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gmark - Re: The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark

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Subject: Kata Markon

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  • From: pmh15 AT cam.ac.uk (Peter M. Head)
  • To: "Kata Markon" <gmark AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark
  • Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2001 18:23:37 +0000


Prof. Watts has wondered several times why, if the purported Homeric
allusions actually existed, they were not noted by any church fathers.
Recently he wrote:
>Given that allusions are highly
>subjective, it might be a good thing to establish some criteria. I am
>suggesting one: let's ask others to adjudicate for us to see if we are
>seeing things or not. And who would be better equipped to help us if not
>Mark's contemporaries? It would have helped enormously if you could cite
>just one single ancient in support-but alas. To repeat, that not a single
>ancient author (for or against) saw the putative allusions must surely raise
>doubts as to whether your/MacDonald's garden and hence the explanation you
>provide for it actually exists.

Dear Rikk,

Isn't this very thing particularly difficult for Mark, if not impossible,
in view of the paucity of early comments on Mark? For example, I haven't
found the theme of Isaiah's New Exodus to be noted very much (if ever?)
among church fathers, but we know how pervasively that has influenced
Mark's presentation! (All the same I can't find the section of your book
where you apply this particular test to your theory.).


Best regards

Pete


Dr. Peter M. Head
Tyndale House
36 Selwyn Gardens
Cambridge CB3 9BA
Tel: 01223 566607
Fax: 01223 566608
email: pmh15 AT cam.ac.uk






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