Gospel of St.

Mark
- More Human, Less Theological
- Shortest and considered the first Gospel written
- Contains only 16 chapters
- According to Martin Kahler the main story of the Gospel is the Passion, Death,
and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the pre-episodes are merely a long introduction

Style of Gospel of St. Mark (important features of the Gospel of St. Mark)
- Inclusio (Good news) Beginning of Chapter 1 and End of the Chapter 16
- Symbol is Lion (John the Baptist roaring in the desert as prophesied by Ezekiel
1:10) Here, the reader can see the importance of John the Baptist
- First line of the Gospel alludes to Genesis 1:1
- Jesus Christ has two important titles; Christ and Son of God)
- The word Kai which means And
- The Word Euthys Immediately

Plot of the Gospel of St. Mark

1. There was Sin (Farness of the Kingdom of God)
2. Because of Sin, Jesus Christ the Son of God was sent, proclaiming that the Kingdom
of God is near. This is the core of the Good News. (nearness)
3. Proclamation through Action
4. Resurrection: Proclaim the Good News (Jesus first and last word is about the Good
News)

Fast Talk: Who, What, When, Where, How, Why with St. Mark

A.) WHO is St. Mark?

1. Internal Evidence = Mark mentioned in the New Testament like in the Epistles
of St. Paul (but this is not Him)

2. External Evidence = a.) Superscription of Mark was in early manuscripts

b.) Ancient Tradition testifies that Mark was a
Disciple/Secretary of St. Peter
c.) This Tradition above is attested by the Church Fathers
i. Papias = Mark as Peters Interpreter,
ii. Origen = Mark as Peters Follower in Rome
iii. Clement of Alexandria
iv. Irenaeus = Mark wrote after Peters Death
B.) WHO were St. Marks AUDIENCE?
1. Internal Evidence = a.) It was addressed to a Gentile Audience. Why?
i. Explanation of Jewish Customs
ii. Translation of Aramaic Terms
iii. Latinism: Legion, Centurion, Preatorium, Coin
b) It was addressed to Persecuted Christians/Audience
i. Only Evangelist with Wild Beasts
ii. Addition of Persecution in the list of Rewards
iii. Only mention of Salted with Fire

2. External Evidence = Testimony of Christian Writers that it was made for the
Gentile Christians In Rome

C.) WHEN was it written?

1. Internal Evidence = a.) Olivet Discourse
b.) Persecution Language

2. External Evidence = a.) Death of Peter in circa 64 AD (Josephus)

b.) Before Peters Death (Papias and Clement)

3. Elements used to Date a Book

a. Language
b. Reference to Important Events (Destruction of Temple, 586 BC / 70AD)
c. Extra-Biblical Evidences

4) WHY was St. Marks Gospel Written?

1. Internal Evidence = a. to encourage persecuted Christians

b. to Catechize and for Pastoral Reasons
2. External Evidence = According to Early Christian Writers, it was used to
Preserve

5.) HOW was St. Marks Gospel Written (Chronological Arrangement)

