The Book of Mark
Fall 2005 Bible Study
Chapters 9-10
| "St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for
fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature.
Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical
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Greetings
Due to work abundance, I was not one of the 19 but we have it on good
authority (thanks Bob!) that...
An intrepid group of 19 braved the chilly evening, both outside and inside -
the old church basement is taking its own sweet time in heating up to normal
temperature - to share an inner warmth inspired by our facilitator's
research and questioning. She regretted that she could not squeeze all her
material onto the two pages, but those two pages proved to be more than
enough for vigorous debate and discussion. Here follows the hand-out.
Thanks, Cecelia.
Transfiguration 9:1-13
- after 6 days (9:2) - an allusion back to Moses' experience of God
after 6 days on Mt. Sinai & an allusion ahead to Jesus' Passion Week.
Transfiguration as an allusion to Moses on Mt. Sinai; high mountain (Exod
24:12-18), presence of a special group (same), radiance of the central
figure (Exod 24:29-25), fear of onlookers (Exod 34:29-30) cloud (Exod
24:15-18) & voice from the cloud (same).
- high mountain (9:2) - traditionally, Mt. Tabor (~10 mi. SW of Sea of
Galilee).
- Elijah with Moses (9:4) - Elijah (symbol of Prophets) & Moses
(symbol of Law) suffered for faithfulness to God. Their presence shows
Jesus fulfills OT promises.
- 3 booths (9:5) - may refer to Succoth, harvest festival, when Jews
built booths in the fields to save time going back & forth to their homes.
Peter wants to prolong the experience by building shelters.
- cloud (9:7) - symbol of rain (life & hope) & of God, source of life
& hope.
- 'This is My beloved Son' (9:7) - reminiscent of Jesus' baptism.
Foreshadows centurion's comment at the cross ('Truly, this man was the Son
of God.')
- should not tell anyone until the Son of Man had risen from the dead
(9:9) - 1st passion prediction.
- Elijah has already come (9:13) - Jesus identifies John the Baptist
as equal to Elijah.
Questions
- Did Jesus regard the Kingdom of God as present or to come in the
future? (9:1)
- Did the Transfiguration actually occur at this point or is it a
Resurrection appearance placed here stylistically?
- Did Jesus' discussion with the 3 apostles on coming down from the
mountain (9:9-13) refer to His passion or to the end of time? Recall that
Jewish teaching at this time was that bodily resurrection was to be an
end-of-time event.
Healing a Boy Possessed 9:14-29-
I brought you my son (9:17) - implies father's tentative faith in
Jesus' healing power.
- a mute spirit (9:17) - The Greek original implies demonic
possession. Contrast other exorcisms where the demons speak & identify
Jesus as "Holy One of God" (1:24) & "Son of the Most High God" (5:7).
- whenever it takes hold of him... (9:19) - Matt 17:15 terms the
condition epilepsy.
- How long... (9:19) - Jesus again expresses frustration with people's
lack of faith & understanding. Compare 4:40, 6:6a, 8:12-21.
- If you can... (9:22-24) -polite expression becomes the story's
central theme: power of faith. Compare Jesus' statement to Jairus (5:36) -
"Do not fear, only believe."
- Go out from him... (9:25-27) - Jesus' exorcisms are always commands;
"Be silent & come out of him!" (1:25) & "Come out of the man, you unclean
spirit!" (5:8)
- His disciples asked him in private... (9:28-29) - Jesus'
explanations of difficult matters to the disciples are in private (Compare
4:10, 7:17, 10:10).
Questions-
Why was the disciples' prayer insufficient to cast out from the
boy's demon?
2nd Passion Prediction and Instructions to Apostles 9:30-50
Marriage and Divorce 10:1-12
- came into the regions of Judea... (10:1) - Jesus avoided travel
through Samaria.
- Pharisees approached him (10:2) - divorce was controversial among
Pharisees.
