Interpreters of Mark have long recognised the value of studying the constituent themes of the gospel as a way of determining the evangelist's distinctive theology. Numerous studies have been devoted to such typically Markan concerns as messianic secrecy, the incomprehension of the disciples, his Son of Man christology, Galilee and the Gentile mission, miracles and their relation to theios aner conceptions, his concept of ‘gospel’, and many others besides. A theme which has attracted comparatively little attention however, and one which Mark himself indicates is fundamental to understanding his work, is the theme of faith.

That faith is one of Mark's basic theological concerns is evident in various ways. Statistics can be misleading and should be used with caution, but the relative frequency of πίστις, πιστɛύɛιν terminology is significant since, as we will see, verbal repetition is an important device for underlining points of emphasis. Taking 16:8 as the intentional ending of the narrative, Mark employs the word group seventeen times in his gospel, in ten different episodes spread throughout his narrative. This compares favourably with other topics widely held to be of particular importance in Mark. The term ɛὐαγγέλιOν, for example, which Marxsen deems ‘the main concept of the work’, occurs only seven times. There are only three explicit parousia sayings, twelve references to Galilee, and fourteen uses of the phrase ‘Son of Man’. Even the notorious commands to silence occur, on a generous reckoning, only nine times.