各位弟兄姊妹平安，我們今天開始閱讀馬可福音。
在我們開始閱讀之前，我來給各位介紹一下馬可福音這本書的背景故事，以及他的來歷。相信這會給你們相當多的一些資訊，在接下來讀的時候，你們也會聽得更清楚明白，所以今天的內容會比較長，但我保證是有趣的。
首先，來介紹一下馬可這個人。馬可是拉丁文的名字，也就是當時羅馬人的稱呼，而約翰是他猶太的名字。他的母親是耶路撒冷的一位有錢的婦人，家裡有花園，有房子。後來這些花園和房子也用來給教會做聚會的地點，他的表哥叫做巴拿巴，和保羅一同去傳道，這段故事記載在使徒行傳12章25節。
傳說中，他就是那個在耶穌被捕的時候，在客西馬尼園外記載的那個樓房的主人，稱之為“馬可樓”。在馬可的一生中，他的母親馬利亞以及表哥巴拿巴，以及使徒保羅和使徒彼得，都對他有極大的影響。他的母親馬利亞非常愛主，把自己的家獻給主用，後來給教會成為聚會禱告的地方，對耶路撒冷教會的穩定和發展有著非常重要的影響。
我們在使徒行傳裡面，有一段在第13章1-5節，我們看到當時巴拿巴和保羅是怎麼帶著馬可出來傳道的。因著某些的原因，馬可在這裡離開了保羅（徒13:13）。可能是因為馬可是一個富家公子，他不習慣出來旅行的辛苦，也可能是害怕外面旅行的生活（當時出外旅行是相當危險的），所以在這個地方他就離開了保羅，回到了耶路撒冷。也因此，保羅與巴拿巴就無法同工，後來起了爭直，就分開了（使徒行傳15:36）。 這一段的故事其實給我們相當深刻的道理，因為在這段故事裡面，就算是資深，熱心愛主的同工之間，也會發生一些事故，以致意見不合甚至導致分裂的事情。讓我們在看歷史上有許多教會分裂的時候我們會有感嘆，並且覺得遺憾，但如果我們看到故事的最後，我們就會發現其實這一切上帝都有安排，奇妙的旨意。
在數年之後，馬可變得成熟並且與保羅一起熱心事奉主。在歌羅西書裡面，保羅囑咐歌羅西的聖徒接待馬可，並且認可他是同工，是他福音工作上不可少的好幫手。在提摩太後書4:11，保羅更說 “你來的時候，要把馬可帶來，因為他在傳道的事上與我有益”肯定了馬可的轉變。一個從逃離教會服侍的青年，轉變成為教會的中流砥柱，甚至到後來成為福音書的紀錄者，千古留名，馬可的故事給我們相當大的啟發。
接下來我們了解一下馬可福音的資料來源。馬可福音，有時又稱為彼得福音。這只是一個別稱，因為馬可並不是耶穌的12使徒之一，但在他的福音書中，描述主的一切行動和經歷就像是親眼所見一樣。甚至一些細微的動作和細節，他都記錄得非常詳細。舉例來說，在第一章35節提到耶穌吃早餐的時候，他記錄了“次日早晨，天未亮的時候…”。在九章15節，他描述了眾人“跑”過去向耶穌問安。在9章36節當眾人問耶穌問題，耶穌把一個小孩子抱起來。這些細節難道是馬可自己去幻想出來的嗎？不是的，而是彼得親自對他所傳授的記憶寫下的生活回憶錄。這本福音書裡的耶穌充滿了真實感，富有人性，有許多的情緒形容詞。
在早期教會歷史裡，馬可被稱為彼得的紀錄者。這意味著他記錄了彼得口授的福音內容，將其寫成希臘文，形成了馬可福音。許多內容和部分細節實際上都像是彼得在形容他與耶穌的生活經歷，這就是為什麼這本書也被稱為彼得福音的原因。許多聖經學者認為，馬可福音應該是最早寫成的，也是對耶穌生活最親近的一個紀錄。後來的馬太福音和路加福音則是以馬可福音為資料來源，加上其他的資料，在更晚的時間撰寫的。
馬可福音寫作主要對象很可能是羅馬人。首先，馬可使用舊約引用的次數比馬太少，僅有63次，而馬太引用了128次舊約經文。在這本書中，也較少提到猶太人的事情。即使提到，他也會解釋猶太人的用詞和含義，比如在第3章17節提到的"半尼其"，意思是"雷子"，或者在5章14節提到的"大利大古米"，意思是"閨女，我吩咐你起來"，還有7章11節提到的"各耳板"，意思是"供獻"。因此，有足夠的證據支持馬可福音的本意是寫給非猶太人，讓非猶太人聽得懂並且能夠了解耶穌是誰。
在馬可福音中，我們注意到並未記載太多關於主耶穌出生以及他之前的事情，例如馬利亞由聖靈懷孕生子等早期事蹟。相反，這本福音書從耶穌公開服事開始的紀錄開始，即從他受洗後的事情開始記載。馬可特別強調了很多關於耶穌後期生活和他受難周的事情。事實上，馬可福音中大約有三分之一的篇幅是關於耶穌受難周的故事。因此，在復活節之前閱讀這本福音書，特別有助於我們理解復活節的過程和含義。
