New Testament
The Gospel of Mark
The Gospel of Mark is the second of the 27 books of the New Testament: 16 chapters and 677 verses.
About Mark
About Mark · Gospel
Mark is the shortest and most urgent Gospel, driving from the baptism of Jesus to the empty tomb with the word immediately on nearly every page. Ancient tradition identifies the author as Mark, companion of Peter, writing down the apostle's preaching for the church at Rome, likely under persecution. It was written to answer one question — who is this man? — and it withholds the full answer until a Roman centurion gives it at the foot of the cross. Its Jesus is powerful, hurried, misunderstood, and utterly alone in his Passion.
| Testament | New Testament — book 2 of 27, 48 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Protocanonical (in every Christian canon) |
| Chapters | 16 |
| Verses | 677, as Bless numbers them |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 16 chapters · 10 notes |
| Catechism | 124 paragraphs cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 16 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
Mark 1
45 versesThe preaching of John the Baptist. Christ is baptized by him. He calls his disciples and works many miracles.
Mark 2
28 versesChrist heals the sick of the palsy. He calls Matthew and excuses his disciples.
Mark 3
35 versesChrist heals the withered hand. He chooses the twelve. He confutes the blasphemy of the Pharisees.
Mark 4
40 versesThe parable of the sower. Christ stills the tempest at sea.
Mark 5
43 versesChrist casts out a legion of devils: he heals the issue of blood, and raises the daughter of Jairus to life.
Mark 6
56 versesChrist teaches at Nazareth: he sends forth the twelve apostles: he feeds five thousand with five loaves; and walks upon the sea.
Mark 7
37 versesChrist rebukes the Pharisees. He heals the daughter of the woman of Chanaan; and the man that was deaf and dumb.
Mark 8
39 versesChrist feeds four thousand. He gives sight to a blind man. He foretells his passion.
Mark 9
49 versesChrist is transfigured. He casts out the dumb spirit. He teaches humility and to avoid scandal.
Mark 10
52 versesMarriage is not to be dissolved. The danger of riches. The ambition of the sons of Zebedee. A blind man is restored to his sight.
Mark 11
33 versesChrist enters into Jerusalem upon an ass. He curses the barren fig tree and drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple.
Mark 12
44 versesThe parable of the vineyard and husbandmen. Caesar's right to tribute. The Sadducees are confuted. The first commandment. The widow's mite.
Mark 13
37 versesChrist foretells the destruction of the temple and the signs that shall forerun the day of judgment.
Mark 14
72 versesThe first part of the history of the passion of Christ.
Mark 15
47 versesThe continuation of the history of the passion.
Mark 16
20 versesChrist's resurrection and ascension.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
In the comments
What the saints said.
5 quotations from 4 saints linked to passages of Mark in Bless. Each names the work it comes from.
St. Teresa of Ávila · on Mark 1:35
On this theme
Mental prayer is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.
Life, ch. 8, 1565
St. Francis de Sales · on Mark 6:31
Attributed
Half an hour's meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.
Popular saying, source unconfirmed
St. Charles Borromeo · on Mark 8:36
On this theme
Are you in charge of a parish? If so, do not neglect the parish of your own soul.
Address at his last synod, 1584
St. Vincent de Paul · on Mark 10:45
On this theme
The poor are your masters and you are their servants.
Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, c. 1650
St. Teresa of Ávila · on Mark 12:43
On this theme
The Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our works as at the love with which they are done.
The Interior Castle, VII.4, 1577
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, Mark is read at the principal Mass on 81 days in the US calendar. The next 8 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe | Alleluia | Mark 11:9, 10 | |
| First Sunday of Advent | Gospel | Mark 13:33-37 | |
| Second Sunday of Advent | Gospel | Mark 1:1-8 | |
| St. John Neumann, Bishop | Gospel | Mark 6:34-44 | |
| Wednesday after Epiphany | Gospel | Mark 6:45-52 | |
| The Baptism of the Lord | Gospel | Mark 1:7-11 | |
| The Baptism of the Lord | Alleluia | See Mark 9:7 | |
| Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | Alleluia | Mark 1:15 | |
| Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 1:14-20 | |
| Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 1:21-28 | |
| Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 1:29-39 | |
| Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 1:40-45 | |
| Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 2:1-12 | |
| Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 2:13-17 | |
| Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 2:18-22 | |
| Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 2:23-28 | |
| Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 3:1-6 | |
| St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr | Gospel | Mark 3:7-12 | |
| Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children | Gospel | Mark 3:13-19 | |
| Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 3:20-21 | |
| Third Sunday in Ordinary Time | Alleluia | Mark 1:15 | |
| Third Sunday in Ordinary Time | Gospel | Mark 1:14-20 | |
| Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle | Gospel | Mark 16:15-18 | |
| Sts. Timothy and Titus, Bishops | Gospel | Mark 3:31-35 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.