Jesus's Death in Mark's Gospel: Was It Necessary or Required?

"Jesus's Death in Mark's Gospel: Was It Necessary or Required?"

Yung Suk Kim

The question of whether Jesus's death was necessary or required according to the Gospel of Mark is complex, inviting a nuanced "yes and no" response rather than a simple affirmative.

One could argue "no" if Jesus's message of the Kingdom of God had been universally embraced by both the authorities and the populace. In such an idealized scenario, he would likely have been welcomed rather than condemned, and his execution would have been averted. From this perspective, his death was not inherently "required," as suffering and tragedy are not intrinsically desirable or part of God's initial benevolent design.

However, the historical reality diverged significantly from this ideal. Mark's Gospel vividly portrays Jesus's personal struggle in the Gethsemane prayer (Mark 14:32-42). His petition, "Remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will," demonstrates his profound anguish and human desire to avoid the impending suffering. This prayer highlights that his death was not something he sought or readily accepted, affirming it was "difficult to go through."

Yet, his ultimate submission, "nevertheless not what I will, but what you will," reveals his unwavering commitment to his divine mission—the proclamation of the good news of God's Kingdom. Given the prevailing rejection of his message by the powers and his steadfast dedication to God's will, his death, while undesirable, became an unavoidable consequence of fulfilling that mission. In this sense, "yes," his death was necessary not as an intrinsic good, but as an inevitable outcome of his faithfulness in a hostile world.