©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Chapter 7 Mark’s Portrait of Jesus: The Hidden Messiah and Eschatological Judge

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Key Topics/Themes Mark the earliest gospel Portrays Jesus as “hidden Messiah” Jesus’ role: to serve, suffer, and die

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Mark’s Historical Setting Earliest historical reference: Papias (ca C.E.) Author of Mark not an eyewitness May derive from variety of oral sources Dual emphasis on discipleship and suffering

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Historical Setting (cont’d.) Fits well with situation of persecuted Christians in Rome under Nero ca C.E. Palestine also possible place of origin Mark’s puzzling attitude toward Jesus’ close associates

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Mark as a Literary Narrative Bipolar structure –First half of Gospel centered in Galilee –Second half focuses on Jesus in Jerusalem Prelude to Jesus’ public ministry (1:1-13) –Jesus as “Christ” and “Son of God” –John the Baptist –Jesus’ sojourn in the wilderness

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education The Galilean Ministry (1:14- 8:26) Mark’s eschatological urgency Mark as apocalypse Teaching the mysteries of the kingdom Mark’s use of literary techniques Mark’s ironic vision

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Journey to Jerusalem (8:27- 10:52) Chapter 8 the center of the Gospel Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ Jesus’ predictions that he must suffer and die Addresses suffering of Roman Christian readers of Mark

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Jerusalem Ministry (11:1- 15:47) The triumphal entry Focus on the Temple Confrontations at the Temple Jesus’ prophecy of the Temple’s fall

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Apocalyptic Discourse (ch. 13) Longest speech by Jesus in Mark Predicts destruction of the Temple Predicts coming of heavenly Son of Man Seeming contradictory views on the End The “abomination”

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education The Last Supper and the Betrayal Last Supper as a Passover meal Jesus’ new interpretation –Bread as Jesus’ body –Wine as Jesus’ “blood of the [New] Covenant, shed for many” (14:24)

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Mark’s Passion Narrative Irony: Jesus’ seeming defeat and actual victory Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane Peter denies knowing Jesus Jesus admits his messiahship before the council Jesus before Pilate: Jesus as “king of the Jews”

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Passion Narrative (cont’d.) Pilate releases Barabbas; crucifies Jesus Jesus’ crucifixion among “thieves” Irony in Mark’s portrayal of the Crucifixion Jesus’ burial

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Postlude: The Empty Tomb (16:1-8) Women discover Jesus’ empty tomb Women bewildered over the empty tomb Original ending of Mark at 16:8 Mark’s inconclusiveness: Resurrection or Parousia?

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Summary Mark focuses on Jesus’ deeds rather than his teachings Jesus deeds as evidence that God’s rule has arrived; Satan defeated Context of Roman persecution of Christians Jesus as eschatological Son of Man Jesus messiahship: his servanthood, rejection, death