Mark’s Image of Jesus The Suffering Son of God

What do we know about Mark’s Gospel?  Shortest gospel/Jewish Gospel  Probably our earliest gospel (Markan Priority)  Authorship: Anonymous – attributed to Mark  Written in Greek (Koine)  Date: CE, about the time of the first Jewish Revolt at which time the Second Jewish Temple was destroyed  Gospel = good news; ancient biography of the life and deeds of Jesus

Structure of Mark  I.Prelude to Public Ministry Baptism and Temptation (1:1-13)  II.Galilean Ministry (1:14-8:26)  III.Journey to Jerusalem (8:27-10:52)  IV.Jerusalem Ministry (11:1-15:47)  V.The Empty Tomb (16:1-8)

Composition of Mark  Begins with an adult Jesus who is baptized by John the Baptist  Ends with empty tomb – and the women go away and tell no one  Written sources that are now lost (such as miracle source)

Who is Jesus according to Mark? The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1)

“Christ” (Messiah) Greco-Roman View  Not a name  Not a meaningful title  “to anoint” as in a rubdown with oil Jewish View  Equivalent to Hebrew “Messiah”  Messiah is a title  “to anoint” as a king  Mark is writing about Jesus the Messiah

What is a Jewish Messiah?  “anointed one”- the Lord’s anointed  Jewish King, like King David  Political title/warrior king  After 587 BCE, emphasized future deliverer of Israel from its enemies  A future king like David who would rule Israel as an autonomous nation  Associated with grandeur and power

Messiah in the First Century  Warrior-king like David  Supernatural cosmic judge of the earth  Priestly ruler who would interpret God’s Laws (Dead Sea Scrolls)  Jewish sources refer to the messiah in these ways  What is the description of messiah in Mark?

Mark’s Jesus as Messiah  One who suffers  One who dies  One who dies for the sins of people  Suffering servant  Combination of future deliverer (Parousia) with one who is truly righteous who suffers (Ps. 22)/suffering Son of Man  Righteousness, suffering and death are NOT linked to descriptions of Messiah in the Jewish tradition  Not associated with grandeur and power

Jesus and Jewish Expectations of Messiah  Did not overthrow the Romans  Did not arrive from the clouds in judgment Instead, he was:  executed by the Romans for treason -  How can he be the Messiah?  Mark’s Gospel answers this question...

Son of God Greco-Roman  Divinely inspired teacher/ruler  Miraculous deeds that benefited people Jewish  Intimate relationship with God; chosen by God; human title  Endowed with divine power  Fantastic deeds  Inspired teachings  Mediates between God and humanity

Jesus as fulfillment of Jewish Prophecy  Quote from the prophet Isaiah  The prophet John the Baptist proclaiming the Jewish rite of baptism for forgiveness of sins  Baptizes and preaches about one who is mightier – mightier than a prophet?  Then Jesus takes center stage...

Baptism and Temptation  You are my beloved son, in you I am well pleased – approval by God  As a result of this, Jesus is driven into the desert to confront evil  Angels minister to him  Jesus begins to proclaim that God’s kingdom is near  His story begins….

Characterization of Jesus as Messiah  Authoritative leader  Teaches with authority; astonishes  Commands unclean spirits  Heals the sick  Heals all who come to him  Commands evil forces (exorcist) The Result?  Jesus is an authoritative Son of God who... is misunderstood and suffers

Son of Man  Dan 7:13-14 – one like a Son of Man coming from the clouds – divine The Son of Man in Mark:  Jesus uses it to refer to himself (8:31,38)  Jesus uses it to talk about impending suffering (Mark 8:31)  Jesus references a cosmic figure who is going to bring judgment at the end of time (Parousia) – imminent for Mark (8:37- 38)

Three Passion Predictions And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things (Mark 8:31)  Predicts his own death in Jerusalem  Predicts rejection by Jewish leaders  First prediction in 8:31, uses it to instruct that suffering is his fate and the fate of his followers “Whoever would come after me must take up the cross and follow me.”  Jesus is always MISUNDERSTOOD

 2 nd prediction – Transfiguration Jesus predicts his own death and disciples do not understand; begin to argue over who is greater  3 rd prediction –James and John request prominence Jesus responds that following him means certain death –  must serve rather than be served

The Messianic Secret  “You are the Christ.” And he charged them to tell no one about him (Mark 8:29-30)  Attempts to keep identity secret  Commands demons not to speak  Commands those he heals to keep silent  If someone recognizes who he is, he demands silence WHY?  He is not a warrior-king messiah  He is the messiah who must suffer and die

Jesus as Messiah is... An authoritative teacher who is:  Misunderstood  Mysterious

Unique Markan Features  Begins with an adult Jesus who is baptized by John the Baptist (no infancy narrative)  Ends with the empty tomb and the women afraid to tell anyone (no post-resurrection appearance)  Naked young man (14:51-52)  Healing of Blind Man at Bethsaida (8:22)  Refers to Jesus most often as “teacher”  Jesus is misunderstood (especially by the disciples)

Other Features in Mark  Unsympathetic characterization of the disciples : they are obedient, dull-witted, inept, unreliable, cowardly, slow learners; their hearts are hardened (like the Pharaoh); called “men of no faith”  Women in Mark: generally portrayed in positive ways

Who is this Jewish Messiah?  Not the messiah who came to overthrow evil forces to bring about the kingdom of God  Was the messiah who came to suffer and die at the hands of these forces (Romans)