What is the context of the times when the Gospel of Mark was written?

Answer 1

Since scholars believe Mark to have been the first of the four gospels and others put it in the period between AD 55-68 this gives a general historical time context. One reason for the time range is that some are uncertain whether it occurred before of after the martyrdom of Peter (believed to have occurred c. AD 64). Some would thus place it in any case well before the destruction of Jerusalem, a significant event in both world and Jewish history.

It is also considered that Mark wrote his Gospel for a Roman audience as indicated by the fast moving nature of the narrative and a lack of explicitly Jewish flavor as in Matthew. In so doing he was intending his work to form part of the expansion of Christianity into the Roman empire. He himself had participated in missionary work with Paul and the written life of Christ (believed by many to have been the first) would have supplemented this and provided more information for those sharing the Christian faith or who wanted to inquire more about it.

Given this time period, which falls within the rule of emperor Nero who died in AD 68 by suicide, the historical context is largely characterized by the well-known idiosyncrasies, (some believe insanity) of this ruler. Mark's Gospel may have sought to redress this ignorance among Roman readers.

Answer 2

The Gospel of Mark was written in the 1st century AD, likely between 65-75 AD, during a period of persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire. It was a time of spreading Christianity and a growing need for written accounts of Jesus' life and teachings. Mark's Gospel was likely written for a gentile audience to emphasize the universal message of Jesus.

Answer 3

Scholars say that Mark's Gospel was written just after 70 CE, because of the allusion to the destruction of the Temple, which occurred in 70 CE. It is also possible that the book could have been written between 68 and 70 CE, when the author could have forseen its destruction.

In chapter 13, Mark has Jesus foretell wars and rumours of wars, that brother will betray brother and father betray the son, the abomination of desolation foretold by Daniel. This is a reference to the civil war that actually raged within the walls of Jerusalem while the Romans were beseiging the city from outside.

That the Roman-Jewish war, the civil war and the destruction of the Temple were not really prophesied by Jesus is demonstrated by the rest of the chapter, which foretells the end of the world within the lifetimes of the present generation. Mark was writing when the wars and destruction were established fact but the end of the world was something that just seemed likely in the near future, to those who had been through so much disaster.