Each of the Gospels depict Jesus in different lights. A light related to that of their own community. Mark brings attention to the human Jesus.
Mark immediately reveals to his audience how human Jesus really is. He lets it be known that he is a carpenter. This is seen as a common or standard trade amongst the people of that time. But to drive his point home, he talks about the "Messianic Secret." No one knew or could understand who Jesus was and he did not force his identity on them. "The fact that Jesus often commanded others to remain silent about his miraculous deeds (e.g., 1:34,44) and told his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah (8:29) was thought to indicate a deliberate policy on Jesus' part. He did not wish to draw attention to himself... (511). [1] Matter of fact, there are multiple accounts where he wanted to keep his identity a secret. Towards the end of his journey, Jesus encountered a "blind" man. He had to try twice for he completely healed the man and restored his "sight" to see him clearly. In that moment, the disciples were able to recognize Jesus as "you are the Christ. In response to that Jesus ordered the disciples not to the spread the word: " And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him."[2] As a result, Mark revealed an important trait that made him more human. He showed how humble Jesus was. hey only people he told were his inner circle, his disciples. This shows that he is not boastful of his powers, but wanted others to continue to see him as a man, as one of them.
[1] The New Interpreter's Bible Volume VIII (Nashville : Abingdon Press, 2002), 511.
[2] B.D. Ehrman, The New Testament, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2004), 83.
Bibliography
Ehrman, B.D. The New Testament. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
The New Interpreter's Bible Volume VIII (Nashville : Abingdon Press, 2002),507-734.
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