MARK, BOOK OF

Mark's account of the life of Christ begins with the Savior's baptism. It is primarily directed to the Romans, one of the major cultures of the first century. It is designed to emphasize the actions of Jesus, more than his teaching. The Lord is represented as "the servant" of God, who does his Father's will with the greatest of urgency. A key word is "straightway" (immediately), used some forty times. This Gospel record gives considerable emphasis to the emotions of Christ.