In this final deck on St Mark's Gospel, we move from the narrative to its meaning. We will explore the significance of Jesus's titles, his work as a teacher and miracle worker, and the deep theological importance of his death and resurrection. This will help you analyse and evaluate the Gospel's message, which is a key skill for your GCSE exam.

Let's start with Jesus's titles. The first is 'Christ'. This isn't a surname; it's a title from the Greek word 'Christos', which means 'anointed one'. It's the direct translation of the Hebrew word 'Messiah'. For first-century Jews, the Messiah was the promised saviour they were waiting for, who would free Israel from its oppressors.

Another key title is 'Son of David'. This links directly to the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. The prophecies in the Old Testament said that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David, Israel's greatest king. So, calling Jesus the 'Son of David' was a claim that he was the rightful king and the long-awaited Messiah.

The title 'Son of God' had several meanings in the first century. It could refer to a very righteous person, an angel, or even the king of Israel. However, in Mark's Gospel, it takes on a much deeper meaning. The voice from heaven at Jesus's baptism and transfiguration calls him 'my Son', suggesting a unique and divine relationship with God.