The Gospel According to St. Mark. Part II: The Texts

Transcription

1 The Gospel According to St. Mark Part II: The Texts

2 Mk 2:23-28 The Sabbath As they made their way Early name for Christianity (Acts 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22) Watch for way in Mark Way + Grain + Sabbath = possible subtle allusion to Christian Eucharistic worship on the Lord s Day Christians make their way on the nourishment of the Eucharist

3 Mk 2:23-28 Oops! Did Jesus slip? Jesus references 1 Sam 21 Says Abiathar was high priest 1 Sam 21 says it was Ahimelech who was Abiathar s father Two Responses: Even NT shows Father- and Son-inlaw both identified as High Priest (Annas & Caiaphas) Jesus is getting at something deeper

4 Politics & Religion Ahimelech was faithful to David Abiathar did not support Solomon (supported Adonijah the usurper) When Solomon is crowned He deposes Abiathar He confirms Zadok Zadokites eventually become the Sadducees

5 Moral of the Story: Pharisees know the history of Ahimelech & Abiathar Jesus is warning them Be like Ahimelech (support David) Not like Abiathar (opposing the Son of David) If they do, they will suffer Abiathar s fate: loss of priesthood (and more!)

6 Mk 3:1-6 Sabbath: For Good or Harm? Good = Healing Harm = Plotting evil Jesus gets angry at hardness of heart Irony: Divine act of healing inspires them to seek His death

7 Hovering in the Background: 1 Kgs 13:1-10 Jeroboam revolted against Rehoboam (Son of Solomon) Kingdom is split into Israel (North) & Judah (South) Jeroboam leads idol worship in North Prophet from Judah confronts Jeroboam s hand is withered Restored by prayer of the prophet

8 Guilty of an Eternal Sin Jesus works miracles and casts out demons Scribes say it is by the power of the devil Jesus corrects them and then warns about the sin that is never forgiven The only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one that is not repented.

9 Jesus casts the demons into the swine Man who was possessed is well Ironic reaction of the people of Gerasa: Please leave! Healed man: please let me follow! Jesus refuses: tell your friends!

10 Mk 6:13 Apostles cast out demons & heal by anointing Nowhere in the NT does Jesus mention using oil to heal, but Mk tells us Apostles did it Jas 5:14 = Scriptural foundation for the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick Jas 5:14 is rooted in Apostolic practice

11 Markan Sandwich (aka Chiasm from Greek letter chi = X) Common literary device, a story is framed by another Mk 5:21-43 Raising Jairus daughter frames the healing of the woman with the flow of blood

12 Mk 6:7-30 The death of John the Baptist is framed by the sending and return of the Twelve. A chiasm should make one ask why? St. Jerome said that even the word order of Scripture could hold theological meaning

13 Mk 10: Hard sayings In the place where the Baptist preached, Pharisees test Jesus on divorce (what got John killed) Jesus uses Moses to evade the trap and call out the Pharisees This is difficult even for the disciples-they ask for clarification Immediately following this, Jesus blesses the children-making a point There follows another hard teaching: Easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God Finally: another Passion prediction

14 Mk 10:38 Baptism & Chalice Jesus connects His crucifixion with Baptism & a Chalice Very much like Jn 19:34 Makes same points St. Paul does: We were baptized into Christ s death (Rom 6:3) The chalice we drink is a participation in the blood of Christ (1Cor 10:16)

15 Mk 11: Fig Sandwich 11:12-14 and 11:20-25 focus on the fig tree Jesus curses 11:15-19 is the cleansing of the temple Fig tree = ancient symbol for Israel This mountain = Mt. Zion

16 Mark includes many interesting details not in other Gospels Kingdom of God 4:38-Asleep on a cushion 8:22-26-Blind man of Bethsaida 9:49-50-Have salt! 14:36-Abba 14:51-52-Naked young man running from Gethsemane (St. Mark?)

17 The Church holds that Mk 16:1-20 is inspired and canonical From the early centuries through Trent and Vatican II, this has been constantly reaffirmed The manuscripts show interesting variation that begs for explanation: three different ways to end the Gospel: Short: 16:1-8 Intermediate: 16:1-8 *plus* Long: 16:1-20

18 Intermediate is rarely found Short is found in manuscripts that trace their lineage to the area around Alexandria Long is found in manuscripts that trace their lineage to the area around Rome Theory: Alexandrians went through a phase where they freely edited all kinds of texts; did the same with Mark.

19 Mk 16:17-18 Mentions things done in Acts Drive out demons-acts 16:16-18 Speak in tongues-acts 2:4-11 Pick up serpents-acts 28:1-6 Lay on hands to heal-acts 3:6-8; 28:8

20 Lionize Your Library The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible The Navarre Bible Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture This PowerPoint presentation is solely for the private use of those who participated in the Adult Faith Formation session. It is not to be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the express written consent of the instructor, Matthew Caes.