The New Testament Canon: An Overview by Genrecatholic-resources.org/CBI-Orange/2016-09-17-Mark-Handouts.pdf · The New Testament Canon: An Overview by Genre ... (singular! not plural

The New Testament Canon An Overview by Genre (in parentheses total number of chapters verses in each book)

Four ldquoGospelsrdquo attributed to the four ldquoEvangelistsrdquo narrative ldquoportraitsrdquo of Jesusrsquo life and ministry Matthew (28 1071) Mark (16 678) The Synoptic Gospels

Felix Just SJ PhD httpcatholic-resourcesorgBible

Luke (24 1151) John (21 878) The Fourth Gospel

One ldquoActsrdquo a partial narrative account of the growth of early Christianity not a complete ldquohistoryrdquo of apostolic Christianity Acts of the Apostles (28 1008)

Twenty-One ldquoLettersrdquo or ldquoEpistlesrdquo written by (or attributed to) various early Christian ldquoapostlesrdquo

Thirteen ldquoPauline Lettersrdquo attributed to Paul written to communities or individuals listed by decreasing length not age Romans (16 433) 1 Corinthians (16 437) 2 Corinthians (13 257) Galatians (6 149) Ephesians (6 155) letters to Christian communities in these cities Philippians (4 104) Colossians (4 95) 1 Thessalonians (5 89) 2 Thessalonians (3 47) 1 Timothy (6 113) 2 Timothy (4 83) letters to individual Christian leaders but only Titus (3 46) the first three are called the ldquoPastoral Lettersrdquo Philemon (1 25)

One Biblical ldquoSermonrdquo interpreting Jesusrsquo significance in light of OT not really a ldquoletterrdquo (no authoraudience explicit) Hebrews (13 303)

Seven ldquoCatholic Epistlesrdquo attributed to other apostles written to broader audiences (ldquocatholicrdquo = ldquogeneral universalrdquo) James (5 108) 1 Peter (5 105) 2 Peter (3 61) 1 John (5 105) 2 John (1 13) 3 John (1 14) Jude (1 25)

One ldquoApocalypserdquo a highly symbolic narrative that interprets a historical crisis and provides hope for a better future The Book of Revelation (22 404)

More about the Gospels ndash the word ldquoGospelrdquo is derived from the Old English ldquogod-spelrdquo (god = good spel = news) which is equivalent to Greek eu-angelion (eu = good angelion = message angelos = messenger) Originally ldquogospelrdquo referred to oral proclamations (see Mark 114-15) but it is later used for a particular genre of written literature (based on its use in Mark 11)

bull Matthew Mark and Luke are called the ldquoSynopticsrdquo because they see Jesus ldquowith the same eyerdquo the ldquoFourth Gospelrdquo (John) is substantially different from the Synoptics in content style and theology but no less valuable

bull About thirty other early Christian ldquoGospelsrdquo were not accepted into the New Testament (called ldquonon-canonical Gospels) bull All four canonical Gospels were originally written in Koine (ldquoCommonrdquo) Greek between the late 60rsquos and early 90rsquos bull The authors of the Gospels are usually called the four ldquoEvangelistsrdquo (from Greek euangelion lit ldquogood newsrdquo) bull The official titles are ldquoThe Gospel according tordquo (although we often use the shorter but less accurate titles ldquoGospel ofrdquo) bull The Q-Document (ldquoQuellerdquo = ldquosourcerdquo in German) is a hypothetical collection of sayings amp teachings of Jesus many scholars

think it was a written source (from the 50rsquos) used later by Matthew and Luke but it is now lost bull The NT Gospels are similar to ancient biographies in literary form but very different from modern biographies

Pauline Letters or Epistles ndash the thirteen letters attributed to Paul are often subdivided into various groups bull Seven ldquoauthenticrdquo or ldquoundisputed Pauline Lettersrdquo (Rom 1 amp 2 Cor Gal Phil 1 Thess Phlm) bull Six ldquodisputedrdquo or ldquodeutero-Pauline Lettersrdquo (Col Eph 2 Thess 1 amp 2 Tim Titus) since some scholars think these are ldquoauthenticrdquo

[actually written by Paul] while others argue that they were written pseudepigraphically (by Paulrsquos followers after his death) bull The three letters written to early ldquopastorsrdquo (1 amp 2 Tim Titus) are usually also called the ldquoPastoral Epistlesrdquo bull Eph Phil Col Phlm are sometimes called ldquoPrison Lettersrdquo since Paul apparently wrote them while he was in prison bull The anonymous sermon apparently written ldquoTo the Hebrewsrdquo was not written by Paul nor even attributed to him

Page 1

Felix
Typewritten Text


Eight Tips about the Canonical Arrangement of the NT (to help you learn the correct order of the 27 NT books) 1 The 27 books of the New Testament are NOT listed in chronological order (not the order in which they were written historically) several

other principles were operative instead 2 The overall order begins with the life of Jesus (the four Gospels) then deals with the growth of the Christian Church (Acts Letters

Epistles) and finally focuses on the Eschaton (the end of time as described symbolically in the Book of Revelation) 3 The four Gospels are listed in what was traditionally regarded as their chronological order (ie Matthew was thought to be the oldest

Gospel) most scholars today however believe that Mark was the first written Gospel (or at least the oldest of the four canonical Gospels in their full versions as we know them today)

4 The Acts of the Apostles was originally the second volume of Lukersquos two-volume work but when the four Gospels were grouped together Acts was placed after John

5 The letters written by Paul (or at least attributed to him) are divided into two sub-groups those written to communities and those addressed to individuals within each sub-group the letters are arranged not in chronological order but rather in decreasing order of length (more or less although Galatians is slightly shorter than Ephesians)

6 The anonymous ldquoLetter to the Hebrewsrdquo comes immediately after the Pauline letters because people used to think it was also written by Paul it may have been written by one of his followers but was almost certainly not written by Paul himself

7 The Catholic or General Epistles are also listed in decreasing order of length although letters attributed to the same apostle are grouped together

8 The Book of Revelation (singular not plural ldquoRevelationsrdquo) closes out the NT canon since it concludes with a description of the end of time (New Heavens New Earth New Jerusalem etc)

Ten Stages of NT Formation and Transmission (with chronological overlap continuing down to today)bull Life amp Ministry of Jesus ndash words are spoken and deeds are performed by Jesus himself during his lifetime on earth bull Oral Tradition ndash traditions and beliefs about Jesus are developed and passed on by early Christian communities bull Written Sources ndash some of the miracles andor sayings of Jesus are compiled and recorded in early written documents bull Written Texts ndash individual letters full Gospels etc are written with particular messages for particular situations bull Distribution ndash some writings are copied and shared with other Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean bull Collection ndash certain Christians begin collecting the letters of Paul and gathering together several different Gospels bull Canonization ndash four Gospels several collections of letters and a few other texts are accepted as authoritative scriptures bull Translation ndash biblical texts are translated into other ancient and modern languages Latin Syriac Coptic Armenian etc bull Interpretation ndash the meaning of the scriptures is investigated on various levels literal spiritual historical social etc bull Application ndash communities and individuals put the NT to practical use liturgical moral sacramental theological etc

Four Criteria for Canonicity (why certain books were eventually accepted into the NT Canon while others were rejected) 1 Apostolic Origin ndash attributed to andor based on the preachingteaching of the first-generation apostles (or their closest companions) 2 Universal Acceptance ndash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the Mediterranean world (by the end of the 4th century) 3 Liturgical Use ndash read publicly along with the OT when early Christians gathered for the Lordrsquos Supper (their weekly worship services) 4 Consistent Message ndash contain theological ideas compatible with other accepted Christian writings (esp Jesusrsquo divinity and humanity)

Four-Fold Role of the Evangelists as Authors (what they contributed even if ldquoGod is the Authorrdquo of all scripture) 1 Selectors ndash from among the many things Jesus said and did they chose which stories they wanted to include and which to omit 2 Arrangers ndash they organized the materials in a particular sequence not necessarily chronologically but often in thematic blocks 3 Shapers ndash they adapted and edited the individual stories from their sources so as to emphasize the themes they wanted to stress 4 Proclaimers ndash they were not objective historians but preached the ldquogood newsrdquo about Jesus in ways appropriate to their audiences

Page 2

Felix Just SJ PhD httpcatholic-resourcesorgLectionary

Lectionary Readings for Sundays in Ordinary Time Year A Matthew (2011 2014 2017 2020 etc) 2014 Wk First Reading Gospel Reading 112 [1] Isa 421-4 6-7 Matt 313-17 119 2 Isa 49 3 5-6 John 129-34 126 3 Isa 823bmdash93 Matt 412-23 or 12-17 [22] 4 Zeph 23 312-13 Matt 51-12a 29 5 Isa 587-10 Matt 513-16 216 6 Sir 1515-20 Matt 517-37 or shorter 223 7 Lev 191-2 17-18 Matt 538-48 32 8 Isa 4914-15 Matt 624-34 X 9 Deut 1118 26-28 Matt 721-27

[Pent] 10 Hos 63-6 Matt 99-13 [Trin] 11 Exod 192-6a Matt 936mdash108 [Body] 12 Jer 2010-13 Matt 1026-33 [629] 13 2 Kings 48-1114-16a Matt 1037-42 76 14 Zech 99-10 Matt 1125-30 713 15 Isa 5510-11 Matt 131-23 or 1-9 720 16 Wis 1213 16-19 Matt 1324-43 or 24-30 727 17 1 Kings 35 7-12 Matt 1344-52 or 44-46 83 18 Isa 551-3 Matt 1413-21 810 19 1 Kings 199 11-13 Matt 1422-33 817 20 Isa 561 6-7 Matt 1521-28 824 21 Isa 2215 19-23 Matt 1613-20 831 22 Jer 207-9 Matt 1621-27 97 23 Ezek 337-9 Matt 1815-20

[914] 24 Sir 2730mdash287 Matt 1821-35 921 25 Isa 556-9 Matt 201-16a 928 26 Ezek 1825-28 Matt 2128-32 105 27 Isa 51-7 Matt 2133-43 1012 28 Isa 256-10 Matt 221-14 or 1-10 1019 29 Isa 451 4-6 Matt 2215-21 1026 30 Exod 2220-26 Matt 2234-40 [112] 31 Mal 114bmdash22b 8-10 Matt 231-12 [119] 32 Wis 612-16 Matt 251-13 1116 33 Prov 3110-31 (sel) Matt 2514-30 or 14f 19f 1123 [34] Ezek 3411-12 15-17 Matt 2531-46

Year B Mark (2012 2015 2018 2021 etc) 2015 Wk First Reading Gospel Reading 111 [1] Isa 421-4 6-7 Mark 17-11 118 2 1 Sam 33b-10 19 John 135-42 125 3 Jon 31-5 10 Mark 114-20 21 4 Deut 1815-20 Mark 121-28 28 5 Job 71-4 6-7 Mark 129-39 215 6 Lev 131-2 44-46 Mark 140-45

