Lectionary Year B
September 7, 2003
Mark 7:24-37

Step II: Disposition
A. Genre

(JFC) This pericope seems to be a typically Markan account of two healing miracles, one happening as the other is concluded/completed, although a travelogue reports a moving on through more areas. Here, though the details appear a bit more developed than usual in this Gospel. For example, the woman's identity as being Syro-Phoenician, the verbiage exchanged and the geographics of the region approaching the Decapolis.

B. Personal Interaction

(JFC) First we wonder why there are two different stories in one lection. Then, we have to ask about Jesus' strategies in telling the people to keep his presence a secret. Next, why did He quote the "Suffer the children to eat first . . ." saying? And, did the woman's response really impress Him favorably enough to change His tactics? Next, why does Mark apparently use present tenses referring to the man with hearing and speech problems being brought to Jesus? Then, is it significant that He is remembered to have sighed and looked toward heaven when He told the man to open up? And, does the Aramaic word carry much of a significant load with it?

C. Organization

(JFC) The two stories divide at the 31st verse of our lection. Then, Jesus tells the people to keep quiet His being present with them in verse 24 and His healing the deaf and dumb man in verse 36. The children's eating first comes in the 27th verse and the woman's response is in verse 28 and Jesus' favorable reply is in the 29th verse. Verse 32 contains the present verbs, re: the bringing that man to Him. His sighing and looking to heaven and His use of the Aramaic word come in the 34th verse.



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