Apocalyptic Imagination in the Gospel of Mark: The Literary and Theological Role of Mark 3:22-30 Público

Abstract

Abstract
The thesis of this study is that Mark 3:22-30 constructs a symbolic world
that shapes the literary and theological logic of the rest of the Gospel.
Specifically, Mark engages in apocalyptic discourse, presenting Jesus as the
Spirit-filled one who establishes the kingdom of God by struggling against Satan
to liberate people and form a community that does God's will. This apocalyptic
discourse expands throughout the narrative, with the rhetorical function of
persuading the reader to testify and suffer for Jesus' and the gospel's sake. This
dissertation finds its place among literary studies that focus on Mark as a unified
narrative and rhetorical composition. While narrative approaches to Mark
generally offer non-apocalyptic readings, this study seeks to clarify 3:22-30 by
comparing its themes with those in Jewish apocalyptic literature, and then to use
that discourse as an interpretive lens for the rest of the Gospel.
Chapter one discusses the history of interpretation of Mark 3:22-30 and
explains the approach of the dissertation. Chapter two analyzes the literary
context, structure and content of Mark 3:22-30. It argues that Mark both affirms
that Satan is powerful and that Jesus is powerfully invading Satan's kingdom,
thereby portraying a power struggle. Chapter three compares Jewish
compositions that appropriate similar topoi that appear in Mark 3:22-30. Chapter
four demonstrates that the vertical-spatial dimensions of an apocalyptic symbolic
world are woven throughout Mark by tracing the characterization of those
figures in 3:22-30 - Jesus, the scribes, Satan, and the Holy Spirit - throughout the
narrative. Chapter five demonstrates how 5:1-20 and 13:5-37 illustrate the
apocalyptic discourse displayed in 3:22-30. Chapter six discusses the nature and
manifestation of Jesus' power vis-à-vis Satan's power to illuminate how Jesus
overpowers the strong man, focusing on the section where Mark has Jesus teach
about power, 8:27-10:45, and on the empty tomb account, 16:1-8. Chapter seven
offers a conclusion and implications. Mark's apocalyptic discourse communicates
that appearances deceive, because God's power is at work. That is, what appears
to be subjugation, weakness and death is, in fact, God's power for overcoming
Satanic forces to establish God's kingdom.

Table of Contents

Apocalyptic Imagination in the Gospel of Mark:
The Literary and Theological Role of Mark 3:22-30

Table of Contents

1. The Shape of the Question 1
1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 History of Interpretation 3

1.2.1 The Interpretation of the Parables in Mark 3:22-30 3
1.2.2 Approaches to Mark 3:22-30 10
1.2.2.1 Form Critical Analysis 10
1.2.2.2 Redaction-Critical Analysis 12
1.2.2.3 Synoptic Comparison and Historical Analysis 14
1.2.2.4 Structural Analysis 15
1.2.2.5 Rhetorical and Socio-cultural Analyses 16
1.2.2.6 Literary Analysis 17
1.2.2.7 Summary 21
1.3 The Apocalyptic Character of Mark 3:22-30 21
1.3.1 Defining Mark as "Apocalyptic" 23
1.3.1.1 James M. Robinson 24
1.3.1.2 Norman Perrin 24
1.3.1.3 Howard Clark Kee 25
1.3.1.4 Adela Yarbro Collins 26
1.3.1.5 Joel Marcus 27
1.3.1.6 Ched Myers 28
1.3.1.7 Summary 29
1.3.2 Approaches to Mark 3:22-30 as Apocalyptic 30
1.3.2.1 Jennifer Ann Glancy 31
1.3.2.2 Rikki E. Watts 32
1.3.2.3 Ched Myers 33
1.4 The Approach of the Dissertation 34
1.4.1 Reading Mark 3:22-30 as the Construction of a
Symbolic World 34
1.4.2 Reading Mark 3:22-30 in its Literary Context 39
1.4.3 Reading Mark 3:22-30 as Apocalyptic Discourse 46
1.5 The Plan of the Dissertation 49


2. Analysis of Mark 3:22-30 50
2.1 Introduction 50
2.2 Literary Context of Mark 3:22-30 51
2.2.1 The First Frame, 1:12-13 and 3:22-30 52
2.2.1.1 The Literary Context of Isaiah 40:3 54
2.2.1.2 The Literary Contexts of Exodus 23:20 and
Malachi 3:1 56
2.2.1.3 The Juxtaposition of Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1
in Mark 1:2-3 58
2.2.2 The Second Frame, 3:7-12 and 4:1-2 61
2.2.3 The Third Frame, 3:20-21, 31-35 63
2.3 The Structure of Mark 3:22-30 68
2.4 The Content of Mark 3:22-30 72
2.4.1 The Apparent Contradiction between vv. 23-26 and v. 27 73
2.4.1.1 Proposals for Resolving the Contradiction 73
2.4.1.2 The Solutions of Joel Marcus and Austin Busch 77
2.4.1.3 Using the Narrative as a Resource 81
2.4.2 Interpreting 3:22-30, Following Mark's Own Cues 82
2.5 The Symbolic World that Mark Constructs in Mark 3:22-30 93
2.6 Conclusion 95


