Introduction to Mark: Who is Jesus?

Jon interviews Josh in this episode about reading the Gospel of Mark as a self-contained book rather than harmonizing it with the other gospels. Josh argues that Mark’s distinctive power comes from its fast-paced, gritty, confrontation-filled narrative and its repeated focus on the question of Jesus’ identity. Josh suggests reading Mark straight through without chapters, although he notes that there are structural markers such as a pivot around Peter's confession in Mark 8 toward repeated predictions of Jesus’ death.  There is geographical movement also from Galilee (in boats) towards Jerusalem (on roads) and then in Jerusalem itself. Josh also highlights Mark's aim to reach a wide audience through his explanations (currency, Jewish customs and translations) and closes with Mark 15’s picture of faithful women at the crucifixion as a final challenge to the reader.