The Suffering Messiah Revised

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The concept of the suffering messiah according to mark
Mark in his gospel portrays a very different picture of Jesus. He tells us about Jesus being
the Suffering Messiah. Unlike other gospel writers like Matthew who reveals Jesus as a King
who rules, teaches and judges, Mark describes Jesus as a Servant that demonstrates the love of
God by His actions. In his writing, Mark includes quotes from the book of Isiah which explains
how the gospel by Jesus begun, Mark explains that according to Isiah, Jesus was the messenger
who was sent to prepare the way. Mark emphasize on Gods promises on the suffering servant
(Isaiah 53:4 -6 NIV). In this paper I will explain how Mark portrays Jesus as the suffering
Messiah who came to the world to suffer and die for the sins of mankind.
Mark talks about Jesus being the final and complete fulfillment of the suffering servant
ministry. He goes ahead to prove this in Mark 10:45 NIV where he explains that the mission of
Jesus was not to be served, rather, he would serve others and also give away His life as a
ransom for many. This was the actual purpose of the Messiah. The son of man, Jesus Christ,
came to suffer and die for the sins of humanity. This was to pay the penalty for humanitys sins
(MacDonald et. al, 56). To this extent, God restored salvation through the suffering and patience
of Jesus Christ, his son. Jesus Christ in his journey of the suffering servant according to Mark
began with three predictions. The first prediction is when he started preparing his disciples for
his death and suffering as explained in the book of Mark 9:30-32 KJV. Mark explains how Jesus
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taught his disciples about his suffering, what he meant by his true mission and what following
Messiah, the suffering servant meant. According to Mark, the Chief priest, law teachers and
elders would make Jesus go through terrible suffering. He would be killed and rejected but will
resurrect on the third day (Fishbane et. al, 35). According to Mark 8:31-33 even Jesus himself
did predict his death, he taught his disciples about the suffering which the Son of Man would go
through. Mark explains that Jesus was rejected by the elders, teachers of the law and also the
elders. It is clear that Jesus had to be killed and this was Gods concern.
The second prediction was in the Garden of Galilee after the last supper where Jesus was
teaching his disciples saying that He will be sent to men who will have him killed (Longman et
al. 2008). The disciples did not understand His statement but did not ask as they were afraid. In
Mark14:33-36 KJV, Jesus was deeply distressed when he took Peter, James and John along with
him. Mark explains that Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death. The fact
that Jesus prayed did fall to the ground and prayed that if it was possible, the hour may pass
from him implies that the cup that was before him was so tough and suffering was going to be
deep (Zerr, 45). This section puts it clear that Jesus Christ faithfully and freely chose the
fulfillment of his mission of sacrificing himself to die in order to atone for the sins of all. It was
not against His will to be dragged to the cross. He made a decision to obey God other than giving
in to human fear and running away.
The third prediction of the death and passion of the suffering servant happened when
Jesus and a crowd of people together with his disciples were on their way to going up to
Jerusalem. Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and told them what would happen. Mark
explains that Jesus would be condemned to death by scribes and chief priests (MacDonald et. al,
76). He made them aware that He will be handed to the Gentiles who would mock him, scourge
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Him and spit on him. According to Mark 14: 43 NIV, when Jesus was still in the garden of
Gethsemane speaking to his decuples, Judas appeared accompanied by a crowd which was armed
with swords and clubs. Judas, a disciple of Jesus betrayed him by a kiss; this was to signal the
crowd so that they could arrest Jesus and lead him away under guard. Mark explains that Jesus
was seized and arrested him. Jesus was spat on, mocked and testified against falsely.
The Gospel of Mark portrays Jesus Christ as the suffering messiah through His
sufferings, crucifixion and death. Mark states the reasons that Jesus died on the cross was to save
humankind from sin. Jesus willingly and obediently accepted to take the burden of humankind in
order to set them free. Mark in his gospel writing explains how Jesus suffered for our sins and
how he was ruthlessly and harshly treated on behalf of humankind. In the gospel of Mark, he
tries to tries to portray that suffering must not be necessarily an indicator of displeasure of God.
At times, becoming faithful and doing Gods will is an indicator of suffering for the sake of your
love towards God.

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Work cited
Fishbane, Michael A, and Laura S. Leiber. The Jps Bible Commentary. Philadelphia: The Jewish
Publication Society, 2002. Print.
MacDonald, William, and Arthur L. Farstad. Believer's Bible Commentary. , 2016. Print.
Zerr, E M. Bible Commentary. Bowling Green, Kentucky: Guardian of Truth Fondation, 2006.
Print.

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The concept of the suffering messiah according to mark

in to human fear and running away.

love towards God.

Publication Society, 2002. Print.

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