Kata Markon

["Larry & Sharon Hooge" <thehooges AT home.com>]

   

 

I've been working out of town lately.  I just thought I would put my two bits in on this, even though it looks as though the topic has gone to the wayside.

 

Some have tried to make a direct connection between the "fleeing young man" in the garden and the "young man" in the tomb, saying they're the same person.

 

I suppose it's possible, but I think that perhaps the writer of Mark only wishes a partial connection here.

 

Mark loves to have his readers compare 2 passages closely.  Eg., his various intercalations (Markan sandwiches).  "Compare these!", he's saying.

 

He even wishes comparison upon us where intercalation is not happening.  Eg., the parallels between Jesus' 'good' confession at his trial compared to Peter's denials.  (3 questions for each I believe ... (?)).  The two feedings of crowds (5000 and 4000) are another example.  So close in structure in fact that many think that there originally was only 1 feeding (if that).  But in Mark's narrative, they are 2 very separate feedings, albeit structured very closely.  The examples could be multiplied.  "Compare my two healing of blind-man stories!"  "Or take a look at what I do with the Jesus' three passion predictions.  See the close pattern I make in each ... prediction followed by disciple(s) stumbling followed by teaching."  Etc.

 

In all the above Mark wishes us to make connections, but in none of them does he wish us to merge the two into one. Peter is not Jesus.  The two feedings, though very similar, are two feedings.  The two blind men are two blind men.  The writer begs us to make the connection, but not the merging.

 

So I think it is between the two "young men".  Similar, but not the same.  To be identified in some way, but not identicalized.

 

Personally, I think the "young man" in the garden is the authour of Mark identifying himself to the reader.  "I am an eye witness.  These things are reliable."  I think the similarity he wishes to draw out with the "young man" in the tomb is perhaps that they are both announcing something.  Perhaps the writer of Mark identifies with the young man in the tomb in so far as they are both announcing to their listeners the "good news".  "He is risen!"  This is the gospel.  The climax in Mark's writing.  "Go tell.  Go tell the disciples ..."  Perhaps the writer of Mark sees himself as a fellow heralder of the risen Lord.  A fellow messenger (=angel(?)).  Akin in calling.  Brothers in purpose.  Identified in mind.

 

I can also envision the writer of Mark perhaps having made something about the clothing the two young men wore, or didn't wear, well before and/or well after having written his gospel. Perhaps he preached or taught using the "two young men" in a 'sermon'(?).  ... To abandon Jesus is to be naked.  To announce him is to be clothed in a white robe.

 

Larry Hooge,

Vancouver, B.C.