- if it is lawful... (10:2) -Deut 24:1-4 (only Torah passage on
divorce) made divorce lawful. They knew Jesus' position on marriage &
wanted to show the people his lack of orthodoxy. Divorce was generally the
husband's prerogative; a divorce certificate guaranteed the wife's right to
re-marry.
- from the beginning of creation (9:6-9) - Jesus equates his ministry
with a new creation that will fulfill God's original creation plan for men &
women.
- In the house... (10:10-12) - more private teachings for disciples.
Since adultery then was an offense against husband, Jesus' statement injects
a note of gender equality.
Questions
- Should Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce be taken as an ideal
to strive for, a challenge to be faced, an extreme example or divine law?
Jesus Blesses Children 10:13-16
Rich Young Man 10:17-31
- a certain man... (10:17) - we only learn at 10:22 that he is rich.
- inherit eternal life (10:17) - equates to the "kingdom of God." The
preceding text insists that entering the kingdom of God is a gift from God.
- You shall not defraud (10:19) - from Exod 20:17,21:10,Deut 24:14,
not Decalogue.
- Jesus looked at him, loved him (10:21) - Jesus admires the sincerity
& integrity of one who has kept the 10 Commandments.
- sell whatever you have (10:21-22) - In addition to giving up wealth,
Jesus is asking him to give up status in society as a benefactor, a place of
honor in Jewish society.
- difficult ... for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God
(10:23) - thought & energy to accumulate & preserve riches distract from
attention to God's kingdom.
- camel to pass (10:25) - strict hyperbole; no historical foundation
for an "eye of the Needle" gate in Jerusalem.
- Then who can be saved? (10:26) - If the rich, who have leisure to
observe the Commandments & can give alms, cannot enter God's kingdom, who
can? Jesus means that faith & entry to God's kingdom are divine gifts.
- Amen I say to you (10:29-31) - Jesus promises by giving up worldly
possessions & following him, the disciples will be rewarded in this life &
in God's kingdom.
Questions-
How can the rich respond to Jesus' call?
3rd Passion Prediction and Instructions to Apostles 10:32-45
Healing of Blind Bartimaeus 10:46-52
- Have mercy on me (10:47-48) - An expression of faith in Jesus'
healing power. Though a beggar, Bartimaeus asks for healing not money. His
persistence in the face of the crowd's rebuke is further evidence of his
faith.
- Go, your faith has saved you (10:52) - Bartimaeus' healing is both
physical & spiritual. There is no healing touch, but his recovery is
instantaneous & complete.
- followed him on the way (10:52) - Though he is not mentioned again,
it is understood that Bartimaeus became a follower of Jesus.
Questions
- What is the relevance of the absence of ritualistic elements
(spittle, mud, laying on of hands) in this healing story?
The three small groups reported that they ranged far and wide on the topics
of these chapters, including the nature of miracles and especially the
challenge of the divorce and remarriage passages. Participants shared
personal and family experiences with both failed and successful marriages,
sometimes in that order.
Needless to say, we adjourned to the treat table, albeit slightly late due
to the quantity of material to cover and the intensity of the discussion,
but we were well rewarded with two pots of steaming coffee and a triple
selection of our favorite cookies. Some of us felt compelled to sample all
three flavors in order to be gracious to our treat bringer. Thanks, Sue.
Privileges for Tuesday December 6: Mark chapters 11 and 12
-
Facilitator: Open mike - each of us in turn will offer the passage or
general impression which struck us most deeply; then we will comment and
discuss.
- Opening prayer: Jane
- Closing prayer: Marlys
- Treats: Rita
Here is a schedule of the Tuesdays ahead...-
Tuesday December 13: Mark chapters 13 and 14
Facilitator: Clarence
- Tuesday December 20: The Infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke (bring a
candle if you want)
- Tuesday December 27: Mark Chapters 15 and 16 (end)
Facilitator: Bob
- Tuesday January 3, 2006: Potluck (Oh Yeah!)
Ciao!
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694
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