Lectionary Year B
October 5, 2003
Mark 10:2-16
Step I:
Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation
A. Comparing Translations
(JFC) The English Standard Version, 2001 and the New Revised Standard Version of
1987 differ only appreciably in one verse, as these notes indicate:
13 and the disciples rebuked them. - ESV
and the disciples spoke sternly to them. - NRSV
B. Textural Criticism
(JFC) 2 For kai. proselqo,ntej Farisai/oi, several strategic witnesses offer different articles and/or additional verbiage, like oi de, kai and/or kai proselq. oi F., for example. Metzger (TCGNT) explains the impersonal, proselqovntej Farisai''''/oi, to be possibly original in that it seems Markan, yet could be printed in brackets due to committees' members' disagreeing on whether it came from the Matthaen parallel, (19:3). Besides, an almost equal number of redacting editions retain the text as received as original.
5 A small part of the tradition replaces the first two words, o` de., with kai apokriqeij o, getting the additional element of "the replying" onto the saying Jesus is reported to have made. However, more substantial witnesses retain the text as printed which does seem to suffice and for Mark could be original in that it is briefer without the addition.
6 Some Alexandrian versions replace the last word in this verse, auvtou,j, with o qeoj, while others add, autous o qeoj, to make it more inclusively explainable, while still others, the most of the reliable ones, retain the printed text. Metzger offers a clarification that the addition might have been for "uninstructed readers (who could/might) imagine that the previously mentioned subject (Moses) should be carried on."
The second half of verse 7 might have been added or by a scribe overlooked in an original or at least an earlier manuscript, since it is found in Genesis 2:24 as well as Matthew 19:5. A few editions omit it as if it were added to the original. More Western witnesses retain it as printed, prudently, it seems.
11/12 Several redactions seem to try to clarify the roles of males and females in divorces. Still, the majority of editions retain the printed text, which seems to state the cases as had stood for generations when Mark wrote, to say nothing of when Jesus spoke.
13 The last two words in this verse, evpeti,mhsan auvtoi/j, get transformed into attempts to assure that early readers and hearers of this story wouldn't think it was the children who get a negative reaction from the disciples, but rather those who brought them. Metzger seems to think the Textus Receptus better reads with the printed version. He concludes, "The reading adopted as the text is strongly supported by a, B, C, L, D, Y . . ." and others.
16 Several manuscripts want to make this last verse of our lection more parallel and/or less ambiguous for earlier readers by altering a word or more, while a majority of dependable witnesses keep the received version as original.
C. Rough Translation
(JFC) 2 And having approached the Pharisees asked him if lawful/proper it is for a
man a woman to divorce, testing him. 3 But he answering said to them, "What to you did command Moses? 4 But they said, "Allowed/Permitted Moses a written document stating re: divorce to write and to set free/send away/divorce. 5 But Jesus said to them, "For the stubbornness of you he wrote to/for you the commandment this one. 6 But from the beginning of creation male and female he made them. 7 Because of this shall leave a man the father of his and the mother [and he shall be united to/with the wife of his], 8 and shall be/become the two as if flesh one; thus/in order that no more/longer will they be two rather one flesh. 9 So whomever God joined together man not separates [imperative].
10 And in the house again the disciples about this asked him. 11 And he said to them, "Anyone/Whoever would divorce [subj.] the wife of his and would marry another commits adultery with her; 12 and if she having divorced [aorist participle] the husband of hers marries another she commits adultery [indicative]."
13 And they brought to him children so that them he might touch/hold [aorist subjunctive]; but the disciples rebuked/scolded them. 14 But having seen the Jesus became indignant/angry and said to them; "Allow the children to come to me, not forbid/prevent/hinder them, for of them [genitive, plural] such is the kingdom of the God. 15 Truly I say to you (pl.), whoever does not receive the kingdom of the God as a child, not ever shall he enter [aorist, active, subjunctive] into it. 16 And having taken [aorist, middle, participle] into arms them he blessed them he was placing the hands on them.
(JEA) 2) And the Pharisees having approached were asking him if it is lawful for a husband to release (Gr. "apoluo") [his] wife, (they) putting him to the test. 3) And he (lit. the having replied one) having replied said to them, "What (why?) to you commanded Moses?" 4) And they (lit. the ones) said, "Moses permitted a book of divorce (lit. apostasy or revolt) to write and to release. 5) And Jesus said to them, "Toward the hardness of the heart of you he wrote to you this commandment. 6) And from the beginning of creation 'male and female he made them; 7) on account of this thing a male human being shall leave his father and mother and he shall unite with his wife. 8) And the two shall be into one flesh;' with the result that no longer are they two but one flesh. 9) What thing, therefore, God yoked together let not a man separate."
10) And into the house again the disciples concerning this thing were asking him. 11) And he says to them, "Whoever might release his wife and might marry another commits adultery against her (?). 12) And if she having released her husband might marry another she commits adultery."
13) And they were bringing their children in order that he might touch them. And the disciples rebuked them. 14) And Jesus having seen [this] he became angry and said to them, "You all allow the children to come toward me, do not hinder them, for of these sorts is the kingdom of God. 15) Truly I say to you all, whoever does not welcome (receive?) the kingdom of God as (he/she receives?) a child, he/she may not at all enter into it." 16) And having embraced them he is blessing (them) having placed his hands upon them.
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