Kata Markon

[Steve Black <sblack AT axionet.com>]

> Karel Hanhart  wrote:

> ... the identity of Mark. He was John Mark, born in Jerusalem who
> knew both Peter and Paul.

I don't think your theory needs this. That is unless (which I don't 
think is the case) you are arguing that this figure actually was Paul 
in history, and not merely literarily. I only say this because I 
think the theory is worth discussing, but have trouble with this 
tradition regarding the author of the GMark, and don't think this 
need detain us.

> ... I believe this
> youth was highly esteemed in the ecclesia but had to remain 
> anonymous because he
> hadnot been a disciple of Jesus during his ministry.


> ... I wonder, in the meantime if my innovative
>  > solution that the
>  anonymous 'youth' might well be Saul/Paul...

I quickly reviewed last year's thread on the subject, and read of a 
comparison of the "young man" and the 4th G's "beloved Disciple." 
Much ink has been spilt on the identity of the beloved Disciple. I am 
attracted to R. Brown's suggestion that the beloved Disciple was an 
unknown, or insignificant follower of Jesus (at the time of the HJ), 
but who had great importance to the later Johannine Community. This 
isn't the place to get into the merits of that argument - I only 
raise this as a point of comparison for the young man, & your 
suggestion that it may be intended to represent for the reader Paul. 
In other words, it may well be someone insignificant at the time of 
Jesus, but well known to Mark's community. That doesn't rule out 
Paul, but I wonder how much of Paul's story was common knowledge. 
That Paul "persecuted the church" (1 Cor 15:9, Gal 1:13, etc) seems 
to be part of Paul's written (and spoken?) shtick. If this detail 
about Paul's life was common knowledge (which seems likely) a 
suggestion that Paul followed [ie. was the young man] Jesus seems 
less plausible.
--
Peace

Steve Black
Vancouver, BC