Who is Jesus?

As Mark continues his gospel, Jesus asks his disciples who people think he is. They offer three options, John the Baptist, Elijah or another prophet. He then asks who they think he is. Peter immediately responds, You are the Christ or You are the Messiah. The understanding about Messiah in the first-century was very diverse within broader Judaism. The Qumran community believed there would be two messiah figures, one royal and one priestly. The Sadducees had little interest in messiah, because of their involvement and commitment to the current political system, in which they were apart. Jesus responds with four shocking, prophetic events for the Son of Man: suffering, rejection, death and rising again. These were not part of any expectations for the messiah. Jesus then instructs the crowd present and his disciples on what it means to be a disciple. Genuine discipleship does have certain demands, you must be genuinely committed to Jesus, to following him. Based on who Jesus is, we must wholeheartedly follow him.

The gospel of Mark focuses on the gospel of Jesus, who is the Son of God. Jesus is the Christ, the promised one from God. Mark refers to Jesus as the Son of Man, emphasizing his humanity and the Son of God which emphasizes his deity. The influence of Peter or the teaching of Peter is the foundation of the gospel of Mark. Mark writes to explain Jesus to unbelievers and to call believers to know him and live like him. Mark emphasizes Jesus as a servant, a quality believers should emulate. Mark also emphasizes the discipleship of Jesus. Jesus discipled his followers. Mark hopes to demonstrate the good news (gospel) of Jesus to the world, because he is the Son of God.