The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark

Class 6

February 23, 2003

Mk 13-16: Jesus face to face with the powers in Jerusalem

and His trial by the powers: What does it all mean?

In this class, we will discuss the “Little Apocalypse” and the Passion Narrative of Mark (comparing it to Luke and Matthew)

The Texts

Mk 13: The Little Apocalypse

The eschatological view of Mark is presented here: Jesus is asked by the disciples about the end (or the destruction) of Jerusalem. He replies that there will be false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, famines, etc. Verses 13:14-23 it seems that he is speaking specifically of Jerusalem (although it is interesting to me that even Jesus here does not seem to be able to predict exactly when this will occur in that he says, “pray that this will not take place in winter” (Mk 13:23). Verse 14 states, “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong” (NIV). This is a quotation from Dan 11:31 referring to Antiochus Epiphanes and the sacking of Jerusalem in 169-167 B.C. (“Forces from him [Antiochus] shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.), and may also refer to Dan 9:25-26 (Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one [Christ], a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off [crucified], and shall have nothing; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war; desolations are decreed.”

In Mk 13:26-37, Mark describes what might be the second coming which reflects Mark’s belief that Jesus was expected to come shortly after the fall of Jerusalem.

The passion narrative of Mark is in Chapters 14-16. Some believe that this version of the story was written from the story as it was told in Rome (and written in non-Semitic Greek) with a few Semitic portions (probably reminiscences of Peter) added.

Mk 14-16: The Passion Narrative

Before the Passover, the powers look for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him (if Jesus is an outlaw, why the need for stealth?) He is anointed by the woman who has no name. This is considered a sign of his impending death (being treated with burial spices). This woman was wealthy, and Jesus was poor.

Judas agrees to betray Jesus.

Jesus shares the Passover meal with his disciples (see Mk 14:22-25 for institution of Lord’s supper).

Peter’s denial foretold, and Jesus prays (in Aramaic) to Abba in Gesthemane. Jesus is betrayed by Judas, the high priests ear is cut off by the swordsman, and a naked man runs into the night.

Jesus appears before the council, and the Jewish authorities solicit testimony (much of it false) against Jesus. Jesus said that he is the messiah, the Son of the Blessed One (“Blessed One” is a substitute name for “Yahweh”). Jesus is accused of blasphemy.

(Note that in the later Gospels, Jesus does not make such a direct claim to kinship with God. The term “Son of God” is used as an honorific title in mark, and also as a proper name for Jesus. It also connotes an obedient servant within God’s salvation history.).

Mk 15

Jesus is taken to Pilate who is amazed at both Jesus and the jealousy of the Jewish authorities. Barabbas is released and Jesus is flogged. The crown of thorns is placed on Jesus’ head, and he is crucified at 9 AM. The Jewish authorities mock him as he suffers. Jesus quotes in Aramaic from Psalm 22 as he dies. The Temple curtain is torn (refer to 1:10) as he dies, and the first person to realize Jesus’ divinity is a Roman (Gentile) centurion. Jesus is buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb.

Mk 16

Mary Magdalene, James’ mother Mary, and Salome brought spices to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, and encounter the young man in the tomb who “alarms” them with the story that Jesus has been raised. The women are told to tell the men of Jesus’ resurrection. But they go out in terror and amazement and say nothing. THIS IS THE ENDING OF MARK.

Jerusalem

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