why do people think Mark's gospel was written for non-Jews facing persecution?

Answer 1

It was made up by non-jews.

Answer 2

Opinions vary as to the age of the book of Mark but it's somewher between 60 and 325 CE (Common Era) Mark does not contain the normal cult jargon of persecuted groups. It was certainly written in a period where the various schools of Christian thought were conflicting. While it may be the oldest gospel in the standard KJV bible it isn't the oldest gospel. There were 34 in total.

Mark is a book that supports and confirms belief and many believe it was designed to do so.

It should be noted that the gospels were not just aimed at Non-Jews, they were aimed at everybody. Rome, Alexandria and Jerusalem all had a very multi cultural inhabitants residing there in the pursuit of truth and their faith. The perception you mentioned relates more to historians opinions than fact.

For better examples read The Gnostic Scriptures by Bentley Layton. It contains some writings of Iraneus of Lyon about Gnostic groups and gospels of Thomas and Philip.

Answer 3

Mark is considered to be the earliest Gospel written around 70AD, possibly in Rome. Written in a rough Greek by a poorly educated gentile christian. Jews and Christians were oppressed by the Romans, and the destruction of the temple in 70AD completed the three year siege of Jerusalem. Marks gospel is about suffering as well as hope,about persecution as well as triumph ,and about the next world as well as the here and now. Jesus, the suffering Saviour who came into the world in order to win through pain and death (cross and resurrection). Liberation in Mark's Gospel from oppressive powers -the Romans,Pharisees and Jews, also demonic possession. Nero persecuted Jews and Christians , or anyone who went against the state religion. The social reality of the day is in Mk13:1-13.

Answer 4

Because by the time that Mark was written, around 60-70CE, believers in Christ had largely split from the Jewish faith. The word had spread to include many Gentile converts across the ancient world. The gospel itself is credited to Mark the Evangelist, a Greek and companion of Peter. At the time, there was wide-scale persecution of Christians by Nero and his successors. It was felt that the people needed a focus to carry them though the upheaval of these persecution years and the Jewish Uprising

It is not surprising that Mark, a Greek Christian, would write for other non-Jewish Christians. The best evidence for this is his practice of explaining Jewish traditions and words. If he were a Jew writing for Jews this would be unnecessary. Mark's style of writing, particularly his use of dialogue, has been compared to Greek tragedy, most notably Homer.

Answer 5

Like most of Christian, it is a long and enduring tradition that just won't give up and won't listen to reason.

Answer 6

which people are you talking about?