Bishop’s Diocesan Reader

Conference 2014

Read, Mark, Learn

Session 3

Miracles in the Gospel of Mark

1 The uneven distribution of miracles

in Mark’s Gospel

15 in chapters 1-8: 8 healings, 3 exorcisms, & 4 other miracles, including at least 1 in each chapter and all 3 ‘summary statements’ )

3 in chapters 9-16 1 healing, 1 exorcism, 1 other miracle

Healings

1.29-31: Simon’s mother in law;

1.40-42: a man with leprosy

2.1-12: a paralysed man;

3.1-6: a man with a shrivelled hand

5.21-34: a dead girl

5.35-42: and a sick woman

7.31-37: a deaf and dumb man

8.22-26: a blind man

10.46-52: blind Bartimaeus

Read, Mark, Learn

Exorcisms 1.21-28: a man in Capernaum

5.1-20: a man among the tombs

7.24-30: a Syro-Phoenecian woman’s daughter

9.14-32: a boy

4.35-41: the calming of the storm

6.30-44: the feeding of the five thousand

6.45-56: the walking on water

8.1-13: the feeding of the four thousand

11.12-14, 20-21: the withering of the fig-tree

Other Miracles

Miracle Summaries

1.32-34: summary report of healings and exorcisms

3.10-11: summary statement of healings in Nazareth

6.5: summary report of healings and exorcisms

1 The uneven distribution of miracles

in Mark’s Gospel

The miracles establish Jesus’ credentials as Son of God – he is a wonder-worker.

But he is also the suffering servant, Son of Man; and the miracles are not party-tricks.

Note: the Resurrection is the biggest miracle of all and it’s performed on Jesus not by Jesus Jesus will not perform miracles to order (8.11-12)

2 Miracles are signs:

they back up the kingdom message

3.13-27: the exorcisms are a sign that Satan’s end has come: the kingdom of darkness is defeated

6.12-13: the healings are signs of the kingdom -- the gospel brings wholeness to individuals * the haemorrhaging woman in chapter 5 * the paralysed man in chapter 2

2 Miracles are signs:

they back up the kingdom message

But the figtree is cursed and it dies (11.12-14; 11.20-21).

The message of the kingdom is a message of judgement as well as of salvation.

The other miracles (eg, feedings, stilling of storm) are signs of peace and blessing:

the kingdom is ‘creation healed’ (Kung)

a) The feeding miracles in 6:30-44 and 8:1-10

3 Miracles to support the Gospel narrative

Jesus has compassion on a hungry crowd; the disciples are clueless what to do about it; the Lord asks them how many loaves they have, they produce an inadequate number, with some small fish; Jesus takes the loaves, gives thanks, breaks them and gives them to his disciples to distribute. Everyone eats enough, and there are basketfuls of scraps left over.

a) The feeding miracles in 6:30-44 and 8:1-10

3 Miracles to support the Gospel narrative

1st story set in Galilee on a hillside overlooking the lake. 2nd story set in a predominantly Gentile area.

1st story symbolises blessing of God to Jews through Jesus; 2nd story hints at blessing for the Gentiles too.

Clues in ch 7: 2 stories, an exorcism and a healing, featuring a woman and a man, both Gentiles.

b) The healing of the blind men (8.22-26 and 10.46-52)

3 Miracles to support the Gospel narrative

The two-part healing of the blind man in 8.22-26 is odd. It’s the only time in any gospel that the healing Jesus brings is not instant; and it is a rare piece of Mark’s gospel not to be taken up in any form by either Matthew or Luke. What’s going on? Most scholars have concluded it should be seen as a pair with the healing of Bartimaeus in 10.46-52

b) The healing of the blind men (8.22-26 and 10.46-52)

3 Miracles to support the Gospel narrative

Note the position of the story. It comes directly after Jesus has rebuked the disciples for their lack of understanding (8.14-21, "Do you have eyes but fail to see...?") It comes directly before Jesus questions his disciples about his identity: "Who do you say that I am" to which Peter rightly responds, "You are the Christ." (8:27-30).

But Peter's understanding is only partially correct. His vision is blurred.

b) The healing of the blind men (8.22-26 and 10.46-52)

3 Miracles to support the Gospel narrative

Before the healing of Bartimaeus, Mark’s gospel has included The transfiguration and associated warning about the suffering which the Son of Man will face (9.1-13) The second passion prediction and associated teaching about service (9.30-37) The third passion prediction and associated teaching about service (10.32-45, ending in the great declaration

‘The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve; and to give his life as a ransom for many’.

b) The healing of the blind men (8.22-26 and 10.46-52)

3 Miracles to support the Gospel narrative

The healing Bartimaeus is instant – the point is emphasises in 10.52: ‘immediately he regained his sight’.

But Bartimaeus is a model for discipleship ‘Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the Way’ (cf Acts 9.2)… ‘the way’: 8.27, 9.33, 9.34, 10.32

b) The healing of the blind men (8.22-26 and 10.46-52)

3 Miracles to support the Gospel narrative

So the two healings are like book-ends in the central section of the gospel, in which Jesus’ identity and his destiny are brought into full focus. At the start of the section, the disciples see only partially. By the end, they see clearly. It is clear-sighted disciples who are able to ‘follow Jesus on the Way’.

Conclusion -- and one final challenge

There is a stress in the ‘longer endings’ of Mark’s gospel not just on miracles but on the role of Jesus’ followers in performing them:

Mk 16.15-18: the great commission Mk 16.19-20: the signs confirm the message

Conclusion -- and one final challenge

Already in chapters 3 and 6 the disciples were not just preaching, but healing and exorcising. What about us? A sobering responsibility for those of us who preach: what signs accompany the preaching and confirm it?

Bishop’s Diocesan Reader

Conference 2014

Read, Mark, Learn

Session 3

Miracles in the Gospel of Mark