The Gospel of Mark

Who was Mark? Why did Mark write his gospel? What is the messianic secret? As the first gospel to be written, the Gospel of Mark had a significant impact on the Church and the other gospel writers. But Mark's Gospel can be fully appreciated only if you understand its context. Author William Anderson explains that Mark was written between the years 66 and 70, a time of turmoil for early Christians, "to encourage and instruct Christ's suffering and dying followers" as they questioned the point of all the pain and upheaval. It teaches the faithful--past and present--that suffering is a path to discipleship.