Fifteen years ago I read the Old Testament (King James Version) and blogged it as I went. I always meant to keep on trucking, but, well, I didn’t.
Now, in January and February of 2026 I am going to read all 27 books of the New Testament (I have a passing familiarity with the Gospels, thanks to secondary school, and I did read the Book of Revelations at some point (fever dream, innit?)
The plan is to read at most ten pages a day, with rest days more frequent than old “1-in-7” for the Gospels through Romans, but then, because it all gets somewhat shorter, one a day for most of February.
Crucially, am blogging as I go.
Oh, and I am going to read Gore Vidal’s 1992 “Live from Golgotha” as soon as I am done with John…
Summary as if I were AI:
We start in media res, not with all the manger/Herod stuff (though a different Herod pops up later).
Historical – when written, by whom
Traditionally attributed to Mark the Evangelist, the companion of the Apostle Peter,[7] the gospel is anonymous,[8] and scholarship is inconclusive on its authorship.[9] It is dated to around 70 AD[10] and was likely written in Rome for a gentile audience.[11] Mark is classified as an ancient biography and was meant to strengthen the faith of its readers.[12] Most scholars hold that Mark is the earliest gospel and was used by both Matthew and Luke.[13] Mark has therefore often been seen as the most reliable gospel,[14][15] though this has recently been challenged.[16][17]
Most poetic bits
Well, the language is KJV, but for now, I am preferring Matthew.
6: 4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Most quotable bits
xxx
Most “wtaf” bit(s)
Again, thinks the End is nigh (compare with Matthew on this)
1: 15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Srsly, he thinks word is not going to get around? Eh?
What it reminds me of (books/plays/jokes etc)
Very strong “the sandal, the gourd” vibes (from Monty Python and the Life of Brian)
6: 33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
Further reading
A Borges Short Story –
The Gospel According to Mark (short story) – Wikipedia
Chapter 1
John the Baptist doing his Baptising, deferring to Jesus
40 nights of temptation
Again, thinks the End is nigh (compare with Matthew on this)
1: 15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Lots of casting out demons, preaching, curing leprosy
Chapter 2
Don’t trust intellectuals!
2: 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Chapter 3
Jesus does hand physio, but on the Sabbath, opening him to an attack
3: 24-5
24And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 3: 35
We’re all in it together
35For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Chapter 4
Parable of the Sower again, but less well done than Matthew, imho
4: 23 23If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Jesus controlling nature, which is an attractive thing to do
4:39 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Chapter 5
5: 9 9And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
Decants the demons into some poor pigs, who go full lemming.
5:11-13 11Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea
Some poor woman has used up all her medical insurance
5:25-26- 25And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
WTAF raises the dead and then say
5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Srsly, he thinks word is not going to get around? Eh?
Chapter 6
6: 4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Again delegating power to apostles
We get a flashback to John the Baptist losing his head
Very strong “the sandal, the gourd” vibes (from Monty Python and the Life of Brian)
6: 33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
Feeds the 5k
Walks on water
6: 50 “be of good cheer” (my friend says this all the time – I wonder if he knows it’s from Mark?
6: 56 – And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
mass healing stunt. Bound to draw attention.
marchudson.net 
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