X 7 Isa 4318-25 (sel) Mark 21-12 [Pent] 8 Hos 216b17b21-22 Mark 218-22 [Trin] 9 Deut 512-15 Mark 223mdash36 [Body] 10 Gen 39-15 Mark 320-35 614 11 Ezek 1722-24 Mark 426-34 621 12 Job 381 8-11 Mark 435-41 628 13 Wis 113-15 223-24 Mark 521-43 75 14 Ezek 22-5 Mark 61-6 712 15 Amos 712-15 Mark 67-13 719 16 Jer 231-6 Mark 630-34 726 17 2 Kings 442-44 John 61-15 82 18 Exod 162-4 12-15 John 624-35 89 19 1 Kings 194-8 John 641-51 816 20 Prov 91-6 John 651-58 823 21 Jos 241-2a15-1718b John 660-69 830 22 Deut 41-2 6-8 Mark 71-8 14-15 21-23 96 23 Isa 354-7a Mark 731-37 913 24 Isa 504-9a Mark 827-35 920 25 Wis 212 17-20 Mark 930-37 927 26 Num 1125-29 Mark 938-43 45 47-48 104 27 Gen 218-24 Mark 102-16 or 2-12 1011 28 Wis 77-11 Mark 1017-30 or 17-27 1018 29 Isa 5310-11 Mark 1035-45 or 42-45 1025 30 Jer 317-9 Mark 1046-52 [111] 31 Deut 62-6 Mark 1228b-34 118 32 1 Kings 1710-16 Mark 1238-44 1115 33 Dan 121-3 Mark 1324-32 1122 [34] Dan 713-14 John 1833b-37

Year C Luke (2013 2016 2019 2022 etc) 2016 Wk First Reading Gospel Reading 113 [1] Isa 421-4 6-7 Luke 315-16 21-22 120 2 Isa 621-5 John 21-12 127 3 Neh 82-4a5-68-10 Luke 11-4 414-21 23 4 Jer 14-5 17-19 Luke 421-30 210 5 Isa 61-2a 3-8 Luke 51-11

x 6 Jer 175-8 Luke 617 20-26 [Pent] 7 1 Sam 262-23 (sel) Luke 627-38 [Trin] 8 Sir 274-7 Luke 639-45 [Body] 9 1 Kings 841-43 Luke 71-10 69 10 1 Kings 1717-24 Luke 711-17 616 11 2 Sam 127-10 13 Luke 736mdash83 or 736-50 623 12 Zech 1210-11 131 Luke 918-24 630 13 1 Kings 1916b 19-21 Luke 951-62 77 14 Isa 6610-14c Luke 101-12 17-20 714 15 Deut 3010-14 Luke 1025-37 721 16 Gen 181-10a Luke 1038-42 728 17 Gen 1820-32 Luke 111-13 84 18 Eccl 12 221-23 Luke 1213-21 811 19 Wis 186-9 Luke 1232-48 or 35-40 818 20 Jer 384-6 8-10 Luke 1249-53 825 21 Isa 6618-21 Luke 1322-30 91 22 Sir 317-29 (sel) Luke 141 7-14 98 23 Wis 913-18b Luke 1425-33 915 24 Exod 327-11 13-14 Luke 151-32 or 1-10 922 25 Amos 84-7 Luke 161-13 or 10-13 929 26 Amos 61a 4-7 Luke 1619-31 106 27 Habb 12-3 22-4 Luke 175-10 1013 28 2 Kings 514-17 Luke 1711-19 1020 29 Exod 178-13 Luke 181-8 1027 30 Sir 3512-14 16-18 Luke 189-14 113 31 Wis 1122mdash121 Luke 191-10 1110 32 2 Macc 71-2 9-14 Luke 2027-38 or 2734-38 1117 33 Mal 319-20a Luke 215-19 1124 [34] 2 Sam 51-3 Luke 2335-43

Notes The First Readings from the OT were chosen to fit with the themes of the Gospel readings and thus come from different OT books with almost no continuity between weeks The Second Readings from the NT Epistles follow a different semi-continuous reading schedule and thus are usually unrelated to the theme of the First Reading and Gospel The 1st Sunday is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord The 34th Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King Other Sundays may be supplanted by certain Solemnities or Feasts

Page 3


Lectionary Readings (Sundays amp Feasts) ndash Use of the Gospel according to Mark

Sunday or Feast Lect Gospel Passage Prescribed Verses Omitted Sundays (but possibly used for Weekday Masses) 2nd Sunday of Advent ndash B 5B Mark 11-8 ndash Preaching of John the Baptist Baptism of the Lord (Year B opt) 21B Mark 17-11 ndash Baptism of Jesus 1st Sunday of Lent ndash B 23B Mark 112-15 ndash Temptation of Jesus Beginning of the Galilean Ministry 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 68B Mark 114-20 ndash Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry and Calls His First Disciples 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 71B Mark 121-28 ndash First Exorcism in Synagogue at Capernaum Mark 121a ndash ldquoWhen they came to Capernaumrdquo (geographical transition) 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 74B Mark 129-39 ndash Jesus Cures Simonrsquos Mother-in-Law then Leaves Capernaum 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 77B Mark 140-45 ndash Cleansing of a Leper 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 80B Mark 21-12 ndash Healing of a Paralytic in Capernaum Mark 213-17 ndash Call of Levi (Weekday 310) 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 83B Mark 218-22 ndash Question about Fasting 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 86B Mark 223mdash36 or 223-28 ndash Sabbath Disputes Picking Wheat Healing a Withered Hand Mark 37-12 13-19 ndash Mercy of Jesus Mission of the Twelve (Weekdays 314-315) 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 89B Mark 320-35 ndash Beelzebul Controversy Jesus and His Family Mark 41-20 21-25 ndash Parable of Sower Purpose of Parables Parable of Lamp (Wk 319-320) 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 92B Mark 426-34 ndash Parables of Seed Growing by Itself Mustard Seed 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 95B Mark 435-41 ndash Jesus Calms a Storm at Sea Mark 51-20 ndash Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac (Weekday 323) 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 98B Mark 521-43 or 521-24 35-43 ndash Healing Jairusrsquo Daughter and a Hemorrhaging Woman 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 101B Mark 61-6 ndash Jesusrsquo Rejection at Nazareth 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 104B Mark 67-13 ndash Mission of the Twelve Mark 614-29 ndash Herodrsquos Opinion of Jesus Death of John the Baptist (Weekday 327) 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 107B Mark 630-34 ndash Return of the Twelve Mark 635-44 45-52 ndash Feeding of 5000 Walking on Water (Weekdays 213-214)

Mark 653-56 ndash Healings at Gennesaret (Weekdays 329) 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 125B Mark 71-8 14-15 21-23 ndash Traditions of the Elders Mark 79-13 16-20 ndash Traditions of Elders about CleanUnclean (Weekdays 330-331)

Mark 724-30 ndash Syrophoenician Womanrsquos Faith (Weekday 332) 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 128B Mark 731-37 ndash Healing of a Deaf Man Mark 81-10 11-13 ndash Feeding 4000 Demand for Sign (Weekdays 334-335)

Mark 814-21 22-26 ndash Leaven of Pharisees Blind Man of Bethsaida (Weekdays 334-337) 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 131B Mark 827-35 ndash Peterrsquos Confession First Passion Prediction Conditions of Discipleship Mark 836-38 ndash Conditions of Discipleship (Weekday 339) 2nd Sunday of Lent ndash B 26B Mark 92-10 ndash Transfiguration of Jesus Mark 911-13 14-29 ndash Coming of Elijah Healing of Boy with a Demon (Weekdays 340-341) 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 134B Mark 930-37 ndash Second Passion Prediction Disciples Argue about Greatness 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 137B Mark 938-43 45 47-48 ndash Another Exorcist Temptations to Sin Mark 94446 ndash [text crit later additions duplicate of v 48]

Mark 949-50 ndash Simile of Salt (Weekday 344) 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 140B Mark 102-16 or 102-12 ndash Jesusrsquo Teaching about Marriage and Divorce Mark 101 ndash ldquoHe went to Judea amp Pereardquo - geographical transition (Weekday 345) 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 143B Mark 1017-30 or 1017-27 ndash Rich Man Asks about Eternal Life Mark 1031 32-34 ndash LastFirst Third Prediction of Passion (Weekdays 348-349) 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 146B Mark 1035-45 or 1042-45 ndash Ambition of James and John 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 149B Mark 1046-52 ndash Healing of Blind Bartimaeus Mark 1111-26 ndash Fig Tree Cursed Cleansing of Temple Withered Fig Tree (Weekday 351)

Mark 1127-33 ndash Authority of Jesus Questioned (Weekday 352) Palm Sunday ndash B [before Mass Procession of Palms]

37B Mark 111-10 or John 1212-16 ndash Jesusrsquo Entry into Jerusalem Mark 121-12 13-17 ndash Parable of Tenants Paying Taxes to Ceasar (Weekdays 353-354) Mark 1218-27 ndash Sadduceesrsquo Question about the Resurrection (Weekday 355)

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 152B Mark 1228b-34 ndash Greatest Commandment Mark 1228a ndash ldquoA scribe came forward and heard themrdquo 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 155B Mark 1238-44 or 1241-44 ndash Jesus Denounces the Scribes Poor Widowrsquos Contribution Mark 1235-37 ndash Question about Davidrsquos Son (Weekday 357) 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time ndash B 158B Mark 1324-32 ndash Coming of the Son of Man Lesson of the Fig Tree Mark 131-23 ndash Destruction of the Temple Foretold Signs of the End Great Tribulation 1st Sunday of Advent ndash B 2B Mark 1333-37 ndash Need for Watchfulness Palm Sunday ndash B [during Mass] 38ABC Mark 141mdash1547 or 151-39 ndash Markan Passion Narrative Sunday After Trinity Sunday Body and Blood of Christ ndash B

168B Mark 1412-16 22-26 ndash Preparations for the Passover Last Supper

Easter Vigil ndash B 41ABC Mark 161-7 ndash Resurrection of Jesus Empty Tomb Mark 168 ndash Women Flee from the Tomb in Fear and Silence Mark 169-14 ndash Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene Two Disciples the Eleven (Weekday 58)

Ascension of the Lord ndash B 58B Mark 1615-20 ndash Jesus Commissions the Eleven then Ascends to Heaven

Page 4

The Gospel according to Mark Themes and Resources

Outline

Introduction John the Baptist amp Jesus (11-15 incl theme of Jesusrsquo preaching v 15) Early Ministry healing amp preaching mostly in Galilee training the disciples (116 ndash 723)

Expanded Ministry including to non-Jews outside of Galilee (724 ndash 821) Central Section Jesus and his disciples journey ldquoOn the Wayrdquo to Jerusalem (822 ndash 1052)

(includes three passion predictions framed by two healings of blind men) Final Ministry confronting the Jerusalem authorities the apocalyptic discourse (111 ndash 1337)

Passion Narrative Last Supper arrest trials crucifixion death burial (141 ndash 1547) Conclusion the women find Jesusrsquo tomb empty (161-8 vv 9-20 are not original but added later)

Material found only in Mark bull 11 ndash Introductory Verse bull 319b-21 ndash Jesusrsquo Family Tries to Restrain Him bull 426-29 ndash The Parable of the Seed Growing of Itself bull 731-37 ndash Jesus Heals a Deaf Man in the Decapolis bull 822-26 ndash Jesus Gives Sight to the Blind Man of Bethsaida bull 1451-52 ndash A Young Man Runs away Naked after Jesusrsquo Arrest bull [1614-18] ndash [The Commissioning of the Eleven]

