The Gospel of Mark: Characteristics of Markan Style

Introduction

The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four canonical Gospels, yet its style is anything but simple. Mark’s narrative is vivid, fast-paced, and often enigmatic. While Matthew and Luke expand Mark with additional teaching material, and John develops profound theological discourses, Mark presents a raw, urgent proclamation: Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God, whose identity is revealed through suffering, death, and resurrection.

This chapter explores the literary and theological style of Mark’s Gospel, focusing on the features that distinguish it from the others. We will see that Mark’s style is not accidental or unsophisticated, as some early critics claimed, but carefully crafted to communicate deep theological truths.

Part 1: Brevity and Immediacy

1. Conciseness of Mark

At only 16 chapters, Mark is the shortest Gospel. It omits major sections found in Matthew and Luke, such as the Sermon on the Mount, infancy narratives, and many parables. Instead, Mark moves quickly from one episode to the next.

This brevity creates a sense of urgency, as though the reader is being swept up in a rapid sequence of events. The impression is that Jesus’ ministry is decisive and time-sensitive.

2. Use of “Immediately”

Mark’s favorite adverb is euthys (“immediately” or “at once”). It appears over 40 times, far more than in the other Gospels (e.g., 1:10, 1:12, 1:18, 1:21).

This repetition contributes to the breathless pace of the narrative. Jesus appears as a man of urgent action, driven by a divine mission. Theologically, this reflects the in-breaking of God’s kingdom — not a leisurely process but a dramatic invasion of history.

Part 2: Vividness and Detail

1. Lively Narration

Mark often includes vivid details that the other evangelists omit. Examples:

• Jesus is “with the wild beasts” during his temptation (1:13).

• The green grass at the feeding of the 5,000 (6:39).

• Jesus asleep on a cushion in the boat (4:38).

• The young man who flees naked at Jesus’ arrest (14:51–52).

These small touches make the narrative come alive, as though from an eyewitness.

2. Graphic Emotion

Mark portrays emotions more strongly than Matthew or Luke:

• Jesus is “moved with compassion” (1:41).

• He “looked around in anger, grieved at their hardness of heart” (3:5).

• He sighs deeply (7:34; 8:12).

The disciples, too, are depicted vividly — often as confused, fearful, or even hard-hearted. Mark does not sanitize the story.

3. Theological Significance

This vividness draws readers into the drama of Jesus’ life. It also underscores the humanity of Jesus: he feels anger, grief, compassion, and abandonment. Mark’s Messiah is not distant but deeply engaged in human struggle.

Part 3: The “Sandwich” Technique (Intercalation)

1. Definition

Mark often interrupts one story with another, creating a narrative “sandwich” (intercalation). The outer story frames the inner one, and the two interpret each other.

2. Examples

• Jairus’ daughter and the bleeding woman (5:21–43): The healing of the woman is inserted into the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Both stories highlight faith in desperate situations.

• Fig tree and temple cleansing (11:12–21): Jesus curses the fig tree, cleanses the temple, and then the withered fig tree is seen. The two episodes interpret each other as judgment on fruitless worship.

• Peter’s denial and Jesus’ trial (14:53–72): As Jesus testifies faithfully, Peter denies him. The contrast highlights true vs. false witness.

3. Theological Purpose

These sandwiches force readers to interpret stories together, drawing deeper theological meaning. They also slow the narrative momentarily, prompting reflection amid the fast pace.

Part 4: Irony and Paradox

1. Narrative Irony

Mark frequently employs irony, where the audience knows more than the characters.

• The reader knows from the opening verse that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of God” (1:1), but the disciples repeatedly fail to understand.

• The demons recognize Jesus (1:24; 5:7), while the religious leaders do not.

• At the crucifixion, the Roman centurion — an outsider — proclaims, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” (15:39).

2. Paradox of the Cross

The greatest irony is that Jesus’ identity as Messiah is revealed not in triumph but in crucifixion. Those who mock him (“Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross,” 15:32) speak more truth than they realize.