3. Apocalyptic Discourse in Jewish Compositions Contemporary to Mark 97
3.1 Introduction 97
3.2 Approaching the Literature: Genre and Apocalyptic Discourse 99
3.2.1 The Book of Daniel 102
3.2.2 1 Enoch 104
3.2.3 Jubilees 105
3.2.4 Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 106
3.2.5 Testament of Solomon 107
3.2.6 War Scroll (1QM) 109
3.2.7 Melchizedek (11QMelch) 110
3.3 The Book of Daniel as a Template 111
3.3.1 Persecution 113
3.3.2 Heavenly Beings 115
3.3.3 Judgment 118
3.4 Applying the Template 120
3.4.1 Persecution 121
3.4.1.1 1 Enoch 121
3.4.1.2 Jubilees 123
3.4.1.3 Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 124
3.4.1.4 Testament of Solomon 127
3.4.1.5 War Scroll (1QM) 128
3.4.1.6 Melchizedek (11QMelch) 130
3.4.2 Heavenly Beings 131
3.4.2.1 1 Enoch 131
3.4.2.2 Jubilees 134
3.4.2.3 Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 137
3.4.2.4 Testament of Solomon 140
3.4.2.5 War Scroll (1QM) 144
3.4.2.6 Melchizedek (11QMelch) 147
3.4.3 Judgment 149
3.4.3.1 1 Enoch 149
3.4.3.2 Jubilees 153
3.4.3.3 Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 155
3.4.3.4 Testament of Solomon 159
3.4.3.5 War Scroll (1QM) 159
3.4.3.6 Melchizedek (11QMelch) 164
3.5 Comparison of Compositions 166
3.5.1 The Shared Symbolic World 167
3.5.2 Different Aims in Apocalyptic Discourse 169
3.5.2.1 Binding of Evil Spirits 171
3.5.2.2 Agents of Judgment 173
3.5.2.3 Negative Examples 174
3.5.2.4 The Response of the Righteous to Oppressors 175
3.5.2.5 The Salvation of the Righteous at the Judgment 176
3.6 Mark 3:22-30 179
3.6.1 The Shared Symbolic World 180
3.6.2 The Distinctive Aims of Mark's Apocalyptic Discourse 181


4. Mark's Apocalyptic Discourse in Character, Plot and Narrative 187
4.1 Introduction 187
4.2 A Character Study 188
4.2.1 Mark's Characterization of Jesus 188
4.2.2 Mark's Characterization of Satan 195
4.2.3 Mark's Characterization of the Holy Spirit 203
4.2.4 Mark's Characterization of the Scribes 206
4.3 Conclusion 211


5. Mark's Apocalyptic Discourse in a Story (5:1-20) and a Speech (13:1-35) 214
5.1 Introduction 214
5.2 The Gerasene Demoniac (5:1-20) 215
5.2.1 Introduction 215
5.2.2 Narrative Context 217
5.2.3 Analysis of 5:1-20 219
5.2.4 Conclusion 229
5.3 The Olivet Discourse (13:5-37) 230
5.3.1 Introduction 230
5.3.2 Narrative Context 235
5.3.2.1 Followers must not reject Jesus (8:34-38) 235
5.3.2.2 The Jewish leaders reject Jesus (11-12) 238
5.3.2.3 Summary 247
5.3.3 Analysis of 13:5-37 248
5.3.3.1 The subject matter of the speech: the faithfulness of
Jesus' followers 248
5.3.3.2 The suffering and endurance of Jesus' followers,
13:9-13 253
5.3.3.3 The coming of the Son of Man, 13:24-27 259
5.3.3.3.1 Isa 13:10 and Isa 34:4 260
5.3.3.3.2 Joel 2:10-11 263
5.3.3.3.3 Dan 7:13 263
5.3.3.3.4 Echoes in Mark 265
5.3.3.4 Final Exhortations for Jesus' Followers 270
5.3.3.4.1 The parable of the fig tree (vv. 28-31) 270
5.3.3.4.2 The parable of the householder (13:32-37) 273
5.3.4 Conclusion 278
5.4 Closing Remarks 279


6. Overcoming the Strong Man:
The Nature and Manifestation of Power in Mark 281
6.1 Introduction 281
6.2 Power in the Kingdom of God (8:27-10:45) 283
6.3 The Nature of Power according to ta tou theou 286
6.3.1 Examples Elucidating the Nature of Power 287
6.3.2 The Purpose of Jesus' Mission (10:45) 291
6.4 The Manifestation of Power according to ta tou theou 297
6.4.1 The Manifestation of Power at the Transfiguration 298
6.4.2 The Manifestation of Power in Impossible Situations 306
6.4.3 The Manifestation of Power at the Empty Tomb 310
6.5 Conclusion 320


7. Epilogue 322
7.1 Introduction 322
7.2 The Nature of Apocalyptic Discourse 323
7.2.1 The Resolution of the Parables in Mark 3:22-30 323
7.2.2 The Rhetorical Function of Mark's Apocalyptic
Discourse 329
7.3 The Social Dimensions of Mark 3:22-30 333
7.4 The Intertextual Character of Mark's Narrative 336


Bibliography 339

Table: Summary of apocalyptic topoi 178-79

About this Dissertation

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School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Religion
Degree	PhD
Submission	Dissertation
Language	English
Research Field	Religion, Biblical Studies
Palabra Clave	Beelzebul Discourse Gospel of Mark Apocalyptic Narrative Criticism
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Johnson, Luke T, Emory University
Committee Members	Robbins, Vernon, Emory University O'Day, Gail R, Emory University Long, Thomas, Emory University Wilson, Walter, Emory University

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