Gospel of Mark Figures

Jesus is kind of a big deal in Mark.Right off the bat, Jesus is announced as the subject of this story (1:1), and his actions and words are at the core of every single episode. Every Good Relations...

Amateurs?We at Shmoop know all about failure. Rejection, wrong answers, failed plans, misunderstandings, misguided steps, being lost, getting caught, breaking down in tears, not knowing what to do...

Ladies and gentleman, John the Baptist! [Awkward clapping and one lone cheer.]Sorry, John. That's what happens when you're just the warm-up act.John's job of "preparing the way" (1:3) for Jesu...

You know what humans love to do? Other than "Dance Dance Revolution", we mean. We like to reduce our opponents straw caricatures or even tackle dummies whom we can easily destroy.And that, Shmooper...

Warning from Jesus: don't get tempted by power (10:42) and wealth (4:19). Sorry, followers of Jesus, you'll have to trade this all in for a life of service. Guess who's not down with that? Herod an...

First, some clarification. Crucifixion was a Roman form of execution, so only Roman officials had the legal authority to call for it. That means the story of Jesus's death on the cross requires tha...