Unique gems from Mark - Part 1 of 4

What an adventure! The last few weeks I've been studying the synoptic gospels -Matthew, Mark and Luke. Why have three books in the Bible that say almost the same thing? Synonyms are words that mean the same thing, for example: brilliant, bright and glorious. So why have three words? Because the words are similar but not identical. The synoptic gospels are included for the same reason. They overlap, yet each writer includes unique details and was writing to a specific audience at the time.

The sketch above gives a rough idea of how the synoptic gospels overlap. Fifty percent of Mark's account is included in the gospel of Luke. Even more is included in Matthew. It's tempting to think we can skip over Mark since we're getting most of the story in Matthew and Luke. But Mark is important and included for a reason. Mark is the shortest gospel, written to a Roman audience. The Roman reader wanted action! Geneologies and back story didn't interest them. Mark's writing is quick and to the point, keeping his readers engaged. If people quit reading they don't get the message.

Below are a few gems that can be found only in Mark.  

• Angels ministered to Jesus after His temptation in the wilderness. (Mark 1:13)
• Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near..." as He began His preaching ministry. (Mark 1:15)
• When James and John left everything to follow Jesus that included hired servants. (Mark 1:20)
• The unclean spirit cast out of the man in Capernaum cried out with a loud voice before/as it left. (Mark 1:26)
• As news spread about Jesus and the miracles He perfomed He could no longer publicly enter a city but stayed out in unpopulatd areas to minister. (Mark 1:45)
• Jesus had  a home in Capernaum. (Mark 2:1, 3:20, 7:17,9:33)
• Those who brought the paralytic removed the roof and dug an opening in order to  lower him down in front of Jesus. (Mark 2:4)
• Matthew was the son of Alphaeus. (Mark 2:14)
• Abiathar was high priest when King David and his men ate the consecrated bread. (Mark 2:26)
• Jesus said, "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27)
• Mark points out that the Pharisees kept silent about doing good or harm on the Sabbath. Jesus was angered and grieved at their hardness of heart. (Mark 3:4-5)
• The multitudes following Jesus included people from Idumea and beyond the Jordan. (Mark 3:8)
• Jesus told His disciples to have a boat ready so the crowds would not crowd Him while He preached along the shore of Galilee. (Mark 3:9)
• Jesus called James and John Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder". (Mark 3:17)
• Jesus said, "...no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man and then he will plunder his house." (Mark 3:27)
• When Jesus spoke of the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit it was "...because they were saying, 'He has an unclean spirit.'" (Mark 3:30)
• Understanding the parable of the sower helps us understand all the parables. (Mark 3:13)
• Mark 4:26-29 is a parable unique to Mark.
• Jesus explained everything (the parables) to his own disciples privately. (Mark 4:34)
• When Jesus calmed the wind and the waves of the sea of Galilee there was more than one boat crossing with Him. Also, Jesus was sleeping in the stern on the cushion, and only Mark records Jesus' words, "Hush, be still." (Mark 4:36, 38, 39)

That covers chapters 1-4. More gems to come! Some of the details above seem insignificant, others are so much a part of our church education it seems that they should be in all the gospels, and still others might mess with some religious ideas we've had (like Jesus having a home!)

Stay tuned for more unique gems from Mark chapters 5-16.