The Gospel of MarkThe Gospel of Mark

What Does It Mean to be a What Does It Mean to be a Disciple of Jesus?Disciple of Jesus?

Characteristic EmphasesCharacteristic Emphases The realism of the humanity of JesusThe realism of the humanity of Jesus Emphasis on the messiahship of JesusEmphasis on the messiahship of Jesus

““Messianic secret” motifMessianic secret” motif Son of ManSon of Man

A “safer” term than “messiah”A “safer” term than “messiah” Only 2 discourses (teaching material) Only 2 discourses (teaching material)

4; 134; 13 Few parablesFew parables

Emphasis on miracles of JesusEmphasis on miracles of Jesus Emphasis on suffering & the cross Emphasis on suffering & the cross

(8:31-)(8:31-) Half of the gospel is leading to the crossHalf of the gospel is leading to the cross

Book of action (“immediately”)Book of action (“immediately”) Strong emphasis on the struggle of the Strong emphasis on the struggle of the

disciples to understand Jesus’ ministrydisciples to understand Jesus’ ministry Emphasis on discipleship and the Emphasis on discipleship and the

struggles of following Jesusstruggles of following Jesus

Authorship of MarkAuthorship of Mark

No reference made in the book itselfNo reference made in the book itself Papias – bishop of Hieropolis, Phrygia (near Papias – bishop of Hieropolis, Phrygia (near

Colossae/Laodicea) (d. 130)Colossae/Laodicea) (d. 130) Mark wrote down what Peter had taught that Mark wrote down what Peter had taught that

Jesus had said and done Jesus had said and done Many others agreed with Papias: Many others agreed with Papias:

Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Jerome, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Jerome, Muratorian CanonMuratorian Canon

In fact no one questioned Mark as the author In fact no one questioned Mark as the author until modern times.until modern times.

Traditionally identified as John Mark, Traditionally identified as John Mark, son of Mary, in Acts12:12ff.son of Mary, in Acts12:12ff. Cousin of Barnabas, traveled with Paul & Cousin of Barnabas, traveled with Paul &

Barnabas on 1Barnabas on 1stst mission tour (left early) mission tour (left early) Traveled with Barnabas on his 2Traveled with Barnabas on his 2ndnd tour tour

Identified by Peter as “my son” 1 P. Identified by Peter as “my son” 1 P. 5:13.5:13.

Paul said Mark was useful to him in Paul said Mark was useful to him in his ministry 2 Tim. 4:11.his ministry 2 Tim. 4:11.

Martin Hengel argues that it is Martin Hengel argues that it is unlikely that the Gospels would have unlikely that the Gospels would have circulated for up to 60 years with no circulated for up to 60 years with no titles and then uniformly be given titles and then uniformly be given titles with no evidence of any other titles with no evidence of any other traditions regarding authorship.traditions regarding authorship.

So he claims the title must “go back So he claims the title must “go back to the time of the final redaction and to the time of the final redaction and first circulation of the Gospels first circulation of the Gospels themselves.” themselves.” (Studies in Mark, p. 82)(Studies in Mark, p. 82)

Date and Location of MarkDate and Location of Mark Irenaeus (ca 115-202); associated Irenaeus (ca 115-202); associated

with Polycarp (disciple of John)with Polycarp (disciple of John) Matthew published his Gospel among the Matthew published his Gospel among the

Hebrews in their own language, while Hebrews in their own language, while Peter and Paul were preaching and Peter and Paul were preaching and founding the church in Rome. founding the church in Rome. After their After their departuredeparture Mark, the Mark, the disciple and disciple and interpreter of Peterinterpreter of Peter, also transmitted to , also transmitted to us in writing those things which Peter had us in writing those things which Peter had preached.preached.

Tradition located Mark in Rome soon after Tradition located Mark in Rome soon after Peter’s deathPeter’s death

Tradition also indicated Peter (and Paul) was Tradition also indicated Peter (and Paul) was executed in Nero’s persecution in the mid 60’s.executed in Nero’s persecution in the mid 60’s.

