# The Book of Mark explained — The Age of Reason

> Chapter companion for The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine.

## What happens

Paine examines the Gospel of Mark, arguing that its use of Old Testament prophecies is erroneous and forced. He critiques Mark's misapplication of Malachi and Isaiah, dismisses the miracle of the unbroken colt as absurd, and notes that Mark's account of the crucifixion lacks prophetic fulfillment. He concludes by mocking the promises of miraculous powers to believers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Biblical Inerrancy

Paine argues that Mark misapplies Old Testament passages, showing the Bible's inconsistencies.

### Reason vs. Revelation

Paine uses rational analysis to debunk the prophetic claims and miracles in Mark.

## Character check-ins

### Thomas Paine

Author and critic, analyzing the Gospel of Mark.

### Mark

Evangelist whose gospel is examined for its use of prophecy.

### Jesus Christ

Central figure in the gospel accounts, riding into Jerusalem and being crucified.

### John the Baptist

Mentioned as the supposed forerunner of Jesus, but Paine disputes this identification.

### Robespierre

Referenced as an example of those who were 'numbered with transgressors.'

## Key lines

> Mark makes this passage to be a prophecy of John the Baptist, said by the Church to be a forerunner of Jesus Christ. But if we attend to the verses that follow this expression, as it stands in Malachi, and to the first and fifth verses of the next chapter, we shall see that this application of it is erroneous and false.

Paine claims that Mark wrongly interprets Malachi as a prophecy about John the Baptist, because the original context describes a terrifying judgment, not the joyful birth of Jesus.

_Paine highlights the misreading of scripture._

> By what right, or by what imposition or ignorance, Mark has made Elijah into John the Baptist, and Malachi's description of the day of judgment into the birthday of Christ, I leave the Bishop to settle.

Paine questions how Mark could confuse Elijah with John the Baptist and turn a prophecy of doom into a prediction of Christ's birth.

_Paine challenges the authority of biblical interpretation._

> Now the bishop, in order to know if he has all this saving and wonder-working faith, should try those things upon himself. He should take a good dose of arsenic, and, if he please, I will send him a rattlesnake from America!

Paine sarcastically suggests that a bishop should test the promises of miraculous protection by drinking poison or handling a snake.

_Paine mocks the literal belief in biblical promises._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-iii-the-book-of-mark
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_reason_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters