THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM (Part 6)

Mark’s gospel leaves us with no doubt that the truth of Jesus is only found on the cross.

As we read through Mark we will notice that the story is broken up into small units that often begin and end abruptly. we will find other passages in which Mark  has apparently provided a generalised summary to fill in between two episodes ( see 1: 21 - 22 which fills in between the call of the disciples and the first exorcism which attracts attention to Jesus). One of Mark’s favourite methods of composition is to fit two stories together by putting one in the middle of another. In Mark 2:1 - 12 and 3: 1 - 6, miracles of healing have sayings about Jesus’ authority to forgive and the appropriateness of healing on the Sabbath inserted in the middle. The story of the withered fig-tree forms the outside framework for Jesus’ cleansing of the temple in 11: 12 - 25. The healing of Jairus’ daughter is interrupted by the healing of a woman who had been haemorrhaging for twelve years (5: 21 - 43). Both of these stories stress the faith of the persons who ask Jesus for healing. The mission of the twelve disciples frames the story of John the Baptist’s death (6: 6 - 30).

The centre of the plot of this gospel, as we shall soon see, is to be found in Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the passion prediction and the rebuke of Peter (Mark 8: 27 - 33). In the very next verses Christians are told that they too must be prepared to suffer (8: 34 - 38). This affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah is often called the “messianic secret” for Jesus tells his diciples to remain silent. This theme reminds us of the story of the leper in 1: 40 - 45 immediately disobeying Jesus by telling everyone. The disciples are commanded to keep silent about the transfiguration (9: 9). Even Jesus’ teaching seems to somewhat of a riddle, which even his disciples have a hard time understanding (4: 10 - 13). The key lies here in this central passage of the gospel with Peter’s recognition of Jesus is the Messiah and who is immediately told not to tell anyone. The reason for the silence must be connected with what follows. Jesus tries to explain to his disciples that his role as messiah is one of suffering and death (8: 31 - 33). The “messianic secret” points to the paradox of who Jesus is: the powerful Son of God who is destined to die on the cross.
 

(to be continued)