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Subject: Kata Markon

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  • From: Steve Black <sblack AT axionet.com>
  • To: Kata Markon <gmark AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Ch 4
  • Date: Sat, 19 May 2001 13:49:57 -0800


Verses 4:33-34 seem to me to be a puzzle.

(33)With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; (34)he did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

On one hand V. 33 implies the parables were told to illuminate, V34 refers back to V.11-12 where the purpose of parables is to conceal.

Guelich suggests in his commentary that this flaw in Mark's narrative world is due to a conflict in Mark's received tradition and. Mark's redaction.

That seems a plausible enough possibility, yet I'm not content with it.
Was Mark that much of a slave to tradition as to permit this kind of contradiction?

Perhaps the disciples play two roles in this passage.
1. Stand ins for the readers who presumably "get it"
2. The "historical" disciples, who ultimately prove not to "get it"

On the other hand, I wonder if Mark's narrative is not ultimately able to bear the heavy weight that our careful scrutiny places on it. Perhaps Mark merely wasn't being consistent in his thinking - a human enough possibility.

Any thoughts?

--
Steve Black

Dig deep for dreams, or you will be toppled by slogans...
ee cummings



  • Ch 4, Steve Black, 05/19/2001
    • <Possible follow-up(s)>
    • Re: Ch 4, Ted Weeden, 05/20/2001
    • Re: Ch 4, Rikki E. Watts, 05/20/2001
    • Re: Ch 4, Rick Frommich, 05/24/2001

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