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'''''The Gospel of Mark is the most corroborated testimony in all of history''''', as the independent eyewitness [[Matthew]] incorporated nearly all of it into his own [[Gospel of Matthew]], and [[John the Apostle]] corroborates much also.<ref>[[Mark]], [[Matthew the Apostle|Matthew]], and [[John the Apostle|John]] likely had different, rivaling ethnicities, which reinforces the significance of their corroboration of each other's eyewitness accounts.</ref> Mark preceded both in following Jesus.<ref>Mark describes, as an eyewitness, the calling of John to be an [[Apostle]] at {{bibleref|Mark|1|19-20}}, and Mark records Jesus calling Matthew ("Levi") as an Apostle while the [[Gospel of Matthew]] never uses his old name. {{bible ref|Mark|2|14}}  Matthew is the corresponding Greek equivalent for the Hebrew name Levi.</ref>

'''''The Gospel of Mark is the most corroborated testimony in all of history''''', as the independent eyewitness [[Matthew]] incorporated nearly all of it into his own [[Gospel of Matthew]], and [[John the Apostle]] corroborates much also.<ref>[[Mark]], [[Matthew the Apostle|Matthew]], and [[John the Apostle|John]] likely had different, rivaling ethnicities, which reinforces the significance of their corroboration of each other's eyewitness accounts.</ref> Mark preceded both in following Jesus.<ref>Mark describes, as an eyewitness, the calling of John to be an [[Apostle]] at {{bibleref|Mark|1|19-20}}, and Mark records Jesus calling Matthew ("Levi") as an Apostle while the [[Gospel of Matthew]] never uses his old name. {{bible ref|Mark|2|14}}  Matthew is the corresponding Greek equivalent for the Hebrew name Levi.</ref>

[[Theology|Theological]] themes of the Gospel of Mark are: [[Christology]] (through narrative), the [[sovereignty of God]] and God is King, the [[kingdom of God]], [[Christianity|Christian]] [[discipleship]], [[salvation]] is for both [[Jew]]s and [[Gentiles]],  

[[Theology|Theological]] themes of the Gospel of Mark are: [[Christology]] (through narrative), the [[sovereignty of God]] and God is King, the [[kingdom of God]], [[Christianity|Christian]] [[discipleship]], [[salvation]] is for both [[Jew]]s and [[Gentiles]] and [[atonement]].<ref>[https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/is-marks-gospel-theological-these-7-themes-affirm-it-is#:~:text=Garland%20outlines%204%20key%20aspects,nations%20to%20faith%20and%20confession. Is Mark's Gospel 'Theological'? These 7 Themes Affirm It Is!], Zondervan Academic</ref>

The Gospel of Mark has youthful enthusiasm and charm, including clever references to the author himself.  Its style is anti-[[establishment]] with simple wit, containing a direct, easy-to-understand explanation of the teachings, miracles, and [[Passion]] of [[Jesus]], emphasizing [[faith]] and deeds.  It was written by [[Mark]], seeing the events as an impressionable, [[Essay:Quantifying Openmindedness|open-minded]] young boy, who subsequently was the first to publish, without [[Apostles]]' approval.<ref>"Markan priority" is the term used to describe the nearly universal acceptance today that this was the first chronologically among [[the Gospels]].</ref>  The Gospel of Mark begins and ends abruptly, makes no mention of [[St. Joseph|Joseph]], and omits the post-[[Resurrection]] gatherings by [[the Apostles]] who met without Mark. The shortest [[Gospels|Gospel]] at only 14,949 words,<ref name="holyword.church">https://holyword.church/miscellaneous-resources/how-many-words-in-each-book-of-the-bible/</ref> this can be easily read in merely one hour.<ref>Adults read silently at about 238 words per minute, and aloud at about 183 words per minute. [https://scholarwithin.com/average-reading-speed#:~:text=Adult%20Average%20Reading%20Speed,-It%20has%20been&text=Silent%20reading%20adults%20average%20238,average%20183%20words%20per%20minute.]</ref>

The Gospel of Mark has youthful enthusiasm and charm, including clever references to the author himself.  Its style is anti-[[establishment]] with simple wit, containing a direct, easy-to-understand explanation of the teachings, miracles, and [[Passion]] of [[Jesus]], emphasizing [[faith]] and deeds.  It was written by [[Mark]], seeing the events as an impressionable, [[Essay:Quantifying Openmindedness|open-minded]] young boy, who subsequently was the first to publish, without [[Apostles]]' approval.<ref>"Markan priority" is the term used to describe the nearly universal acceptance today that this was the first chronologically among [[the Gospels]].</ref>  The Gospel of Mark begins and ends abruptly, makes no mention of [[St. Joseph|Joseph]], and omits the post-[[Resurrection]] gatherings by [[the Apostles]] who met without Mark. The shortest [[Gospels|Gospel]] at only 14,949 words,<ref name="holyword.church">https://holyword.church/miscellaneous-resources/how-many-words-in-each-book-of-the-bible/</ref> this can be easily read in merely one hour.<ref>Adults read silently at about 238 words per minute, and aloud at about 183 words per minute. [https://scholarwithin.com/average-reading-speed#:~:text=Adult%20Average%20Reading%20Speed,-It%20has%20been&text=Silent%20reading%20adults%20average%20238,average%20183%20words%20per%20minute.]</ref>