This is correct! Scholars estimate that about 80-90% of Mark’s Gospel is in Matthew’s Gospel.
This intriguing question comes from one of our Catholic Biblical School satellite group participants, thank you and keep the questions flowing to info@cbsmich.org.
Let’s set a starting foundation. This question assumes the hypothesis that Mark is the oldest Gospel, and that Matthew and Luke had written copies of Mark’s Gospel. This is currently the most popular hypothesis among scholars and historians, but as always, the dates and human authors of books of the Bible are not something that the Church believes has been definitively revealed to us through the Holy Spirit (aka part of the “deposit of faith”) so in simple language 🙂 that means it’s okay to agree or disagree with the idea that Mark came first.
Okay, so what about those verses that are only in Mark’s Gospel? As we think about it, since there’s reasons (i.e. verbatim similarity!) to think that Matthew and Luke each had a written copy of Mark’s Gospel to use when composing their own writings under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then, the verses that were “left out” tell us more about Matthew (who uses 80-90% of Mark’s Gospel), than Mark per se.
What does Matthew choose to leave behind? Here’s a helpful list from https://www.julianspriggs.co.uk/pages/UniquePassages#Mark:
Introduction
The beginning of the good news (1:1)
Jesus being with the wild beasts during temptations (1:13)
Miracles
Healing of deaf and mute man in Decapolis (7:31-37)
Healing of blind man in Bethsaida in two stages (8:22-26)
Conversation with father of demonized boy throwing himself in to fire (9:21-24)
Boy being like a corpse and people thinking he was dead (9:26-27)
This kind of demon can only come out through prayer (9:29)
Other incidents during ministry
Calling disciples to mountain to preach, and cast out demons (3:13-15)
Jesus’ family trying to restrain him (3:20-21)
Eye-witness details
Jesus being asleep on a cushion during storm (4:38)
Jesus saying, “Peace, Be still” to the storm (4:39)
Details about strength of Gerasene demoniac (5:4-5)
Jesus being aware that power had gone from him when healing woman with bleeding (5:30)
Departure to Tyre, and entering a house, not wanting anyone to know he was there (7:24)
Jesus being indignant when disciples sent children away (10:14)
Parables
Parable of seed growing secretly (4:26-29)
Analogy of man going on journey and leaving doorkeeper to be on watch (13:34)
Teaching and comments
Sabbath made for man, not man for the Sabbath, so Son of Man is lord of Sabbath (2:27)
James and John being given the name “Boanerges”, meaning “sons of Thunder” (3:17)
Everyone salted with fire. Salt losing its saltiness – be at peace (9:48-49)
Blessings include persecutions for those who give up everything (10:30)
Scribe’s reply to Jesus about importance of loving God and neighbor (12:32-34)
Incidents during passion and resurrection
The naked young man running away (14:51-52)
Pilate asking whether Jesus was already dead (15:44)
Question about who will roll away the stone (16:3)
Disciples afraid and not telling anyone (16:8b)
What common threads or themes appear with these “not selected” verses?
Overall, if I had to give a one line answer, I’d say it’s a lot of the “vivid color” of Mark’s Gospel–things like emotions, graphic details of people/places/events, and Mark’s dramatic flare for cultivating intrigue and emphasizing unknowing/suspense.
Matthew has a more summarized style when it comes to many of these things. Of course we’ll never know this side of eternity, since St. Matthew is the real expert on this question, but it’s worth pondering what you see in these verses, as they reveal the unique inspired distinctiveness of St. Mark, as well as the unique inspired distinctiveness of St. Matthew.
We can wonder with delight and awe at God’s design in using the Holy Spirit to inspire different human authors to record the truth of God’s plan of salvation. From this, we can be encouraged that God can use your distinctive style and life experiences to be a communicator of God’s plan, in whatever situations and circumstances you find yourself in!
