Book of Mark
Fascinating Facts!

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Book of Mark Outline
Book of Mark Questions   -   More Outlines!
Mark is tied as the shortest New Testament book name with only four letters.

The smallest of the four gospel accounts, both in terms of chapters and verses in the King James, is Mark. It has 16 chapters and only 678 verses.

Mark does not record his own name in his gospel.

Mark references 24 Old Testament books in his gospel, the fifth highest of all New Testament books.

Mark 6:3 is the author's only reference, by name, to Jesus' mother Mary.

[Who Thought Jesus Was Innocent?]

Mark 15:39 records that a Roman Centurion, located near where Jesus was crucified, stated he was innocent of the charges against him. The Centurion was one of six people delineated in the Bible who declared the Lord was not worthy of being punished by death.

Jesus' Anger

The only time the word "anger," in the King James, is used in relation to Jesus is found in Mark's gospel. Jesus made himself angry when the Pharisees were unwilling to answer a simple question about the Sabbath.

And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace (Mark 3:4, KJV).

[What Does Proverbs Say About Anger?]

Miracles

The first miracle Mark records is Jesus, at a Capernaum synagogue, casting a demon out of a person (Mark 1:23 - 26). The last miracle the book writes about is the cursing of a fig tree near Jerusalem (11:12 - 14, 20 - 22).

Mark writes about nineteen of Jesus' thirty-nine miracles where the details of the wonders performed are known. Two of these miracles are unique to his gospel. The first is a deaf man being healed near the Sea of Galilee (Mark 7:31 - 37). The second is a Bethsaida man healed of his blindness (8:22 - 26).

[Timeline of Jesus' Miracles]

Only Mark and Matthew mention Jesus miraculously feeding 4,000 men (plus an unknown number of woman and children).

The Only Vision

The transfiguration, given by Jesus only to James, Peter and John, is the only vision recorded during the Lord's ministry.

[Visions in the Bible!]

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them (Mark 9:2 - 3, KJV).

Parables

Mark's gospel is the first one to list the parable of the growing seed (Mark 4:26 - 29).

Jesus and Demons

Jesus was accused six times of being demon possessed. This gospel records one of these occurrences.

And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He (Jesus) hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils (Mark 3:22).

[What Are the Names of Demons?]

Mark mentions Jesus casting out demons on at least seven different occasions (1:23 - 26, 32, 3:11, 5:1 - 20, 7:24 - 30, 9:14 - 18, 16:9). He also gave his disciples, sent on an evangelistic training mission, the power to do so as well (6:7).

Heavenly Confirmation

Mark 1 is the first time God the Father (likely through an angel) audibly confirmed Jesus is His Son and endorses His ministry.

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (verse 11).

[How Does God Talk with Us?]

Defilement

In Mark 7 Jesus reveals thirteen things that come out from a person's heart that defiles them.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness (Mark 7:21 - 22).

[How is the Marriage Bed Defiled?]

Seven Last Phrases

Jesus' "seven last words" are the last seven phrases (if we consider John 19:26 - 27 one phrase) he spoke before his death. One of these phrases is found in this gospel.

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:34, KJV).

The Last Prophecy

Mark recorded Jesus' last prophecy he gave before his ascension. He stated that signs and wonders would be manifested by those who preached the gospel. He also revealed that those who accidently came across poisonous snakes would be protected.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16:17 - 18).

[Where Are Biblical People Buried?]

Death and Burial

According to Foxe's Book of Martyrs, the gospel writer Mark died when he was dragged to pieces in Alexandria.

Book of Mark Outline

Book of Mark Questions


Recommended Articles
What Is a Conscience?
Why Keep the Sabbath?
What Special Relationship Does God Want?
Was Jesus Created by God?
What Were Jesus' Saturday Miracles?

Outlines of Bible Books
Genesis  -  Exodus  -  Leviticus
Numbers  -  Deuteronomy  -  Joshua
Judges  -  Ruth  -  1Samuel
2Samuel  -  1Kings  -  2Kings
1Chronicles  -  2Chronicles  -  Ezra
Nehemiah  -  Esther  -  Job
Psalms  -  Proverbs  -  Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon  -  Isaiah  -  Jeremiah
Lamentations  -  Ezekiel  -  Daniel
Hosea  -  Joel  -  Amos
Obadiah  -  Jonah  -  Micah
Nahum  -  Habakkuk  -  Zephaniah
Haggai  -  Zechariah  -  Malachi
Matthew  -  Mark  -  Luke
John  -  Acts  -  Romans
1Corinthians  -  2Corinthians
Galatians  -  Ephesians  -  Philippians
Colossians
1Thessalonians  -  2Thessalonians
1Timothy  -  2Timothy
Titus  -  Philemon  -  Hebrews
James  -  1Peter  -  2Peter
1John  -  2John  -  3John
Jude  -  Revelation

Series References

Adam Clarke's
Commentary
Antiquities of the Jews
by Josephus
Bible Background
Commentary
Bible Knowledge
Commentary
Bible Reader's
Companion
Bible Trivia
Challenge
Biblical Basis for
Modern Science
CIA Factbook
Complete Book
of Bible Lists
Encyclopedia of
Bible Facts
Foxe's Book
of Martyrs
Holman Concise
Bible Commentary
Holy Bible,
a Faithful Version
Strong's
Concordance
Who's Who
in the Bible
Wiersbe Expository
Outlines
Wikipedia
Willmington's Guide
to Bible Knowledge
Willmington's Guide to
People in the Bible
WORDsearch
Outlines