative Presentation of Jesus
This article wrestles with a question with a specific focus.
Challenging the Authority of Jesus: Mark 11:27–33 and Mediterranean Notions of Honour and Shame
How important is a good understanding of the cultural world of the early Christians? This article wants to examine carefully Jesus' encounter with some of his adversaries narrated in Mark 11:27-33. The author highlights the way that the values of honour and shame functioned in Mediterranean culture, and illumines the text at crucial points.
The Coming of the Son of Man in Mark's Gospel
This article argues that the Gospel of Mark’s sayings on the coming of the Son of Man (Mark 8:38, Mark 13:24-27, and Mark 14:62) refer to the return of Jesus. This is argued against the view of R. T. France and N. T. Wright according to whom these sayings call attention to the vision of Daniel 7:9-14.
Mark 8:27-9:1 – The Divine Necessity
For the Lord Jesus, there was one necessity that controlled his life. This article, an exposition of Mark 8:27–Mark 9:1, shows what it meant for Christ to do the will of God, and what Christian discipleship today is all about.
The Miracle of Christ: Healing in Stages Read: Mark 8:22-26
Mark 8:35 - Saving and Losing
Mark 8:34 - Bearing the Cross
The Miracle at the Foot of the Mountain Read: Mark 9:14-29
Mark 9:29 - Failure in the Face of Evil
The Healing of Bartimaeus Read Mark 10:46-52 and Luke 18:35-43
Mark 10:13-16 - Our Children - God's Children
In this article on Mark 10:13-16 (and Matthew 19:13-15 and Luke 18:15-17), the author focuses on children in the kingdom of God, and the children of believers as part of the covenant with God. Genesis 17:7 is also discussed.
The Withered Fig Tree Read Mark 11:11-26 (Compare Matt 21:17-22)
Mark 11:11 – One Last Look
The Naked Runaway and the Enrobed Reporter of Mark 14 and 16: What Is the Author Doing with What He Is Saying?
Mark 14:51-52 is a major crux of Mark’s Gospel where we find the account of a young man fleeing naked from the scene as Jesus was arrested. This essay reviews the opinions of the young man’s identity. It proposes not an identification of this man, but the theological agenda of Mark. The paper wants to enable preachers to use this text in Mark 14 as the basis for a sermon that provides a valid application for transforming lives for God’s glory.
Mark 14:50-51 - They All Deserted Him
Mark 15:24 – Christ Stripped Naked on the Cross
Mark 15:22 – Christ on Golgotha
Mark 15:21 – Simon of Cyrene Compelled to Bear Christ's Cross
Mark 15:40-41 – The Women at the Cross
This article considers Mark 15:40-41, which speaks of the women at the cross of Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ amidst the Soldiers
Mark 15:23 - Jesus Denies Himself Relief
Mark 15:33-39 - Unusual Events at Calvary
Mark 15:37-39 – Christ Crucified: Heaven Opened ... Open Eyes
Mark 16:15-16 – The Mandate to Preach the Gospel of Christ's Great Victory
Mark 16:1-8: The Empty Tomb of a Hero?
Greek hero cults consisted of sacrifices offered at the grave of deceased human beings. There was a belief that the hero was still active and able to exercise a powerful influence. In this article, this evidence is compared to Mark’s portrayal of Jesus’ empty tomb to show that it is not the empty tomb of a hero, but of one who has been raised from the dead.
Mark's Amazing Ending
This article explains why the shorter ending in Mark 16 is the preferred ending. The very things that make it seem abrupt are the reasons why the shorter ending is to be understood as original.
Mark 16 – Literary Approaches to the End of Mark's Gospel
Do the words of Mark 16:7-8 make good sense as the conclusion to Mark’s Gospel? This essay wants to present and evaluate different attempts to explain the meaning and significance of Mark’s abrupt ending.