Kata Markon

[JFAlward AT aol.com]

The explanation for the flight of the naked young man is more likely to be 
the one which requires the least speculation.  Now, given that Mark has based 
almost all of the betrayal and arrest story on the Old Testament 
(http://sol.sci.uop.edu/~jfalward/David_and_Jesus.htm), we should look to 
scripture for an explanation.  

We find it, I believe, in Isaiah and Lamentations:

”Your nakedness will be exposed and your shame uncovered."  (Isaiah 47:3 )

"Jerusalem has sinned greatly and so has become unclean. All who honored her  
despise her, for they have seen her nakedness." (Lamentations 1:8)  

Thus, Mark's young man symbolizes Jerusalem's shame in degrading the son of 
God.  Why can't it be that simple?


Stephen Pimlott suggested that Mark had in mind Amos 2:16

"Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day," declares the LORD." 
(Amos 2:16 NIV)

Quoting Stephen: "This would mean that the young man represents the bravest, 
the pinnacle of the old Israel, but even he runs away naked."

I don't think this foundation is as solid as Isaiah and Lamentations.  Mark 
says nothing about this young man that would allow his readers to conclude 
that the young man was brave, or the "pinnacle of old Israel."  Stephen's 
explanation requires more guessing and how-it-could-have-been speculation 
than mine, I believe, and therefore is less satisfactory.  


Regards,

Joe Alward