Mark, the Gospel for the Roman. By Rev. D. S. Gregory [pp. 325-348]

THE
PRINCETON REVIEW.
JULY, 1871.
No. III.
ART. I.-Studies in the Gospels: Mark, the Gospel for the
J?oman.
SOME of the critics-chiefly of the class equally eminent for
profundity and simpleness-would have us believe that the
Gospel according to Mark is only a very awkward rehash of that
according to Matthew, with the occasional addition, no less awkward, of some statements of Luke. The hasty and sometimes
shabby treatment of the Second Gospel by many of the commentators, has done not a little to foster in the minds of common readers a view too closely allied to that of these critics.
A careful study of the Gospel itself, with a wise reference to
its origin, will reveal the fact that it has a distinct aim and
independent unity of its own, aid will scarcely fail to convince
the candid mind that Matthew is quite as likely to be a rehash
of Mark as Mark is of Matthew. Much more accordant with a
due reverence for the Four Gospels, as produced by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost and forming together one part of a
great plan of that God who never really wastes material, is
the theory that each one of the Evangelists, in writing what
he wrote, was directed to perform an essential and distinct
service for the world.
VOL. XLIII.-lO. II. 22