Literary Features amp Thematic Emphases Paratactic Style

bull Parataxis ndash stringing together (lit ldquoplacing next tordquo) short loosely connected episodes like pearls on a string o 410 of the 678 verses in the original Greek version of Markrsquos Gospel begin with ldquoAndrdquo (Gk kai)

bull Immediacy ndash Markrsquos Gospel emphasizes action as seen in the frequent use of the Greek word euthys (ldquoimmediately right away at once as soon asrdquo) used an astounding 42 times esp near the Gospel beginning (11012182021232829304243 2812 36 451516 1729 52293042 62527455054 725 810 9152024 1052 1123 14434572 151)

o One could feel exhausted after reading Markrsquos Gospel so quickly does the action seem to occur

Thematic Groupings bull Mark sometimes places similar stories together for thematic continuity even if the events related might not have

occurred one right after the other Examples o Several miracle stories interconnecting Jesusrsquo preaching amp healing activity in the first chapter (121-45) o Five controversy stories involving various opponents are in a connected block (21mdash36) o Three parables and further teachings about Jesusrsquo parables are in one chapter (41-34) o Four more miracles stories (of different types) are found together (435mdash543) o Three ldquopassion predictionsrdquo are near the middle of the Gospel (831mdash1045) o Seven controversy dialogues with or about Jesusrsquo opponents in Jerusalem (1135mdash1244) o Many of Jesusrsquo eschatological teachings are collected in one chapter (131-37)

bull Mark also periodically encapsulates or summarizes the action in contrast to telling individual stories o 114-15 ndash Jesusrsquo initial preaching about the KingdomReign of God o 132-34 ndash Jesus heals many different people one evening o 139 ndash Jesus goes throughout Galilee preaching and exorcizing o 37-12 ndash Great crowds acknowledge Jesusrsquo power o 66b ndash Jesus goes throughout the villages of Galilee teaching o 612-13 ndash Jesusrsquo disciples go out preaching exorcizing and healing o 653-56 ndash Mark summarizes Jesusrsquo healing activity

Felix Just SJ PhD httpcatholic-resourcesorgBible Page 5


Three-fold Patterns usually with Progressive Heightening bull Three times Jesus callscommissions his core disciples (116-20 214-17 313-19) bull Three times Jesus predicts his suffering death and resurrection (831 931 1032-34) bull Three times Jesus warns ldquoIf your handfooteye causes you to stumblehelliprdquo (943 45 47) bull Three times Jesus speaks to the sleeping disciples in Gethsemane (1432-38 39-40 41-42) bull Three times Peter denies knowing Jesus or being his disciple (1466-68 69-70a 70b-72) bull Three groups of people deride Jesus as he is hanging on the cross (1529-30 31-32a 32b) bull Other threes Peter James John (92 1433) priests scribes elders (1127 1443) women (1540 161)

Inclusios and Intercalations bull Inclusio ndash bracketing or ldquoenclosingrdquo a story or section by using the same or similar words phrases or themes at

the beginning and the end bull Intercalation ndash enclosing or ldquosandwichingrdquo one story in the middle of a different story (forming an A1 B A2

pattern) so that each affects the interpretation of the other bull Examples of inclusio and intercalation in Mark some of which involve larger blocks of material

A1) 21-5 ndash A paralytic is brought to Jesus B) 26-10 ndash Dispute over Jesusrsquo authority to forgive sins A2) 211-12 ndash Jesus heals the paralytic

A1) 320-21 ndash Jesusrsquo family goes out to restrain him B) 322-30 ndash the Beelzebul controversy A2) 331-35 ndash Jesusrsquo family arrives who is his ldquotrue familyrdquo

A1) 43-8 ndash Jesus tells parable of the sower and the seed B) 410-12 ndash Why does Jesus speak in parables A2) 413-20 ndash Jesus explains parable of the sower and the seed

A1) 521-24 ndash Jairus asks Jesus to heal his dying daughter B) 525-34 ndash a hemorrhaging woman touches Jesusrsquo clothes A2) 535-43 ndash Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus to life

A1) 67-13 ndash Jesus sends out the twelve apostles on a mission B) 614-29 ndash the death of John the Baptist is recalled A2) 630-31 ndash the apostles return reporting what they had done

A1) 822-26 ndash Jesus gives sight to a blind man near Bethsaida B) 828mdash1045 ndash three passion predictions discipleship teachings A2) 1046-52 ndash Jesus gives sight to blind Bartimaeus near Jericho

A1) 91 ndash the coming of the Kingdom of God in power B) 92-8 ndash the Transfiguration of Jesus A2) 99-13 ndash the coming of Elijah and of the Son of Man

A1) 1112-14 ndash Jesus curses a fig tree outside of Bethany B) 1115-19 ndash Jesus expels sellers and buyers from the Temple A2) 1120-25 ndash the fig tree is withered the importance of faith

A1) 141-2 ndash chief priests want to arrest and kill Jesus B) 143-9 ndash a woman anoints Jesus at Bethany A2) 1410-11 ndash Judas arranges to betray Jesus to the chief priests

A1) 1454 ndash Peter enters the courtyard of the high priest and sits by a fire B) 1455-65 ndash Jesus is interrogated by the council of the chief priests A2) 1466-72 ndash in the courtyard Peter denies knowing Jesus three times

Realism in Narrative Details bull Long and detailed narratives for example

bull healing of the Gerasene Demoniac (Mark 51-20 contrast much shorter parallel story in Matt 828-34) bull double-healing of Jairusrsquo daughter and a bleeding woman (Mark 521-43 cf Matt 918-26 Luke 40-56)

bull Use of the ldquohistorical presentrdquo in narration bull throughout Mark the Evangelist prefers the grammatical present tense while narrating past events bull Matthew and Luke sometimes switch to a past tense in their versions of the same stories bull for example contrast the Greek text of Mark 112 with Matt 41 and Luke 41 or Mark 121 with Matt

412 Luke 431 John 212 bull Realism about Jesusrsquo emotions and reactions

bull compassion (141) strong displeasure (143) amazement at disbelief (65) sighing deeply (812) indignation (1014) love (1021) all these details are omitted in parallel stories of Matthew andor Luke

bull Realism of his familyrsquos opposition and his disciplesrsquo weaknesses bull disciples ldquohuntrdquo for Jesus (136) bull his family wants to restrain him thinking hersquos crazy (321) bull disciples fail to understand (413) they are afraid and lack faith (440) bull they donrsquot understand because their hearts are hardened (652) bull they have eyes that donrsquot see and ears that donrsquot hear (818-19) bull Peter is called ldquoSatanrdquo (833 also in Matt 1623) bull most of these details are omitted in the parallel stories of Matthew andor Luke

Page 6


Use of Aramaisms bull Mark often includes Aramaic or Hebrew words amp phrases which makes the narrative more vivid Given in Greek

transliteration and often followed by a translation most of these words are omitted by Matthew andor Luke bull Boanerges ndash ldquosons of thunderrdquo (Mark 317 omitted in Matt 102 and Luke 614) bull Beelzebul ndash (not translated in Mark 322 also used in Matt 1224 27 and Luke 1115 18-19) bull talitha cum ndash ldquoLittle girl get uprdquo (Mark 541 omitted in Matt 925 and Luke 854) bull Corban ndash ldquoan offering to Godrdquo (Mark 711 omitted in Matt 155 no parallel story in Luke) bull ephphatha ndash ldquobe openedrdquo (Mark 734 omitted in Matt 1529-31 no parallel in Luke) bull rabbi ndash (not translated in Mark 95 replaced by ldquoLordrdquo in Matt 174 replaced by ldquomasterrdquo in Luke 933) bull Bartimaeus ndash ldquoson of Timaeusrdquo (Mark 1046 omitted in Matt 2030 and Luke 1835) bull rabbouni ndash (not translated in Mark 1051 replaced by ldquoLordrdquo in Matt 2033 and Luke 1841) bull hosanna ndash (not translated in Mark 119-10 used in Matt 219 omitted in Luke 1938) bull rabbi ndash (not translated in Mark 1121 omitted in Matt 2120 no parallel in Luke) bull abba ndash ldquofatherrdquo (Mark 1436 omitted in Matt 2639 42 and Luke 2242) bull rabbi ndash (not translated in Mark 1445 used in Matt 2649 omitted in Luke 2247) bull Golgotha ndash ldquothe place of a skullrdquo (Mark 1522 used in Matt 2733 omitted in Luke 2333) bull Eloi eloi lema sabachthani ndash ldquoMy God my God why have you forsaken merdquo (Mark 1534 used in Matt 2746

omitted in Luke 2345-46)

Use of ldquoLiterary Echoesrdquo for retrospectives or foreshadowing bull Literary Echoes within the Gospel narrative

bull 17 ndash someone will come who is ldquomore powerfulrdquo than John the Baptist (see 121-28 327) bull 114 ndash ldquoafter John is arrestedrdquo (imprisonment narrated more fully in 614-27) bull 220 ndash ldquothe bridegroom will be taken awayrdquo (cf Passion narrative 1443mdash163) bull 36 ndash Pharisees and Herodians plot to destroy Jesus (cf 815 1118 1213 141) bull 819-20 ndash Jesus recalls previously feeding the 5000 amp 4000 (cf 630-44 81-10) bull 827-28 ndash a discussion of Jesusrsquo identity recalls previous opinions of his being a prophet (614-16) bull 831 931 1032-33 ndash Jesus predicts his upcoming passion (cf 1443mdash163) bull 97 ndash a voice from heaven again declares that Jesus is Godrsquos beloved Son (cf 111) bull 1417-21 ndash Jesus foretells his betrayal by Judas (cf 1410-11 1443-50) bull 1426-31 ndash Jesus foretells the disciplesrsquo desertion and Peterrsquos denial (cf 1450-52 66-72)

bull Foreshadowing of events beyond the narrative bull 18 ndash John the Baptist says ldquoHe will baptize with the Holy Spiritrdquo bull 116-20 ndash Jesus tells Simon amp Andrew ldquoI will make you fish for peoplerdquo bull 1038-39 ndash Jesus foretells the deaths of James and John bull 132 ndash Jesus foretells the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple bull 1425 ndash Jesus tells his disciples ldquoI will never again drinkhellip until that dayhellip in the Kingdom of Godrdquo

Repetition of Key Words and Phrases bull Key Words used throughout Markrsquos Gospel

bull Gospel Good News ndash 11 14-15 835 1029 1310 149 [1615] bull Christ ndash 11 829 941 1235 1321 1461 1532 bull Son of God ndash 11 311 57 1539 cf 111 97 1332 1461 bull Authority ndash 122 27 210 315 67 1128-33 1334 bull Kingdom of God ndash 115 411 426 30 91 947 1014-15 1023-25 1234 1425 1543 bull FollowBehind ndash 117 18 20 214 15 37 524 61 833 34 938 1021 28 32 52 119 1413 54 1541 bull The Way Road ndash 12-3 223 68 83 27 933-34 1017 32 1046 52 118 1214 bull BelieveFaith ndash 115 25 440 534 36 923 24 42 1052 1122 23 24 31 1321 1532 1613141617

bull Phrases repeated in close proximity bull ldquostand up take your matrdquo (29b 11a) ldquohe appointed twelverdquo (314 16) bull ldquohealed of her diseaserdquo (529 34) ldquothe head of John the Baptist on a platterrdquo (624 25 28) bull ldquoDonrsquot you understandrdquo (817 21) ldquoIf your XYZ causes you to stumblehelliprdquo (943 45 47) bull ldquoHow hard it is to enter the Kingdom of Godrdquo (1023 24 25) ldquoSon of David have mercy on merdquo (1047 48) bull ldquoCall him They called him He is calling yourdquo (1049) ldquotheir testimony did not agreerdquo (1456 59)

