The Passion of Jesus, according to Mark

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The Passion of Jesus, according to Mark
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Some aspects to consider

• Earliest Gospel
• Authorship
• Main Sections
• Locations
• Humanity of Jesus
• Messianic Secret
• PN with long introduction

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The Earliest Gospel

• virtually certain that it was used by Matthew and
  Luke (Syn-optics)
• If it lacks in literary polish, is simple and
  direct and often quite vivid
• Like an extension of Peters sermon in Acts
  1036ff

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Authorship

• Attributed from early date to John Mark (Acts
  1212 1537), associate of Paul and disciple of
  Peter, whose teachings the Gospel may reflect
• No compelling reason to doubt Papias
• He wrote down accurately, but not in order, the
  things said by Peter

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The Main Sections in Mark

• Section A The Power of Jesus
• ministry in Galilee 114826
• Section B The Cross of Christ
• Passion Predictions (827 1045)
• Journey to Jerusalem (11-13)
• Passion (14-15) Resurrection (161-8)

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Locations Most of Mk is set here
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Marks Call Faith, despite all

• Faith whose basis is shown in section 1,
  through healing encounters with Jesus must
  continue with him also in his sufferings
• As Jairus believed that Jesus had power to heal
  even at the point of death (523), so Christians
  must trust him also, even in face of death
• The Christians of Rome must not give up, even in
  face of violent persecution

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The Humanity of Jesus

• The Markan Jesus can show emotions
• Anger grief (35 Sabbath attitude)
• Indignation (1014 when children barred)
• Surprise (530 "Who touched my clothes?)
• Amazement (66 at their unbelief)
• Compassion (82 for the crowd)
• Distressed and agitation (1433 Gethsemane)

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Mystery of Jesus Identity

• "We have never seen anything like this!
• Constant refrain Who is this man?
• A glimpse, at the transfiguration (92-8)
• Called Son of David (1047)
• Preferred the title Son of Man
• Professed by the centurion (1539)
• "Truly this man was God's Son!"

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Passion Narrative with a long introduction

• Opening controversies 21- 36
• Passion Predictions
• 831ff Son of Man must suffer
• 834ff take up their cross and follow
• 931 Son of Man is to be betrayed into
• 1033f Going up to Jerusalem, and..
• 1045 Not to be served, but to

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Aspects of Mks Passion Story

• Prepared for, well in advance
• Dark, sombre injustice, isolation, death
• Lit by a glimmer of faith, Jesus words and the
  OT (eg, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the
  sheep will be scattered.)
• Framed by
• Jesus promise, after I am raised, I will go
  before you to Galilee 1427f
• The Centurions confession 1539
• The message at the empty tomb 166-7

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Prediction of Betrayal 1426-31

• "You will all become deserters for it is
  written, 'I will strike the shepherd, ..
• .you will deny me three times. with no mention
  of his later conversion
• And all of them said the same.

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Gethsemane Prayer 1532ff

• "Sit here while I pray.
• He began to be distressed and agitated
• "Abba, Father, remove this cup ..
• Could you not keep awake one hour?
• A third time, "Are you still sleeping?

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Gethsemane Arrest 1541ff

• The hour has come... betrayer is near
• Judas, one of the twelve, arrived and with him
  .. from the chief priests, etc
• said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him.
• Jesus "as though I were a bandit? .. But let the
  scriptures be fulfilled.
• All of them deserted him and fled. (e.g.)

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Trial before the High Priest 1453ff

• High council chief priests, elders, scribes
• Peter .. at a distance, in the courtyard
• False accusers Jesus silent
• High Priests question Are you?
• His answer. Blasphemy! Condemned
• Peters denial, starkly told

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Trial before Pilate 151ff

• Jesus silent Pilate was amazed
• The man called Barabbas
• King of the Jews?" "Crucify him!
• after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be
  crucified.
• Soldiers mock him Crown Cloak

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Crucifixion 1521ff

• Simon of Cyrene, father of A R
• Golgotha place of the skull
• wine mixed with myrrh
• They crucified him
• divided his clothes (just the fact)
• Inscription on the cross

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Isolation 1527ff

• two bandits, one on either side
• Passers-by mocked "He saved others!
• Darkness over the land
• My God, my God! (for Elijah?)
• Breathed his last Veil torn in two
• Centurions view
• women looking on from a distance

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Burial 1542ff

• day of Preparation, day before the sabbath
• Joseph of Arimathea, council member
• went boldly to Pilate and asked
• Pilate asked the centurion granted the body
• Joseph wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it
  in a tomb hewn out of the rock.
• Rolled a stone against the door
• Mary Magdalene and Mary J saw where

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Why is Marks a/c so dark ?

• His readers were faced with stark option
• Probably in aftermath of Neros purge
• Already Jesus had foretold how the cross would
  lead to resurrection
• He calls people to trust in him, who could raise
  from the dead, a faith that overcomes unbelief
  (535-36)

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Resurrection Announced 161ff

• 161-8 is very sparse. Intentionally?
• Maybe Mk intended it that way
• Maybe last page of the original was lost
• 169-22 is clearly added on later Now after he
  rose early on the first day of the week, he
  appeared first to.