The gospel of Mark is the story of a man, a God-Man, on a mission. I'm in the middle of an in-depth study of Mark with my Wednesday morning group and I've developed a deep appreciation for this compact, action-oriented gospel. I love how the narrative flows from one episode to the next, building as it goes. It's the shortest gospel- only sixteen chapters and makes for a quick read and a great study.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you dig into Mark.
Mark is written for a Gentile audience. There are few mentions of Old Testament prophecies or Jewish customs or traditions.
The focus is on what Jesus does. Matthew proved Jesus was the Messiah based on the scriptural evidence. In Mark, the proof comes through His miracles. Nearly every chapter contains some demonstration of Jesus' divine power. Also note Jesus' unwavering focus on His mission. Nothing distracts Him from fulfilling His ultimate purpose.
Watch the transitions, time markers, and place names. Phrases like "they went out from there" or "while He was still speaking" or "then they crossed over" underscore Mark's narrative style. Another key word that's worth noticing is "immediately" (or "straightway", if you're KJV).
Mark supplies details and comments that none of the other gospels have, especially sensory details. He highlights the green grass, the little boats, the disciples' fear and failures. For instance, toward the end of chapter 6 after Jesus calms the storm, only Mark tells us the reason for the disciples fear and amazement. "For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened."
What's your favorite passage in Mark's gospel?