Mark’s Purpose of Highlighting Jesus’ Miracles

Introduction

The Gospel of Mark is occupied with Jesus as a miracle worker. Miracles are “deeds of power,” derived from the Greek word dynamic. These miracles are personally related to the authority, power, and teachings of Jesus and manifest divine intervention in human problems. All miracles serve a purpose, namely to bring forth two themes: Christology and Discipleship. So, this essay consists of four types of miracles—exorcism, nature, healing, and resurrection—which I have categorized into four parts. Altogether, there are nineteen miracles in the Gospel of Mark (David Noel, Freedman, TheAnchor Bible Dictionary, New York: Double Day, 1992, 862), and I have discussed ten significant miracles out of these nineteen.

PART 1

The first part consists of three types of exorcism miracles, which Mark highlights in his Gospel. All these three miracles highlight Christology in common. The last exorcism miracle highlights a new minor disciple of Jesus. Along with that, there are two miracles (1:23–27; 5:1–20) that give lessons on discipleship.

1. Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit in the Synagogue (Mk 1:23–27 ESV): The first miracle highlighted in Mark’s account is a remarkable example. Mark’s determination to highlight this miracle was to visualize Jesus as an authoritative teacher who casts out demons. Ronald D. says that Mark stresses Jesus’ ability to cast out the demon as the main element of his teaching. In this miracle, the power of evil identifies Jesus as the “Holy One of God,” which verifies both Jesus’ earthly roots and his heavenly status, stressing either his Messianic standing or His being as the Son of God. The main emphasis of Mark for this miracle is the meaning rather than the event. Mark is trying to stress that Jesus, the Messianic Son of God, is fighting a struggle to the death against the power of evil in every shape, and His authority ensures His victory. The confrontation between Jesus and an evil spirit as the whole area of conflict shows that Jesus has come to demolish the kingdom of darkness (Motyer, J. A. & Stott, J. R, The Message of Mark, Leicester, England IVP, 1992. 55).

2. The unclean Spirits submit to Jesus (Mk 3:11): In Mark’s narrative progression, we undoubtedly see that whenever “the unclean spirit saw Jesus, they fell before him and cried out saying,” “You are the Son of God”, they openly acknowledged who Jesus was (3:11). And these demons fell before Jesus and acknowledgement of his status represents an act of submission, which exemplified Jesus’ power with authority as the Son of God, whom demons fearfully submitted.

3. Jesus Delivers a Man Possessed with Legion (Mk 5:1–20): This is another remarkable exorcism miracle in Mark’s account, where a man possessed by a legion which is equal to “3,000–6,000 soldiers” was healed. The demoniac, who dwelled among tombs, bound with chains and shackles, crying and cutting himself with stones, pointed to the cruel, powerful, and malicious being, Satan. In this miracle, the demons fearfully identified Jesus as the “Son of the Most High God.” “In Judaism, ‘Most High God’ is a description highlighting the superiority and exaltation of Israel’s God over pagan gods and goddesses and revival power. And in the Gentile territory, the reference to the ‘Son of the Most High’ develops Jesus’ position about God Almighty and the universality of power that has come against the kingdom of darkness to destroy it”(https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/mark/5.htm ). Seeing the demoniac sitting and clothed in his right mind, free from all chains, bondages, and torments, pleading with Jesus to allow him to follow Him, but instead being instructed by Jesus to go and tell of the great things the Lord has done for him (spreading God’s kingdom that has come through Jesus with power), gives a picture of salvation and discipleship—a restored individual.

   The overall purpose of Mark is to highlight these three Exorcism miracles:

   Exorcism Miracle: Mark 1:23-27. Christology: Demonic identify Jesus as the Holy One of God. Discipleship Lesson: We need to have authority in our teachings especially to destroy the hold of darkness.

   Exorcism Miracle: Mark 3:11. Christology: Demons identify Jesus as the “Son of God”

   Exorcism Miracle: Mark 5:1-20. Christology: Legion (6000 soldiers) identifies Jesus as the “Son of Most High God”. Minor Disciple: Demoniac wanted to follow Jesus. Discipleship Lesson: We need authority in our teachings. Specifically to destroy the hold of darkness.

PART 2

This part consists of three miracles related to nature, which Mark has highlighted in his Gospel. All these three miracles highlight Jesus’ identity as the Son of God (Christology) and give lessons on discipleship.

1. Winds and Waves obey Jesus’ command (4: 37-41): This must have been an extraordinary storm that caused disciples to fear. The reason behind this storm was some evil forces. According to the Jewish understanding sea is a natural dwelling place for demons and spirits (Mk 5:1-20), and even how Jesus rebukes the wind, recalls the similar Jesus’ rebuke for demons (Mk3:12) (Witherington Ben III, The Gospel of Mark, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 200, 175-176). Kim Huat describes that this miracle highlighted in Mark acts to build up the disciples’ estimate of, and amazement of Jesus’ divine identity. The winds and waves obey him as they obey God. The divine nature of Jesus was made known here, as in Job 26:11-12, only God has the charge to control the sea (Tan Kim, Huat, The Gospel According To Mark, Manila: Asia Theological Association, 2011. 115).