Page 7

Latinisms bull Markrsquos Greek contains many words and phrases that seem to be borrowed from or influenced by Latin

this may support the early Christian tradition that Markrsquos Gospel was closely connected with the city of Rome bull Individual Words borrowed from Latin

o μοδιον = modius = bushel basket bowl tub (421) o χορτος = herba = blade shoot stalk (428) o λεγιων = legio = legion (59 15) o σπεκουλατωρ = speculator = soldier executioner (627) o δηναριον = denarius = coin of daily wage (637 1215 145) o ξεστης = sextarius = pot jug pitcher (74) o κηνσος = census = census tax (1214) o κοδραντης = quadrans = penny small coin (1242) o φραγελλοω = fragello = to scourge flog (1515) o πραιτωριον = praetorium = palace governorrsquos headquarters (1516) o κεντυρίων = centurio = centurion officer (1539 44 45)

bull Expressions influenced by Latin o οδον ποιειν = iter facere = to make onersquos way (223) o συμβουλιον εδιδουν = consilium dederunt = to deliberate give counsel (36) o εσχατως εχει = in extremis esse = to be at the point of death (523) o ειχον οτι = habere = to think lit ldquoto havehold thatrdquo (1132) o ραπισμασινhellip ελαβον = verberibus acceperunt = to strikebeat lit ldquoto receive with blowsrdquo (1465) o συμβουλιον ποιησαντες = consilium capere = to deliberate lit ldquoto make counselrdquo (151) o το ικανον ποιησαι = satisfacere = to satisfy lit ldquoto make enoughrdquo (1515) o τιθεντες τα γονατα = genua ponentes = to kneel down lit ldquoto place the kneesrdquo (1519)

The ldquoMessianic Secretrdquo bull In Markrsquos Gospel Jesus frequently tells people not to tell others about his healing activities

o After performing exorcisms he silences the demons and forbids them from speaking (123 34 311-12) o He warns a leper not to speak publicly about his cleansing (143-45) o He tells the family of Jairus not to tell of their daughterrsquos raising (543) o After healing a deaf man he orders the witness to tell no one (736) o He tells a blind man to go home rather than going into his village (826) o One exception Jesus tells the Gerasene demoniac (a Gentile) to tell his relatives (519)

bull The Markan Jesus also admonishes his disciples not to tell others that he is the Messiah o After Peterrsquos ldquoConfession of Faithrdquo at Caesarea (830) o After coming down from the Mount of the Transfiguration (99)

bull Somewhat related is the distinction Jesus makes between his disciples and ldquooutsidersrdquo o ldquoTo you has been given the secret (or mystery) of the Kingdom of God but for those outside everything

comes in parablesrdquo (410-12) o Similarly while Jesus is teaching his disciples inside a house his family remains ldquooutsiderdquo (331-32)

Special Relationships of Narrator and Reader bull Eyewitness Narrator Mark was not himself an eyewitness of Jesusrsquo ministry but a 2nd generation Christian

(most likely a follower of Peter) yet the ldquointernal narratorrdquo of the story writes as if he had witnessed all the action bull Omniscient Narrator the narrator has lots of ldquoinside informationrdquo

bull details about peoplersquos private thoughts feelings or plans (141 26-8 528 62 652 144) bull details about events at which no disciples were present (36 141-2 1455-65 151-5 16-19)

bull Privileged Reader the narrator gives the reader special insights bull things characters in the story donrsquot know or only find out later (eg Jesus is Christ and Son of God 11) bull extra information the reader needs (eg 73-4 19 Jewish rituals or 1314 ldquolet the reader understandrdquo)


The Gospel according to Mark Section Outlines The Structure and Contents of the Gospelrsquos Beginning (Mark 11-45) Introduction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (11-15)

bull Evangelistrsquos Literary Introduction ndash ldquoThe beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ the Son of Godrdquo (v 1) o As written by the prophet Isaiah (and Malachi) John the Baptist preaches repentance in the wilderness (vv 2-6)

John speaks about Jesus coming after him ldquoI baptize with water he will baptize with holy Spiritrdquo (vv 7-8) bull Jesus comes from Nazareth is baptized by John in the Jordan heavens open the Spirit descends (vv 9-10)

A voice from heaven speaks to Jesus ldquoYou are my beloved Son with you I am well pleasedrdquo (v 11) o The Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness where he remains for forty days tested by Satan (vv 12-13)

bull Jesusrsquo Initial Preaching ndash ldquoThe kingdom of God has come near repent and believe in the good newsrdquo (vv 14-15) Some Typical Events in Jesusrsquo Ministry (116-45)

bull Jesus calls four fishermen who follow him as his disciples (vv 16-20) o The First Exorcism Jesus exorcises an unclean spirit in Capernaum (vv 21-28)

The first healing narrative Jesus heals Simonrsquos Mother-in-law of a fever (vv 29-31) The first healing summary Jesus heals many sick people and drives out many demons (vv 32-34)

o The First Journey Jesus expands his preaching beyond Capernaum (vv 35-39) bull Jesus cleanses a leper restoring him to health and to society (vv 40-45)

A Comparison of Mark 1 and Parallel Episodes in the other Gospels

Pericope Mark Matthew Luke John Literary Introduction 11 11 11-4 11-18 [Infancy Narratives] mdash [ch 1mdash2] [ch 1mdash2] mdash John the Baptist preaches in the wilderness 12-8 31-6 7-12 31-6 7-20 119-23 24-28Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan river 19-11 313-17 321-22 23-38 [129-34] Jesus is tested by Satan in the wilderness 112-13 41-2 3-11 41-2 3-13 mdash Jesus preaches the Good News in Galilee 114-15 412-17 414-15 16-30 mdash Jesus calls his first four disciples 116-20 418-22 [51-11] [135-51] Jesus exorcizes an unclean spirit at Capernaum 121-28 mdash 431-37 mdash [Sermon on the Mount] mdash [ch 5mdash7] [cf 617-49] mdash Jesus heals Simonrsquos Mother-in-law 129-31 [814-15] 438-39 mdash Jesus heals and exorcizes many others 132-34 [816-17] 440-41 mdash Jesus preaches beyond Capernaum 135-39 423 442-44 mdash Jesus cleanses a leper 140-45 [81-4] 512-16 mdash

A Cycle of Five ldquoConflict Storiesrdquo (Mark 21mdash36) Mark seems to have intentionally grouped these five conflict stories together near the beginning of his Gospel Note how each story ends with one or two brief sayings of Jesus which seem to express the main point of the story and how the conflict builds from one story to the next culminating in the plot to kill Jesus in 36

Mark Pericope Title Who Objects Against Whom About What

21-12 Healing a Paralytic scribes among themselves forgiving blaspheming

Jesusrsquo Saying ldquohellipthe Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sinsrdquo (210)

213-17 Calling Levi a Tax Collector scribes of the Pharisees Jesusrsquo disciples eating with tax collectors and sinners

Jesusrsquo Sayings ldquoThose who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sickrdquo (217a) ldquoI have come to call not the righteous but sinnersrdquo (217b)



218-22 About Fasting people Jesus disciples not fasting

Jesusrsquo Sayings ldquoThe wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with themhelliprdquo (219-20) ldquoNo one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloakhelliprdquo (221-22)

223-28 Plucking Grain on the Sabbath Pharisees Jesus breaking the sabbath

Jesusrsquo Sayings ldquoThe sabbath was made for humankind and not humankind for the Sabbathrdquo (227) ldquoSo the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbathrdquo (228)

31-6 Restoring a Manrsquos Withered Hand Jesus ldquothemrdquo (Pharisees amp Herodians) healing on the sabbath

Jesusrsquo Question ldquoIs it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath to save life or to killrdquo (34)

Jesusrsquo Early Ministry Training the Twelve Disciples (Mark 37mdash66a) Jesus Interacts with Crowds and Opponents Disciples and Family (37-35)

bull Crowds from Galilee and beyond come to Jesus who heals them (37-12) o Jesus chooses twelve followers ldquoto be with him and to be sent outrdquo (313-19)

bull Scribes from Jerusalem challenge Jesus the Beelzebul controversy (320-30) o Jesus contrasts his family and his true disciples who do the will of God (331-35)

Jesus Teaches the Crowds and the Disciples with Enigmatic Parables (41-34)

bull The Evangelist introduces Jesusrsquo teaching in parables (41-2) o The Parable of the Sower amp the Seed (43-8)

Why Jesus Uses Parables (410-12) o Jesus explains the Sower amp the Seed to his disciples (413-20)

The Lamp on a Stand amp various short sayings about Jesusrsquo parables (421-25) o Two Parables about the Kingdom of God

The Seed Growing Secretly (426-29) The Mustard Seed (430-32)

bull The Evangelist summarizes Jesusrsquo use of parables (433-34) Jesus Shows His Power in Words and Mighty Deeds (435mdash66a)

bull Jesus calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee by ldquorebukingrdquo the wind (435-41) o Jesus expels a ldquoLegionrdquo of unclean spirits from the Gerasene demoniac (51-20)

bull Jesus heals a bleeding woman and restores Jairusrsquo daughter to life (521-43) o Jesus teaches in Nazareth his hometown but is rejected by the people (61-6a)

Jesusrsquo Expanded Ministry Sending Out the Twelve Apostles (Mark 66bmdash821)

bull Jesus sends the Twelve on a mission to preach heal perform exorcisms (66b-13) o The death of John the Baptist is recounted (614-29)

Jesus Feeds 5000 People in rural Galilee with five loaves and two fish (630-44) Jesus walks on water the disciples are afraid (645-52)

Jesus heals many people from around Gennesaret (653-56) Jesus argues with some Pharisees about purity laws and ritual traditions (71-23)

Jesus exorcizes the Syrophoenician womanrsquos daughter (724-30) Jesus enables a deaf-mute to hear and speak (731-37)

Jesus Feeds 4000 People in Gentile territory with seven loaves and a few fish (81-10) o The Pharisees ask for a sign from Jesus (811-13)

bull Jesusrsquo disciples fail to understand the significance of the yeast and bread (814-21)


Markrsquos Central Section ldquoOn the Wayrdquo to Jerusalem (Mark 822mdash1052) Jesus and His Disciples Journey from Bethsaida and Caesarea Philippi to Jericho and Jerusalem

[transitionpreface 814-21 ndash The ldquoblindnessrdquo of the disciples]

822-26 ndash The Two-Stage Restoration of Sight to a Blind Person at Bethsaida north of the Sea of Galilee 827-30 ndash Peterrsquos Confession near Caesarea Philippi ldquoYou are the Christrdquo Jesus says ldquonot to tell anyone about himrdquo

