Nov 23 2008
Notes On Mark 1:1
- This was posted rather hastily and I hope the reader will overlook that obvious fact and get some benefit from these notes.
Verse 1 of the Gospel is to be taken as a title. We today would separate the title from the rest of the text, either by placing it in bold, black letters at the top of the page, or by using a title page. In other words, we separate our titles visually from the text. Writers in the Greco-Roman world separated their titles from their texts by using literary markers. Those literary markers are present in the Greek text of Mark and so we will treat the verse as a title, although we should note that some biblical scholars take the verse as part of the prologue.
The title reads The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God. We’ve provided links to various terms that make up this title and you are encouraged to consult them. In our talk we wish to focus on this question: What does St Mark intend by calling his writing “the beginning of the Gospel”?
The Greek word for beginning is arche, and it can have several meanings which are essentially related. One of those meanings is “foundation.” The word “Gospel” when first used outside of the title is used at the very beginning of the body of the Gospel; and it is used in reference to the kingdom of God and is closely associated with the theme of repentance. In 1:14-15 we read: Jesus came in Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15 And saying: “The time is accomplished and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel.” The time is accomplished, or fulfilled, the age of the Kingdom of God is present in the person of the King, Jesus. The Gospel, which is a call into the Kingdom, remains always present until the end comes and the Kingdom is established in full (see chapter 13:9-10). Later, at the very center of the body of the Gospel (chapter 8:27-38), we read of St Peter’s confession of faith, followed by His failure to accept the possibility of a suffering Messiah. As a result of this, he is rebuked by our Blessed Lord:
“calling the multitude together with his disciples, he said to them: If any man will follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Mar 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel shall save it.
Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?
Mar 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul:
Mar 8:38 For he that shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation: the Son of man also will be ashamed of him, when he shall come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Close Quote)
Notice that suffering for the sake of our Blessed Lord and for the Gospel amounts to the same thing and brings the same reward. Note also that being ashamed of the Lord and his words-that is the Gospel, also amounts to the same thing, and will bring the same punishment. Finally, notice that while Peter is rebuked by being called Satan, he is also told by Jesus to “Get behind me.” These words call to mind the first words Jesus spoke to Peter: “Follow Me.” They also call to mind the words our Blessed Lord speaks at the Last Supper. In the same breath with which he predicts his abandonment by the apostles along with Peter’s three-fold denial he says: “i will go before you into Galilee,” thereby giving us to understand that he is inviting them to return to discipleship.
What then does Mark wish to convey by calling his work The Beginning or foundation of the Gospel?
The Gospel is rooted in and founded upon the fact that Jesus came to give his life as a ransom (10:45). It is a fact founded upon the Gospel that the followers of Jesus must take up the cross, not only by making willful sacrifices but also by enduring persecution (see 10:28-31). It is also a fact founded upon the Gospel that some will fail, like Peter and the twelve, But Jesus, in and through the Church remains always ready with the words repent, get behind, follow Jesus.
