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Secondary sourceBookc. AD 66-75

Gospel of Mark

Mark the Evangelist · c. AD 66-75

One of the four New Testament gospels, probably the earliest written, telling of Jesus's ministry, death and empty tomb.

This gospel is the earliest written account of Jesus's ministry, death and resurrection, shaping how he is remembered.

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Scanned page of a printed book in Arabic-script text with a decorative title ornament reading Injil Marqus, and a section heading below. The text is in columns of right-to-left lines with verse numbers 1 to 7 along the right margin, enclosed in a double-ruled frame on yellowed paper.
Opening page of a Kurdish (Mukri) translation of the Gospel of Mark by Detwig von Oertzen, printed in Plovdiv, 1909.

About this source

What it is

The Gospel of Mark is a short, fast-moving account of the life of Jesus, from his baptism to his crucifixion and the discovery of his empty tomb. It is traditionally linked to Mark the Evangelist, said to have recorded the preaching of the apostle Peter, though the text itself does not name an author. Most scholars place its writing around AD 66-75, likely in Rome, for a non-Jewish audience.

Why it matters

Many scholars think Mark was the first gospel written and a major source for Matthew and Luke. It portrays Jesus as a teacher, healer and suffering Son of God whose true identity is kept secret even from his own followers. The gospel shows how the earliest Christians remembered and explained Jesus's life soon after his death.

  • Why might the author have chosen not to name himself?
  • What does it mean that Jesus's followers are shown failing to understand him?
  • How might writing a few decades after the events change what gets included?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Jesus Christ on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Black and white woodcut print of a bearded man with long hair and a robe, shown in an oval frame with a Latin inscription and ornate decorative corners. The Latin text includes Psalm 44 wording about grace and beauty.Artifact

Secondary source

Jesus Christ, woodcut by Christoffel van Sichem III

Christoffel van Sichem III · c. 1645

Photograph of a small fragment of ancient papyrus with brown fibrous texture and irregular torn edges, bearing several lines of dark Greek uncial script. A metric ruler labeled inches is at the left edge against a plain white background.Book

Secondary source

Gospel of Matthew

Matthew the Apostle · late 1st century AD

Black-and-white stipple engraving of a bearded man with long curly hair and a halo, gazing upward, one hand raised, the other holding a loaf of bread over a table with a chalice and plate. Titled Salvator Mundi; inscribed painted by Carlo Dolci, engraved by Anth. Cardon, published at Windsor by W. Hopkins, June 4th 1811.Painting

Secondary source

Jesus Christ blessing the Host

Carlo Dolci (painting); Anth. Cardon (engraving) · 4 June 1811

Sepia engraving of two bearded figures on a tan background. On the left, a hairy, partly nude man with a staff and animal-skin garment stands barefoot. On the right, a robed bearded man gestures with one hand. Below is a caption reading Antonio Pollaiuolo, born at Florence 1428, was disciple of Andrea del Castagno.Painting

Secondary source

John the Baptist Meets Jesus Christ

Antonio Pollaiuolo

Photograph of a fragmentary papyrus leaf with closely written brown Greek text in many lines, on a dark blue background. The edges are torn and ragged, with several separate sections joined across the image.Book

Secondary source

Gospel of Luke

Luke the Evangelist · c. AD 85

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