Theologically, Mark shows that God’s power is revealed in weakness, and messiahship is redefined through suffering.

Part 5: The Messianic Secret

1. The Phenomenon

In Mark, Jesus often commands silence after miracles:

• To demons (1:34).

• To healed individuals (1:44; 5:43; 7:36; 8:26).

• To the disciples after Peter’s confession (8:30).

2. Explanations

Scholars have long debated this “messianic secret.” Possible explanations include:

• Historical: Jesus may have avoided premature claims of kingship that would provoke Roman authorities.

• Literary: Mark uses secrecy to build dramatic tension, revealing Jesus’ identity gradually.

• Theological: True understanding of Jesus’ identity comes only through the cross; miracles alone are insufficient.

3. Theological Function

The secrecy motif emphasizes that Jesus cannot be understood apart from his suffering. The cross is the key to his messiahship.

Part 6: Portrait of the Disciples

1. Realistic Depiction

Mark portrays the disciples more harshly than the other Gospels. They misunderstand parables (4:13), fail to grasp miracles (6:52; 8:14–21), argue about greatness (9:34), and ultimately flee in fear (14:50).

2. Theological Message

This negative portrayal serves two purposes:

• It shows that faith is difficult, even for those closest to Jesus.

• It encourages readers who struggle with doubt, reminding them that discipleship is a journey of growth.

Part 7: Eschatological Urgency

Mark emphasizes the nearness of the kingdom and the urgency of decision.

• Jesus begins with, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news” (1:15).

• The apocalyptic discourse (chapter 13) warns of trials, false messiahs, and the need for vigilance.

This urgency reflects both the historical crisis of the late first century and Mark’s theological conviction that God’s kingdom demands immediate response.

Part 8: Ending of Mark

Mark’s original Gospel likely ended at 16:8, with the women fleeing the empty tomb in fear. Later manuscripts add longer endings (16:9–20).

The abrupt ending may be deliberate, leaving readers with a sense of unresolved challenge: the good news of the resurrection demands response. Theologically, Mark’s open ending draws the reader into the story as a participant in proclaiming the risen Christ.

Suggested Assignments

1. Literary Style Essay

• Task: Write a 1,500-word essay analyzing how Mark’s use of “immediately” shapes the narrative’s tone and theology.

2. Sandwich Study

• Task: Choose one intercalated narrative (Mark 5:21–43 or 11:12–21). Write a 1,200-word paper explaining how the two stories interpret each other.

3. Irony Reflection

• Task: Identify three examples of irony in Mark’s passion narrative (chapters 14–15). Reflect in 750 words on how irony reveals theological truth.

4. Messianic Secret Research

• Task: Survey scholarly explanations of the messianic secret (Wrede, Hooker, Marcus). Write a 2,000-word paper evaluating which explanation you find most convincing.

5. Discipleship Journal

• Task: Reflect in 1,000 words on Mark’s portrayal of the disciples. How does their weakness speak to your own experience of faith and discipleship?

6. Creative Project

• Task: Rewrite a short scene from Mark in modern storytelling style (journalism, short story, or screenplay), keeping Mark’s vivid detail and urgency.

References

Collins, A. Y. (2007). Mark: A commentary. Fortress Press.

France, R. T. (2002). The Gospel of Mark: A commentary on the Greek text. Eerdmans.

Hooker, M. D. (1991). The Gospel according to St. Mark. Black’s New Testament Commentary.

Keener, C. S. (2012). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (2nd ed.). IVP Academic.

Marcus, J. (2000–2009). Mark 1–8; Mark 8–16 (Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries). Yale University Press.

Myers, C. (1988). Binding the strong man: A political reading of Mark’s story of Jesus. Orbis Books.

Stanton, G. N. (2002). The Gospels and Jesus (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Wright, N. T. (2012). How God became king: The forgotten story of the Gospels. HarperOne.