GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MARK
The Mount of Olives and Gethsemane: Mk 14,26-52
This will be a long page as we read about the events at Gethsemane. We can read in four parts, the first being the short encounter on the Mount of Olives before the arrival in Gethsemane (14,26-31).
We will then read the events in Gethsemane in three parts,following the alternating pattern of betrayal we have discovered in the overview.
Predictions: 14,26-31
Verse 26 is often ends the supper scene. Why is it better to regard it as introducing what follows? Why can verse 32 be seen as starting a new scene?
Taking these verses as a section on their own will give us a distinct point of view in our reading. The setting itself is significant. The Mount of Olives has featured already in the Gospel (13,3) as has the background passage of Zechariah 14,4. What might be the implications of beginning the passion narrative in the same place as the discourse of chapter 13 about the end times?
Then in verse 27, Jesus quotes Zechariah, Zec 13,7. Note how the quotation has been altered. When will the sheep be scattered in the story?
Consider next what is implied by verse 28, see 16,7. What is the signifcance of Galilee?
Peter now speaks up in verse 29. Note how he echoes Jesus in verse 27. The Greek word is not usually translated, we will consider this in the response. There follows by Jesus's reply,his third prediction, in verses 30. Again, it is a formal "Amen" statement, the third in this chapter. We can see that verse 31 then completes the frame around verse 30.
With this in mind, we can look at the second OT reference to the Mount of Olives which is a background to this scene: 2 Sam 15,30. Look through that chapter to see how it forms this background.
What then would be the role of these verses reading them together like this?
Then look again at my response.
Prayer of Jesus: 14,32-42
Where does this scene take place? Note what this place is not called? See Jn 18,1.
Read through these verses and consider their main theme. Verses 39-40 give the clue. How often is the pattern repeated? Note the verses. There is another key word, though it may not be clear in the translations. 13,37 is the clue for this one.
Verse 32 begins the scene with Jesus clearly stating his purpose.
In verse 33, Jesus takes the inner group of disciples with him. See 5,37 & 9,2. We note his instructions to them in the next verse, what do they mean? Jesus' attitude changes,leading into verse 34. Jesus' words recall the psalms of lament and are close to the refrain of Psalms 42 and 43.
Jesus in verse 35 is on his own with his Father. What might be the significance of falling to the ground? The hour is a theme already present in this Gospel, 13,32. For verse 36 look at Mt 26,39 and note the additional expression added by Mark, see Romans 8,15.
This first part, the detailed part of Jesus' prayer, ends with him returning to the disciples and speaking with Peter in verse 39. Once again, Jesus' words echo 13,34-37. There's a hint here too of Mt 6,13.
The second round, verses 39-40, is as we have seen a summary of the first round.
What's missing in verse 41? See Mt 26,44.
Now look again at my response.
Betrayal: 14,43-45
These verses are not normally read on their own. What is special about these three verses so that I think it is good that we do so here?
Note how verse 43 is linked to verse 42, look too at verse 45. How is Judas introduced (see 3,19 & 14,10)? How is he described in the next verse?
Who accompanies Judas and what is different this time (see for example 8,1). Who authorised this meeting? See verse 53.
What does he call Jesus (see, for example, 9,5)? For the importance of kisses In verse 45, see Proverbs 27,6. See also 2 Samuel 20,9 and Sirach 29,5 for background. Note also what Matthew has added in Mt 26,50.
Arrest: 14,46-52
Verse 46 read as introducing this next scene is stark.
It is though followed by the episode of verses 47-49 which is told in all four Gospels. Compare Mark with Mt 26,51-55. What matters is what Jesus says in verses 48-49. What is Jesus' point here? See 11,17-18. How are the scriptures being fulfilled?
In verse 50, Jesus' prediction in 14,27 is fulfilled. Jesus is now alone.
Finally, in 14,51-52 we have the strange escape of a young man. This little episode is unique to Mark. There are many understandings of this episode, it could just be summary of what has just happened.
We can now go to my response.
We are now ready to continue our reading with the questioning of Jesus before the Jewish council.