Some of the themes of Mark are consistent with Some of the themes of Mark are consistent with such a setting (see later).such a setting (see later).

Twice Mark uses Latin terms to explain Greek Twice Mark uses Latin terms to explain Greek terms: terms: quadrans, 12:42quadrans, 12:42 (currency); (currency); praetorium, praetorium, 15:1615:16 (Roman administrative term). (Roman administrative term).

Consistent with Roman originConsistent with Roman origin

DateDate Related to the relationships among Related to the relationships among

Matthew, Mark, and LukeMatthew, Mark, and Luke Mark may be the earliest, or even the Mark may be the earliest, or even the

latestlatest The tradition dates Mark around the The tradition dates Mark around the

mid to late 60’s at the earliest.mid to late 60’s at the earliest. Again, the themes of Mark support Again, the themes of Mark support

such a date.such a date.

Possible Settings for MarkPossible Settings for Mark

Rome – just before or during Nero’s Rome – just before or during Nero’s persecution of Christians after the fire persecution of Christians after the fire that destroyed much of Rome in AD 64.that destroyed much of Rome in AD 64.

Palestine – during the mid 60’s the Jews Palestine – during the mid 60’s the Jews were struggling with Roman occupation; were struggling with Roman occupation; in 66 a revolt broke out and war resulted in 66 a revolt broke out and war resulted in severe defeat, destruction of in severe defeat, destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.Jerusalem and the temple.

Christians would have been caught in Christians would have been caught in the middlethe middle Jews would have accused them of being Jews would have accused them of being

traitors not joining the rebellion.traitors not joining the rebellion. The Romans would have viewed them as The Romans would have viewed them as

troublemakers as well troublemakers as well Back home they had been persecuted for Back home they had been persecuted for

the fire a couple of years earlier).the fire a couple of years earlier). Viewed perhaps as a subgroup of the Jews.Viewed perhaps as a subgroup of the Jews.

Another significant factor – second Another significant factor – second generation Christianitygeneration Christianity It had been 35-40 years since Jesus’ death.It had been 35-40 years since Jesus’ death. The level of commitment during the second The level of commitment during the second

generation did not seem as strong as it was for generation did not seem as strong as it was for the first generation.the first generation.

The struggles had worn many down – they The struggles had worn many down – they were tired of constant battle over faith.were tired of constant battle over faith.

Gentiles and Jews were both causing problems Gentiles and Jews were both causing problems for them.for them.

Mark is writing to encourage them; Jesus Mark is writing to encourage them; Jesus experienced a similar struggle with others.experienced a similar struggle with others.

Jesus is presented as the model Jesus is presented as the model servant/disciple.servant/disciple.

Finding the Structure of Finding the Structure of MarkMark

Different approaches to the structure:Different approaches to the structure: Focus on geographical movementFocus on geographical movement

Movement from Galilee to Judea, Jerusalem, Movement from Galilee to Judea, Jerusalem, deathdeath

Recognition of Jesus as the MessiahRecognition of Jesus as the Messiah Focuses on two confessions – Peter’s (8:29) and Focuses on two confessions – Peter’s (8:29) and

the Centurion’s (15:39)the Centurion’s (15:39) DiscipleshipDiscipleship Escalating conflictEscalating conflict Follows the outline of the early preaching Follows the outline of the early preaching

as presented in Acts (C. H. Dodd)as presented in Acts (C. H. Dodd)

Structure of MarkStructure of Mark11stst half: half:

1:1-151:1-15 IntroductionIntroduction

1:16-3:121:16-3:12 The work of Jesus & diverse The work of Jesus & diverse responses to it.responses to it.

3:13-6:7a3:13-6:7a The tension between those The tension between those ‘outside’ & those ‘with’ Jesus.‘outside’ & those ‘with’ Jesus.

6:7b-8:266:7b-8:26 The failure of the disciples to The failure of the disciples to understand.understand.

