For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45 KJV
About the Book of Mark
Mark is the shortest and fastest-moving Gospel, using the word 'immediately' again and again. It skips Jesus' birth and starts with his baptism, then rushes through healings, conflicts and parables toward the cross. A large share of the book covers the last week of his life. Early church writers said Mark recorded Peter's preaching. Many scholars think Matthew and Luke drew on it, making it the earliest Gospel. Its plain style suits readers meeting Jesus for the first time.
- Testament: New Testament
- Genre: Gospel
- Chapters: 16
- Verses: 678
Who Wrote Mark, and When?
Author: Traditionally attributed to John Mark, associate of Peter and Paul.
When it was written: Probably around AD 55 to 70.
Main Themes in Mark
- Jesus as suffering servant
- Action and authority
- Cost of following
A Key Verse: Mark 10:45
For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Jesus describes his whole mission here, and it overturns the idea that greatness means being served.
Reading Tip
The oldest manuscripts end abruptly after the empty tomb. Later copyists added a longer ending, and many Bibles note that. Use the randomizer above to land on a verse in Mark, then press Show context to read the verses around it.
← Random verse from MatthewRandom verse from Luke →
Browse all 66 books on the Bible books page, or get a verse from the whole Bible with the main Bible verse randomizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters and verses are in Mark?
Mark has 16 chapters and 678 verses in the King James Version.
Who wrote Mark?
Author: Traditionally attributed to John Mark, associate of Peter and Paul. When it was written: Probably around AD 55 to 70.
What is Mark about?
Mark is the shortest and fastest-moving Gospel, using the word 'immediately' again and again. It skips Jesus' birth and starts with his baptism, then rushes through healings, conflicts and parables toward the cross. A large share of the book covers the last week of his life. Early church writers said Mark recorded Peter's preaching. Many scholars think Matthew and Luke drew on it, making it the earliest Gospel. Its plain style suits readers meeting Jesus for the first time.
Can I get a random verse from only Mark?
Yes. This page picks a random verse from Mark only. Every one of its 678 verses has an equal chance.