Review article
Because They Were Afraid: Mark 16:8 as the Typical Ending of a Parable
Ksenija Magda
; Faculty of Theology „Matija Vlačić Ilirik“
Abstract
This paper proposes a reading of Mark’s Gospel as a parable
and shows how this can account for the ‘unfortunate’ ending in
16:8. Such a reading suggests that Mark intended, copying Jesus’
teaching style, a genre he knew, and did not venture to invent a
new genre. The purpose of such a document is easily seen in Mark’s
traditional setting in the anti-Semitic (and anti-Christian) Rome in
the mid- sixties of the first century. The Christian community in
Rome is challenged to silence its testimony for fear of Caesar.
Aware of the fact that such a proposal should (and can) be
argued more broadly, I have chosen only three structural elements
of Mark to show how they contribute to Mark as parable. First, we
look at Mark 4 as Mark’s proposal and warning that his hearers
should beware of parables. The Prologue suggests that the beginning
of the ‘good news’ will not end favorably if Mark’s hearers do not
repent and believe it. Finally, the short concluding Resurrection
paragraph is understood as the parable’s punch line: those who
are rightfully upset about such an ending to the Jesus story should
look at their own lack of courage to testify to the risen Lord.
Keywords
The Gospel of Mark; Mark 16:8; Parables; The Parable of the Sower; Gospel; Testimony
Hrčak ID:
100024
URI
Publication date:
12.4.2013.
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