CHAPTER 3 :: Introduction to Mark’s Motif
Mark teaches his gospel in a chiastic style and organizes it that way.
A chiasm (or chiasmus if you rather) is a writing style that uses a unique repetition pattern for clarification and emphasis. Chiasm is pronounced ky′-az-um. Often called the chiastic (ky′-az-tic) approach or the chiastic structure, this repetition form appears throughout the Bible, yet it is not well known.
What is a chiasm (or chiasmus)? Definition and explanation:
www.bible-discernments.com/joshua/whatisachiasm.html
The Barrier
The Jews envisioned a barrier between heaven and God’s people on earth. This barrier prevented God from revealing Himself. The Jewish Temple pictured this barrier in the veil that shielded them from God’s presence in the “holy of holies.” That holy place held God’s immediate presence within the Temple. Only the High Priest could enter it, and only once per year.
Mark’s chiastic structure presented a three-fold motif of God revealing Himself in Jesus’ ministry by ripping open the barrier between heaven and earth.
God tore open the sky to reveal Himself at Jesus’ baptism (Mk 1:9-11).
God revealed Himself from heaven at Jesus’ Transfiguration (Mk 9:2-8).
God tore the veil in the temple that shielded His presence at the time of Jesus’ death (Mk 15:37-39)
Mark based his motif on what Isaiah hoped for, “Oh, that You would tear open the heavens and come down (Isaiah 64:1).”
Based on an internet article: Ulansey, David. The Heavenly Veil Torn: Mark’s Cosmic “Inclusio.”
(Originally published in Journal of Biblical Literature, 110:1 {Spring 1991}, pp.123-125.)
Overview of the First Five Chapters: Who is Jesus?
Introducing Jesus, the Son of God (Mark 1:1-45)
Jesus, Rejected by Jewish Leaders (Mark 2:1-3:35)
Jesus’ Reaction to Rejection (Mark 4:1-5:43)
Introducing Jesus, the Son of God
Two disciples, Matthew and John, wrote the Gospels, and they personally witnessed what they recorded. The other two Gospel writers, Mark and Luke, weren’t members of Jesus’ twelve disciples. They were both eyewitnesses to parts of their accounts; however, they also included events that others related to them.
Luke based his gospel on his personal research (Luke 1:1-4), so he gave his personal assurance that what he wrote was true. He also wrote from the Apostle Paul’s observations, even though Paul wasn’t a believer in Jesus when Jesus walked the earth. In comparison, Mark’s gospel is based on Peter’s experiences.
Mark uses Peter because Peter doesn’t filter his responses, his perspective makes Mark’s gospel exhilarating. Mark comments repeatedly on how Peter reacts “immediately.” He doesn’t think through before speaking or reacting. He’s relatable because he reacts how we would. By using Peter’s thoughts, actions, and lessons learned the hard way, he makes things colorful. In the Storybook sections, we follow Peter’s example, as Mark does.