22ndnd half: half:

8:27-10:528:27-10:52 Describes discipleshipDescribes discipleship Centers around three passion Centers around three passion

predictionspredictions

11:1-16:811:1-16:8 Illustrates discipleshipIllustrates discipleship After describing what discipleship After describing what discipleship

involves, this section demonstrates involves, this section demonstrates that following God sometimes that following God sometimes involves the supreme sacrifice.involves the supreme sacrifice.

Conflict in MarkConflict in Mark

Mark presents an escalation of Mark presents an escalation of conflict in his presentation of Jesus’ conflict in his presentation of Jesus’ ministry.ministry.

Conflict betweenConflict between Jesus and the authoritiesJesus and the authorities Jesus and the evil spiritsJesus and the evil spirits Jesus’ own disciplesJesus’ own disciples

Jesus and the AuthoritiesJesus and the Authorities A series of conflicts in 2:1-3:6A series of conflicts in 2:1-3:6

Jesus heals a paralyticJesus heals a paralytic Jesus calls Levi & east with “sinners”Jesus calls Levi & east with “sinners” Question about fastingQuestion about fasting Plucking grain on the SabbathPlucking grain on the Sabbath Healing on the SabbathHealing on the Sabbath

By the end of this section the “Pharisees By the end of this section the “Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.” (3:6)him.” (3:6)

The Conflict EscalatesThe Conflict Escalates

The authorities begin to plot his death.The authorities begin to plot his death. They approach his disciples.They approach his disciples. They slander Jesus (Beelzebub).They slander Jesus (Beelzebub). Leaders approach Jesus about his disciples Leaders approach Jesus about his disciples

not washing their hands.not washing their hands. Pharisees challenge Jesus directly about Pharisees challenge Jesus directly about

tradition and the law.tradition and the law. The authorities challenge Jesus about his own The authorities challenge Jesus about his own

authority (cleansing of the temple).authority (cleansing of the temple). They take it to the Roman officials.They take it to the Roman officials.

Three Passion PredictionsThree Passion Predictions

8:31; 9:31; 10:338:31; 9:31; 10:33 Each time the disciples demonstrate Each time the disciples demonstrate

they do not understand.they do not understand. Each prediction is accompanied by a Each prediction is accompanied by a

call to follow and a description of call to follow and a description of true discipleship.true discipleship.

The Disciples’ ProgressionThe Disciples’ Progression Imperceptions 1:1-8:26Imperceptions 1:1-8:26

6:52 “They did not understand about the 6:52 “They did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.”loaves, but their hearts were hardened.”

7:18 “Are you without understanding?”7:18 “Are you without understanding?” 8:4 “How can one feed . . .?” (after the 8:4 “How can one feed . . .?” (after the

5,000)5,000) 8:12-21 “Are your hearts hardened? Having 8:12-21 “Are your hearts hardened? Having

eyes do you not see, and having ears do eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear?”you not hear?”

Misconceptions of Jesus’ messiahshipMisconceptions of Jesus’ messiahship 8:27-10:528:27-10:52 After each prediction of the passion, the disciples After each prediction of the passion, the disciples

misunderstand.misunderstand. After two of the three predictions, the disciples are After two of the three predictions, the disciples are

concerned about power and position (9:32; 10:35ff).concerned about power and position (9:32; 10:35ff). They finally abandon and deny Jesus:They finally abandon and deny Jesus:

14:10 Judas14:10 Judas 14:37-41 the three sleep while Jesus prays14:37-41 the three sleep while Jesus prays 14:15 all flee14:15 all flee 14:66-72 Peter denies Jesus14:66-72 Peter denies Jesus At the cross, only the women disciples “from a At the cross, only the women disciples “from a

distance”distance”

Mark’s Pastoral ConcernsMark’s Pastoral Concerns The struggles that the disciples had were The struggles that the disciples had were

similar to those of Mark’s readers.similar to those of Mark’s readers. Struggling to understand Jesus in the Struggling to understand Jesus in the

midst of negative reactions to their work. midst of negative reactions to their work. It was getting dangerous to be a disciple It was getting dangerous to be a disciple of Jesus.of Jesus.

