Watchwords: Mark 13 in Markan Eschatology

353 Pages·17.249 MB·English

by  Timothy J. Geddert

l i b r a r y o f n e w t e s t a m e n t s t u d i e s
WATchWordS
Mark 13 in Markan Eschatology

TimoThy J. GedderT
JOURNAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
SUPPLEMENT SERIES
26
Executive Editor, Supplement Series
David Hill
Publishing Editor
David E Orton
JSOT Press
Sheffield
J

WATCHWORDS
Mark 13 in Markan Eschatology
Timothy J. Geddert
Journal for the Study of the New Testament
Supplement Series 26
To my parents
George and Annie Geddert
Copyright © 1989 Sheffield Academic Press
Published by JSOT Press
JSOT Press is an imprint of
Sheffield Academic Press Ltd
The University of Sheffield
343 Fulwood Road
Sheffield S10 3BP
England
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Geddert, T. J.
Watchwords: Mark 13 in Markan eschatology
1. Bible. N.T. Mark Critical Studies
I. Title
226'.306
EISBN 9781850751274
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements 9
Abbreviations 11
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION 15
Chapter 2
A MARKAN PERSPECTIVE ON SIGNS 29
Introduction 29
I Mark's Use of arijaeiov 30
II Mark's Omissions of GT]ji8iov 34
III The Markan Jesus and 'Objective Evidence' 40
IV Mark and 'Objective Evidence' 47
V Implications for Interpreting Mark 13 57
Chapter 3
A MARKAN PERSPECTIVE ON DISCERNMENT 59
Introduction 59
I The Leaven and the Loaves (Mark 8.14-21) 61
II The Call to Understand (7.31—8.26 in Context) 71
III Mark's Use of PAETTCO in the Light of His
Epistemology 81
IV PAinco in Mark 13: Implications for Exegesis 84
Chapter 4
A MARKAN PERSPECTIVE ON DISCIPLESHIP 89
Introduction 89
I YpTiyopecD, The Doorkeeper Parable, and Gethsemane 90
II The Four Watch Schema of the Passion Night 94
III Implications of Mark's Four Watch Schema for
Interpreting Mark 103
Chapter 5
MARK'S TEMPLE THEOLOGY 113
Introduction 113
I An Overview of the Data to Be Interpreted 114
II The 'Cleansing' of the Temple 117
III The Prophecy to Destroy and Rebuild 130
IV The Rending of the Temple Veil 140
V Implications for Interpreting Mark 13 145
Chapter 6
MARK'S THEOLOGY OF SUFFERING AND
PERSECUTION 149
Introduction 149
I The Road to Jerusalem: Via Dolorosa^ 151
II The Rejected Baptist and the Fulfilment of His Mission 155
III Jesus' Passion and the Mission of the Disciples 158
IV Implications for Interpreting Mark 13 175
Chapter 7
MARK 13 AND MARK'S LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT 177
Introduction 177
I Discipleship/Discernment and Mark's Literary Method 178
II A Model for Interpreting Mark's Gospel 185
III The Literary Function of Mark 13 192
Chapter 8
MARK 13 AND THE SECRET KINGDOM 199
Introduction 199
I The Secret Coming of the Kingdom in Mark 199
II Mark 13.1-4 and Mark's Agenda for Mark 13 203
III The Significance of the Temple's Destruction 206
IV The Significance of the Disciples' Suffering and
Persecution 215
Chapter 9
MARK 13 AND THE TIMING OF THE END 223
Introduction 223
I Judgment and Vindication: Intermediate and Final 225
II The Destruction of the Temple and the End of the Age 231
III The Timing of the End 239
IV A Markan Perspective for Reading Mark 13 253
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 255
Notes 259
Bibliography 317
Index of Biblical References 341
Index of Authors 349

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I have frequently read long lists of acknowledgements at the
beginning of a book and have sometimes wondered whether the
author did any of the work. I have now written a book and will never
have those thoughts again. The support and help of family and
friends during the time of writing has left me with a debt of gratitude
that I could never repay. Fortunately none of those who helped need
settle for whatever repayment I could ever give. They will be much
more richly rewarded.
Special mention must be given to two young friends whose
extraordinary help in the final stages has been most remarkable.
Thank you, Matthew and Andrew. I will try to help you when you are
old enough to write a book.
Thanks are due to those who helped in a variety of ways along the
way... especially to Lynn, Kathy, Conrad, Dave and Clint. I am
grateful to Prof. I. Howard Marshall, who not only guided me
through the research and writing, but also stood by me when the
challenges along the way were not only academic. I also thank Dr.
Ruth B. Edwards and Prof. G.R. Beasley-Murray for examining my
Ph.D. thesis, for urging me to make some changes, and not least for
recommending that my thesis be accepted. I hope they will recognize
in this publication many improvements over the thesis they
examined. And a special thank you to Katrina Poetker, without
whose expert help and good judgment, this study would have many
more deficiencies than it has.
A word of appreciation is extended to the British Commonwealth
Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom for financial
support, and to family and friends in Pitmedden, Canada, and
California for support in many other ways. Finally, to the first
critical reviewer of this book: thanks, Gertrud, for being kind. Thanks
for everything.