從神學的角度來看，馬可福音和其他三本福音書各有不同的著重點。在解經中，我們常常說馬太福音中的主像是獅子，馬可福音中的主像是牛，路加福音中的主像人，而約翰福音中的主像是飛鷹。另外，還有一種說法是，馬太福音中描述的耶穌是君王，馬可福音中的耶穌是奴僕，路加福音中的耶穌是人子，而約翰福音中的耶穌是神的兒子。這種觀點讓我們以不同的角度來閱讀福音書，可以注意到福音作者的特質、主題和敘事方式之間的關聯。
在馬可福音中，我們看到的耶穌是一個不斷行動、不斷傳講福音的形象。他沒有很長篇大論的教訓，而是以行動和傳講福音的方式來進行他的工作。這種形象就像是一頭牛，不斷地在耕耘、繁忙地工作，最終完成了最大的工作 – 作了贖罪祭的祭品，獻給上帝。
相比之下，馬可福音並沒有像馬太福音那樣強調耶穌是君王的形象。馬太福音一開始就在耶穌的族譜中宣告他是大衛的後裔，並且在21章，特別記載了耶穌光榮進耶路撒冷城時被當作君王一樣歡迎的場景。因此，每本福音書都從不同的角度描述了耶穌的形象和使命，這些觀點的不同使得我們有必要細細分析每本福音書的內容。
總的來說馬可福音是一本非常貼近耶穌生活的福音記錄在裡面，我們看到一個非常有人性的耶穌。一個有情感，有行動的耶穌。馬可福音是一本相當珍貴的紀錄，對於後世的基督徒有著相當重要的記載。我們明天就從第一章開始閱讀這本馬可福音。感謝各位的聆聽。
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Peace be with you all. Today, we begin our reading of the Gospel of Mark.
Before we delve into the text, allow me to provide you with some background information about the book of Mark and its origins. I believe this will offer you valuable insights that will enhance your understanding as we progress through our reading. So, today's content may be a bit lengthy, but I assure you, it will be engaging.
Firstly, let me introduce Mark himself. Mark is a Latin name, the name by which the Romans addressed him, while John was his Jewish name. His mother was a wealthy woman from Jerusalem, owning gardens and houses. Later, these properties were used as meeting places for the church. His cousin, Barnabas, accompanied Paul on missionary journeys, a story documented in Acts 12:25.
Legend has it that Mark was the owner of the house mentioned outside the Garden of Gethsemane during Jesus' arrest, known as "Mark's house." Throughout Mark's life, his mother Mary, cousin Barnabas, and the apostles Paul and Peter greatly influenced him. Mary, deeply devoted to the Lord, dedicated her home to Him, later becoming a gathering place for the church, significantly impacting the stability and growth of the Jerusalem church.
