(i)                        Although the Greek is not at all polished, the language is vivid and vigorous. There are narrative passages which give the impression of an eye-witness behind the account and as Peter is prominent in incidents which are described, it may be accepted that he was the eye-witness as the evidence of Papias and Irenaeus indicates. Many small details are given which bring the narrative to life.

(ii)                   Mark often comments on the reactions of people to Jesus and on the reactions of Jesus to the people who came to him.

(iii)                Although some narratives contain considerable vivid detail, for example, the account of the exorcising of the demons in the demonia of Gerasa and the account of the murder of John the Baptist, other events are related with great brevity, for example, the Baptism and Temptation of Jesus.

(iv)     An orderly arrangements of events, topics and material is found but it is not possible to work out how long the ministry of Jesus lasted or to be sure of the order in which events took place. Everything in the gospel moves to the great climax of the last days of Jesus' life, the account of which takes up a large part of the gospel, from chapters 10-16.

(iv)                Compared to the other gospels there is not very much of the oral teaching of Jesus given by Mark, who is more concerned with events and action.

(v)                    There is some explanation of Aramaic words and phrases which would not be understood by Gentile Christians. Some Latin terms are used. There are not many quotations from the Jewish Scriptures.

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