Christology and Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark

Exploring the interrelated topics of Christology and discipleship within the apocalyptic context of Mark’s Gospel, Henderson focuses on six passages: Mark 1:16-20; 3:13–15; 4:1-34; 6:7-13; 6:32-44; 6:45-52. Together, these passages indicate that the disciples failed to understand not just Jesus’ messianic identity per se but the apocalyptic nature of his messiahship, as well as its implications for their own participation in God’s coming reign. The implications of this for Mark’s gospel as a whole are to situate Mark’s Christological claims within the broader context of the apocalyptic ‘gospel of God’. This lends coherence to Mark’s bifocal interest in miracle and passion. It also illuminates the relationship between Mark’s Jesus and his followers as those who carry forward his own mission: to demonstrate the coming kingdom of God, which is fully assured if not yet fully in view.