In Acts 13:1-5, we see how Barnabas and Paul took Mark with them on their missionary journey. However, for various reasons, Mark departed from them (Acts 13:13). Perhaps as a wealthy young man, he was unaccustomed to the hardships of travel, or maybe he feared the dangers of the journey (which were considerable at the time). Regardless, he left Paul and returned to Jerusalem, causing a dispute between Paul and Barnabas, leading to their separation (Acts 15:36). This story teaches us profound lessons, showing that even among seasoned, fervent co-workers for the Lord, disagreements and divisions can occur.
Reflecting on the history of church divisions, we may feel regret, but seeing God's providence in these events ultimately brings wonder and understanding.
Several years later, Mark matured and zealously served the Lord alongside Paul. In Colossians 4:10, Paul instructs the Colossian saints to welcome Mark, acknowledging him as a fellow worker and a valuable assistant in his gospel work. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul further affirms Mark's transformation, stating, "Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry." A young man who initially shied away from church service transformed into a pillar of the church, eventually becoming the recorder of the gospel, leaving a lasting legacy. Mark's story inspires us greatly.
Next, let's examine the sources of the Gospel of Mark. Sometimes referred to as Peter's Gospel, Mark's Gospel is essentially a record of Peter's teachings, transcribed into Greek by Mark. Many details and parts of the content resemble Peter's descriptions of his life with Jesus. Hence, the book is also known as Peter's Gospel. Many scholars believe that Mark's Gospel was the earliest written and offers the closest account of Jesus' life. The later Gospels of Matthew and Luke likely drew upon Mark's Gospel, supplemented by other sources.
The primary audience of Mark's Gospel was likely the Romans. Unlike Matthew, Mark uses fewer Old Testament references, and Jewish matters are less prominent. When Jewish terms are mentioned, Mark often explains them, as seen in Mark 3:17, 5:14, and 7:11. This supports the notion that Mark intended his Gospel to be accessible and understandable to non-Jewish audiences, introducing them to Jesus' identity.
Mark's Gospel focuses less on Jesus' birth and early life, such as the Virgin Birth, compared to other Gospels. Instead, it begins with Jesus' public ministry, starting from His baptism. Mark emphasizes Jesus' later life and passion, with approximately one-third of the Gospel dedicated to Jesus' Passion Week. Thus, reading Mark's Gospel before Easter can deepen our understanding of the Easter process and its significance.
From a theological perspective, Mark's Gospel emphasizes different aspects compared to the other Gospels. In biblical interpretation, it's often said that Matthew portrays Jesus as a lion, Mark as an ox, Luke as a man, and John as an eagle. Alternatively, Jesus in Matthew's Gospel is seen as a king, in Mark's as a servant, in Luke's as the Son of Man, and in John's as the Son of God. These perspectives encourage us to read each Gospel with different lenses, noting the authors' characteristics, themes, and narrative styles.
In Mark's Gospel, we see Jesus as an active, constantly preaching figure. He doesn't deliver lengthy discourses but rather works and preaches the Gospel actively. This portrayal resembles that of an ox, tirelessly plowing and working, ultimately culminating in the greatest work—being offered as the sacrifice for sin, presented to God.
Unlike Matthew's Gospel, Mark's Gospel doesn't emphasize Jesus as a king. While Matthew highlights Jesus' royal lineage and depicts His triumphant entry into Jerusalem as a king, Mark presents different facets of Jesus' character and mission. Each Gospel offers unique perspectives on Jesus' identity and mission, prompting us to carefully analyze the content of each.
In summary, the Gospel of Mark offers a vivid portrayal of Jesus' life, presenting Him as profoundly human—emotional and active. Mark's Gospel is a precious record, providing invaluable insights for future generations of Christians. Tomorrow, we will begin our reading of Mark's Gospel from Chapter One. Thank you all for listening.
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