Mark Jennings, «The Fourth Gospel’s Reversal of Mark in John 13,31‒14,3», Vol. 94 (2013) 210-236
I argue that the author/s of the Fourth Gospel knew Mark, based on the reversal of certain Markan themes found in John. No attempt is made here to suggest the kind of literary dependence which is the basis of the Synoptic problem. Rather, my thesis is that the author/s of John may have used Mark from memory, writing deliberately to reverse the apocalyptic tendencies found in the Second Gospel. Isolated incidents of this possible reversal demonstrate little, but this paper proposes that the cumulative force of many such reversals supports the thesis of John's possible knowledge of Mark.
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THE FOURTH GOSPEL’S REVERSAL OF MARK IN JOHN 13,31‒14,3
by the appearance of the kingdom of God, represented in Mark by
the Parousia of Jesus. Mark draws on traditions in the OT (for ex-
ample, Isaiah 13,10 [LXX]): “For the stars of heaven and Orion
and all the order of heaven will not give their lightâ€) 16.
The Markan Jesus describes the apocalyptic Son of Man, based
on the image in Dan 7,13: “In my vision at night I looked, and there
before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of
heavenâ€. The apocalyptic imagery of the darkened sun and moon
and stars falling from the skies “provides a black curtain against
which the glory of the Son of Man’s coming shines all the more†17.
Angels will gather the elect, covering every corner of the world in
their search for the saved 18. The contrast between Jesus’ words and
what will shortly occur in the narrative is very sharp. Far from com-
ing in the clouds, Jesus will presently be betrayed and crucified.
Thus, for Mark, Jesus’ revelation as the glorified Son of Man is very
much an eschatological theme.
2. Similarities and differences
The common elements of John 13,31-33 and Mark 13,24-27 can
be summarised as follows:
– The “Son of Man†motif appears in both Mark 13,26 and John
13,31, although the evangelists use the title in different ways.
– The motif of “glory†is present in both.
– The literary context in both cases is similar — Jesus’ execution
looms like a shadow over both discourses. Both evangelists use
this fact in order to encourage hope in the face of suffering.
– In literary terms, both discourses reach a point of climax here —
John by use of the resounding “now†to indicate that glorification
has begun, and Mark by indicating that the Parousia will end the
time of tribulation.
This passage also has marked similarities to the early first-century
16
pseudepigraphon Testament of Moses. In this work, after a second punishment
befalling God’s people, the kingdom of God will appear throughout his whole
creation (T.Mos. 10,1); C.A EVANS, Mark 8:27–16:20 (WBC 34b; Nashville,
TN 2001) 327, 329-330.
R.H. GUNDRY, Mark. A Commentary on his Apology for the Cross
17
(Grand Rapids, MI 1993) 744-745.
B. WITHERINGTON III, The Gospel of Mark. A Socio-Rhetorical Com-
18
mentary (Grand Rapids, MI 2001) 348.
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