MARK

1, We will begin by looking together at Mark 1.1-15. Have alongside the version provided in
D.Rhoads and D. Michie: Mark as Story (which is a translation which is trying to be as literal as
possible). What impact and impression does the Rhoads /Michie version make on you? Detailed
study of points in these verses:
*Who is Jesus? (remember that he is the one whom the messenger is sent before the face of !
compare Malachi 3.1)
*Who is John the Baptist? (Read Malachi 3.1 and 4.5 together and look at the description of John
and his clothes in Mark 1)
*What is the 'way' that is mentioned? And what is its significance for Jesus, John the Baptist and
the disciples? (What else are we told in the gospel about Johnthe Baptist - at length?)
Other 'way' refs: 9.33,34,10.17,10.32,10.46,10.52,12.14
*Do things happen fast?
* Who hears the voice of the Spirit?
* What is the significance of what the Spirit says?
(What does it mean for God to call Jesus 'my (beloved) son'? See eg M.Hengel: The Son of
God.)
*Where else in the gospel is something 'ripped open'
*Who else in the gospel is 'driven out' - often!
* What is the symbolic significance of the wilderness and the beasts in v 13.
* Notice the verb Paradidomi which describes the arrest of John in v. 14
* What is the Kingdom (Rule) of God?
* Has it arrived - or not?
Note Chiastic elements in v. 1-15.

2. Basic structure of Mark, (taken from B van Iersel: Reading Mark) : A Chiastic Structure
Al in the desert (1.2-13)
yl first hinge (1.14-15)
Bl in Galilee (1.16-8.21)
zl blindness -----> sight (8.22-26)
C On the way (8.27-10.45)
z2 blindness-----> sight (10.46-52)
B2 in Jerusalem (11.1-15.39)
y2 second hinge (15.40-41)
A2 at the tomb (15.42-16.8)
Which leaves us with the question to ponder: What is this 'way' that is at the centre of the
gospel?

3. If Mark's gospel is a 'a passion narrative with an extended introduction' how far back does the
shadow of the passion stretch into the gospel? (Shouldn't the passion have happened at 3.6?)

4. . And then Mark gives us a parable – 4.1-20

* What is the relation between this parable and the very nature of Mark's own gospel (see the title of
the book by J.Williams Gospel against Parable) and the 'Messianic secret'.
5. An important moment is the key passage which poses a question (functional Christology typical
of Mark) in 4.35-41. The next chapter (5) seeks to answer this
6. Notice the pattern in Mark 6.30 - Mark 8.29 (The 'clue' to its meaning is given us in 8.14-21).
Two stories of feeding a multitude 6.30-44, 8.1-9
Two crossings on the lake/sea. 6.45-52 , 8.10
Two disagreements with the Pharisees 7.1-13, 8.11-13
Two sayings about bread 7.27-8, 8.17-21
Two healing miracles , one of hearing, one of sight (prob. both linked to
Isaiah 35)
Climax: 8.29.
See further in B van Iersel : Reading Mark and A. Richardson : The Miracle Stories of the Gospels
p.81-99

7. The 'down to earth with a bump' sequence. 8.27 (8.22) - 10.45.

The disciples regularly take 1 step forward - followed by 2 steps back.
A. Gradual - and difficult learning something new. 8.22-30
Statement of Jesus 8.31-32.
Foot put in it good and proper. 8.32-33
Further statement of Jesus about discipleship 8.34-38
B. Gradual - and difficult learning something new. 9.14-29
Statement of Jesus about himself 9.30-32.
Foot put in it good and proper. 9.33-37
Further statement of Jesus about discipleship 9.38-50
C. Gradual - and difficult learning something new. 10.17-31
Statement of Jesus about himself 10.32-34
Foot put in it good and proper. 10.35-41
Further statement of Jesus about discipleship 10.42-45 (climax to whole
section)

8. Note the following tables (taken from Van Iersel) which relate to the parables in Mark 4 and Mark 12.
Contrasts
situated in 'Galilee' section situated in 'Jerusalem' section
distance from the beginning distance from the end
major emphasis on sowing time major emphasis on harvest time
production of corn production of grapes
for the purpose of eating for the purpose of drinking
stress on the outside stress on the inside
turns out well turns out badly
meaning not understood meaning understood
by supporters by adversaries
is about Jesus' word is about Jesus' body
is explained is not explained

and Comparisons
field vineyard
wheat grapes
bread BODY BLOOD wine
take take
break MURDERED SHED pour out
give give
eat drink
9. To sum up : we have seen that Mark’
* uses symbolism
* is deeply concerned with Christology
* wrestles with the meaning of discipleship
* tells the story with urgency
* has a particularly vivid narrative
* stresses the Passion ‘A passion narrative with an extended introduction’
* emphasizes exorcism and the demons
* presents a hidden Messiah or hidden Son of God (Messianic secret)
Bibliography: On Mark
R.P.Martin: Mark -Evangelist and Theologian (Paternoster, 1979)
D.Rhoads and D.Michie : Mark as Story (Fortress, 1982)
B Van lersel: Reading Mark (T & T Clark
J.G.Williams : Gospel against Parable - Mark's language of mystery (Almond
1985)
E. Best: Mark, the Gospel as Story (T&T Clark ,1983)