Theories About the Gospels of John and Mark
Compare and asses the theories about the sources, date, location and authorship of the gospels of John and Mark.
When considering theories on the above topics it is certain that the individual issues at debate will interconnect with one another, for example one theory on authorship may be easily incorporated into another theory on location but totally contradict another theory. Hence, there are relationships between the singular debates. During the course of this essay we will look at Mark and John separately, dealing in each case with different theories on sources, date, location and authorship and then analyse the plausibility of the arguments and ‘interconnections’ between separate arguments in order to find the least problematic proposition.
The issue of authorship of Mark’s gospel is an area of some confusion and debate. Eusebius, writing in the 4th century, quotes Papias, who was writing in the 2nd century, in calling Mark ‘the interpreter of Peter’ who wrote down Peter’s teachings. Traditionally Mark is identifies as John Mark who appears in Acts. John Mark was associated with Peter and is mentioned in his first letter (5v13), but Mark was said to be Paul’s travelling partner in Acts 12v12. It is true that Mark’s gospel gives a prominence to Peter but this is also the case, and to a greater extent, in Matthew. However, if John Mark wrote the gospel he would have presumably done so in Galilee and there is evidence in the gospel to suggest other wise. The gospel contains some unusual Latinisms ‘legion’ in 5v9, ‘quadrons’ in reference to coins 12v42 and in 6v27 he refers to John the Baptists executioner as a ‘speculator’. This indicates the writings may have taken place in Rome or may have been written for a Roman audience or had some Roman influence. There is also a certain unfamiliarity with the Galilee both geographically and in terms understanding of the Jewish groups present at the time. In 6v35 of the gospel Mark says the disciples went from Capernaum to ‘the other side of the lake’, Bethsaida. In actual fact the two sites are with walking distance. Mark also mentions an alliance between the Herodians and the Pharisees, although the two groups were not known to be associated. However, there is a vividness to Mark’s accounts, for example 7v31-47 the account of Jesus healing a...