Gospel According to Mark, 1 in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE
II. Contents and General Characteristics.
1. Scope:
The Gospel begins with the ministry of John the Baptist and
ends with the announcement of the Resurrection, if the last
12 verses be not included. These add post-resurrection
appearances, the Commission, the Ascension, and a brief
summary of apostolic activity. Thus its limits correspond
closely with those indicated by Peter in Acts 10:37-43.
Nothing is said of the early Judean ministry. The Galilean
ministry and Passion Week with the transition from the one
to the other (in Acts 10) practically make up the Gospel.
2. Material Peculiar to Mark:
Matter peculiar to Mark is found in 4:26-29 (the seed
growing secretly); 3:21 (his kindred's fear); 7:32-37 (the
deaf and dumb man); 8:22-26 (the blind man); 13:33-37 (the
householder and the exhortation to watch); 14:51 (the young
man who escaped). But, in addition to this, there are many
vivid word-touches with which the common material is lighted
up, and in not a few of the common incidents Mark's account
is very much fuller; e.g. 6:14-29 (death of John the
Baptist); Mk 7:1-23 (on eating with unwashen hands); 9:14-29
(the demoniac boy); 12:28-34 (the questioning scribe). There
is enough of this material to show clearly that the author
could not have been wholly dependent on the other
evangelists. Hawkins reckons the whole amount of peculiar
material at about fifty verses (Hor. Syn., 11)...
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