Highlights of Mark with Bob

Today, we will review a portion of the Book of Mark. To carefully study the entire book would take more time than we have. The first chapter of Mark is actually a synopsis of the gospel itself, but we will proceed with the book bit by bit.
Mark wrote his gospel in about 68 to 70 CE. I estimate that Jesus died on the cross in about 30 CE, so there were 30 to 35 years between the cross and Mark's gospel.
In those 30 years, the Jesus movement spread out in parts of Judea, particularly in Jerusalem and Galilee. We do not know what's happening, but scholars make good guesses.
Paul had undoubtedly begun his mission to non-Jews and had carried on a vigorous correspondence with probably more Jesus groups than we know about. As we have often said, seven undisputed letters from Paul have survived. I firmly believe that he wrote many more of these letters.
How long did Jesus' ministry actually last? No one knows. I estimate from 3 to 5 years, a total guess on my part. The way Mark tells the story, it could've all happened in one year. I go for a longer time, but even then, briefly.
In reading the gospel, I try to keep in mind two aspects.
• Try to understand the Jesus of Nazareth who walked the hills of Galilee.
• I do my best to grasp the Jesus of Mark’s gospel.