Kata Markon

[HStaiti AT aol.com]

I am surprized that more consideration has not been given to Mark 4.35ff within the structure of the two five-fold cycles of in the first section of gospel. 

Mark 4.35ff makes sense in the larger chiastic structure of Mark 
FIRST CYCLE
Stilling the Storm  (Mark 4.35-41)
       The Gerasense Demoniac (5.1-20)
             Jairus' Daughter (5.21-23, 35-43)
       The woman with a hemmorage (5.25-34)
Feeding the 5000 (6.34-44, 53)
     
SECOND CYCLE
Walking on the sea (6.45-51)
       The Blind Man at Bethsaida (8.22-26)
             The Syrophonecian woman's daughter (7.24-30)
       The deaf mute (7.32-37)
Feeding the 4000 (8.1-10)

Each story begins with a water crossing and a feeding of the multitude, evoking the Israelite epic of Moses and the people. Each story has at its center the miracle worker, evoking the miracle working power of Elijah. In this way, the story of Jesus is told in such a way as to include those who were excluded from the Israelite Epic because of their ritual purity. Jesus is redefining holiness in terms of mercy, love, and compassion (Moses prophesied, "Be ye holy, even as I am holy" Jesus proclaimed "Be ye merciful, even as your father is merciful " - Luke 3.36).

IMO, any analysis of Mark 35-41 apart from this larger chiastic structure is short-sighted.

Peace to you,
Harry Staiti
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