The Gospel According to Mark

Introduction
The theme of the gospel of Mark is the person of Jesus more than his teaching: the mystery of Jesus, the mysterious Jesus. A perspective that dims out leading to a dramatic confrontation. Jesus teaches but his followers do not understand him. Jesus is the Messiah that has to suffer. By the time of the final triumph, Mark is again bare: the confession of the centurion contrasting with the fearful silence of the women.
It seems that Mark writes for a pagan or mixed community; probably a poor and persecuted community. A very old tradition asserts that Mark writes his gospel in Rome, putting in writing the preaching of Peter.
Mark invites for an easy, superficial reading, but the challenge is to read Mark in depth.

1 21They went into the town of Capernaum and Jesus began to teach in the synagogue during the sabbath assemblies. 22The people were astonished at the way he taught, for he spoke as one having authority and not like the teachers of the Law.
 23It happened that a man with an evil spirit was in their synagogue 24and he shouted: 
—What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: You are the Holy One of God. 
25Then Jesus faced him and said with authority: 
—Be silent and come out of this man! 
26The evil spirit shook the man violently and, with a loud shriek, came out of him.
27All the people were astonished and they wondered: ‘What is this? With what authority he preaches! He even orders evil spirits and they obey him!’ 28And Jesus’ fame spread throughout all the country of Galilee. 

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Originally published by
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