In reading the Gospels according to Mark and Matthew I was fascinated by many things. I have never read the Gospels before, and was taken back by the differences between the two interpretations of the meaning of Jesus" life, death and resurrection.
Mark's interpretation is very fast paced, and reminds me of the script for an action movie. Unlike Matthew's explanation, Mark has little tolerance for dialogue and personal reflection. Matthew warms up his audience by giving the some historical background before documentation of a miracle by Jesus; Mark covers three miracles in the first chapter. I found it interesting that both Matthew and Mark did not begin their interpretations with the story Jesus" birth. Matthew begins with a historical research of Jesus" family tree; I feel he is trying to prove the Jewish theory that Jesus is truly the Messiah by matching his ancestors to the claim. Mark begins his account with the appearance of a lone figure (John the Baptist) wearing camel's hair and proclaiming something. Mark's gospel includes only a sampling of Jesus" parables and focuses on events rather than speeches and perspectives. Mark manages to achieve a more passionate view while jamming the sequences breathlessly. At once the spirit sends Jesus into the dessert; at once the disciples respond to Jesus" call to follow him; Jesus" touch immediately heals a man with leprosy. I much more enjoyed the Gospel according to Mark, I felt it was a good start for someone who knows little or nothing about the Christian faith, it contains simple easy to understand sentences and is an excellent introduction to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.