It is said that Mark wrote down Peter’s preaching in Rome at the behest of certain Roman social and military classes, thus creating the second Gospel. It is believed that Mark wrote it in Rome immediately after the mid-first century AD following a request from Peter or the Christian community to preserve the memory of the former’s preaching.

Mark’s is the shortest of the four Gospels. It was written in Greek and has only 16 chapters, with a marked preference for episodes from the life of Jesus and a predilection for details.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The most widespread tradition says that Mark wrote his Gospel in Rome immediately after the mid-first century AD following a request from Peter or the Christian community to preserve the memory of the former’s preaching.

Mark’s is the shortest of the four Gospels. It was written in Greek and has only 16 chapters, divided into two parts. The first, consisting of the first eight chapters, deals with the actions of Jesus, concentrating on numerous miracles with view to demonstrating that Jesus really was the Son of God.
It appears that this is the reason why, since the early Christian period, the lion was chosen as his symbol because the lion, with his roar, prevails over the other animals, just as Mark proclaimed loudly that Jesus was the Son of God.
In the second part the words of Jesus are preferred, words that explain the necessary conditions for following the Redeemer to his death on the cross.

In narrating the life of Jesus, Mark shows a preference for anecdotal data and episodic aspects, with a marked taste for observation of details. He carefully describes the marine environment of the Sea of Galilee, the countryside and the villages, but above all the crowds that throng around the divine Master seeking cures for the most disparate illnesses, freedom from demons or to hear the word of goodness.

His style is swift, essential, and nervous, typical of the artist. In the end one notes in him the technique of the practised catechist, the interpreter of the apostle Peter’s long speeches concerning Jesus’ words and actions. Someone who wants to highlight the strictly necessary for his hearers whom one supposes were Romans inclined to concreteness and practicality in things.
Certain themes predominate in Mark’s gospel: the messianic secret, which is to say that Jesus gradually reveals that he actually is the Son of God; the kingdom of God is always near and expected; Jesus son of God shall suffer on earth until the end of time.