Daily Devotions
Mark
Day 12
Text: Mark 1
"In sanctification of the Spirit..." 1 Peter 1:2
UNIQUELY MARK’S STYLE OF CITING THE SCRIPTURE
Mark’s style of citing the Scriptures is most interesting.
1. The style adopted by Matthew and Luke
There is much similarity between the both of them. Both these writers used the more formal way of citing the Scriptures. They tend to make use of the third person.
2. The style that is distinctly Marcan
Mark used the second person in the following text.
“As it is written in the prophets,
‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.'”MARK 1:2
3. Reasons for this “unusual” style of writing
How may we appreciate this unique way of writing?
a) It is consistent with a person preaching directly to an audience
According to tradition, Mark followed Peter around in his preaching ministry. If Peter’s style of preaching is as we see recorded in the Book of Acts (Cf. Acts 2), then we will appreciate that Peter used the second person frequently.
“Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem,
let this be known to you, and heed my words…
You yourselves also know…
“You have taken by lawless hands, have crucified
and put to death…”ACTS 2:14, 22, 23
b) It is a style that reflects the heavy influence of a mentor
Even as Mark began writing his Gospel, we must bear in mind, the influence that Peter had on him. It is not wrong to be thus influenced.