SCHOOL OF THE WORD
The Gospel and the Gospels
OVERALL PLAN
• Part 1: the Gospel and the Gospels (Matthew, Mark,
Luke and John)
• Part 2: Jewish Bible in Christian worship (the “Old
Testament)
• Part 3: The early church (Paul, John, Acts,
Revelation)
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PART 1
Module 1: The current context of faith
Module 2: The readings at Mass
Module 3: What is a gospel?
Module 4: The Gospel of the current year
Module 5: Mark’s portrait of Jesus
Module 6: Discipleship according to Mark
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SEQUENCE
• Features of Mark’s Gospel
o Sandwiches
o Concentric structures
o Doubling
• How would you know ?
• Conversation
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FEATURES OF MARK
The beginning of the good news of
Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1)
He asked them, “But who do you say that
I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the
Messiah.” (Mark 8:29)
Now when the centurion, who stood
facing him, saw that in this way he
breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man
was God’s Son!” (Mark 15:39)
So they went out and fled from the tomb,
for terror and amazement had seized them;
and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
(Mark 16:8, ending with a conjunction)
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FEATURES OF MARK (SANDWICH)
5:21-43 Jairus’s daughter and the woman with the haemorrhage
A Jairus pleads with Jesus to save his daughter,
vv 21-24
B Woman with a haemorrhage touches Jesus
vv 25-34
A Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter,
vv 35-43
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FEATURES OF MARK (SANDWICH)
1. 3:20-35
A. Jesus’ companions try to seize him, vv 20-21
B. The religious leaders accuse Jesus of being in
league with Beelzeboul, vv 22-30
A. Jesus’ family seeks him, vv 31-35
6. 14:1-11
A. Plot to kill Jesus, vv 1-2
B. Anointing of Jesus at Bethany, vv 3-9
A. Judas’s agreement to betray Jesus, vv 10-11
2. 4:1-20
A. Parable of the Sower, vv 1-9
B. Purpose of parables, vv 10-13
A. Explanation of the Parable of the Sower, vv 14-20
7. 14:17-31
A. Jesus predicts his betrayal, vv 17-21
B. Institution of the Lord’s Supper, vv 22-26
A. Jesus predicts Peter’s betrayal, vv 27-31
3. 5:21-43
A .Jairus pleads with Jesus to save his daughter, vv.21234
B. Woman with a haemorrhage touches Jesus, vv.
25-34
A. Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter (35-43)
8. 14:53-72
A. Peter follows Jesus to the courtyard of the high priest, vv 5354
B. Jesus’ inquisition before the Sanhedrin, vv 55-65
A. Peter’s denial of Jesus, vv 66-72
4. 6:7-30
A. Mission of the Twelve, vv 7-13
B. Martyrdom of John the Baptist, vv 14-29
A. Return of the Twelve, v 30
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9. 15:40-16:8
A. Women at the cross, vv 15:40-41
B. Joseph of Arimathea requests Jesus’ body, vv 15:42-46
A. Women at the empty tomb, vv 15:47-16:8
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FEATURES OF MARK: CONCENTRIC
Concentric
A 2:1-12
B 2:13-17
C 2:18-22
B1 2:23-28
indoor
healing
Jesus' perception
divine claim
Jesus
Scribes
cripple
A1 3:1-6
indoor
healing
Jesus' perception
divine claim
Jesus
Pharisees
handicapped man
Eating
Uncleanness
Disciples about Jesus
Jesus
Disciples
Scribes
punch line
Eating
Uncleanness
Jesus about Disciples
Jesus
Disciples
Pharisees
punch line
Non-fasting
Bridegroom
Newness
Jesus
People
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FEATURES OF MARK: CONCENTRIC
A
B
C
D
C’
B’
A’
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4:1-2
Introduction
2vv.
46
3-9
Sower
7vv.
105
10-12
Reasons
3vv.
52
13-20
Allegory
8vv.
146
21-25
Enigmatic Sayings
5vv.
74
26-32
Seed Parables
7vv.
117
33-34
Conclusion
2vv.
26
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FEATURES OF MARK: CONCENTRIC
A. Entry into Jerusalem
11:1-11
B. Curse of the Fig Tree
11:12-14
C. Cleansing of the Temple
11:15-19
B1 The Fig Tree cursed
11:20-25
A1 Challenge to Jesus
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Authority
Barren
Cleansing
Barren
11:27-33 Authority
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FEATURES OF MARK: CONCENTRIC
A. Warning: the Wicked Tenants who devour the owner’s property
B. Psalms: Cornerstone
C. Pharisees and Herodians: Caesar and God
D. Sadducees: the Resurrection
C’. Scribe: God and neighbour
B’. Psalms: David’s Son
A’. Warning: Scribes who devour the property of widows.
