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gmark - Re: gmark digest: July 03, 2001

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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: Re: gmark digest: July 03, 2001
  • Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001 07:16:50 -0800


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





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