Purpose of Marks Depiction of the Disciples in Scripture
The Purpose of Mark's Depiction of the Disciples in Scripture
The Gospel of Mark presents the disciples as a crucial element in understanding Jesus' ministry and message. Mark's depiction of the disciples serves multiple purposes, including illustrating the nature of discipleship and the role of the apostles in the early Christian community.
Mark's Gospel is believed to have been written before the destruction of Jerusalem, likely around A.D. 63, and is thought to be based on the discourses of Peter [3]. The term "disciple" refers to a scholar or follower of Christ, characterized by believing his doctrine, resting on his sacrifice, imbibing his spirit, and imitating his example (Matt. 10:24; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 6:69) [2].
In Mark's Gospel, Jesus calls the first disciples to follow him in self-denying obedience, illustrating one of the purposes of his ministry [9]. The disciples are sent out to preach and heal, with Jesus delegating his authority to them (Mark 6:7-13) [5]. This mission prepares them to remember and retell later what Jesus did and taught (Luke 1:2). The disciples are also given authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal (Mark 6:7).
Mark's depiction of the disciples highlights their role as witnesses to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. The apostles are to be witnesses to the fulfillment of Scripture in Jesus (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:48) [7]. Jesus' teachings to the disciples are also emphasized, as he expounds all things to them so they may be capable of instructing others [6].
The disciples' relationship with Jesus is characterized by their obedience to his commands. Jesus teaches them to follow him and obey his teachings, which becomes the basis for their mission (Matthew 28:20) [8]. The church is to be marked by its obedience to Jesus' commands.
The purpose of Mark's depiction of the disciples is also to illustrate the challenges and hardships faced by early Christian communities. Jesus confirms the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and reminds them that through many afflictions they must enter into the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22) [1].
In the view of some traditions, the disciples' role is not limited to their time with Jesus but extends to their ongoing mission in the early Christian community. The apostles are seen as subordinate teachers, with Christ as the chief Master, and their role is to instruct others in the knowledge of themselves and of their God [4].
The depiction of the disciples in Mark's Gospel serves as a model for Christian discipleship, emphasizing the importance of obedience, self-denial, and witness to Jesus' life and teachings. As Jesus sanctifies himself for the sake of the disciples, they are also consecrated, with their self-sacrificing work being a result of Christ's offering [10].
The historical context of Mark's Gospel and its depiction of the disciples provides insight into the early Christian community and the challenges they faced. The emphasis on the disciples' role as witnesses and their relationship with Jesus highlights the significance of their testimony in the spread of Christianity. The ongoing relevance of Mark's depiction of the disciples lies in its continued ability to shape Christian understanding of discipleship and the role of the apostles in the Christian tradition.
Sources
- Acts “confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God. -- Acts 14:22”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Disciple — A scholar, sometimes applied to the followers of John the Baptist (Matt. 9:14), and of the Pharisees (22:16), but principally to the followers of Christ. A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example (Matt. 10:24; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 6:69).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mark, Gospel according to — It is the current and apparently well-founded tradition that Mark derived his information mainly from the discourses of Peter. In his mother's house he would have abundant opportunities of obtaining information from the other apostles and their coadjutors, yet he was "the disciple and interpreter of Peter" specially. As to the time when it was written, the Gospel furnishes us with no definite information. Mark makes no mention of the destruction of Jerusalem, hence it must have been written before that event, and probably about A.D. 63. Th”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 14:22: Confirming the souls of the disciples - The word disciple signifies literally a scholar. The Church of Christ was a school, in which Christ himself was chief Master; and his apostles subordinate teachers. All the converts were disciples or scholars, who came to this school to be instructed in the knowledge of themselves and of their God: of their duty to Him, to the Church, to society, and to themselves. After having been initiated in the principles of the heavenly doctrine, they needed line upon line, and precept upon precept, in order that they might be confirmed a”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:7: 6:7-13 Jesus now sent the disciples out to preach and heal. During this mission, Jesus’ memorable teachings were engraved in their minds by retelling, and it prepared them to remember and retell later what Jesus did and taught (Luke 1:2). 6:7 two by two: This practice fulfilled the Old Testament requirement of two witnesses (Num 35:30; Deut 17:6; 19:15; see Matt 18:16) and provided for companionship and mutual help (Acts 13:1-3; 15:22, 39, 40). • giving them authority: Jesus can delegate his authority (see Mark 1:27; 2:10) to others. • The disciples were to cast out ”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 4:34: He expounded all things to his disciples - That they might be capable of instructing others. Outside hearers, those who do not come into close fellowship with the true disciples of Christ, have seldom more than a superficial knowledge of Divine things. In the fellowship of the saints, where Jesus the teacher is always to be found, every thing is made plain, - for the secret of the Lord is with them who fear him.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 24:48: 24:48 The primary role of the apostles in the book of Acts was to be witnesses to the fulfillment of Scripture in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (see Acts 1:8).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 28:20: 28:20 Teach: The disciples’ curriculum is comprised of all the commands of Jesus (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount, chs 5–7). The church is to be marked by its obedience to Jesus’ commands (5:17-20; 7:13-27). Jesus’ authority and presence are the basis for the disciples’ mission (see also 1:23; 18:20).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 4:18: 4:18-22 The call of the first disciples illustrates one of the purposes of Jesus’ ministry: to call people to follow him in self-denying obedience (cp. 4:17, 23-25). 4:18 Simon, also called Peter, became the leader of the apostles (see 14:28; 15:15; 16:16) and the representative disciple (14:29-30; 16:15-19, 22-23).”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:19: And for their sakes I sanctify--consecrate. myself that they also might--may. be sanctified--consecrated. The only difference between the application of the same term to Christ and the disciples is, as applied to Christ, that it means only to "consecrate"; whereas, in application to the disciples, it means to consecrate with the additional idea of previous sanctification, since nothing but what is holy can be presented as an offering. The whole self-sacrificing work of the disciples appears here as a mere result of the offering of Christ [OLSHAUSEN]”