Lectionary Year B
September 14, 2003
Mark 8:27-38
Step II: Disposition
A. Genre
(JFC) This pericope seems to want to get onto the dialogue it reports, almost rushing
through the travelogue in the opening phrases, followed by third person reporting of further conversation topics. Then, the report returns to a verbatim dialogue in a long sentence without stops, a reminder of a Pauline sentence or a Barthian one. Maybe?
B. Personal Interaction
(JFC) Whenever reading this passage, we wonder, perhaps first, why Jesus had to ask
who people said He was; didn't He know? Then, perhaps second we wonder why Elijah is apparently not considered to be "one of the prophets". Then, why did Jesus seemingly ignore Peter's offering an answer to Jesus' question. Next we might question the litany of "the elders, chief priests and scribes" who will reject Jesus. Thereafter, the rebuking appears to be the strategy of both Peter and Jesus. Then, will Jesus really be ashamed of any who seem ashamed of Him and His words? And, for that matter, are any of His contemporaries expressly ashamed of Him and of His words?
C. Organization
(JFC) Jesus' asking who people said He was is in the first verse of our lection, the
24th verse. The "one of the prophets" statement is in verse 28 and Jesus' ignoring Peter's offering an answer to His question is in the 29th verse. Those named to be about to reject Jesus are listed in verse 31. Verses 32f include the "rebuke(s)" by Peter and by Jesus. The shame factor is in the 38th verse.
A. Genre
(SC) This text consists of confession by disciples (27-30), teaching by Jesus
(31-33), & warnings & promises by Jesus (34-38 or -9:1). At 1st reading, it
appears to be pronouncement story qualified & deepened by objection (on the
disciples' part) & correction (on Jesus' part). But it might be understood
more fully as a commissioning & promise narrative (especially if 9:1 is
included) with the following components:
1. Introduction - Mark sets scene geographically (Caesarea Philippi) &
casts characters (Jesus & his disciples & implied opponents).
2. Confrontation - Jesus challenges disciples about his true identity.
3. Reaction - Disciples, & then specifically Peter (with confession),
answer.
4. Commission - Jesus responds with core of his message. Predicting his
passion is commission Jesus received from God & describing sufferings of
discipleship is commission the disciples receive from Jesus.
5. Protest - Peter's protest heightens tension & provokes Jesus into
further elaboration.
6. Promise - Jesus offers salvation & coming kingdom of God with power.
This pericope is the beginning of the end. In it are most of elements which get
played out through the rest of Mark's Gospel as plot lines of Jesus,
disciples, & opponents (all of which have been introduced in first 8
chapters) are interwoven into passion story. The stakes of being either FOR
or AGAINST Jesus are laid out here & brought to climax in dramatically
accelerated 2nd half of gospel.
B. Personal Interaction
(SC) Text Parameters:
1st Choice - Begin text with 8:27 (Peter's confession) or with 8:31?
I would choose to begin at 8:27 based on following rationale:
1. 8:27 is major division in Mark's Gospel because Jesus is now on way to
Jerusalem, having finished Galilean ministry.
2. Chapters 1-8:26 recount Jesus' healing/teaching ministry. Now
emphasis shifts to prediction & action of passion story, with Jerusalem ministry embedded in it.
3. Chapters 8 & 9 are block, preceding Jesus' leaving for Judea in 10:1.
4. Now Jesus addresses disciples, & 8:27-30 is beginning of teaching
about true nature of Messiah, including predicting his passion & discussing
suffering.
Arguments against this choice:
1. In chapters 8-16, Jesus is outside Galilee except 8:27-30, when he's
in Caesarea Philippi.
2. 8:27-30 can be seen as explicit culmination of first 8 chapters'
hints about Jesus' identity.
2nd Text Parameter Choice - Include 9:1 (which lectionary does not include)
as conclusion of text?
At this point, I don't know whether to include 9:1 because it can be climax
to today's text or an introduction to following Transfiguration or
transition, acting as both climax & introduction, based on following rationale:
1. 8:27-9:1 is three part unit in which Jesus begins to address impact
of the cross. He challenges disciples about their understanding of true
nature of his identity as Messiah (27-30). Then Jesus elaborates by stating
& developing meaning of his passion (31-33). He concludes this unit by
describing disciples' role - their way of suffering. As climax, 9:1 refers
to God's kingdom coming with power & is important context for understanding
both Jesus' suffering & the suffering disciples are called to (see Context
discussion below). Also, reference to coming kingdom in 9:1 is crucial
part of understanding suffering. The crucifixion should always stay within
the context of resurrection.
2. As introduction to Transfiguration, 9:1begins with a typical Markan
form of beginning another saying of Jesus, "And he said to them..." Since
Transfiguration anticipates future glory of Son of Man, 9:1 sets up that
anticipation by referring to coming kingdom.
3. As transitional statement, 9:1 echoes 8:38 ("in the glory of the
Father with holy angels") & anticipates the glorious imagery of the
Transfiguration. 9:1 links Son of Man christology in Chap. 8 with
identification of Jesus as Son of God expressed in Transfiguration
I would decide whether to include 9:1 within text after further exegesis &
clearer determination of direction of sermon.
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