This account was only written in 65AD and not earlier because as the Apostles and other eyewitnesses had been spreading the gospel ever since the first Christian Pentecost a written record was not really needed since Jesus companions were able to give first hand testimony about what they saw and heard. However, the eyewitnesses were getting older and no actual written account of Jesus’ life had been written. Mark had not been one of the twelve Apostles but was involved in a big way.
Mark accompanied Paul until the Paul was martyred. Mark also associated closely with Peter as sort of an interpreter. It is now understood that most of what Mark wrote down was as a result of Peter’s testimony and reflects his perspective on Jesus activities. But Peter was also crucified; according to tradition he was hung upside down. The deaths of Peter and Paul no doubt spurred Mark on to write it all down before it disappeared or became distorted by the unreliability of oral tradition only.
The Gospel may have been written at the request of Roman Christians who wanted an account of Peter’s preaching. As a result of his close associations with Paul, Peter and other missionaries Mark was no doubt very familiar with Jesus’ Galilean ministry. One feature of Mark’s gospel is its emphasis on the activities of Jesus. The teachings of Jesus are not talked about.
Marks Gospel is a Synoptic Gospels along with Matthew and Luke’s. That is because they reflect many of the same sayings and stories with a similar chronology. Much of Matthew and Luke’s work is based on, and even copied from Mark. Mark’s gospel is the shortest of the three. Marks did not write his accounts as a historian would. He was concerned with salvation and with what Jesus said and did in connection with this spiritual goal. What kind of home life Jesus led, his education and upbringing were not of interest in a spiritual growth sense.
The emphasis of the whole of Marks Gospel is on faith. Christian faith is simply not a matter of learning a set of teachings, ultimately Christian faith demands belief in the person of Jesus. Christians today are asked to have faith in Jesus. Even in death Christians trust in Jesus’ power to save them and bring them to eternal life.
Marks gospel has meanings for all Christians today. Helping the poor and loving your neighbour are very important for people who try to live out the Christian life. Many Christians think it is important to live up to Jesus' teachings by doing work for charity. However, it is still important for Christians to understand Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Christians believe that God has forgiven people their sins through Jesus' death. The resurrection is also important for Christians hope in life after death. These things are just as important for Christians today as they were two thousand years ago.
It is not those who boast of their salvation and who perform miracles that will be saved, but those who "endure to the end" by "doing the will of God," that same will which Jesus accepted at Gethsemane. Jesus must be not only our saviour but also our model. We cannot share in his resurrection unless we have also shared in his ministry of suffering love. This was Mark's message to the Christians of his day; it is a message that is still very important for Christians today.
