The beginning of the Gospel

by Eugene LaVerdiere

Mark wrote "the beginning of the Gospel" for Christians who thought it was the end. For that he told them a story of another time when Jesus' disciples thought it was the end but turned out to be the beginning. That is why the passion-resurrection of Jesus dominates the Gospel according to Mark. Using rhetorical and literary analysis, the author introduces Mark's story as the beginning of the Gospel as we enter the new millennium.