Catholic Bible Study: Lectio Mark – Prepare the Way of the Lord

Augustine Institute – December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, the host dives deep into the opening of the Gospel of Mark, exploring its structure, theological emphasis, and key themes, particularly the divinity of Christ and the Gospel’s close association with St. Peter’s eyewitness testimony. The episode integrates scholarly insights, especially the work of Richard Bauckham, to situate Mark’s Gospel within the tradition and literary technique of ancient historiography. The discussion further unpacks the significance of the references to the Old Testament and explains the symbolic elements present in the opening verses.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Mark’s Gospel as Peter’s Testimony

• Eyewitness Tradition (00:05–05:00)

  • Mark is described as a close companion of Peter, both in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12) and later in Rome. Tradition considers Mark’s Gospel to record Peter’s eyewitness testimony.

  • Cites Richard Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: true history in ancient Greek historiography is marked by either firsthand experience or direct testimony from named eyewitnesses.

  • Mark’s literary framing: First and last disciple named is Peter (Mark 1:16, Mark 16:7), highlighting Peter’s primacy as the Gospel’s primary witness.

    “What tradition said—that Mark’s Gospel was writing down the testimony of St. Peter—Mark’s own gospel alludes to and points to in the way he names his eyewitnesses and the unique way that Peter is named.” (Host, 05:43)

• Pace and Style (06:00–07:00)

  • Mark’s “action-packed” narrative and lack of lengthy discourses reflect Peter’s energetic personality—a “man of action.” The gospel’s breathless pace is attributed to Peter’s style of storytelling.

2. Theological Themes in the Opening of Mark

• Immediately Proclaiming Christ’s Divinity (07:30–09:30)

  • Mark wastes no time stating, “Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). This direct affirmation is central from the outset.

  • Contrasts modern (especially 19th-century German) scholarship that downplayed Mark’s high Christology.

    “Mark talks about the divinity of Jesus explicitly right here in the first verse… if you ignore a couple obvious verses and the allusions to the Old Testament, then you lose that.” (Host, 09:12)

• “Beginning” as a Creation Motif (09:50–10:40)

  • The Greek “arche” echoes Genesis’ “in the beginning,” presenting Jesus’ story as a new creation—God’s new work inaugurated through Christ.

    “So what Mark is trying to show us subtly is that Jesus’ story… is a new arche, it’s a new beginning, it’s a new creation.” (Host, 10:13)

• Old Testament Connections and ‘The Way’ (11:00–14:00)

  • Mark 1:2–3 deliberately weaves together Exodus 23:20, Malachi 3:1, and Isaiah 40:3 using the “hook word” the way.

  • These references collectively signal a new Exodus, led by God himself, where the “way of the Lord” refers not just to the Messiah, but to Yahweh’s own coming.

    “The way is the Lord’s way. It’s Yahweh’s way… Just as God sent his Spirit and led himself and was with Israel and led the people of Israel, God is going to lead again his people.” (Host, 13:45)

3. John the Baptist: The Lion of the Wilderness

• Symbolism and Imagery (15:00–18:00)

  • John’s role as the one preparing “the way of the Lord” is highlighted; his clothing, diet, and locale recall imagery of a lion, forming the basis for Mark’s traditional symbol.
  • John’s message roars with urgency for repentance, mirroring the lion’s roar.

• Anticipating the “Stronger One” and the Spirit (18:10–20:00)

  • John declares someone “mightier” is coming—fusing the expectation for one who brings the Holy Spirit, as Moses experienced God’s glory and Spirit in the wilderness.

“He’s talking about the one who’s stronger than him will bring the Holy Spirit… That’ll be very important.” (Host, 19:28)

4. The Baptism of Jesus: Fulfillment of Prophecy and Cosmic Action

• Dramatic Imagery and Allusions (20:20–27:00)

  • Mark distinguishes himself by using “schizomenos” (to rend or tear) rather than the usual word for opening, as the heavens are ripped open at Jesus’ baptism (Mark 1:10).

  • Links directly to Isaiah 63:7–64:1’s great lament: “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down…” Mark presents Jesus’ baptism as the direct fulfillment—God at last answers Israel’s centuries-long prayer for divine intervention.

