Chapter 7 - The Gospel of Mark Flashcards
What kind of evidence do we base the authorship of the gospels?
Since titles were probably added to the Gospel not till some time after the original writing, we depend on early, external tradition and on internal evidence.
What is our earliest source supporting the authorship of Mark?
Early in the 2nd Century church father Papias passed on a tradition that Mark accurately wrote down in his Gospel the reminiscences of Peter concerning Jesus’ life and teaching.
What is significant for the Gospel of Mark?
Mark’s gospel is one of action, signaled especially by the adverb “immediately”. He relates Jesus’ activities as the mighty and authoritative Son of God.
With what purpose does Mark write his gospel?
As an apology. Mark’s Gospel is designed to convert non-Christians despite the shame of the cross. The cross having the same connotations as an electric chair or gas chamber. This counteraction takes the form of stressin his power to work miracles and so forth.
When was Mark’s gospel written?
Early Christian tradition shows some uncertainty whether Mark wrote his Gospel before or after the martyrdom of Peter (A.D. 64-67) but generally favors the earlier period (about 45-60). In fact, if Luke ends his book of Acts without describing the outcome of Paul’s trial in Rome because the trial has not yet taken place, then Acts must be dated about A.D 63, its preceding companion volume, the Gospel of Luke, somewhat earlier, and - if Lule’s Gospel reflects Mark- Mark still earlier in te fifties or late forties.
Who’s Mark’s Audience, and why its hat believed?
He has a Roman audience in mind. He translates Aramaic expression for their benefit (3:17). He explains Greek expressions by their Latin equivalents (12:42) and uses a number of Latin terms.
Around what themes is Mark’s gospel narrative arranged?
His narrative is loosely arranged and fast-paced, emphasizing the mighty deeds of Jesus, the authority of his teaching, and his predictive power.
Describe Idumea, Judea, and Samaria
Judea the central part, both fruitful plain and hilly regions; Samaria mountainous but fruitful
Describe Galilee in the north, and Perea in the mideast (bordering to Judea)
borders to the Gentiles to the north and east; fruitful district with abundance of fish and good farming. Perea is less fruitful; this was the area that Jews crossed not to be forced to pass Samaria.
What is Decapolis?
Placed a bit northeast, ten independent Greek (Hellenistic) cities
Hellenistic cities on the coastal plain were independent units, situated as “island.” Like Hong Kong?
Name the most important roads.
the ‘Via Maris’, which runs along the sea (sometimes called the costal road). The we have the King’s Highway going to the east.
Also, the Way Toward the Sea going from Capernaum and to the Sea.
Describe Galilee.
the Galilee of the Gentiles—more Gentile centers there, especially in Decapolis (sometimes the boarders are fluid). Galilee as construction: very Hellenistic, very Gentile.
One Nazi exegete, Walter Grundmann, said that since Jesus grew up in Galilee, and because it was such a Hellenistic area Jesus was probably not a Jew, but an arian. Jesus father probably a Roman soldier, and the mother was not a jew but a gentile.
Already in 587 B.C a small group of Jews fled to where?
Egypt, where they eventually became a large minority.
How many were the Jews in numbers in Eretz Israel, and in the diaspora?
2.5 Million Jews in Israel, and 5 millions in the diaspora.
Which place was the centre for the diaspora? And what did that entail in communication?
Jerusalem.
• from which emissaries were sent as when Paul travelled with a letter to the synagogues of Damascus
• from which rules and regulations went forth
• to which all Jews should make pilgrimages
• to which all Jews sent their temple tax