831 ndash First Passion Prediction (Son of Man must suffer be rejected be killed and rise after three days) 832-33 ndash Peter misunderstands and ldquorebukesrdquo Jesus who ldquorebukesrdquo Peter in return 834ndash91 ndash Jesus teaches ldquoIf any want to become my followers let them deny themselves take up their cross and follow me For those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save itrdquo

92-30 ndash Transfiguration (2-8) Coming of Elijah (9-13) Exorcism of an Epileptic Spirit (14-29) 931-32 ndash Second Passion Prediction (Son of Man will be betrayed be killed but rise after three days) 933-34 ndash All the disciples misunderstand arguing who among them was the greatest 935-50 ndash Jesus teaches ldquoWhoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of allhelliprdquo

101-31 ndash Teaching on Divorce (1-12) Blessing Children (13-16) the Rich Man (17-22) Entering the K of G (23-31) 1032-34 ndash Third Passion Prediction (Son of Man will be handed over condemned to death mocked spat upon scourged put to death but will rise after three days) 1035-40 ndash James and John misunderstand asking for the seats of honor when Jesus is in ldquogloryrdquo 1041-45 ndash Jesus teaches ldquoWhoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for manyrdquo

1046-52 ndash The Immediate Restoration of Sight to Blind Bartimaeus outside of Jericho on the way to Jerusalem

Jesusrsquo Final Week in Jerusalem (Mark 111mdash1337) The Entry into Jerusalem and the Cleansing of the Temple (111-33)

bull Jesus and the disciples enter into Jerusalem in a triumphant procession (111-10) o They enter the Temple briefly but soon go out to Bethany since it is evening (1111)

bull The next morning Jesus curses a fruitless fig tree (1112-14) o They enter the Temple Jesus casts out the sellers buyers and money changers (1115-19)

bull The next morning the disciples see the fig tree withered (1120-25) o They enter the Temple again officials approach and challenge his authority (1127-33)

Further Controversies with the Jerusalem Authorities (121-44)

bull The Parable of the Wicked Tenants directed against the temple authorities (121-12) o Pharisees and Herodians question Jesus about paying taxes (1213-17)

Sadducees question Jesus about the resurrection of the dead (1218-27) The ldquoGood Scriberdquo questions Jesus about the greatest commandment (1228-34)

o Jesus questions the scribes about the ldquoSon of Davidrdquo (1235-40) bull Jesus commends a poor widow for her offering (1241-44)

The Eschatological Discourse (131-37)

bull Intro A) Jesus and a disciple dialogue about the grandeur and the destruction of the Temple (131-2) bull Intro B) Jesusrsquo closest disciples ask him privately When And what will be the signs (133-4) bull Jesusrsquo Warnings about Trials and Tribulations on Earth (135-23)

o Take heed let no one lead you astray wars earthquakes and famines will come (135-8) o Take heed you will be arrested put on trial hated put to death whoever endures will be saved (139-13) o Let the reader understand the desolating sacrilege greater tribulations than ever before (1314-20) o Take heed Donrsquot be led astray by false messiahs and false prophets Jesus has forewarned us (1321-23)

bull Jesusrsquo Teachings about the Coming of the Son of Man (1324-29) o After the foregoing tribulations there will be signs in the heavens (1324-25)

The Son of Man will come with great power to gather the elect (1326-27) o Learn a lesson from the fig tree so you know when the Son of Man is near (1328-29)

bull Concl B) Jesusrsquo answer to the question When ldquoNo one knows the day nor hourrdquo (1330-32) bull Concl A) Jesusrsquo final call Watch since you donrsquot know the time Parable of the Doorkeeper (1333-37)


The Passion Death and Burial of Jesus (Mark 141mdash1547)

bull Two Days before the Passover (141-11) o The chief priests and scribes plan to arrest and kill Jesus (141-2) o Jesus is anointed at Bethany by an anonymous woman (143-9) o Judas arranges to betray Jesus to the chief priests (1410-11)

bull The Passover Feast Last Supper (1412-31) o On the day before Jesus sends two disciples to prepare for the Passover meal (1412-16) o In the evening during the Passover meal Jesus foretells his betrayal (1417-21) o While at supper Jesus blesses bread amp wine saying it is his body amp blood (1422-25) o After the meal on their way to the Mount of Olives Jesus foretells Peterrsquos denial (1426-31)

bull Jesusrsquo Prayer and Arrest at Gethsemane (1432-52) o Jesus prays to his Father and three times speaks to his disciples (1432-42) o Judas arrives with an armed mob and Jesus is arrested (1443-50) o A young man wearing a linen cloth is captured but runs off naked (1451-52)

bull The Initial Interrogation of Jesus and the Denials of Peter (1453-72) o During the night Jesus is led away to the high priestrsquos house (1453) o Peter enters the courtyard of the high priestrsquos house (1454) o Jesus is interrogated by the high priest and condemned for blasphemy (1455-65) o Peter three times denies knowing Jesus before the cock crows (1466-72)

bull Jesusrsquo Trials before the Sanhedrin and before Pilate (151-15) o In the morning the whole Sanhedrin condemns Jesus and delivers him to Pilate (151) o Jesus is questioned by Pilate and accused by the chief priests (152-5) o Pilate asks the crowds about releasing Jesus or Barabbas (156-14) o Pilate orders Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be crucified (1515)

bull Events before the Crucifixion (1516-23) o Jesus is mocked and mistreated by the soldiers (1516-20a) o Jesus is led out to Golgotha Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry the cross (1520b-22) o Jesus is offered drugged wine but refuses to drink (1523)

bull The Crucifixion of Jesus (1524-32) o At nine orsquoclock in the morning Jesus is crucified and the soldiers divide his garments (1524-25) o The inscription of the charge reads ldquoThe King of the Jewsrdquo (1526) o Two criminals are crucified along with Jesus (1527[+28]) o Jesus is derided by passersby by the chief priests and scribes even by the criminals (1529-32)

bull The Death of Jesus (1533-41) o From noon until three orsquoclock in the afternoon darkness covers the land (1533) o At three orsquoclock Jesus cries out ldquoMy God my God why have you forsaken merdquo (1534) o Bystanders think he is calling for Elijah someone offers Jesus a sponge with vinegar (1535-36) o Jesus cries aloud and breathes his last (1537) o Three witnesses to the Crucifixion temple curtain centurion women from Galilee (1538-41)

bull The Burial of Jesus (1542-47) o In the evening Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for Jesusrsquo body (1542-45) o Joseph buries Jesus in a tomb hewn out of rock some women witness the burial (1546-47)

The Resurrection of Jesus (Mark 161-8 and 169-20 added later)

bull The Empty Tomb Narrative (161-8) o Mary Magdalene and two other women go to the tomb early on the first day of the week (161-4) o A young man appears to tell them ldquoHe has been raised Go tell his disciplesrdquo (165-7) o They flee from the tomb and say nothing to anyone because they were afraid (168)

bull Later Endings Added to Markrsquos Gospel [169-20] o Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene [Mark 169-11 cf Matt 289-10 John 2011-18 Luke 82 Luke 249-11] o Jesus appears to two disciples walking [Mark 1612-13 cf Luke 2413-35] o Jesus appears to the eleven and commissions them to go preach [Mark 1614-18 cf Luke 2436-43 Acts 1041 Matt 2819 etc] o Jesus ascends to heaven and the disciples go out to preach Mark 1619-20 cf Luke 2451 Acts 12-11]


Quotations from the Old Testament in the New Testament compiled by Felix Just SJ PhD

Many of the references in table are direct quotations others are paraphrases or close allusions to scriptural texts

NT Passage OT Source Matt 13b-6a Ruth 418-22 Matt 123a Isa 714 Matt 123b Isa 88 10 Matt 26 Micah 52 Matt 215 Hosea 111 Matt 218 Jer 3115 Matt 223 Isa 111 Matt 33 Isa 403 Matt 44 Deut 83 Matt 46 Ps 9111-12 Matt 47 Deut 616 Matt 410 Deut 613 Matt 415-16 Isa 91-2 Matt 521 Exod 2013 Matt 521 Deut 517 Matt 527 Exod 2014 Matt 527 Deut 518 Matt 531 Deut 241 Matt 533 Lev 1912 Matt 533 Num 302 Matt 538 Exod 2124 Matt 538 Lev 2420 Matt 538 Deut 1921 Matt 543 Lev 1918 Matt 817 Isa 534 Matt 913a Hosea 66 Matt 1035-36 Micah 76 Matt 1110 Malachi 31 Matt 1123a Isa 1413 15 Matt 127 Hosea 66 Matt 1218-21 Isa 421-4 Matt 1240 Jonah 117 Matt 1314-15 Isa 69-10 Matt 1335 Ps 782-3 Matt 154a Exod 2012 Matt 154a Deut 516 Matt 154b Exod 2117 Matt 158-9 Isa 2913 Matt 1816 Deut 1915 Matt 194 Gen 127 Matt 194 Gen 52 Matt 195 Gen 224 Matt 197 Deut 241 Matt 1918-19a Exod 2012-16 Matt 1918-19a Deut 516-20 Matt 1919b Lev 1918 Matt 215 Isa 6211 Matt 215 Zech 99

Matt 219 Ps 11825-26 Matt 2113 Isa 567 Matt 2116b Ps 823 Matt 2142 Ps 11822-23 Matt 2224 Deut 255 Matt 2232a Exod 36 15 Matt 2237 Deut 65 Matt 2239 Lev 1918 Matt 2244 Ps 1101 Matt 2339 Ps 11826 Matt 2415 Dan 927b11311211 Matt 2429 Isa 1310 Matt 2430 Dan 713 Matt 2631 Zech 137 Matt 2664a Ps 1101 Matt 2664b Dan 713 Matt 279-10 Zech 1112-13 Matt 2746 Ps 221 NT Passage OT Source Mark 12 Malachi 31 Mark 13 Isa 403 Mark 412 Isa 69-10 Mark 76-7 Isa 2913 Mark 710a Exod 2012 Mark 710a Deut 516 Mark 710b Exod 2117 Mark 104 Deut 241 3 Mark 106 Gen 127 Mark 106 Gen 52 Mark 107-8 Gen 224 Mark 1019 Exod 2012-16 Mark 1019 Deut 516-20 Mark 119-10 Ps 11825-26 Mark 1117 Isa 567 Mark 1210-11 Ps 11822-23 Mark 1219 Deut 255 Mark 1226 Exod 36 15 Mark 1229-30 Deut 64-5 Mark 1231 Lev 1918 Mark 1232a Deut 64 Mark 1232b Deut 435 Mark 1232b Isa 4521 Mark 1233a Deut 65 Mark 1233b Lev 1918 Mark 1236 Ps 1101 Mark 1326 Dan 713 Mark 1427 Zech 137 Mark 1462a Ps 1101 Mark 1462b Dan 713

