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The concept of the suffering messiah according to mark

Mark in his gospel portrays a very different picture of Jesus. He tells us about Jesus being

the Suffering Messiah. Unlike other gospel writers like Matthew who reveals Jesus as a King

who rules, teaches and judges, Mark describes Jesus as a Servant that demonstrates the love of

God by His actions. In his writing, Mark includes quotes from the book of Isiah which explains

how the gospel by Jesus begun, Mark explains that according to Isiah, Jesus was the messenger

who was sent to prepare the way. Mark emphasize on Gods promises on the suffering servant

(Isaiah 53:4 -6 NIV). In this paper I will explain how Mark portrays Jesus as the suffering

Messiah who came to the world to suffer and die for the sins of mankind.

Mark talks about Jesus being the final and complete fulfillment of the suffering servant

ministry. He goes ahead to prove this in Mark 10:45 NIV where he explains that the mission of

Jesus was not to be served, rather, he would serve others and also give away His life as a

ransom for many. This was the actual purpose of the Messiah. The son of man, Jesus Christ,

came to suffer and die for the sins of humanity. This was to pay the penalty for humanitys sins

(MacDonald et. al, 56). To this extent, God restored salvation through the suffering and patience

of Jesus Christ, his son. Jesus Christ in his journey of the suffering servant according to Mark

began with three predictions. The first prediction is when he started preparing his disciples for

his death and suffering as explained in the book of Mark 9:30-32 KJV. Mark explains how Jesus
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taught his disciples about his suffering, what he meant by his true mission and what following

Messiah, the suffering servant meant. According to Mark, the Chief priest, law teachers and

elders would make Jesus go through terrible suffering. He would be killed and rejected but will

resurrect on the third day (Fishbane et. al, 35). According to Mark 8:31-33 even Jesus himself

did predict his death, he taught his disciples about the suffering which the Son of Man would go

through. Mark explains that Jesus was rejected by the elders, teachers of the law and also the

elders. It is clear that Jesus had to be killed and this was Gods concern.

The second prediction was in the Garden of Galilee after the last supper where Jesus was

teaching his disciples saying that He will be sent to men who will have him killed (Longman et

al. 2008). The disciples did not understand His statement but did not ask as they were afraid. In

Mark14:33-36 KJV, Jesus was deeply distressed when he took Peter, James and John along with

him. Mark explains that Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death. The fact

that Jesus prayed did fall to the ground and prayed that if it was possible, the hour may pass

from him implies that the cup that was before him was so tough and suffering was going to be

deep (Zerr, 45). This section puts it clear that Jesus Christ faithfully and freely chose the

fulfillment of his mission of sacrificing himself to die in order to atone for the sins of all. It was

not against His will to be dragged to the cross. He made a decision to obey God other than giving

in to human fear and running away.

The third prediction of the death and passion of the suffering servant happened when

Jesus and a crowd of people together with his disciples were on their way to going up to

Jerusalem. Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and told them what would happen. Mark

explains that Jesus would be condemned to death by scribes and chief priests (MacDonald et. al,

76). He made them aware that He will be handed to the Gentiles who would mock him, scourge
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Him and spit on him. According to Mark 14: 43 NIV, when Jesus was still in the garden of

Gethsemane speaking to his decuples, Judas appeared accompanied by a crowd which was armed

with swords and clubs. Judas, a disciple of Jesus betrayed him by a kiss; this was to signal the

crowd so that they could arrest Jesus and lead him away under guard. Mark explains that Jesus

was seized and arrested him. Jesus was spat on, mocked and testified against falsely.

The Gospel of Mark portrays Jesus Christ as the suffering messiah through His

sufferings, crucifixion and death. Mark states the reasons that Jesus died on the cross was to save

humankind from sin. Jesus willingly and obediently accepted to take the burden of humankind in

order to set them free. Mark in his gospel writing explains how Jesus suffered for our sins and

how he was ruthlessly and harshly treated on behalf of humankind. In the gospel of Mark, he

tries to tries to portray that suffering must not be necessarily an indicator of displeasure of God.

At times, becoming faithful and doing Gods will is an indicator of suffering for the sake of your

love towards God.

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Work cited

Fishbane, Michael A, and Laura S. Leiber. The Jps Bible Commentary. Philadelphia: The Jewish

Publication Society, 2002. Print.

MacDonald, William, and Arthur L. Farstad. Believer's Bible Commentary. , 2016. Print.

Zerr, E M. Bible Commentary. Bowling Green, Kentucky: Guardian of Truth Fondation, 2006.

Print.