People are “amazed” 11 times and “astonished” six times in Mark, but these responses fall short of the devotion Jesus demands. This reminds us that an initial emotional response to the gospel may not reflect genuine faith. Following Jesus involves leaving something behind. This sense of sacrifice would have resonated with Mark’s persecuted readers. This gives texture to Mark’s frequent use of “gospel,” or “good news,” which occurs seven times in Mark and only four times in Matthew (none in Luke or