Twelve Sayings in Mark

Of the four gospels, Mark has the fewest discourses of the Savior. The longest is probably Mark 13 which is similar to the Olivet Discourse also reported in Matthew 24. The book generally does not have long teachings like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) or extended sections of parables (Matthew 13, Luke 15-16) or lengthy discourses before His death (John 13-17). Mark is generally considered a book of action in which we see the Savior going from one miracle to the next blessing the people. And yet, Mark still has powerful words of the Savior meant to encourage us and build our faith in Him. I found in particular twelve short sayings that He gave which, though not long teachings, are impactful messages meant to help us more fully believe in Him:    

·         “I will; be thou clean” (Mark 1:41). He said this to the leper who beseeched Him to make Him clean. I love that simple answer of His, and surely He will also say to us on many occasions when we plead for help: “Yes, I will.”

·         “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39). This simple injunction to the troubled sea caused the storm to stop, and it is meant for us as well. He can calm the storms in our lives as we call upon Him for help.

·         “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40). While somewhat of a rebuke, these questions I believe were meant to help us realize that there is no problem so big that He can’t help us. When we are worried and stressed out and anxious, we should ponder these questions knowing that if we have faith in Him, He will be with us.

·         “Go in peace, and be whole” (Mark 5:34). These were words to the woman with the issue of blood. She sought Him for healing, and He gave it both physically and emotionally. He wants us as well to go in peace and be whole.

·         “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36). These are among my favorite words of the Savior. Jairus was in the process of getting help from Jesus when he learned that His daughter had died. That must have crushed all hope that he had, but Jesus then spoke to Him these words. When all seems lost for us, we should remember this powerful injunction.  

·         “Why make ye this ado, and weep?” (Mark 5:39). When the Savior got to the place where Jairam’s daughter was, He of course found her dead and all the people weeping. I love this question from the Savior and surely it is one that He would ask us when we are filled with worry over things that He has already promised to help us. 

·         “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid” (Mark 6:50). He said these words as He walked on the water towards the disciples in the night on their boats. These have a powerful message for us whenever we fear and think that He is not with us. 

·         “Be opened” (Mark 7:34). This is the translation of the word (“Ephphatha”) that He spoke to one who was deaf. The man’s ears were indeed opened so that he could hear, and the Savior can open the way for us as well when we are blocked.

·         “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). These were the words to the man whose child had a dumb spirit and could not be healed by the disciples. This is the message to all of us when we face trials or need help—if we can believe in Him, He can do all things.

·         “For with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). This was spoken after the comment that it is very difficult for the rich to be saved. Those that trust in riches cannot, but only for those who believe in God is it possible.  

·         “Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole” (Mark 10:52). This was the promise to Bartimæus who was blind, and because he reached out to Jesus and believed, Jesus healed him and restored his sight.

·         “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). I love this simple injunction from the Savior to Peter after the apostle observed that the fig tree that had been cursed had been withered. When things happen in our lives that frighten us or give us anxiety we can remember this simple phrase from the Savior to have faith in God. 

These are all powerful teachings from the Savior that invite us to trust in God and be healed by Him. Though we don’t have the same quantity of teachings of the Savior in Mark as in other gospels, what we do have are just as important for us to remember and to live by.