What is Mark's understanding of Jesus?

Answer 1

A:

The perceived divinity of Jesus evolved over time during the apostolic era. Mark, written approximately 70 CE, portrays Jesus as the messiah (anointed one), son of God, son of man (a human being), but not as truly divine. He had human failings - he was a racist and was prone to irrational anger such as when he cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit out of season. It was not until the fourth gospel was written decades later, that Jesus was finally portrayed as divine and pre-existing.

This is how the author of Mark's Gospel portrays Jesus, but we can not be sure what he himself really believed. Harold Bloom (Jesus and Yahweh: the Names Divine)says that Mark invented Jesus.

Answer 2

A:

The Apostle Paul had a young Christian companion called Mark, about whom we know little except that he was most unlikely ever to have met Jesus. The First Epistle of Peter has Peter call Mark his son, whether affectionately in the way Paul used the term, or as his real, biological son, so it has become a widespread tradition that Mark was indeed the son of Peter. If true, this would place Mark in a close relationship to Jesus through Peter, but the strong consensus of scholars is that First Peter was written in Peter's name long after his death.

It should be noted that Paul's companion Mark is most unlikely to have been the author of the gospel that now bears his name. Like all the New Testament gospels, it was originally anonymous until attributed to Mark in the second century, likely because of the reference in 1 Peter. The real author of Mark's Gospel appears not to have known anyone close to Jesus.

Answer 3

John Mark at some point in his life became a follower of Jesus. He did not travel with Jesus but was aware of Him and His claims. After Jesus was resurrected Mark was a companion with Peter and later Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark. So the only connection to Jesus that Mark had was to be a believer in Him.