Mark 1534 Ps 221 NT Passage OT Source Luke 223 Exod 132 12 15 Luke 224 Lev 128 Luke 34-6 Isa 403-5 Luke 44 Deut 83 Luke 48 Deut 613 Luke 410-11 Ps 9111-12 Luke 412 Deut 616 Luke 418-19 Isa 611-2 Luke 418 Isa 586 Luke 727 Malachi 31 Luke 810 Isa 69 Luke 1027a Deut 65 Luke 1027b Lev 1918 Luke 1335 Ps 11826 Luke 1820 Exod 2012-16 Luke 1820 Deut 516-20 Luke 1938 Ps 11826 Luke 1946 Isa 567 Luke 2017 Ps 11822 Luke 2028 Deut 255 Luke 2037 Exod 36 Luke 2042-43 Ps 1101 Luke 2127 Dan 713 Luke 2237 Isa 5312 Luke 2269 Ps 1101 Luke 2330 Hosea 108 Luke 2346 Ps 315 NT Passage OT Source John 123 Isa 403 John 217 Ps 699 John 631 Ps 7824 John 645 Isa 5413 John 1034 Ps 826 John 1213 Ps 11825-26 John 1215 Zech 99 John 1238 Isa 531 John 1240 Isa 610 John 1318 Ps 419 John 1525 Ps 3519 John 1525 Ps 694 John 1924 Ps 2218 John 1936 Exod 1246 John 1936 Num 912 John 1937 Zech 1210

httpcatholic-resourcesorgBible

Page 13


The Passion and Death of Jesus according to the Four Gospels THE LAST SUPPER WHAT is the significance of Jesusrsquo last meal with his disciples bull The Synoptic Gospels

o The Last Supper is a Passover Meal commemorating the Exodus of the Jews (Mark 1412 Matt 2617 Luke 227-8 15) o While speaking the blessing prayers Jesus says the bread and wine is his own body and blood (Mark 1422-25 amp par) o Only in Luke does Jesus explicitly say ldquoDo this in remembrance of merdquo (Luke 2219b cf 1 Cor 1124-25) o Only Luke gives evidence of the Passover tradition of blessing multiple cups of wine (Luke 2217 20) o Luke also has much more dialogue during the Last Supper including Jesusrsquo prediction of Peterrsquos denial (2231-34)

bull The Fourth Gospel o The Last Supper is just before the Feast of Passover (John 131) so it is not a Passover Meal itself o The ldquoEucharisticrdquo words of Jesus are not recorded here but were already spoken earlier (John 622-59) o During this final meal in Johnrsquos Gospel Jesus washes all of his disciplesrsquo feet (John 132-16) o Then he tells them ldquoI have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to yourdquo (John 1315) o During the meal Jesus foretells Judasrsquo betrayal (John 1321-30) and Peterrsquos denial (1336-38) o During the meal Jesus also gives a ldquoFarewell Discourserdquo (1331--1633) and addresses a long prayer to God (171-26) o Jesus will die on the same afternoon that the Passover Lambs are slaughtered (cf John 1931-37)

THE AGONY AND ARREST IN THE GARDEN WHERE and HOW was Jesus captured bull The Synoptic Gospels

o After the Passover meal Jesus and his disciples go out to the ldquoMount of Olivesrdquo (Mark 1426 Matt 2630 Luke 2239) o The place where Jesus prays is called ldquoGethsemanerdquo (Mark 1432 Matt 2636) but is not explicitly called a ldquogardenrdquo o Luke greatly shortens Jesusrsquo prayer and his challenges to the disciples (11 verses in both Mark amp Matt only 6 verses in Luke) o In all three Synoptics Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss but only in Luke does Jesus ask him ldquoJudas would you betray the Son of

Man with a kissrdquo (Luke 2248) bull The Fourth Gospel

o After Jesus finishes his discourses and prayer they go ldquoacross the Kidron Valleyrdquo and enter a ldquogardenrdquo but this is not explicitly identified as ldquoGethsemanerdquo (John 181)

o There is no ldquoagonyrdquo or any prayer of Jesus in this garden it is only the scene of Jesusrsquo arrest (182-12) o Jesus remains in control of the scene the soldiers hesitate to arrest Jesus when twice he says ldquoI amrdquo (186 8) o All four Gospels say that one of Jesusrsquo disciples cut off the ear of the high priestrsquos slave

but only in John are these two individuals explicitly named Simon Peter and Malchus (1810)

THE ACCUSATIONS AND CHARGES WHY was Jesus killed and by whom bull The Religious Trial The Jewish High Priest and Sanhedrin (council of elders) find Jesus guilty of ldquoblasphemyrdquo

o The word ldquoblasphemyrdquo in ancient Greek literally means ldquoinsulting or saying bad things about Godrdquo o The punishment prescribed in the Hebrew Bible for blasphemy is to be stoned to death (Lev 2410-23) o Jesus directly admits that he is the ldquoSon of Godrdquo (Mark 1461-64 amp par cf Mark 1539 John 197)

bull The Political Trial The Roman governor (Pontius Pilate) finds Jesus guilty of sedition rebellion or treason o Lukersquos Gospel describes the nature of the charges against Jesus in the greatest detail (Luke 232 5 14) o Jesus is accused of calling himself andor letting others call him ldquoKing of the Jewsrdquo (Mark 152 9 12 18 26

32 and parallels cf also John 1833-37 1912-15) o Luke and John repeatedly stress Jesusrsquo innocence (Luke 234 14-15 22 John 1838b 194 6 12 cf Matt 2724-25)

THE CRUCIFIXION AND DEATH HOW was Jesusrsquo execution carried out bull Condemnation to Death

o In lands occupied by the Romans the death penalty could only be carried out with the approval of the local Roman governor o Mark and Matthew clearly show Jesus handed over to Roman soldiers to be crucified but Luke and John make it sound like Pilate

hands Jesus over to the Jewish authorities to carry out the crucifixion (Luke 2325 John 1916) bull Beatings and Scourging

o Before being crucified prisoners were often beaten scourged mocked and mistreated in other ways o Prisoners might already die from this maltreatment so Jewish law limited floggings to thirty-nine lashes (cf 2 Cor 1124) o Since Jesus was condemned for claiming to be ldquoKing of the Jewsrdquo the soldiers mock him with the symbols of royal power and

authority including a scarlet (or purple) cloak a crown (of thorns) and a reed (instead of a scepter) bull Road to Golgotha

o Condemned persons would usually be forced to carry their own cross beams to the place of their crucifixion o Only Luke tells of Jesus speaking with women along the way to the cross (Luke 2327-31) but none of the Gospels contains the

full fourteen ldquoStations of the Crossrdquo popular in later Christian devotions o Golgotha meaning ldquoPlace of the Skullrdquo was probably an abandoned stone quarry just outside of Jerusalem

Page 14


bull Manner of Crucifixion

o The cross was usually T-shaped with the cross beam placed on top of an upright post already set in the ground o The victim might be tied andor nailed to the cross beam and to the upright post but would still be guarded by soldiers o The charge would often be affixed over the head of the condemned criminal to serve as a warning to any onlookers o INRI = Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum (Latin for ldquoJesus of Nazareth King of the Jewsrdquo John 1919-22 cf Mark 1526)

bull Cause of Death o Some victims would bleed to death fairly soon but sometimes they could survive for several days before succumbing to a

combination of dehydration and asphyxiation o To prolong the victimsrsquo agony their feet would be nailed or tied to the post so that they could push themselves up to breathe o To hasten the victimsrsquo deaths their legs could be broken so that they could no longer breathe

bull The ldquoSeven Last Words of Christrdquo (acc to traditional Good Friday Devotions) o Regarding those crucifying him ldquoFather forgive them for they do not know what they are doingrdquo (Luke 2334) o To his mother ldquoWoman here is your sonrdquo and to the beloved disciple ldquoHere is your motherrdquo (John 1926-27) o To the repentant thief ldquoTruly I tell you today you will be with me in Paradiserdquo (Luke 2343) o At the ninth hour ldquoEloi Eloi lema sabachthanirdquo = ldquoMy God my God why have you forsaken merdquo (Mark 1534 Matt 2746) o In order to fulfill scripture ldquoI am thirstyrdquo (John 1928) o After receiving a drink of vinegar ldquoIt is finishedrdquo (John 1930) o As Jesus is dying ldquoFather into your hands I commend my spiritrdquo (Luke 2346)

bull The Witnesses to the Crucifixion o In the Synoptics women who followed Jesus from Galilee were ldquolooking on from afarrdquo (Mark 1540 Matt 2755 cf Luke 2349) o Mark names three women (Mary Magdalene Mary the mother of James and Joses and Salome) Matthew names the same three

() slightly differently (Mary Magdalene Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee) but in Luke the women remain anonymous

o A Roman centurion declares ldquoTruly this man was the son of Godrdquo (Mark 1539 Matt 2754) or ldquohellipwas innocentrdquo (Luke 2347) o In John 1925-26 four women (his mother his motherrsquos sister Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene--or three if 2 = 3

) as well as ldquothe disciple whom Jesus lovedrdquo (not named but called ldquosonrdquo) are ldquostanding by the crossrdquo (ie very close to it)

THE BURIAL WHEN and BY WHOM and HOW and WHERE was Jesus buried bull When

o After making sure Jesus is dead from the centurionrsquos testimony (Mark 1544-45) andor piercing Jesusrsquo side (John 1931-37) o Friday afternoon before sundown [when Sabbath begins] so the burial was done hurriedly (Mark 1542 Luke 2354 John 1942) o After securing permission to retrieve Jesusrsquo body from Pontius Pilate (Mark 1543 amp par)

bull By Whom o By a ldquorich manrdquo named Joseph (Matt 2757) from the Judean town of Arimathea (Luke 2350 exact location unknown) o Joseph was a ldquorespected member of the councilrdquo (Mark 1543) or a ldquosecret disciplerdquo of Jesus (John 1938) o Only John 1939 mentions that Nicodemus who had previously encountered Jesus (cf 31 750) also helped with the burial o Only Matt 2762-66 says that some soldiers were stationed to guard the tomb lest the disciples steal Jesusrsquo body (cf 2811-15)

bull How o By wrapping Jesusrsquo body in a linen cloth (Mark 1546 amp par) placing it in a rock-hewn tomb and rolling a large stone against the

entrance (Mark 1546 amp par) o In John 1940 they also wrapped the body with a large mixture of spices (myrrh amp aloes) according to Jewish burial customs o But in the Synoptics they did not use spices right away (evidently for lack of time before sunset) rather the women prepare spices

after going home (Luke 2356) and intend to embalm the body properly after the Sabbath (Mark 161) bull Where

o The Synoptics do not mention the location of the tomb but only say that it was hewn out of rock (Mark 1546 amp par) o Luke 2353 says no one else had been buried in this tomb before Matt 2760 claims it was Joseph of Arimathearsquos own new tomb o Only John 1941-42 says that the tomb was in a ldquogardenrdquo near to where Jesus had been crucified

A Comparative Overview of the Events of the Passion Pericope Mark Matthew Luke John The Chief Priests and Scribes Plan to Kill Jesus 141-2 261-5 221-2 -- Jesus Is Anointed in Bethany by an Anonymous Woman 143-9 266-13 [736-50] [121-8] Judas Arranges to Betray Jesus to the Chief Priests 1410-11 2614-16 223-6 --