When things get this bad it is easy to be When things get this bad it is easy to be distracted from one’s focus.distracted from one’s focus.

One’s focus easily becomes self One’s focus easily becomes self preservation and maintaining your honor.preservation and maintaining your honor.

The parallel experiences of Mark’s readers The parallel experiences of Mark’s readers and Jesus’ disciples provided Mark an and Jesus’ disciples provided Mark an opportunity for telling his story of Jesus opportunity for telling his story of Jesus and his own struggle to be a servant to and his own struggle to be a servant to others.others.

Even in the midst of threats of persecution Even in the midst of threats of persecution one cannot afford to lose focus on service one cannot afford to lose focus on service to others.to others.

Mark illustrates from Jesus’ own life what Mark illustrates from Jesus’ own life what discipleship is all about.discipleship is all about.

He seeks to motivate his readers toward a He seeks to motivate his readers toward a greater level of faithfulness.greater level of faithfulness.

Messianic SecretMessianic Secret

Several times Jesus tells people not to tell Several times Jesus tells people not to tell others about what he had done, or to say others about what he had done, or to say that he was the Messiahthat he was the Messiah 1:24-5, 34; 1:44; 3:1f.; 5:43; 7:36;8:29f; 9:9)1:24-5, 34; 1:44; 3:1f.; 5:43; 7:36;8:29f; 9:9)

Wilhelm Wrede suggested that Mark adds Wilhelm Wrede suggested that Mark adds this to the tradition to explain why Jesus did this to the tradition to explain why Jesus did not claim to be the Messiah in his own not claim to be the Messiah in his own lifetime. Supposedly, only later did his lifetime. Supposedly, only later did his followers realize this and they wrote it back followers realize this and they wrote it back into the stories.into the stories.

Reasons Jesus told people not to say Reasons Jesus told people not to say he was the Messiah:he was the Messiah: The term was politically loaded.The term was politically loaded. The general concept of Messiah was The general concept of Messiah was

military.military. Jesus didn’t want people thinking Jesus didn’t want people thinking

incorrectly about his mission.incorrectly about his mission. There were enough barriers without this There were enough barriers without this

one.one. Jesus preferred the term “Son of Jesus preferred the term “Son of

Man.”Man.”

The Ending of MarkThe Ending of Mark

In the manuscript tradition Mark has In the manuscript tradition Mark has more than one ending:more than one ending: 16:9-20 (the longer ending); many of these 16:9-20 (the longer ending); many of these

indicate in some way that these verses may indicate in some way that these verses may have been added (blank space, asterisk, etc.)have been added (blank space, asterisk, etc.)

Some mss add material after v. 15.Some mss add material after v. 15. 16:8 the oldest mss end here.16:8 the oldest mss end here. One ms has the “shorter ending”One ms has the “shorter ending” Some mss have both the shorter and longer Some mss have both the shorter and longer

endings.endings.

16:9-20 does not “fit in” very well 16:9-20 does not “fit in” very well into the context of Mk. 16.into the context of Mk. 16.

It appears to be constructed from the It appears to be constructed from the endings of the other gospels and endings of the other gospels and Acts.Acts.

What do we do with all this?What do we do with all this? ImplicationsImplications

The original ending is probably lost.The original ending is probably lost. Scribes realized this very early.Scribes realized this very early. They tried to construct an ending that They tried to construct an ending that

made sense to them.made sense to them.

Which ending should we use?Which ending should we use? The safest thing to do, in my opinion, is to The safest thing to do, in my opinion, is to

end with 16:8.end with 16:8. The most important parts of 9-20 are found The most important parts of 9-20 are found

elsewhere in scripture; use those passages.elsewhere in scripture; use those passages. Recent scholars have tried to make Recent scholars have tried to make

sense of Mark with 16:8 as the intended sense of Mark with 16:8 as the intended ending.ending. This is certainly an awkward ending.This is certainly an awkward ending. If it was the original ending, it presents If it was the original ending, it presents

some interesting possibilities of reading the some interesting possibilities of reading the Gospel of Mark.Gospel of Mark.

