1- The Markan priority2- The Messianic Secret3- The Suffering servant

4- Power over evil

For many years it was believed that the Gospel of Matthew was the first gospel written Hence its place in the

gospel sequence in the Bible.

What is Markan Priotity? Markan priority is the

argument that the Gospel of Mark was the first gospel written and was subsequently used as a source by the other Synoptic gospels- Mt and Lk.

Synoptic gospels are: Mark, Matthew and Luke

Literary forms generally expand rather than contract: Mark: 661 verses;

11,024 words Matthew: 1068

verses; 18, 293 words

Luke: 1,149 verses; 19,376 words.

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A phrase that refers to certain passages in the gospel where Jesus tells his disciples not to reveal his true identity.

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Jesus wants to keep his identity a secret:

When Jesus cast out demons he forbids anyone to mention this matter

When he heals a leper, he asks that no one says anything-continues the secrecy of his identity

When Peter proclaims him as messiah, he charges Peter and the apostles to say nothing.

He teaches in Parables6

Jesus is clearly the Messiah

But just as clearly he is not the great king or cosmic warrior that Jews may have anticipated.

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How do you explain the secrecy motif in the Gospel of Mark? See Mark 14:61-65

See your warm-up: The High Priest asked

if Jesus was the Messiah.

Jesus said YES Jesus is accused of

blasphemy

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Jesus in Mark’s gospel does not want people to have the wrong idea about him

E.g. by thinking that he is the kind of messiah they have anticipated. Therefore, Jesus wants to demonstrate he is the Messiah through his

actions not his words For Mark, the title “Messiah” does not signify earthly grandeur

and power but just the opposite. E.g. as messiah, Jesus was the Son of God who had to suffer and die

Throughout the gospel we are told by the narrator that Jesus will die (2:20; 3:6)

On three occasions Jesus predicts his own death/passion “Passion” comes

from a Greek word that means suffering.

Jesus is anointed for burial by a woman

Jesus teaches that suffering is to be not only his lot but that of his followers as well:

“Whoever would come after me must take up the cross and follow me.?

Mark’s community understands this because they are suffering

Being a disciple means affliction and pain, not power and prestige.

It means giving up one’s life in order to gain the world.

The destruction of the temple

Persecution The end is here Jesus is coming

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Evil spirits know who Jesus is “What do you have against

me/us?” Evil spirits obey Jesus

Drives them out of people: Legion Mute boy Mary Magdalene

Jesus is accused of being the master of the evil spirits People could not understand

why evil spirit obey Jesus Jesus gives the apostles

authority over evil spirits Prayer is the key to drive

out evil spirits 13

Movie: The Skeleton Key Some people question God’s existence but

believe on the existence of evil spirit Some people don’t believe on prayer, Mass,

Eucharistic Adoration, but they believe that bad things can happen if you play the weegie (ouija) board 14

Your group will be responsible for creating a newspaper front page that reports on the events of the Gospel of Mark. Using Mark as Story, your front page must include:

A title (5 pts) Summary of the main story your group is in charge of reporting.

Summarize your main story carefully providing all the details (10 pts.) And a picture that illustrates your main story (5 pts. )

One more story describing a separate event from the Gospel, and a drawing/illustration that goes with the story. (10 pts)

One “interview” of an eyewitness from one of your stories. Include at least 5 questions and the possible responses (5 pts)

Weather reports (5 pts) Editorials by both Roman and Jewish commentators- offering their

varying perspectives (opinion) on the events (10 pts)

3 bonus points will be given for creating and including any cartooning in your paper- in addition to the above expectations.

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