Mark

Mark

1. 1st of the synoptic gospels

   • used as a reference for Luke and Matthew
   • gospels are biographies
     • collections of most important life events
       • has no birth narative
   • its a collection of episodes (chrieiai)
     • thematic episodes
       • collecting conflict stories with the scribes
         • not chronological- vague about the dates
           • 3:6 Herod called in- set to be killed from the start
             • Chap 2 is where the conflicts start
               • Chap 4- parables all concentrated here
                 • Chaps 5-7, cures and travels
                   • chap 8- carrier basically over
                     • half way through 8, looks towards death (8:27-32)
                       • chap 9 looks towards death
                         • devotes over half of the text to death
                           • chap 13- apocolyptic
             • "The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him."
   • 2 halves
     • 1st- collection of sayings
       • 2nd death and resurection

2. How can we date it

   • 65/66-80CE
     • most say written then.
       • Mattheew was 80s/90s and Mark was before then
         • says parables then illustrates them
           • parable of the sower- little understood
             • the point of parables is to explain as they are the explanation
           • therefore they are a generation behind
             • author know about temple being destroyed
               • parable of tenants- Jesus' death
               • it was destroyed in 70, used to date, bid deal made out of it
             • Mark 15:21 "Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus."
               • audience would have known who they are
                 • author got story from them, eyewitness accounts
                   • suggests generation removal
           • period of the church reflected in the explanations
             • Scholars think explanation not from Jesus- others don't explain
               • 4:13
                 • “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables?"

3. what is it about

   • Mark 1:1
     • "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
       • title of the gospel
         • not a part of the narative
       • not a sentence- needs a subject and finite verb
   • euangelion is Paul's term- focus of this text
     • shares sympathies with Paul
       • how did it happen?? whats the back story??
         • +ve constructive
           • -ve Paul in trouble with apostles, family and Jewish tradition
             • 1:14 is only in Mark
               • Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” (1:14-15)
               • Chap 13 is just like Paul
                 • Chap 3:19-35 is family story
                   • When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.” ... “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”