Page 15

Felix
Typewritten Text
Felix
Typewritten Text


Mark Matthew Luke John The Last Supper 1412-25 2617-29 227-38 131--1726 Jesus Sends Disciples to Prepare for the Passover Meal 1412-17 2617-20 227-14 -- During the Meal Jesus Washes His Disciplesrsquo Feet -- -- -- 131-20 During the Meal Jesus Foretells His Betrayal 1418-21 2621-25 [2221-23] 1321-30 The Last Supper of Jesus with His Disciples 1422-25 2626-29 2215-20 -- The Disciples Argue about Who Is Greatest [1041-45] [202428] 2224-30 -- Jesus Gives His Disciples a New Commandment of Love -- -- -- 1331-35 Jesus Foretells Peterrsquos Denial (during the Last Supper) (cf below) (cf below) 2231-34 1336-38 Preparing for the End The Two Swords -- -- 2235-38 -- The Farewell Discourses according to John -- -- -- 141--1633 The Great Prayer of Jesus according to John -- -- -- 171-26 Jesus Foretells Peterrsquos Denial (after the Last Supper) 1426-31 2630-35 (cf above) (cf above) Jesus Prays at Gethsemane 1432-42 2636-46 2239-46 [1227] Jesus Is Arrested 1443-50 2647-56 2247-53 181-12 The Young Man with a Linen Cloth 1451-52 -- -- -- Jesus Is Led Away to the House of the High Priest 1453 2657 2254a 1813-14 Peter Denies Knowing Jesus 1454 66-72 2658 69-75 2254b-62 1815-18 25-27 Jesus Is Interrogated by High Priest and the Sanhedrin 1455-64 2659-66 2266 1819-24 Jesus is Mocked and Beaten by the Guards 1465 2667-68 2263-65 [1822] Jesus Delivered to Pilate 151 271-2 231 1828 The Death of Judas -- 273-10 -- -- The Trial of Jesus before Pilate 152-15 2711-26 232-25 1829--1916 The Accusations against Jesus [153] [2712] 232 5 14 1829-32 Pilatersquos Initial Questioning of Jesus 152-5 2711-14 233 1833-38a Jesus Is Brought before Herod -- -- 236-12 -- Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent -- [2724-25] 23413-1622 1838b 194612 The Release of Jesus or Barabbas 156-14 271523 2317-23 1839-40 The Trial before Pilate Continues ldquoBehold the Manrdquo -- -- -- 191-15 Barabbas is Released 1515a 2726a 2324-25a -- Jesus Is Scourged 1515b 2726b [2322b] [191] Pilate Delivers Jesus to be Crucified 1515c 2726c 2325b 1916 Jesus Is Mocked by the Soldiers 1516-20a 2727-31a [2336] [192-3] The Road to Golgotha 1520b-22 2731b-33 2326-33a 1917 The Crucifixion 1523-41 2734-56 2333b-49 1918a-37 Jesus Is Offered Drugged Wine but Refuses to Drink 1523 2734 -- -- Jesus Is Crucified 1524a 2735a 2333b 1918a Jesus Forgives Those Who Crucify Him -- -- 2334a -- The Soldiers Divide Jesusrsquo Garments 1524b-25 2735b-36 2334b [1923-25a] The Inscription with the Charge ldquoKing of the Jewsrdquo 1526 2737 [2338] 1919-22 Two Criminals Are Crucified along with Jesus 1527 [+28] 2738 [2333c] [1918b] Jesus Is Derided on the Cross even by the Criminals 1529-32 2739-44 2335-37 39 -- The Repentant Thief -- -- 2340-43 -- Darkness Covers the Land 1533 2745 2344-45 -- Jesus Cries Out to God ldquoEloi Eloirdquo 1534-35 2746-47 -- -- Someone Offers Jesus a Sponge Full of Vinegar 1536 2748-49 [2336] 1928-30a Jesusrsquo Last Cry and His Death 1537 2750 2346 1930b The Curtain of the Temple Is Torn in Two 1538 2751a [2345] -- The Earthquake and the Open Tombs -- 2751b-52 -- -- The Witness of the Centurion 1539 2754 2347 -- The Bystanders Return Home Beating Their Breasts -- -- 2348 -- The Women Who Witness the Crucifixion 1540-41 2755-56 2349 [1925b-27] Jesusrsquo Side Is Pierced -- -- -- 1931-37 The Burial of Jesus 1542-47 2757-61 2350-56 1938-42 Guards Are Placed at the Tomb -- 2762-66 -- --

Page 16

Christological Titles in the New Testament by Felix Just SJ PhD

Introduction In ancient Israel most people had only one name what we think of as a first name (or given name) but not also a last name (or family name or surname) Thus the well-known man born about 2000 years ago was simply named Jesus (note Christ is not his last name) Actually his name in Hebrew was probably Yeshua (equivalent to Joshua) which in the NT is translated by the Greek Ιησους (or Iesous) from which we get Latin Iesus and English Jesus Moreover just as most biblical names have specific meanings so JoshuaJesus simply means God saves (cf Matt 121)

Note Some people think IHS means In His Service or that it comes from the Latin Iesus Hominum Salvator (Jesus the Savior of Humankind) or In hoc signo (By this sign you shall conquer spoken to Emperor Constantine before the Battle at the Milvian Bridge 312 AD) Yet it originally comes from the first three letters in the Greek spelling of Jesus name (Iota-Eta-Sigma) Thus IHS (sometimes combined with a cross or other symbols) functions as a monogram (a symbolic abbreviation) for the name of Jesus

To distinguish similarly named people from one another individuals were further identified either by their geographical origin (Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus the Nazarene - Mark 124 1047 etc Jesus the Galilean - Matt 2669) or their occupation (the carpenter - Mark 63) They were also often associated with relatives usually their fathers (Jesus the son of Joseph - Luke 324 John 145 642 the carpenters son - Matt 1355) sometimes their siblings (the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon - Mark 63) or more rarely their mothers (Jesus son of Mary - Mark 63 cf Matt 1355)

In contrast titles are significantly different from names Just as important people often have titles today (President Senator Judge Doctor Professor etc) so also in the ancient world certain people were given titles to designate their specific roles or responsibilities Although more than one title can be attributed to the same person each title usually has a particular origin and a specific meaning Thus even though all of the following titles are attributed to the same person Jesus of Nazareth it is important to know that they all have significantly different origins and very different meanings

Christological Titles Explained Below

Messiah Christ Son of God King of the Jews Suffering Servant Great High Priest Lord LORD Son of Man Prophet Emmanuel AdvocateParaclete

Holy One Son of David Rabbi Teacher Logos Word Alpha amp Omega I Am Son of Mary Savior Lamb Shepherd OTHER TITLES

Messiah Christ These two titles are equivalent both meaning anointed one from the Hebrew verb MASHAH (to anoint smear with oil pour oil over someone) and the Greek verb CHRIO (same def) Many different people were called anointed

OT The Messiah of the LORD frequently refers to currently reigning or past kings esp Saul (1 Sam 16 24 26) and David (2 Sam 12 19 22) and less often to a high patriarch prophet or priest (eg Lev 4) The title is applied to an expected future anointed leader only in Dan 925 and in non-biblical writings from Qumran Early Judaism had a variety of different expectations as to what kind of a leader this Messiah would be royal (a king like David to lead the nation politically and militarily) priestly (a high priest or religious leader to reform the temple worship) prophetic (a prophet like Moses or Elijah or others to call the people to moral and spiritual reform) or some combination of these

NT A transliteration of the Hebrew MESSIAS is used only in John 141 amp 425 Everywhere else the NT always uses the Greek translation CHRISTOS (Christ) although the NRSV more loosely translates it as Messiah 68 times In the NT the title refers only to Jesus fairly often in the Gospels (7 Mk 16 Mt 12 Lk 19 Jn) and very frequently in Pauls letters (382 times) Paul uses Christ Jesus Jesus Christ or even Christ alone as if it were a proper name In Luke 418 Jesus quotes the scripture The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor Christians later used the Chi-Rho symbol (first two letters of Christ in Greek) as a monogram for Jesus

Page 17Felix Just SJ PhD httpcatholic-resourcesorgBible

Felix
Typewritten Text
Felix
Typewritten Text

Lord LORD Originally it was a title of respect used for people superior to yourself so it simply meant Sir or Master just like Sentildeor in Spanish Herr in German or Lords and Ladies in British Later it is often also used for gods or God

OT The Hebrew title ADONAI simply means lord or master and is often used for humans andor for God Although Gods name in Hebrew (YHWH) is very often written in the Bible it was rarely pronounced after the Babylonian exile Instead people substituted the title Adonai To distinguish between the two uses of Adonai many English Bibles print this title in small capitals (LORD) when it substitutes for Gods name and in regular letters (Lord) otherwise

NT The Greek word KYRIOS is very frequent (80 Mt 18 Mk 104 Lk 52 Jn 107 Acts 274 Paul 717 total) with a variety of meanings It sometimes refers to God or to humans but usually to Jesus Some people (esp foreigners) call Jesus Kyrie simply as a sign of respect (Sir - Mark 728 John 411 etc) while his disciples usually refer to him as their master in later texts calling Jesus Lord is an indication of his messianic or divine status (Acts 234-36) In Luke the disciples also address Jesus as an Epistates (master) seven times In Paul the Lord is often a substitute for Jesus name Note also the Lords Day (Rev 110) the Lords Supper (1 Cor 1120) etc

Holy One Originally a common circumlocution for God (a phrase used to avoid speaking Gods name) it is later also applied as a title for Jesus or other saints

OT In the singular Holy One always and only refers to God (1Sam 22 Job 610 etc) often also called Holy One of Israel (2Kgs 192 Isa 14 etc) In the plural holy ones can also refer to human or angelic beings that are close to God (Deut 332-3 Ps 163 349 etc)

NT Jesus is called the Holy One of God by unclean spirits (Mark 124 Luke 434) and by Peter (John 669) Acts 227 and 1335 quote Ps 16 to call Jesus the Holy One the title is also used of Jesus in Acts 314 1John 220 Rev 37 165

I AM OT Gods name (YHWH) is revealed to Moses in the story of the burning bush It means something close to I am (see Exod 314 62-3 Deut 3239 Isa 4325 5112 etc cf Matt 2232) It is simply called the Name by Jews and is also known as the Tetragrammaton (lit four letters in Greek) Ancient and modern Jews revere Gods name so highly that they dare not speak it aloud instead substituting circumlocutions such as the Name or simply God or usually the Lord (Heb Adonai)

NT In the Synoptic Gospels the phrase I am is used only a few times by Jesus (Mark 1462 Luke 2270 2439) especially when Jesus walks on the water (Mark 650 Matt 1427 cf John 620) a story that functions as a theophany (appearance of a god) Messianic pretenders may also deceive people by saying I am (Mark 136 Matt 245 Luke 218) In Johns Gospel Jesus himself says I Am (Greek EIMI) fifty-four times Twenty-four of these are emphatic (explicitly including the pronoun EGO for I) including some well known metaphorical images when Jesus calls himself the bread of life the light of the world the door the good shepherd the resurrection and the life the way and the truth and the life and the true vine For more details see the I Am webpage

Son of God Gods Son This title originally did not imply full divinity but simply a persons special relationship with God As Christian theology developed it took on more exclusively divine connotations

OT In the singular or plural Gods son or sons can refer to angels (Gen 62) kings (Ps 27) good people (Wis 218) or the people of Israel overall (Exod 422) but it did not refer to a messianic figure until the 1st century BC nor did it imply divinity

