Unit 5: Christianity through a Study of the Gospel of Mark
Theme 1: The Identity of Jesus
Welcome to your study notes for The Identity of Jesus! In this unit, we explore who Jesus was, what his mission was on earth, and how different people reacted to him. Mark's Gospel was written to answer one central question: "Who is this man?"
Don't worry if all the biblical names and titles seem overwhelming at first. We will break down each title step-by-step, look at the exact Bible passages set by CCEA, and highlight top exam tips so you can achieve the highest marks in both AO1 (knowledge and understanding) and AO2 (evaluation and application).
Exam Structure Reminder:
• AO1 (Knowledge & Understanding): Retelling set stories accurately, recalling key quotes, and explaining historical background.
• AO2 (Evaluation & Analysis): Discussing different viewpoints and applying Jesus' actions and titles to contemporary Christian life.
1. Christ / Messiah
What does the title mean?
• The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew word Mashiach, and Christ comes from the Greek word Christos. Both words mean "Anointed One".
• In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil to show that God had chosen them for a special purpose.
• 1st-Century Expectation: Most Jewish people living under the oppressive Roman Empire expected the Messiah to be a military and political leader—a warrior king like King David who would defeat the Romans and restore Israel's earthly glory.
• Jesus' Redefinition: Jesus completely rejected the idea of a military rebellion. Instead, he presented himself as a Suffering Servant who came to suffer and die for the sins of humanity.
Key Prescribed Passages
1. Mark 1:1 – The Opening Headline
"The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God."
• Mark makes Jesus' identity clear to the reader right from the very first verse. Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark does not include a birth narrative; he jumps straight into the Good News.
2. Mark 8:27–33 – Peter’s Declaration at Caesarea Philippi
• The Question: On the way to the villages around Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do people say I am?"
• The Answers: They reply that some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others say one of the prophets.
• Peter’s Confession: Jesus then asks, "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" Peter answers: "You are the Messiah."
• The Messianic Secret: Jesus strictly warns them not to tell anyone about him.
• The First Passion Prediction: Jesus immediately teaches them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, be killed, and after three days rise again.
• The Rebuke: Peter takes Jesus aside and begins to rebuke him for talking about suffering. Jesus turns, looks at his disciples, and rebukes Peter: "Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
3. Mark 11:1–11 – Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
• Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on an unridden colt, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 (a humble, peaceful king, not a warrior on a warhorse).
• The crowds spread their cloaks and leafy branches on the road, shouting: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
Key Takeaway for Messiah: 1st-century Jews expected a conquering general, but Jesus revealed that the true Messiah had to suffer and die.
---2. Son of David
What does the title mean?
• This title connects Jesus directly to the royal family line of King David.
• In the Old Testament (2 Samuel 7), God promised David that a descendant from his family would rule over an everlasting kingdom.
• Calling Jesus "Son of David" was a bold public statement that Jesus was the promised royal Messiah.
Key Prescribed Passage
Mark 10:46–52 – Blind Bartimaeus at Jericho
• The Setting: As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, are leaving Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) is sitting by the roadside.
• The Cry for Mercy: When Bartimaeus hears that it is Jesus of Nazareth, he shouts: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
• Persistence: Many in the crowd rebuke Bartimaeus and tell him to be quiet, but he shouts even louder: "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
• The Call: Jesus stops and says, "Call him." They tell Bartimaeus, "Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you." Bartimaeus throws his cloak aside, jumps to his feet, and comes to Jesus.
• The Miracle: Jesus asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replies, "Rabbi, I want to see." Jesus tells him, "Go, your faith has healed you." Immediately Bartimaeus receives his sight and follows Jesus along the road.
Key Takeaway for Son of David: While religious leaders were spiritually blind to who Jesus was, a physically blind beggar had the spiritual insight and faith to recognise Jesus as the true royal Messiah.
---3. Son of God
What does the title mean?
• Son of God emphasizes Jesus’ unique, intimate, and divine relationship with God the Father.
• It confirms that Jesus is not just an ordinary human teacher or prophet, but shares God's divine authority over nature, sickness, and evil spirits.
Key Prescribed Passages
1. Mark 1:1–13 – Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation
• John the Baptist: John baptises people in the Jordan River with water for repentance, announcing that someone more powerful is coming who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.
• The Baptism: As Jesus comes up out of the water, he sees heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
• The Voice from Heaven: A heavenly voice declares: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
• The Temptation: The Spirit immediately sends Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days, where he is tempted by Satan, surrounded by wild animals, and attended by angels.
2. Mark 9:2–13 – The Transfiguration
• The Mountain: Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves.
• The Transformation: Jesus is transfigured before them; his clothes become dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them.
• Moses and Elijah: Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) appear and talk with Jesus.
• Peter's Reaction: Terrified and unsure of what to say, Peter suggests building three shelters (tabernacles)—one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
• The Cloud and Voice: A cloud envelopes them, and a voice from the cloud proclaims: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" Suddenly, when they look around, only Jesus remains with them.
