The Age of Reason · Chapter
The Book of Mark explained
Paine examines the Gospel of Mark, arguing that its use of Old Testament prophecies is erroneous and forced.
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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs as the narrator directly juxtaposes Mark’s doctrine of salvation t…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes 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.
Characters to notice
- 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 passages
“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.