NT The historical Jesus referred to God as Abba (Father) but probably never called himself the Son of God in a divine sense Such language developed only gradually in early Christianity (rare in Mk a bit more in Mt amp Lk amp Paul common only in Jn) In Mark only the Evangelist (11) unclean demonic spirits (311 57) and a Roman centurion (1539) directly call Jesus Son of God while the voice from heaven (111 97) more demons (124) and the high priest (1461) use equivalent expressions (my beloved Son Son of the Blessed One etc) In Matthew amp Luke these titles for Jesus are also used by Satan the Holy Spirit or Jesus disciples while Jesus himself calls some of his followers sonschildren of God (Matt 59 Luke 2036) Paul calls Jesus the Son of God and calls all Christians sonschildren of God in a few important passages (esp Rom amp Gal) John has much more FatherSon language and is the first to call Jesus the only-Sonof God (Gk monogenes lit the only-begotten one John 316 18 cf 114 18 1John 49 similarly also Heb 15 55)


Christology in Markrsquos Gospel

Introduction bull Initial Questions for Your Reflection

o What is Markrsquos main message about Jesus o How does this Evangelist portray Jesus

bull Identity of Jesus From the very first verse this Evangelist knows and proclaims who Jesus is the Christ the Son of God (11) The characters within the story however struggle to understand who Jesus is where he has come from and what he is all about This can be seen in the variety of questions that people ask about Jesus

o ldquoWhat is this A new teaching--with authority He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey himrdquo (127) o ldquoWhy does this fellow speak in this way It is blasphemy Who can forgive sins but God alonerdquo (27) o ldquoWhy does he eat with tax collectors and sinnersrdquo (212) o ldquoWho then is this that even the wind and the sea obey himrdquo (441b) o ldquoWhere did this man get all this What is this wisdom that has been given to him What deeds of power are being

done by his hands Is not this the carpenter the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon and are not his sisters here with usrdquo (62-3)

o ldquoWho do people say that I amrdquo (827) ldquoBut who do you say that I amrdquo (829) o ldquoBy what authority are you doing these things Who gave you this authority to do themrdquo (1128) o ldquoAre you the Messiah the Son of the Blessed Onerdquo (1461) o ldquoAre you the King of the Jewsrdquo (152)

I) Christology expressed in TITLES attributed to Jesus bull Many different titles are used for Jesus throughout Markrsquos Gospel with slightly different origins and different meanings

bull The evangelist Mark seems to prefer ldquoChristrdquo and ldquoSon of Godrdquo Jesus more often calls himself ldquoSon of Manrdquo bull Other characters in Markrsquos Gospel frequently call Jesus ldquoteacherrdquo or a variety of other titles bull Jesus is occasionally also identified as ldquothe carpenterrdquo the ldquoson of Maryrdquo and as being ldquofrom Nazarethrdquo

bull Christ (ldquoAnointed Onerdquo although Mark only uses Greek Christos modern English Bibles often translate this ldquoMessiahrdquo) bull Son of God and related terms (caution do not assume this means ldquofully divinerdquo yet) bull Son of Man (ldquoson of the human beingrdquo - used only by Jesus as quoted directly or indirectly by the Evangelist) bull Teacher (the most common title other characters in Markrsquos Gospel use to address Jesus) bull Rabbi amp Rabbouni (another common title of respect lit meaning ldquomy great onerdquo) bull Prophet (lit a ldquospokespersonrdquo for God) bull Kyrios = Lord Master Sir bull Son of David (directly attributed to Jesus only by Bartimaeus is it a ldquoroyalrdquo or ldquomessianicrdquo title) bull King of the Jews amp King of Israel (used only during Jesusrsquo trial before Pilate) bull The Carpenter the Son of Mary bull Jesus offrom Nazareth

II) Christology expressed in ACTIONS that Jesus performs bull Jesus Preaches the ldquoReign of Godrdquo (basileia tou theou)

bull Note Jesus and others also speak of earthly ldquokingdomsrdquo in 324 623 and 138 bull Compare what the crowds say as Jesus enters Jerusalem in Mark 1110 ndash ldquoBlessed is the coming kingdom of our

ancestor David Hosanna in the highest heavenrdquo bull Jesus Acts with ldquoAuthorityrdquo (exousia)

bull Jesus teaches forgives and performs exorcisms healings and other miracles bull Jesus also gives ldquoauthorityrdquo to his apostles

bull Jesus argues with the religious authorities besting any human ldquoopponentsrdquo bull Jesus displays human emotions bull Jesus foretells amp accepts his upcoming suffering

III) Summary WHO knows and professes WHAT about Jesus in Markrsquos Gospel bull Characters in the Narrative

o John the Baptist Voice from heaven Unclean spirits amp demoniacs o Apostles amp disciples Jesusrsquo family Jewish authorities Roman authorities

bull The Evangelist and the Readers o Evangelist - as an omniscient narrator gives readers hope and encouragement through ldquoinside knowledgerdquo o 1st-century readers - a religious minority (persecuted amp ostracized) encouraged to persevere through difficulties o 21st-century readers - great variety from different cultures living in great varieties of places and circumstances


Discipleship in Markrsquos Gospel

I) Calling amp Following bull Key Vocabulary

bull kalein amp proskalein = to call summon bull akolouthein = to follow bull opiso = behind bull ho hodos = the wayroad

bull First three ldquocallrdquo stories o 116-20 ndash Jesus encounters Simon amp Andrew James amp John o 214 ndash Jesus encounters Levi a Tax Collector o 313-19 ndash Jesus calls amp appoints twelve ldquoapostlesrdquo to be sent out (somewhat later) Note Jesus does not

actually ldquosend outrdquo these twelve until 67-13 a mission from which these ldquoapostlesrdquo return in 630 o Other references to ldquothe twelverdquo in Mark o Question Were ldquothe twelverdquo always with Jesus Were they the only disciples faithful to Jesus

bull More uses of ldquocallfollowbehindrdquo in Markrsquos Gospel o Disciples amp crowds follow Jesus o Peter (with James amp John) o A woman with a flow of blood (525-34) o Another exorcist (938-40) o A rich man (1017-22) o Bartimaeus (1046-52) o A young man at Gethsemane (1451-52) o Galilean Women at the Cross (1540-41)

bull See also the frequent use of ldquodisciplerdquo (46 times) and ldquowayroadrdquo in Mark (12-3 223 68 83 27 933-34 1017 32 1046 52 118 1214)

II) Missioning amp Sending bull Key Vocabulary

bull apostelein = to send out bull hypagein = to go bull Note Not only the apostles are ldquosent outrdquo by Jesus or told to ldquogordquo on a specific mission in Markrsquos

Gospel Several other characters also are bull The cleansed leper (140-45) bull The Gerasene demoniac (51-20) bull The twelve apostles (67-13) bull The blind man at Bethsaida (822-26) bull Two disciples sent to obtain a colt for Jesusrsquo entrance into Jerusalem (111-7) bull Parable of the Wicked Tenants Sending servants amp a beloved son (121-12) bull Two disciples sent to prepare the Last Supper (1412-16) bull The women at the empty tomb (161-8) bull Note Since apostelein is a common Greek verb other characters are also ldquosent outrdquo in other contexts in Mark

III) Explicit Instructions on Discipleship bull 834-38 (after the 1st Passion prediction) bull 933-37 (after the 2nd Passion prediction) bull 1035-45 (after the 3rd Passion prediction) bull Other teachings related to discipleship

bull Leave everything to follow Jesus (1028-30) bull Keep awake and pray (1432-42)

IV) The MIS-understandings and Failures of Jesusrsquo Disciples

V) Role Models esp for FaithBelief

VI) Who Are the Best Role Models for Discipleship in Markrsquos Gospel



Eight Tips about the Canonical Arrangement of the NT (to help you learn the correct order of the 27 NT books) 1 The 27 books of the New Testament are NOT listed in chronological order (not the order in which they were written historically) several

other principles were operative instead 2 The overall order begins with the life of Jesus (the four Gospels) then deals with the growth of the Christian Church (Acts Letters

Epistles) and finally focuses on the Eschaton (the end of time as described symbolically in the Book of Revelation) 3 The four Gospels are listed in what was traditionally regarded as their chronological order (ie Matthew was thought to be the oldest

Gospel) most scholars today however believe that Mark was the first written Gospel (or at least the oldest of the four canonical Gospels in their full versions as we know them today)

4 The Acts of the Apostles was originally the second volume of Lukersquos two-volume work but when the four Gospels were grouped together Acts was placed after John

5 The letters written by Paul (or at least attributed to him) are divided into two sub-groups those written to communities and those addressed to individuals within each sub-group the letters are arranged not in chronological order but rather in decreasing order of length (more or less although Galatians is slightly shorter than Ephesians)

6 The anonymous ldquoLetter to the Hebrewsrdquo comes immediately after the Pauline letters because people used to think it was also written by Paul it may have been written by one of his followers but was almost certainly not written by Paul himself

7 The Catholic or General Epistles are also listed in decreasing order of length although letters attributed to the same apostle are grouped together

8 The Book of Revelation (singular not plural ldquoRevelationsrdquo) closes out the NT canon since it concludes with a description of the end of time (New Heavens New Earth New Jerusalem etc)

Ten Stages of NT Formation and Transmission (with chronological overlap continuing down to today)bull Life amp Ministry of Jesus ndash words are spoken and deeds are performed by Jesus himself during his lifetime on earth bull Oral Tradition ndash traditions and beliefs about Jesus are developed and passed on by early Christian communities bull Written Sources ndash some of the miracles andor sayings of Jesus are compiled and recorded in early written documents bull Written Texts ndash individual letters full Gospels etc are written with particular messages for particular situations bull Distribution ndash some writings are copied and shared with other Christian communities throughout the Mediterranean bull Collection ndash certain Christians begin collecting the letters of Paul and gathering together several different Gospels bull Canonization ndash four Gospels several collections of letters and a few other texts are accepted as authoritative scriptures bull Translation ndash biblical texts are translated into other ancient and modern languages Latin Syriac Coptic Armenian etc bull Interpretation ndash the meaning of the scriptures is investigated on various levels literal spiritual historical social etc bull Application ndash communities and individuals put the NT to practical use liturgical moral sacramental theological etc

Four Criteria for Canonicity (why certain books were eventually accepted into the NT Canon while others were rejected) 1 Apostolic Origin ndash attributed to andor based on the preachingteaching of the first-generation apostles (or their closest companions) 2 Universal Acceptance ndash acknowledged by all major Christian communities in the Mediterranean world (by the end of the 4th century) 3 Liturgical Use ndash read publicly along with the OT when early Christians gathered for the Lordrsquos Supper (their weekly worship services) 4 Consistent Message ndash contain theological ideas compatible with other accepted Christian writings (esp Jesusrsquo divinity and humanity)

Four-Fold Role of the Evangelists as Authors (what they contributed even if ldquoGod is the Authorrdquo of all scripture) 1 Selectors ndash from among the many things Jesus said and did they chose which stories they wanted to include and which to omit 2 Arrangers ndash they organized the materials in a particular sequence not necessarily chronologically but often in thematic blocks 3 Shapers ndash they adapted and edited the individual stories from their sources so as to emphasize the themes they wanted to stress 4 Proclaimers ndash they were not objective historians but preached the ldquogood newsrdquo about Jesus in ways appropriate to their audiences

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Documents

The New Testament Canon: An Overview by Genrecatholic-resources.org/CBI-Orange/2016-09-17-Mark-Handouts.pdf · The New Testament Canon: An Overview by Genre ... (singular! not plural