New Understandings of How God New Understandings of How God WorksWorks

Kingdom Kingdom Not established with military forceNot established with military force Submission to God as king, to Jesus as the Submission to God as king, to Jesus as the

leader of that Kingdomleader of that Kingdom Has to do with God being in control – not us.Has to do with God being in control – not us. Has to do with service – not (our) power.Has to do with service – not (our) power. Yet it does initiate conflict.Yet it does initiate conflict.

With the authorities, powers of darkness, culture With the authorities, powers of darkness, culture – society, even his own disciples– society, even his own disciples

God does not work as traditionally thought.God does not work as traditionally thought. The authorities work from Jerusalem outward, The authorities work from Jerusalem outward,

Jesus started at the outer fringes of society and Jesus started at the outer fringes of society and brought people into the Kingdom.brought people into the Kingdom.

Jesus was establishing a new understanding Jesus was establishing a new understanding of God, power, temple, spirituality, purityof God, power, temple, spirituality, purity 8:33 – thinking the things of man rather than of 8:33 – thinking the things of man rather than of

GodGod 9:35 – first will be last – last will be first9:35 – first will be last – last will be first 10:45 – to serve rather than be served – there is 10:45 – to serve rather than be served – there is

power in serving (not “Lording it over”) – control.power in serving (not “Lording it over”) – control.

General Observations forGeneral Observations forStudying the GospelsStudying the Gospels

Respect their individuality.Respect their individuality. Don’t try to harmonize everything.Don’t try to harmonize everything.

Cleansing the temple (2); Nazareth (2)Cleansing the temple (2); Nazareth (2) Allow the authors to be authors – their Allow the authors to be authors – their

thinking is important.thinking is important. Learn as much as possible about the Learn as much as possible about the

cultural, political, religious and moral cultural, political, religious and moral challenges facing the early Christians.challenges facing the early Christians.

Look for over-arching themes that Look for over-arching themes that provide a framework for large provide a framework for large sections, perhaps the entire gospel.sections, perhaps the entire gospel.

Find smaller themes within the larger Find smaller themes within the larger sections.sections.

Use of Mark in the Early Use of Mark in the Early ChurchChurch

It was very popular for the first 3 – 4 It was very popular for the first 3 – 4 centuries.centuries.

Referred to in all the early discussions of Referred to in all the early discussions of the gospels and manuscripts.the gospels and manuscripts.

Used in the churches.Used in the churches. Tatian used it in his Tatian used it in his DiatessaronDiatessaron.. The tradition was that Mark wrote what The tradition was that Mark wrote what

Peter taught; Peter was very popular, so Peter taught; Peter was very popular, so Mark was widely used.Mark was widely used.

It spoke to those who were suffering.It spoke to those who were suffering.

John Chrysostom (386-98)John Chrysostom (386-98) Mark reproduced the brevity of Peter; Mark reproduced the brevity of Peter; Luke reproduced the abundance of Paul.Luke reproduced the abundance of Paul.

Augustine proposed a new idea.Augustine proposed a new idea. Said Mark had nothing in common with Said Mark had nothing in common with

John and little with Luke.John and little with Luke. Mark is an abridgment of Matthew: Mark is an abridgment of Matthew:

“Mark followed him like a slave and “Mark followed him like a slave and seems [to be] his summarizer.”seems [to be] his summarizer.”

This contradicted the early theories This contradicted the early theories that Mark was Peter’s interpreter.that Mark was Peter’s interpreter.

Thus far Mark had survived primarily Thus far Mark had survived primarily on Peter’s authority.on Peter’s authority.

From then on, Mark was in Matthew’s From then on, Mark was in Matthew’s shadow; until the 19shadow; until the 19thth cen. cen.

With the proposal of the two document With the proposal of the two document hypothesis, Mark once again became hypothesis, Mark once again became widely used (proposed to be the 1widely used (proposed to be the 1stst gospel).gospel).