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Introduction
The question I will confront in this monograph is whether there is a turning point in the Gospel of Mark, that is, a pivot on which the entire narrative turns. A second and related question is: If such a pivot exists, then what is it? I believe there exists such a turning point in the Gospel of Mark and I hold it to be (broadly stated for now) in Markās middle section (8:22ā10:52). I am not alone in this determination. Several scholars have observed a major climax and turning point in this section of the narrative. The second questionāwhat precisely is the turning point?āis more difficult to answer and constitutes the burden of this book. If, as I will argue, the author constructed the Gospel with a decisive midpoint in mind, then how or in what way does the presentation of the turning point have an impact on the primary objective in writing, namely, the presentation or identity of Jesus? To put it another way, what is the relationship of the narrativeās turning point to Markan Christology?
In order to introduce this topic, I need to establish the context for determining the turning point in the Gospel, which will involve an examination of the structure or sequencing of the Gospel. After reviewing the proposals surrounding the various ways to outline the Gospel, I will examine the literary device of āturning point,ā including how the question of gospel genre influences the discussion. Finally, I will provide a general overview of the plot of Markās Gospel, which will serve to introduce my proposal for the identification of Markās turning point.
The Structure of Markās Gospel
Interpreters interested in the structure of Markās Gospel have searched diligently for a coherent organizing principle in order to make sense of the narrative. Coming up with a conclusive outline or structure to the Gospel of Mark is difficult. One reason may be the seemingly disjunctive manner in which Mark assembled the materials at his disposal. Eusebius, for example, says that Papias claimed that (according to āthe Presbyterā) Mark did not arrange the stories of Jesus in any particular order. Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Martin KƤhler insisted that all the Gospels are āpassion narratives with extended introductions.ā Accordingly, scholarly opinion regarding the structure of the Gospel abound. While it is possible to oversimplify matters, the Gospel of Mark has generally been outlined in one of four ways: (1) topographically, along geographic movements in the Gospel; (2) thematically, highlighting a particular theme or the development of a theme such as Christology, discipleship, or faith; (3) topically, with Jesusā teaching and healing ministry as the first major section and Jesusā death and resurrection as the second; or (4) rhetorically, seeking some literary or persuasive device by which to distinguish the material.
Topographical Outlines
One of the first commentators of Markās Gospel in the twentieth century, Benjamin W. Bacon, divides the material topographically. Simply stated, he sees two major divisions of material: Part I relates to Jesusā Galilean ministry (1:1ā8:26) and Part II concerns Jesusā Judean ministry (8:27ā16:8). More recently, James R. Edwards shares the view of Bacon by stating that the narrative falls naturally into the same two halves. Vincent Taylor expands this twofold structure into six major divisions (after a prologue) in his outline of the Gospel: (1) the Galilean ministry (1:14ā3:6); (2) the height of the Galilean ministry (3:7ā6:13); (3) the ministry beyond Galilee (6:14ā8:26); (4) Caesarea Philippi and the journey to Jerusalem (8:27ā10:52); (5) the ministry in Jerusalem (11:1ā13:37); (6) the passion and resurrection narrative (14:1ā16:8). Many other commentators use topography as a means of examining the makeup of the Gospel.
Using topography as the signal feature in developing a Markan outline is not, however, without problems, especially within the portrayal of Jesusā Galilean ministry (1:14ā8:26). For example, in the so-called parable chapter (Mark 4), Jesus teaches in a boat alongside the sea (4:1ā9). In 4:10, when he was alone, those around him with the T...