  • The Spirit descending echo the glory cloud leading Israel in the Exodus.

    “Mark is showing you that is happening right here, right now. As Jesus is baptized, the heavens are rent. The Holy Spirit does come down, and Jesus is going to be leading. He will be the shepherd of God’s people.” (Host, 26:10)

5. Wilderness and Trials: Solidarity with the Persecuted

• Jesus and the Wild Beasts (27:10–29:00)

  • Only Mark records that Jesus was “with the wild beasts” during his temptation.

  • Suggests solidarity with early Christians in Rome, many of whom faced martyrdom by wild animals under Nero—Mark might be offering encouragement for Christians undergoing persecution.

    “How appropriate and fitting would that be if Mark’s writing to the early Christians suffering at the hands of Nero? ...Mark is perhaps suggesting that Jesus himself was alone with the wild beasts, tested by the devil.” (Host, 28:35)

• Summary and The Call to Repent and Believe (29:10–31:00)

  • The earliest summary of Jesus’ preaching: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

  • The Greek “metanoia” (repent) points to a total transformation of mind and heart; belief summons trust in Jesus’ message amid trials and adversity.

    “If we can have our minds converted and transformed and our hearts trust… That’s the call of the Gospel of Mark.” (Host, 30:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mark’s Gospel as Eyewitness Testimony:

  “The first of the disciples named in the Gospel of Mark is Peter. And we know that's not chronologically accurate. ... So, why does Mark do that? ... Mark is showing you in his text that he is giving you the testimony of Peter.” (A, 04:31–05:20)

• On Mark’s Opening Proclamation:

  “Mark doesn’t hold back any punches. Mark tells you that Jesus is the Son of God in the first verse.” (A, 07:58)

• On the Old Testament Links:

  “All three of those passages use the same word. The way. ... That was an ancient rabbinic way of combining ... different passages ... It was called a hook word interpretation.” (A, 13:08)

• On Jesus’ Baptism and Fulfillment of Prophecy:

  “Mark uses the very dramatic term of schizomenos in Greek. ... So for Mark, as Jesus is baptized, something changes in the cosmos. ...the heavens are literally rent open. ...” (A, 21:53)

• On Repentance and Faith:

  “Repent is about our minds being transformed. And believe, it’s about our hearts trusting in Jesus, who’s the Son of God, amidst the trials, amidst the wild beasts, amidst the trials of Satan.” (A, 30:26)

Important Timestamps

• 00:03–05:00 – Mark’s Gospel and Peter’s eyewitness testimony; Bauckham’s scholarship
• 06:00–07:25 – Mark’s “action” style and connection to Peter’s character
• 07:30–10:40 – Theme of Jesus’ divinity; Mark’s opening echoing Genesis
• 11:00–15:00 – Old Testament citations; “the way” motif; rabbinic technique
• 15:00–18:00 – John the Baptist’s appearance and the Gospel’s lion symbolism
• 20:20–27:00 – Jesus’ baptism; the rending of the heavens and Isaiah
• 27:10–29:10 – The wild beasts, persecution, and comfort for suffering Christians
• 29:10–31:00 – Jesus’ opening summary: Repent and believe

Episode Takeaways

• Mark’s Gospel is deeply rooted in Peter’s firsthand experience and the literary standards of ancient history.
• The opening verses immediately assert Jesus’ divinity, linking Him intimately to the God of Israel.
• Mark draws intentional parallels to the Old Testament, especially the Exodus and Isaiah’s prophecies, emphasizing Jesus’ role as the inaugurator of a new creation and a new Exodus.
• The wilderness imagery and John the Baptist’s description tie Mark’s Gospel to its symbol, the lion, evoking courage, trial, and God’s presence amidst adversity.
• The call to “repent and believe” invites listeners to a transformation of mind and heart, paralleling the trials and faith of the earliest Christians.

This episode provides a powerful and scholarly exploration of Mark’s gospel, connecting its opening to profound themes in scripture and encouraging listeners to engage both heart and mind in the narrative that unfolds.