Holier Than Thou

Who wrote the books of the Bible and when?

Gospel of Mark, a personal account of the life, teachings, miracles, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, was written in Greek some time between A.D. 55 and 65 to Roman Christians by John Mark, a disciple of Jesus and cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). This is the second gospel of the New Testament, which was Christ crucified for the salvation of the world and the fulfillment of many of the Old Testament prophecies. Together with the gospels of Matthew and Luke, it comprises the Synoptic Gospels, based on their similarity of events and teachings of Christ. It is possibly the first gospel written and may have had an influence on the gospels that would've been written later by Matthew and Luke. Signs of this theory point to likenesses between Matthew and Mark and Luke and Mark, which are not shared between Matthew and Luke, along with the fact that much of what is recorded in Mark, the shortest of the gospels, is found in Matthew and Luke. According to Pipias of Hierapolis and Clement of Alexandria cerca A.D 130, Mark recorded in writing the oral narratives of Peter at the request of those to whom he preached in Rome. Although not one of the original twelve apostles, Mark, also known as John (Acts 12:25), was a traveling evangelist with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:5, Philemon 24), though more highly regarded by Barnabas than Paul (Acts 15:37-40). The Gospel of Mark includes accounts of the following events:

John the Baptist prepares the way
Baptism of Jesus and anointing of the Holy Spirit
Temptation of Jesus by Satan
Jesus heals many and drives out evil spirits
Invitations to follow Jesus
Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath
Appointing of the twelve apostles
Parables and teachings of Jesus
Miracles of Jesus
A prophet without honor
Disciples sent out to preach
John the Baptist beheaded by King Herod
Jesus calms the storm and walks on water
Jesus feeds the multitudes with a few loaves of bread and some fish
Peter's confession of Christ
Predictions of Jesus' death
The transfiguration
Triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a colt
Signs of the end of the age
The Lord's Supper
Jesus arrested and tried before the Sanhedrin
Peter disowns Jesus
Jesus before the Roman governor Pilate
Jesus mocked and crucified
The resurrection of Jesus and commission to preach the good news of salvation to all the world
Ascension of Jesus to the right hand of God.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him. (Mark 14:60-65)

Note: The earliest maunscripts from which the Gospel of Mark was gathered end abruptly at 16:8, at the point when the women who visited the empty tomb of Jesus fled in fear. The remainder of the gospel has been derived from later sources that some have deemed less reliable.