# The book of Mark

> Mark is the shortest Gospel and moves fast. Jesus heals, teaches, and calls people to follow him, and the word “immediately” keeps the pace up. The second half turns toward the cross.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/about
Section: Gospels · 16 chapters

## Who wrote Mark?

The book is anonymous. Early writers, starting with Papias around AD 120, said John Mark wrote it from Peter’s preaching. Many scholars accept a link to Mark; some are unsure. Most think Mark was the first Gospel written.

## When was it written?

About AD 55–70.

## Main themes

- **Who is Jesus?.** People keep asking; Peter answers in chapter 8.
- **The servant who gives his life.** The Son of Man “came not to be served but to serve.”
- **Following means the cross.** Disciples take up their cross too.

## Outline

- Chapters 1–8: [Jesus’ work in Galilee](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/1)
- Chapters 8–10: [On the road: “Who do you say I am?”](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/8)
- Chapters 11–13: [In Jerusalem](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/11)
- Chapters 14–16: [The cross and the empty tomb](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/14)

## Key verses

Quoted from the Lumin Translation.

> and said, “The time is now complete, and the kingdom of God has drawn near. Repent, and put your faith in the gospel.”
> — [Mark 1:15](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/1#15)

> He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.”
> — [Mark 8:29](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/8#29)

> For the Son of Man, too, came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom in place of many.
> — [Mark 10:45](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/10#45)

## Where to start

Start at chapter 1. Mark is the quickest way to read a whole Gospel. [Read Mark 1](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/1.md)

Read the whole book: https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/1.md
Ask about it: https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md