Messages in the Gospel of Mark and John

The message in the Gospel of Mark

Mark's record is the shortest of all the Gospel accounts. This enables the reader to grasp more of an overall understanding of Jesus' life than is readily available in the other Gospels. Mark, unlike Matthew, did not write his Gospel to the Jews only. Explanations are given throughout this Gospel that would be unnecessary if all the readers were Jewish.

For instance, when Mark mentioned Jordan in Mr 1:5, he referred to it as "the river of Jordan." Also, in Mr 2:18, he gave an explanation of some of the Pharisees' traditions, which occasioned their question. Mr 11:13 reveals that the time of figs was not yet. This would be unnecessary to say to a Jew who was familiar with the climate of Jerusalem during the feast of the Passover. All of these examples point to this Gospel being written to, or at least to include, a Gentile audience.

Message in the Gospel of John

The Gospel of John is unique among the four Gospels. Only seven out of all the events recorded in this Gospel are shared by the other three Gospel writers. This Gospel does not give as much attention to the happenings in the ministry of Jesus as it does to the teachings of Jesus. Many have referred to it as "the Spiritual Gospel" or "the Gospel to the Church."

The writer carefully selected the events and teachings of Jesus to portray Him as the Son of God. This emphasis on the deity of Jesus (Joh 1:1) is in stark contrast with the other Gospels where these truths, although present, are not given the same preeminence.

As will be noted when we discuss the date this Gospel was written, it is probable that the Gospel of John was written a full generation after the other Gospels and for the specific purpose of refuting the sect of the Gnostics who believed Jesus was not God. Therefore, we see doctrines expounded much more in this Gospel than the other three (Joh 3:3; 6:35, 48, 54; 8:56, 58; etc.).