   Healy signifies the Old Testament concept of sleeping peacefully as a sign of trusting God (Ps 4:9; Pro 3:24) (Mary Healy, The Gospel of Mark, MI: Baker Academic, 2008, 95. He highlights that Jesus wants his disciples to become stronger in their faith, whether life’s seas are running smooth or not, as Paul made it clear to the Philippians “We rejoice in the Lord’, not in our current circumstance” (Phil.3:1).

2. Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish (6:32-44): Mark highlights the miraculous providence of Jesus, where He fed five thousand men with just five loaves and two fish to demonstrate Jesus’ divine power over human need. David Spell describes how Jesus provided here is something that only God can do. There is a clear Old Testament parallel, where God, in the wilderness (Ex 16), miraculously provided manna and quail from heaven—a reference that Mark uses to highlight the miraculous providence of Jesus, where He fed five thousand men with just five loaves and two fish to show Jesus’ divine power over human need. David Spell emphasizes that the way Jesus provided here is something only God can do. There is a clear Old Testament image that comes to mind when God, in the wilderness (Ex 16), miraculously provided manna and quail from heaven, a reference to the time of Moses (David Spell, Miracles in Mark, Oregon: A Division of Wipf and Stock, 2009, 59).

   With that, Mark illustrates Jesus as a compassionate shepherd who looks after His sheep by satisfying their physical hunger. The twelve baskets full of fragments and fish left over show that Jesus was even concerned about His close disciples. This demonstrates the abundance of God’s kingdom. According to Brendan, the concluding note, “all ate and were satisfied,” shows the total satisfaction of all human beings, both physical and spiritual, linked with the kingdom (Huat, The Gospel According To Mark, 116). This miracle also meets the disciples’ spiritual needs, as Jesus helped the disciples and other followers to have faith in Him, so that they may trust Him even when there are not enough resources for life. They needed to learn to trust in Jesus, “I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger (John 6:35 ESV).

   Jesus’ request for loaves from the disciples gives another picture of discipleship—they need to learn to care for others by sharing. Furthermore, Jesus’ command to the followers to “sit down in groups and ranks, in hundreds and fifties, shows that Jesus was orderly, to avoid arguments among the multitudes. This demonstrates that there was nothing unorganized about our Lord’s planning or performance. The disciples were to distribute the loaves and fish in an orderly way, treating all with fairness and impartiality”(Huat, The Gospel According To Mark, 116). Mark emphasizes Jesus’ teaching to His disciples about being orderly and treating everyone fairly and impartially through this miracle.

3. Jesus Walks on the Sea - Mark’s purpose is to highlight Jesus’ miraculous power, to walk on the sea, showing His divine power beyond and above nature. How Jesus walks on the sea just before dawn, to help His disciples, is a reference to Psalms 46:5 “God helps her at the break of dawn” (Huat, The Gospel According To Mark, 149).

   Healy describes that Jesus walking on the sea is something that only God can do, which can be understood from Job 9:8, 11, as it says, “God alone stretches out the heavens and treads upon the crest of the sea…” Mark has carefully used the language of a theophany, a manifestation of God’s awesome power. Then, the threefold reassurance: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid!” These statements appear to make up a formula of divine self-revelation, as “it is I” can be understood as “I am,” the divine name revealed at the burning bush. It is a veiled reference to the divinity of Jesus. And divine words of consolation: “Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God” (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 131).

   Jesus was ensuring His disciples that He was the shepherd who would never leave them nor forsake them, and the disciples needed to learn to anchor their faith in Jesus fully. With that, Mark stresses that Jesus departed from the disciples to pray on the mountain, just before He walked upon the water, showing “the source of Jesus’ authority”(Brendan Byrne, A Costly Freedom, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2008. 221). The importance of prayer needs to be imitated by every disciple to overcome challenging situations.

   The overall purpose of Mark is to highlight these three miracles related to nature:

   1. Nature Miracles:Mark - 4:37 -41 Christology: Jesus rebukes the wind as God does – (Job 26:11-12). Discipleship lessons: Trusting Jesus in all circumstances.

   2. Nature Miracles: Mark - 6:32-44 Christology: Jesus provides as God provided in the wilderness to Israelites (Ex 16). Discipleship lessons: Jesus is the bread of life/ The one who provides in the desert.

   3. Nature Miracles: Mark - 6:46-51 Christology: Jesus walks upon the sea as God walks (Job 9:8). Discipleship lessons: Jesus will never leave us / Importance of prayer.

PART - 3

This part consists of three miracles related to healing, highlighted in the Gospel of Mark. The first (1:29 – 31) and the last miracle (10:46–52) highlight Jesus’ minor disciples, and the previous two miracles (2:3–11; 10:46–52) highlight Jesus’ identity as the “Son of God” (Christology). With that, all three healing miracles serve as lessons on discipleship.

Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mk 1:29–31): In this miracle, Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law, who was bedridden by a fever. In Mark, Jesus’ healing involves a physical touch with the patient. Jesus, comfortingly with His compassionate heart, took Peter’s mother-in-law and lifted her, and immediately the fever left, showing Jesus’ amazing power. According to Healy, Jesus lifting her means raising her, the same word used in Jesus’ resurrection (12:24-26). Therefore, the healing of a woman from her deathbed also foreshadows the resurrection of Jesus on the last day (12:24-26). Mark even highlights that this woman, after being healed, served them immediately, a model of Jesus’ discipleship, as Jesus Himself did not come to be served but to serve (10:45) (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 49).

Jesus forgave and healed a Paralytic Man (Mk 2:3-11): In this miracle, Mark highlights that the paralytic man was brought to Jesus by a squad of four people through the roof because the crowd did not allow them to enter through the door. They removed all obstacles to get to Jesus for restoration, a clear description of faith in Jesus’ divine power to heal, highlighted in this miracle. Mark also highlights that Jesus forgiving the sins of a paralytic man “shows that something only God can do,” as Jesus declared that only the “Son of Man” has the power and authority to do so, a reference to Psalm 51, where the psalmist asks for forgiveness, knowing only God can forgive (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 57). Thus, this miracle highlights the identity of Jesus as the “Son of Man,” who has come to restore both spiritually and physically.

Jesus healed Blind Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46–52): This is one of Jesus’ unique miracles, which Mark highlights. In Mark’s healing accounts, Bartimaeus is the only one who calls Jesus by name, and titles Him as the ‘Son of David.’ How blind Bartimaeus calls Jesus the “Son of David” reaffirms Jesus’ messianic status. The title “Son of David” has great meaning for Jews as the heir of God’s promises, associated with the coming of the Messiah who will open the eyes of the blind (Isa 29:18) (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 57). Jesus taking this man aside suggests that He intuitively understands each person's unique needs and also seeks to avoid publicity. In the later part of this miracle, Mark indicates a model of discipleship, as “Jesus transformed Bartimaeus from a roadside beggar beside to a Jesus’ disciple on the road” (James R. Edwards, The Gospel According To Mark, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2002, 33). Mark highlights that Bartimaeus's faith did not only heal him but also made him Jesus’ disciples.

PART 4

In this last part, I have separated the resurrection miracle from all others because it is one of the unique miracles among all the others. In this miracle, Mark highlights Jesus’ supreme divine identity, and with that, it serves as a major lesson on discipleship.

Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead (Mk 5:35–43): This is another key event highlighted by Mark in Jesus’ mission on earth. In this miracle, Mark highlights Jesus’ divine power that raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead. “Jesus’ command to the dead daughter, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise!’ is a similar verb (egerio) used for Jesus’ resurrection (16:6), which foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate victory over death (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 110). After Jesus’ command, Jairus’s dead daughter immediately arose and started to walk. The demonstration of divine power performed in this event was Jesus’ greatest miracle. This divine power to raise the dead can only be seen in God, as in Ezekiel 37:13, God says, ‘Then you shall know that I am the Lord when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up from your graves (Healy, The Gospel of Mark, 110). This depicts that Jesus did something equal to God. And with that, Jesus’ command to give some food to eat to Jairus’ daughter shows Jesus’ caring heart.

The overall purpose of Mark for highlighting this miracle:

1. Resurrection Miracle: Mark – 5:35-43. Christology: Jesus raised the dead, as God himself declared in (Ezek 37:13), that “He will bring out people from the grave.” Discipleship Lesson: Those who believe in Jesus will never die (eternity). To have a caring heart like Jesus

Conclusion

In the series of all these miracles, the Markan purpose was to reveal Jesus’ divinity, which displays the signs of God’s Kingdom. Each miracle has increasingly revealed Jesus’ divine power that overcomes the kingdom of darkness, that rules over nature, that heals the sick, and that raises the dead. With that Mark has also highlighted the lessons on discipleship in these miracles, like having faith, trusting in Jesus in all circumstances, and forgiving, serving and loving one another, as Jesus did. Mark’s account of these miracles depicts that Jesus wanted people to see themselves that the kingdom of God has come with power and to make a personal decision based on that evidence, that Jesus is the “Son of God”. Undeniably, in the Gospel of Mark, these miracles reveal the prophetic status connected with Jesus’ messiahship and discipleship.

References

Bible Hub. n.d. http://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/mark/5.htm (accessed 9 December 2024).

Byrne, Brendan. A Costly Freedom. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2008.

Edwards, James R. The Gospel According To Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2002.

Freedman, David Noel. The Anchor Bible Dictionary. Vol. 4. New York: Double Day, 1992.

Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Grand Rapid, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.

Huat, Tan Kim. The Gospel According To Mark. Edited by Bruce J. Nicholls. Manila: Asia Theological Association, 2011.

III, Ben Witherington. The Gospel of Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2001.

Motyer, J. A., and J. R.W Stott. The Message of Mark. 38 De Monfort Street, Leicester: IVP, 1992.

Spell, David. Miracles in Mark. Eugene, Oregon: A Division of Wipf and Stock, 2009.

Visitor, Our Sunday. n.d.https://www.osv.com/MyFaith/Article/TabId/586/ArtMID/13752/ArticleID/6176/Mark-the-Gospel-of-Miracles.aspx (accessed 9 December 2024).