Journey to Jerusalem

According to Mark

A term coined by German scholar William

Wrede in 1901 It refers to Jesus’ reluctance to have news of

his miracles spread Scholars believe that for Mark, people could

not know Jesus’ identity until after he had completed his mission

Messianic Secret

In Mark, no one every hints that Jesus is the

Messiah until Chapter 8

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him,“John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

The Messiah?

What do you think Jesus knew about his own

role?

Jesus self-knowledge?

The study of the Christ The theological discipline that deals with the

divine and human nature of Jesus The role of Jesus Christ in redemption

Christology

The core of Mark’s Christology is the

conviction that Jesus must suffer an unjust death—an atonement offering for others—to complete his messiahship.

And next, true disciples must suffer as he did

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

Mark’s Christology

A crowd of supporters welcomes Jesus to

Jerusalem at the gate of the city as the restorer of “the coming kingdom of our father David.” 11:9-10

He alienates authorities over the next few days: Overturning the money changers tables 11:15-

19 (an attack on the Sadducees) Pharisees attempt to trap him about paying

taxes Saduccees try to trap him about belief in the

resurrection 12:18-25

Jerusalem Ministry in Mark

A long speech by Jesus in Chapter 13 predicts

the Temple’s doom Mark used a variety of sources, including

Jewish apocalyptic material It has not been determined if Jesus ever made

such a speech

Prophecy of the Temple’s Fall

View 1: disasters will signal that the end is near

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. Mark 13:8

View 2: keep constant watch because the End will come without warning But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows,

not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. Mark 13:32-33

Mark’s two views on the Eschaton

Daily battles and insurrections Intense persecution of Palestinian Jews and

Roman Christians Great earthquakes eastern Mediterranean,

Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Naples Mark had great anxiety about false messiahs

Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.

Mark 13:6-7

When Mark wrote

Neither Matthew nor Luke share Mark’s sense

of urgency

Urgency about the End

Jesus presides over a celebration of Passover Passover commemorates the Israelites’ last

night in Egypt where the Angel of Death passed over the homes of the Israelites to slay the firstborn of the Egyptians

Jesus give the Passover new significance by identifying that the bread is ‘his body’ and the wine ‘his blood of the new covenant’

Last Supper

Paul earlier writing also describes the ritual or

ceremonyIn the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Cor 11:25

Mark’s version resembles Paul’s

The Passion = Jesus final suffering and death Mark show the excruciating painful death, yet

emphasizes the spiritual triumph The authorities believe they are ridding Judea

of a dangerous radical In reality, they have implemented his saving

death

The Passion

Mark puts two elements in juxaposition

1. Jesus as fulfillment of Hebrew Scripture 2. Jesus suffering personal anguish

Jesus’ part in the drama of salvation requires heroic effort

Mark reports that even as Jesus is severely tested, he uses the familiar “Abba” to address God

Two elements in contrast

Mark is the only Gospel that shows Jesus

explicitly accepting the role of Messiah at his trial

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy Mark 14:61-64

Messianic Identity

The ways that the three synoptic Gospels are

related Most scholars believe that Matthew and Luke

are expanded versions of Mark Matthew and Luke also used another source: Q Matthew and Luke also used material unique

to their respective Gospels

Synoptic Problem

A hypothetical collection of Jesus’s sayings (in

other words, we do not know for certain that it existed)

Q comes from Quelle, the German word for source

Dates for Q are presumed to be from 50-70 CE

Q

The analysis of a document to discover and

identify its written sources

Source Criticism