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(12:1-9)
(12:10-11)
(12:13-17)
(12:18-27)
(12:28-34)
(12:35-37)
(12:38-44)
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FEATURES OF MARK: DOUBLING
Mark 8:22 Then they came to
Bethsaida. They brought a blind man
to Jesus and asked him to touch him.
23 He took the blind man by the hand
and brought him outside of the village.
Then he spit on his eyes, placed his
hands on his eyes and asked, “Do you
see anything?” 24 Regaining his sight
he said, “I see people, but they look
like trees walking.” 25 Then Jesus
placed his hands on the man’s eyes
again. And he opened his eyes, his
sight was restored, and he saw
everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him
home, saying, “Do not even go into
the village.”
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Mark 10:46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and
his disciples and a large crowd were leaving
Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind
beggar, was sitting by the road. 47 When he
heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began
to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on
me!” 48 Many scolded him to get him to be quiet,
but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have
mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call
him.” So they called the blind man and said to
him, “Have courage! Get up! He is calling you.”
50 He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came
to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do
you want me to do for you?” The blind man
replied, “Rabbi, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said
to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.”
Immediately he regained his sight and followed
him on the road.
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FEATURES OF MARK
Passion Prediction 1
Passion Prediction 2
Passion Prediction 3
8:31
Passion Prediction
9:30-31
Passion Prediction
10:33-34
Passion Prediction
8:32-33
Misunderstanding
(Peter)
9:32-24
Misunderstanding
(The Twelve)
10:32, 35-37
Misunderstanding
(James and John)
8:34-38
Discipleship
9:35-50
Discipleship
10:38-44
Discipleship
8:38-9:1
Reason:
judgment
9:37-40
Reason:
Jesus encountered
10:45
Reason:
Son of Man came to serve
Context: Post-Easter
persecution
Context: relations outside
the community
Context: early church
betrayal of service
Focus: the individual
Focus: society
Focus: the church
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FEATURES OF MARK: QUESTIONS
Mark 8:14 Now they had forgotten to take bread, except for one loaf
they had with them in the boat. 15 And Jesus ordered them, “Watch out!
Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod!” 16 So they
began to discuss with one another about having no bread. 17 When he
learned of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you arguing about having
no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Have your hearts been
hardened? 18 Though you have eyes, don’t you see? And though you
have ears, can’t you hear? Don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the
five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you
pick up?” They replied, “Twelve.” 20 “When I broke the seven loaves for
the four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?”
They replied, “Seven.” 21 Then he said to them, “Do you still not
understand?”
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FEATURES OF MARK: QUESTIONS
First Multiplication
Second Multiplication
Feeding of the 5,000
(6:35-44)
Feeding of the 4,000
(8:1-9)
Crossing of the Lake
(6:45-52)
Crossing of the Lake
(8:10)
Controversy with the Pharisees
(7:1-23)
The Children’s Bread
(7:24-30)
Healing of a Deaf Mute
(7:31-37)
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Controversy with the Pharisees
(8:11-13)
The One Loaf
(8:14-21)
Healing of a Blind Man
8:22-26)
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HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?
Why? When? Where? By Whom?
• Manuscripts
• External evidence
• Internal evidence
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MANUSCRIPTS
Papyri
P45
Dublin, Chester Beatty LIbrary (3rd cent.)
Fragments from 4:36-12:28
P84
Leuven, University Library and Palestine
Archaeological Museum, Khirbet Mird (6th cent.)
Mark 8:11-26
Fragments from chapters 2 and 6
P88
Milan, P. Med. Inv. 69, 24 (4th cent.),
2:1–26
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MANUSCRIPTS
Uncial Codices or Codex Fragments
a
(01)
Codex Sinaiticus (4th cent.)
A (02)
Codex Alexandrinus (5th cent.)
B (03)
Codex Vaticanus (4th cent.)
C (04)
Codex Ephraemi rescriptus (5th cent.)
1:18–6:31; 8:6–12:29; 13:20–16:20
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EXTERNAL EVIDENCE
Papias
And the Presbyter used to say this, “Mark
became Peter’s interpreter and wrote
accurately all that he remembered, not,
indeed, in order, of the things said or done by
the Lord.
For he had not heard the Lord, nor had he
followed him, but later on, as I said, followed
Peter, who used to give teaching as necessity
demanded but not making, as it were, an
arrangement of the Lord’s oracles, so that
Mark did nothing wrong in thus writing down
single points as he remembered them.
For to one thing he gave attention, to leave
out nothing of what he had heard and to make
no false statements in them.”
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•
Irenaeus (c. 180) assumes
Mark was written in Rome
•
Clement of Alexandria: Mark
was written in Rome
•
John Chrysostom: Mark was
written in Egypt
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INTERNAL EVIDENCE
•
The Jesus story is presumed, so not primary evangelisation
•
Writes in Greek and always translates Aramaic elements: 5:41; 7;34; 14:36; 15:22, 34
•
Explains Jewish customs (not always accurately): 2:19;7:3-4; 10:2; 14:1, 12, 64; 15:42
•
Uses the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (the Septuagint or the LXX)
•
Sabbath, fasting and purity laws are issues: 2:1-3:6; 7:19 etc.