A.) PRELUDE TO THE PUBLIC MINISTRY OF JESUS

- The Proclamation of John the Baptist
- Baptism of Jesus
- Temptation of Jesus
B.) GALILEAN MINISTRY
- Beginning of the Galilean Ministry
- Jesus Calls the First Disciples
- Man with an Unclean Spirit
- Jesus Heals Many at Simons House
- A Preaching Tour in Galilee
- Jesus Cleanses a Leper
- Jesus Heals a Paralytics
- Jesus Calls Levi
- The Question about Fasting
- Pronouncement about the Sabbath
- The Man with a withered hand
- A multitude at the Lakeside
- Jesus appoints the twelve
- Jesus and Beelzebub
- True Kindred Of Jesus
- Parable of the Sower
C.) JOURNEYS OUTSIDE JERUSALEM
- The Syrophoenician Womans Faith
- Jesus Cures a Deaf Man
- Feeding the Four Thousand
- The Demand of a Sign
- The Yeast of the Pharisees and of
Herod
- Jesus Cures the Blind Man at
Bethsaida
- Peters Declaration about Jesus
D.) JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
- Teaching about Divorce
- Jesus Blesses Little Children
- The Rich Man
- A Third Time Jesus Foretells his Death and Resurrection
- The Request of James and John
- The Healing of Blind Bartimeaus
E.) JERUSALEM MINISTRY
- Jesus Triumphal Entry into
Jerusalem
- Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
- Jesus Cleanses the Temple
- The Lesson from the Withered Fig
Tree
- Jesus Authority is Questioned
- The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
- The Question about Paying Taxes
- The Question about the Resurrection
- The First Commandment
- Purpose of Parables
- Lamp under a Bushel Basket
- Parable of the Growing Seed
- Parable of the Mustard Seed
- Use of Parables
- Jesus Stills the Storm
- Jesus heals the Gerasene Demoniac
- A Girl restored to Life and a Woman
Healed
- The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth
- The Mission of the Twelve
- The Death of John the Baptist
- Feeding of the Five Thousand
- Jesus Walks on the Water
- Healing the Sick in Gennesaret
- The Traditions of the Elders
- Jesus Foretells of his Death and
Resurrection
- The Transfiguration
- The Coming of Elijah
- The Healing of a Boy with a Spirit
- Jesus again Foretells his death and
Resurrection
- Who is the Greatest?
- Another Exorcist
- Temptations to Sin
- The Question about Davids Son
- Jesus Denounces the Scribes
- The Widows Offering
- The Destruction of the Temple
Foretold
- Persecution Foretold
- The Desolating Sacrilege
- The Coming of the Son of Man
- The Lesson of the Fig Tree
- The Necessity for Watchfulness
F.) PASSION AND RESURRECTION (Gospel for Good Friday)
- The Plot to Kill Jesus
- The Anointing at Bethany
- Judas agrees to Betray Jesus
- The Passover with the Disciples
- The Institution of the Lords
Supper
- Peters Denial Foretold
- Jesus prays in Gethsemane
- The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
- Jesus before the Council
- Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene
- Jesus appears to Two Disciples
- Jesus Commissions the Disciples
- The Ascensions of Jesus
- Peter Denies Jesus
- Jesus Before Pilate
- Pilate Hands Jesus over to be
Crucified
- The Soldiers Mock Jesus
- The Crucifixion of Jesus
- The Death of Jesus
- The Burial of Jesus
- The Resurrection of Jesus

Key = Intro, Galilee, 3 Jerusalem (Outside, TO, Within), Passion and Resurrection

2 Types of Narrator
a.) Omniscient knows the story through and through, every minute detail, even visions,
dreams, and feelings
b.) Limited Knows the story through Humans perception

4 Principal Classes
a. Static does not evolve internally
b. Dynamic evolves internally in narrative
c. Flat knows the surface of the character with one single trait
d. Round more depth and personality, conflicting and contradictions in dialogues (God)

4 Types of Characters
A1.) Hero/Heroine/Protagonist most indispensable character
A2) Secondary transformation of the action and the hero (Antagonist)
b.) Functionaries Service of the Plot and main action (Action and Scenes)
c.) Foils Enhance qualities of other characters (hero/protagonist/antagonist)
d.) Crowds passive and part of the setting (extra lang)

4 Types of Characterization
a.) Use of Name -
b.) Direct Statement of Narrator
c.) Characterization through Dialogue
d.) Use of Myth divinities, visions oracles, dreams

Habits repeated actions, gestures, and words

Traits interdependent habits (character)
3 Main Reading Positions
1. Reader-Elevating = the reader knows more than the characters in the story
2. Character-Elevating = the character knows more than the reader (intentions)
3. Evenhanded = both the reader and the character knows the story

2 Types of Irony result of a contrast. Differences of knowledge are Ironies

1. Verbal = use of words and dialogue
2. Dramatic = use of actions, turning a good into something bad

2 Types of Time
1. Narrated Time = duration of actions and events (seconds, days, months, hours)
2. Narration Time = number of verses, words, paragraphs
*Order chronological sequencing of events
*Analepsis Flashback + Prolepsis Foreshadowing

Dialogue
1. used to narrate an important sequence / message
2. contrastive principle short vs long, simple vs elaborative (syntax and style)

Literary Features and Thematic Emphases

A.) Paratactic Styles

1. Parataxis stringing together of episodes (placing next to), use of Kai (and)
2. Immediacy Emphasis on action (immediately, right away), use of Euthys
(immediately)

B.) Thematic Groupings placing similar stories together for thematic continuity. Some
episodes are not orderly arranged.

C.) Inclusions and Intercalations

1. Inclusions = use of similar words in the beginning and end of an episode
2. Intercalations = sandwhiching of a middle story between 2 events.

Realism in Narrative Details

1. Long narrative details
2. Expression of Jesus feelings and emotions
3. Familys Opposition and His disciples weaknesses

Messianic Secret People are not ready for a suffering messiah

1. Dont tell about my Miracles
2. Dont tell that I am the Son of God

Special Relationship of Narrators and Readers

1. Eyewitness Narrator Mark was not an eyewitness but he writes as if he was one.
2. Omniscient Narrator have a lot of inside information
3. Privileged Reader giving special insights to the readers