3.  It Is a Gospel of Power Over Devils.  Here as in no other gospel the devils are made subject to Jesus.  They recognize him as the “Son of God” and acknowledge their subordination to him by pleading with him as to what shall be done with them (5:7, 12).

4.  It Is a Gospel of Wonder.  Everywhere Jesus is a man of wonder that strikes awe and terror and causes to wonder those who see and hear him.  Some of these may be studied, especially in the Greek, in 1:27; 2:13; 4:41; 5:28 6:50; 51; 7:37.  As Archbishop Thompson puts it, “The wonder-working Son of God sweeps over his Kingdom swiftly and meteor-like” and thus strikes awe into the hearts of the on-lookers.  He is “a man heroic and mysterious, who inspires not only a passionate devotion but also amazement and adoration”.

5.  It Is a Gospel for the Romans.  The Romans were men of great power, mighty workers who left behind them great accomplishments for the blessing of humanity.  So that Mark would especially appeal to them by recording of Jesus his mighty deeds.  He lets them see one who has power to still the storm, to control disease and death, and even power to control the unseen world of spirits.  The Roman, who found deity in a Caesar as head of a mighty Kingdom, would bow to one who had shown himself King in every realm and whose kingdom was both omnipotent and everlasting, both visible and unseen, both temporal and spiritual.

Then, too, the Roman cared nothing for Jewish Scripture or prophecy and so he omits all reference to the Jewish law, the word law not being found in the entire book.  He only once or twice refers in any way to the Jewish scriptures.  He omits the genealogy of Jesus which could have no value to a Roman.  Then, too, he explains all doubtful Jewish words, such as “Boanerges” (3:17), “Tabitha cumi” (5:41), “corban” (7:11), “alba” (15:36).  He reduced Jewish money to Roman currency (12:42).  He explains Jewish customs as not being understood by them. (See 7:3; 13:3; 14:12; 15:42).

And once more by the use of terms familiar to him such as centurion, contend, etc.  “Mark showed the Roman a man who was a man indeed”.  He showed them manhood crowned with glory and power; Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God; a man but a Man Divine and sinless, among sinful and suffering men.  Him, the God-man, no humiliation could degrade, no death defeat.  Not even on the cross could he seem less than the King, the Hero, the only Son.  And as he gazed on such a picture how could any Roman refrain from exclaiming with the awe-struck Centurion, “Truly this was the Son of God”.

Subject.  Jesus the Almighty King.

Analysis.

  I. The Almighty King is Exhibited as the Son of God, 1:1-13.

   1.  In the baptism and teaching of John, 1-8.

   2.  In the baptism of Jesus, 9-11.

   3.  In the temptation, 12-13.

 II.  The Almighty King at Work in Galilee, 1:14-9 end.