In this section of my coursework I am going to explain why some people think Marks Gospel was written for non- – Jews facing persecution. Firstly when he writes anything in Amaraic, this is the Jewish lanuage at the time of Jesus he translates it into Greek his suggests that is writing for none Jews, as they wouldn’t understand Amaraic. When I read specific parts of Marks gospel its says words like “Talitha Cumi” which is Amaraic and “Ephphatha” which means be opened.
I think Marks Gospel was written in Rome because Marks is a Latin name and he was Greek speaking. Also Marks Gospel is he shortest of all four of the Gospels and he completely misses out Jesus’ birth this suggests to me that mark was in some kind of hurry. I think he is in a hurry because he is writing for people being prosecuted and he wants to finish as he fears his death and wants to give hope to the Christians, this is another reason why people think Marks wrote in Rome as Christians were being prosecuted at the time Marks was writing. And earlier in my coursework I concluded that mark was writing for non- –Jews.
Also another reason is that John the elder said “Mark having become the interpreter of Peter” as mark obviously stayed and wrote what peter said, and there is evidence that Peter preached and was crucified in Rome. This suggests Mark was in Rome and probably wrote his gospel there.
In this section of my coursework I am going to explain how the example of Jesus might help Christians facing persecution today.
I think the example of Jesus might help Christians facing persecution today because its crucial we do see Jesus suffer as a human being. There are many examples and indications in the gospel, which suggests Jesus, did suffer. For example in Mark 15 verse 19, it says, “Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spat on him” which suggests not only did Jesus suffer, he suffered considerably.
In Mark 14 verse 34, we see Jesus distressed because he knows he is going to be killed Jesus confirms this when he says “my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow until the point of death” this is relevant because we see Jesus showing emotion as any normal human would.
There are many incidents in the gospel when Jesus comes into conflict with the authorities for what he believes is right. This influences Christians today like for example protesters are prepared to conflict with authorities for what they believe is right.
The first of these was in Mark 3 verses 1 – 6 when Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. Which is against the law, as you are not allowed to work on the Sabbath.
A modern day case of Christians following Jesus’ example is Corrie Ten Boom; Corrie was under nazi rule when the Jews were being prosecuted but instead of treating em badly she hid them from the Germans and was punished and made to suffer because of it.
In Mark 4 verses 35 – 41, Jesus calms the storm, the meaning to this parable is to have faith even when times are bad, it will soon be better. So it is a good meaning to Christians today that are being prosecuted.
In this section of my coursework I will explain why I agree with this statement.
Firstly I disagree with some parts of this statement but agree with other parts. I believe that some people will defiantly give there lives or suffer as Jesus did. Some examples of people that have suffered for what they believe are firstly Martin Luther King; he spoke for what he believed in ad was assassinated for it. Another example is Maximilian Kolbe, a polish priest who switched places with a condemned Jew and was starved and prosecuted by the Nazis. Another example was archbishop Romero who was gunned down during a prayer meeting for his believes. Looking at these people they were obviously willing to suffer for there believe and maybe suffer as Jesus did.
I think we are expected to suffer but not to the extent as Jesus did. However some people may disagree with my view as in marks gospel it says and I quote “ Take up your cross and follow me” this suggests Jesus did want us to do whatever it took to do as he did even if it meant death.