The Gospel of Mark. New Testament: Marist High School

Transcription

1 The Gospel of Mark New Testament: Marist High School

2 Image of Mark The Image is a desert Lion symbolizing John the Baptist s role in announcing salvation history.

3 Outline of Gospel 1:1-13 Preparation of Public Ministry 1:14-8:26 Jesus Identity as Mystery 8:27-9:32 The unveiling of Jesus identity 9:33-16:8 The full Revelation of Jesus identity (16:9-16:20- The longer ending)

4 Who Wrote Mark? The Gospel did not have a signed name, Mark added later Patristic Fathers Connected the name to John Mark (Acts 12:12-25, Col. 4:10) 1 Pet. 5:13 identifies Mark as Peter s co-worker, She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Eusebius (2 nd Cent) Mark, having become Peter s interpreter, wrote down accurately whatever he remembered of what was said or done by the Lord, however not in order. And having composed the Gospel he gave it to those who had requested it. When Peter learned of this, he neither directly hindered nor encouraged it. (Eusebius Ecclesiastical History 6:14.5-7)

5 Historical Context Traditional believed to be written in Rome after Peter s death in A.D. No mention of the destruction of the temple in Mk. 13. So it is probably before what day? There are Latin loanwords which points the setting of the intended audience being in Rome. Latin military terms like legion, praetorium and centurion

6 History con t What was going on in Rome? Under Emperor Nero (AD 64-68) the Church suffered great brutality. After blaming Christians for the fire that consumed Rome in 64 AD. Nero punished his scapegoats by crucifying them, setting them on fire, and pitting them against wild beasts. Origen 3 rd century says: "Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downwards, as he himself had desired to suffer. Tertullian also attests to this in writings ( AD)

7 Historical Con t The following account was written by the Roman historian Tacitus in his book Annals published a few years after the event. Tacitus was a young boy living in Rome during the time of the persecutions. "Therefore, to stop the rumor [that he had set Rome on fire], he [Emperor Nero] falsely charged with guilt, and punished with the most fearful tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were [generally] hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of that name, was put to death as a criminal by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea, in the reign of Tiberius, but the pernicious superstition - repressed for a time, broke out yet again, not only through Judea, - where the mischief originated, but through the city of Rome also, whither all things horrible and disgraceful flow from all quarters, as to a common receptacle, and where they are encouraged. Accordingly first those were arrested who confessed they were Christians; next on their information, a vast multitude were convicted, not so much on the charge of burning the city, as of "hating the human race."

8 History Con t In their very deaths they were made the subjects of sport: for they were covered with the hides of wild beasts worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set fire to, when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights.

9 Historical Con t 9 But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10 The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. (Mk 13:9-13)

10 Literary Context Mark writes in plain, even blunt language. It was a style of Greek that made his writings understandable and accessible to those who could barely read (C.S. Lewis) People are rational, we do things rationally all the time, then why would Peter leave his family in Galilee to end up dying in Rome? Birthday example (G.K. Chesterton). Mark is the shortest of the Gospel lacking many of the lengthy teachings recorded in the other Gospels Yet there is energy and intensity and urgency in his writing. For example one of his favorite words is euthys immediately a word he uses over 40 times in comparison to six times for Matthew and once in Luke and it gives Mark s narrative as sense of immediacy and fast-paced action. It s the Gospel that seeks to cut to the chase

11 Literary Various kinds of sources at his diposal- sayings of Jesus, parables (teaching using a common example), miracle stories, and a Passion Narrative Mark created the title of the GOSPEL, used in Paul but not for a specific work Gk: euangelion- Good News An account of Jesus ministry in an orderly fashion Follow the ancient form of Bios.

12 Literary Aspects Bios as ancient form of Genre Beginning: Some began with a subject s ancestry giving the name of the subject at the very beginning. Others began with one sentence with the name of the subject like Xenophon (Greek Historian) Clear chronological sequence Small amount of space devoted to the early years of Jesus and the large amount to his final days Narrative prose- the author moves the story along rather than dramatic dialogue Sewing together of various forms displaying of the character of Jesus through his words and deeds, rather than telling us characteristics of Jesus, the author show us Jesus

13 Theological Framework Mark wrote to deepen the faith of the members of the Christian communities Communities were going through turmoil, there is no cheap grace for those to be rewarded Discipleship- Responding to Jesus authentically, who is Jesus? Jesus as having authority (exousia) we see it in his work and deed Messianic Secret- Jesus commands people to be silent about his identity, a theme that is better introduced here and developed later. Kingdom of God- referred to the definitive display of God s Lordship

14 Cost of Discipleship-Dietrich Bonhoeffer Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

15 Theology Con t Paschal Mystery the great mystery of the Messiah who enters his glorious reign only through the horror of the Cross. The cross casts its shadow over the whole Gospel all the while the resurrection is the ultimate destination. Jesus teachings direct his listener s attention to the eternal life that he has come to give them (cf. 8:35b; 9:43 & 10:30) His exorcisms and miracles point to the ultimate victory over sin and Satan and death his healings prefigure the raising of the dead on the Last Day

16 Theo Just as the truth of Jesus is only discerned by means of the cross so is the secret of discipleship. To be a follower of Jesus is to share intimately in his life and destiny as St. Paul knew and taught (cf. Rom. 8:17; Phil. 3:8-11).