Key Takeaway for Son of God: God the Father confirms Jesus’ divine identity directly from heaven at both his Baptism and the Transfiguration.
---4. Son of Man
What does the title mean?
• Son of Man was Jesus’ preferred title for himself (he used it more than any other title).
• Dual Meaning (The Double Meaning):
1. Humanity and Suffering: It simply means a human being who can experience physical pain, tiredness, sorrow, and death.
2. Heavenly Authority: In the Old Testament book of Daniel 7:13–14, the "Son of Man" is a divine figure who approaches God in heaven and is given everlasting dominion, glory, and an eternal kingdom.
Key Prescribed Passage
Mark 10:35–45 – The Request of James and John
• The Ambitious Request: James and John (the sons of Zebedee) ask Jesus: "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
• The Cup of Suffering: Jesus replies, "You don’t know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with?" They reply, "We can." Jesus tells them they will indeed share his cup of suffering, but places of honour are prepared by God.
• The Disciples’ Anger: When the other ten disciples hear about this, they become indignant with James and John.
• True Greatness: Jesus calls them together and explains that earthly rulers lord over their people, but in God's kingdom: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."
• Core Theological Verse (Mark 10:45):
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Key Takeaway for Son of Man: Jesus models true leadership through humble service and gives his life as a ransom (a price paid to set captives free from sin).
---5. Saviour
What does the title mean?
• A Saviour rescues people from danger, illness, spiritual darkness, and death.
• In Mark's Gospel, Jesus shows his saving power both physically (rescuing disciples from peril, feeding the hungry) and spiritually (forgiving sins and saving souls).
Key Prescribed Passages
1. Mark 4:35–41 – Calming of the Storm
• The Crisis: While crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat, a furious squall breaks out. Waves break over the boat, threatening to swamp it.
• Jesus Asleep: Jesus is in the stern, sleeping peacefully on a cushion. The terrified disciples wake him, crying: "Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?"
• The Miracle: Jesus gets up, rebukes the wind, and says to the waves: "Quiet! Be still!" The wind dies down and it becomes completely calm.
• The Lesson: Jesus asks, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" The disciples are terrified and ask each other: "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
2. Mark 6:30–44 – Feeding of the Five Thousand
• Compassion: When Jesus lands and sees a large crowd, he has compassion on them because they are "like sheep without a shepherd." He begins teaching them many things.
• The Problem: As evening approaches, disciples urge Jesus to send the people away to buy food. Jesus replies, "You give them something to eat."
• The Miracle: They find only five loaves and two fish. Jesus directs the crowd to sit down in groups on the green grass. Taking the five loaves and two fish, looking up to heaven, he gives thanks and breaks the loaves. He divides the two fish among them all.
• The Result: Everyone eats and is satisfied. The disciples pick up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of men who ate was 5,000.
Key Takeaway for Saviour: Jesus saves humanity from physical danger and spiritual hunger, revealing his total divine authority over creation.
---Essential Concept: The Messianic Secret
What is it?
Throughout Mark's Gospel, Jesus frequently commands demons, people he heals, and his own disciples to keep his identity secret (e.g., after Peter's confession in Mark 8:30).
Why did Jesus want to keep his identity secret?
• To prevent political riots: If crowds heard the word "Messiah", they might start an armed revolt against Rome to make Jesus king.
• To correct misunderstandings: People needed to understand that the Messiah's true purpose was to die on the cross as a Suffering Servant, not to rule as an earthly military conqueror.
• To control the timing of his death: Revealing his identity too early would lead to immediate arrest by Jewish authorities or Romans before his teaching mission was finished.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in the Exam
• Mixing up the Gospels: Never add details from Matthew or Luke into your Mark answers! Mark has no birth story, no wise men, no shepherds, and no stable. Mark begins immediately with John the Baptist and Jesus' adult ministry.
• Misunderstanding the 1st-Century Messiah: Do not write that 1st-century Jewish people were expecting Jesus to die on a cross. They expected a military king to overthrow Rome. This is why Peter was shocked and rebuked Jesus when he predicted his death.
• Vague Quotations: For high AO1 marks, learn exact phrases: "Get behind me, Satan!", "You are my Son, whom I love", "Quiet! Be still!", and "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Quick Summary Checklist
• Messiah / Christ: "Anointed One" → Redefined from military king to Suffering Servant (Mark 1:1; 8:27–33; 11:1–11).
• Son of David: Royal descendant of David → Recognized by Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46–52).
• Son of God: Divine nature and intimate relationship with the Father → Confirmed at Baptism (Mark 1:1–13) and Transfiguration (Mark 9:2–13).
• Son of Man: Humanity, suffering, and heavenly authority → Ransom verse for servant leadership (Mark 10:35–45).
• Saviour: Rescuer of humanity from physical and spiritual peril → Calming the storm (Mark 4:35–41) and Feeding the 5,000 (Mark 6:30–44).