•
So, a mixed community on the edge of Judaism, integration being an issue
•
No references to large cities: agricultural imagery, poor people, small denomination coins,
all indicate a lower socioeconomic group
•
Mistakes in geography (chs 5 and 7, and the Decapolis)
•
Chapter 13 points to a group directly affected by the Jewish revolt in Palestine.
•
Earliest known use is by Matthew (Antioch on the Orontes in Syria)
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Mark 13:1 Now as Jesus was going out of
the temple courts, one of his disciples said to
him, “Teacher, look at these tremendous
stones and buildings!” 2 Jesus said to him,
“Do you see these great buildings? Not one
stone will be left on another. All will be torn
down!”
Mark 13:3 So while he was sitting on the
Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter,
James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And
what will be the sign that all these things are
about to take place?” 5 Jesus began to say to
them, “Watch out that no one misleads you. 6
Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’
and they will mislead many. 7 When you hear
of wars and rumors of wars, do not be
alarmed. These things must happen, but the
end is still to come. 8 For nation will rise up in
arms against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various
places, and there will be famines. These are
but the beginning of birth pains.
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Mark 13:9 “You must watch out for
yourselves. You will be handed over to
councils and beaten in the synagogues.
You will stand before governors and kings
because of me, as a witness to them. 10
First the gospel must be preached to all
nations. 11 When they arrest you and hand
you over for trial, do not worry about what
to speak. But say whatever is given you at
that time, for it is not you speaking, but the
Holy Spirit. 12 Brother will hand over
brother to death, and a father his child.
Children will rise against parents and have
them put to death. 13 You will be hated by
everyone because of my name. But the
one who endures to the end will be saved.
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Mark 13:14 “But when you see the
abomination of desolation standing where it
should not be (let the reader understand), then
those in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15
The one on the roof must not come down or
go inside to take anything out of his house. 16
The one in the field must not turn back to get
his cloak. 17 Woe to those who are pregnant
and to those who are nursing their babies in
those days! 18 Pray that it may not be in
winter. 19 For in those days there will be
suffering unlike anything that has happened
from the beginning of the creation that God
created until now, or ever will happen. 20 And
if the Lord had not cut short those days, no
one would be saved. But because of the elect,
whom he chose, he has cut them short. 21
Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the
Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe
him. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets
will appear and perform signs and wonders to
deceive, if possible, the elect. 23 Be careful! I
have told you everything ahead of time.
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Mark 13:24 “But in those days, after that
suffering, the sun will be darkened and the
moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will
be falling from heaven, and the powers in
the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then
everyone will see the Son of Man arriving
in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 Then he will send angels and they will
gather his elect from the four winds, from
the ends of the earth to the ends of
heaven.
Mark 13:28 “Learn this parable from the
fig tree: Whenever its branch becomes
tender and puts out its leaves, you know
that summer is near. 29 So also you, when
you see these things happening, know that
he is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you
the truth, this generation will not pass
away until all these things take place. 31
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my
words will never pass away.
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Mark 13:32 “But as for that day or hour
no one knows it—neither the angels in
heaven, nor the Son–except the Father.
33 Watch out! Stay alert! For you do not
know when the time will come. 34 It is
like a man going on a journey. He left his
house and put his slaves in charge,
assigning to each his work, and
commanded the doorkeeper to stay
alert. 35 Stay alert, then, because you
do not know when the owner of the
house will return—whether during
evening, at midnight, when the rooster
crows, or at dawn– 36 or else he might
find you asleep when he returns
suddenly. 37 What I say to you I say to
everyone: Stay alert!”
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INTERNAL EVIDENCE
1.
James and John are dead (10:39)
2.
Serious earthquakes occurred in 60 and 63
(cf. Pompeii in 62 and 79)
3.
62 Romans defeated by the Parthians
4.
64 Nero scapegoated Christians for the fire
of Rome (Peter and Paul victims?)
5.
66 Menahem acted as messianic leader
6.
69/69 Simon emerged as “messiah”
7.
69 “The year of three emperors”
8.
70 Temple burned and destroyed
9.
The “desolating sacrilege” seems to be still
in the future
10. Hence, some time before 70 AD.
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SUMMARY
• The gospel writer used sources, oral and written
• He structured the presentation with great care
• A one year ministry (editorial choice)
• Mark offers an understanding of Jesus (Christology)
• He gives a particular understanding of discipleship
• The Gospel opens invitingly and ends intriguingly
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TASK FOR THE NEXT DAY
• Write out in four or five points
your own account of Jesus
for you today
• Read through Mark again or
at least chapters 1, 8, 13 and
just notice how the writer
“presents” Jesus to his
hearers / readers
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CONVERSATION
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