The Book of Mark and the Preaching of Peter Free Reprint Article

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The Book of Mark and the Preaching of Peter

by Wayne Davies
9/13/2014 / Bible Studies

The testimony of the early church fathers in the first century A.D. was that Mark wrote the second book of the New Testament. Furthermore, men like Papias and Irenaus shed light on the source of Mark's material, for they referred to him as "the interpreter of Peter" and the writer of "the things preached by Peter".

This is significant because we can say with certainty that all four gospels were written by an apostle (Matthew and John) or a close associate of an apostle (Mark and Luke). Matthew and John were among the original 12 apostles chosen by Jesus to spend 3 years with him. According to the book of Acts, Luke spent much time with Paul. And here we see that Mark was the compiler of the sermons of Peter and the book that bears Mark's name is a written record of Peter's preaching/teaching ministry.

The book of Acts contains several of Peter's sermons and teachings. Acts 10:36-43 is especially relevant in this regard because there are obvious similarities between this sermon of Peter and the Gospel According to Mark.

Acts 10:36 / Mark 1:1
Peter was at the house of Cornelius and proclaimed, "This is the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all" (v. 36). Peter begins his sermon the same way Mark begins his book, with a reference to "the good news" (or "the gospel"). This message of good news is all about Jesus, who is both Christ (the long-awaited Jewish Messiah) and God (Lord of all). The similarity to Mark 1:1 is striking "The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God". Mark, too, wants all to know that the gospel is about this God-Man Jesus, who is both Messiah and Deity ("Son of God" means "God the Son").

Acts 10:37 / Mark 1:2-8
Peter continues - "You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached" (v. 37)." This statement corresponds with the beginning of Mark's account specifically, Mark 1:2-8, which recounts the ministry of John the Baptizer.

Acts 10:38a / Mark 1:9-13
Next, when Peter says, "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power" (v. 38), this is precisely what Mark records in Mark 1:9-13 the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan River, and the Spirit of God coming down on Jesus like a dove and the proclamation from the Father that "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (Mark 1:11).

The baptism of Jesus is followed immediately by the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness, which is a breathtaking demonstration of the power of Jesus to resist the attacks of the devil for 40 days (Mark 1:12-13).

Acts 10:38b / Mark 1:14-10:52
Peter then says, "and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him" (v. 38). This is a concise summary of much of Mark's gospel, encompassing Mark 1:1410:52. Here we are overwhelmed with a fast-moving action-packed account of Jesus' 3-year ministry of "doing good" by healing the sick, delivering the demon-possessed, raising the dead, feeding the crowds of thousands and controlling the elements, all the while engaged in an intense daily ministry of teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom wherever he went.

Acts 10:39-42 / Mark 11:1-16:20
Peter devotes most of his sermon with details of the last week of Jesus' life in Jerusalem "They (the Jews) killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen . . . by witnesses whom God had already chosen by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead" (v. 39-41). Mark, too, devotes much space to the final days of Christ's life on earth his final six chapters are spent on the death and resurrection of Jesus and the days immediately before and after the most important event of his earthly life.

Acts 10:43 / Mark 10:45
The sermon concludes with an appeal to the ultimate purpose of Christ's ministry for those who believe in the God-Man, forgiveness of sins is provided! "Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name" (v. 43). Salvation from sin and its deadly consequences is prominent in Mark's gospel, too, for Jesus told the disciples that "even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

The purpose of Mark's gospel is clear he has presented us with a compelling, divinely inspired transcription of the preaching of Peter, who devoted his life to spreading the good news about Jesus, with a focus on his death and resurrection as the means to forgiveness for those who repent and believe in his name.

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