The Role of the Disciples in Mark's Gospel Narrative
In the Gospel of Mark, the disciples play a significant role, not only as companions of Jesus but also as recipients of his teachings and participants in his mission. The term "disciple" generally refers to a learner or follower [2, 5]. Mark's narrative, traditionally believed to be based largely on the discourses of Peter, presents Jesus as a prophet mighty in deed and word [1, 3].
Jesus's ministry begins with the calling of disciples, an event that Matthew Henry notes as a key part of the early chapters of Mark [12]. These disciples are not merely passive observers; Jesus actively sends them out to preach and heal, delegating his authority to them [7]. This mission, where they are sent out "two by two," serves to engrave Jesus's teachings in their minds and prepare them for future remembrance and retelling [7]. During this period, Mark refers to them as "apostles," indicating their new status as those who have been sent out [6]. Their curriculum is comprised of all the commands of Jesus, and the church is to be marked by its obedience to these commands [9].
Despite their close proximity to Jesus and their participation in his ministry, the disciples in Mark's Gospel often demonstrate misunderstanding [10]. For instance, when people bring children to Jesus for him to touch, the disciples rebuke them [4]. This highlights a recurring theme in Mark where the disciples struggle to grasp the full implications of Jesus's identity and mission [10].
After Jesus's resurrection, he appears to the disciples, including Mary Magdalene and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and commissions them to preach the Gospel to all mankind [11]. This commission underscores their ultimate role as proclaimers of what Jesus has done for them [8, 11]. The Gospel of Mark itself is understood as the "blessed Story" of Jesus's life, ministry, death, resurrection, and the gathering of believers in his name [13].
Sources
- 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”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Disciple — [APOSTLES]”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Mark “They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. -- Mark 10:13”
- Luke “Luke 6:40 (Rotherham) — A disciple is not above the teacher; but, when trained, every one shall be as his teacher.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:30: 6:30-44 The disciples’ mission concludes (6:6-13, 30-34), followed by the account of the feeding of the 5,000 (6:35-44; see also Matt 14:13-21; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15). The feeding of the 4,000 is sufficiently different to indicate that these were two separate occasions (see Mark 8:1-10). 6:30 Mark calls Jesus’ disciples apostles here to indicate their new status as those who had been sent out (see study note on 3:14-15) and to avoid possible confusion between them and John the Baptist’s disciples. • The apostles reported the success of what they had done and tau”
- 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 ”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 8:39: 8:39 go back to your family: The role of disciples is to proclaim to the world what Jesus has done for them.”
- 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).”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 6:6: 6:6–8:21 Jesus’ mission and the disciples’ misunderstanding are prominent themes in this section. 6:6 This summary of Jesus’ healing and preaching ministry introduces an account concerning the disciples. Jesus’ teaching from village to village probably took place around the Sea of Galilee and perhaps in Capernaum (see 2:1).”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 16 (introduction): Early in the morning after the Sabbath, the three Marys come to the sepulcher, bringing sweet spices to embalm the body, Mar 16:1-4. They see an angel who announces the resurrection of our Lord, Mar 16:5-8. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, who goes and tells the disciples, Mar 16:9-11. He appears also to the two disciples who were going into the country, who also tell it to the rest, Mar 16:12, Mar 16:13. Afterwards he appears unto the eleven, and commissions them to preach the Gospel to all mankind, Mar 16:14-16. And promises to endue them with power to ”
- Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 1 (introduction): Mark's narrative does not take rise so early as those of Matthew and Luke do, from the birth of our Saviour, but from John's baptism, from which he soon passes to Christ's public ministry. Accordingly, in this chapter, we have, I. The office of John Baptist illustrated by the prophecy of him (Mar 1:1-3), and by the history of him (Mar 1:4-8). II. Christ's baptism, and his being owned from heaven (Mar 1:9-11). III. His temptation (Mar 1:12, Mar 1:13). IV. His preaching (Mar 1:14, Mar 1:15, Mar 1:21, Mar 1:22, Mar 1:38, Mar 1:39). V. His calling disciples ”
- Mark (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Mark 1 (introduction): PREACHING AND BAPTISM OF JOHN. ( = Mat 3:1-12; Luke 3:1-18). (Mar 1:1-8) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God--By the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ here is evidently meant the blessed Story which our Evangelist is about to tell of His Life, Ministry, Death, Resurrection, and Glorification, and of the begun Gathering of Believers in His Name. The abruptness with which he announces his subject, and the energetic brevity with which, passing by all preceding events, he hastens over the ministry of John and records the Baptism a”