An example of Mark's ignorance about Paul's real views

[Giuseppe]

...but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles

(1 Corinthians 1:23)

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

(Mark 15:16-20)

Clearly, prima facie, it seems that for ''Mark'' (author), the ''foolishness'' of the Christianity in the eyes of the gentiles is the 'fact' that Jesus was a crucified messianist in Judea.

It's not so for Paul, where the ''foolishness'' in the eyes of the Pagans is the fact that the Christians are preaching a celestial god-saviour crucified by demons in the sublunary realm.

Mark is believing really that the crucifixion of Jesus is a real historical event. Therefore, à la Euhemerus, he is giving the his ''reconstruction'' (really, a figment) of the 'facts'.

But I have another alternative theory.

Note the (apparently not-necessary) particular of the verse 20:

After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him.

The mocking of Jesus lasted until its representation as a mock ''king of the Jews''. Some way, the fact that Jesus gains again his 'own clothes' is a clue to a new view of Jesus by the same soldiers.

Jesus becomes again invisible. Hence the explicit reference to an end of the his mocking.

The mocking occurs again when it is made explicit that the crucified is ''king of Jews'' with the titulum on the cross.

So there is a causal link between the recovery of his original ''clothes'' and the invisibility of Jesus. There is even the need of another person who bears the cross: Simon of Cyrene. A possible explanation is that Jesus is so invisible that another carrier (not Richard) is necessary. Jesus can be ''seen'' by outsiders only when he is represented and derided as a mock ''King of the Jews''. Otherwise, he is a perfect Mr. Unknown.

So maybe there may be a sense where Mark realized the point of Paul: the Pagans could despise Jesus only insofar they saw him as a real messianist Jew lived in real History.

But in point of fact, Jesus's crucifixion was in another realm.

[arnoldo]

Celsus, as quoted by Origen, argues that the crucifiction was in this realm.

But those who crucified your God when present among men, suffered nothing for it, either at the time or during the whole of their lives. And what new thing has there happened since then to make us believe that he was not an impostor, but the Son of God? And forsooth, he who sent his Son with certain instructions for mankind, allowed him to be thus cruelly treated, and his instructions to perish with him, without ever during all this long time showing the slightest concern. What father was ever so inhuman?
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/celsus.html

[Giuseppe]

Celsus, as quoted by Origen, argues that the crucifiction was in this realm.

According to some "unbelieving", the crucifixion wasn't in this realm.

Chap. LXII. — End of the Conference.

“And, therefore, since amongst these philosophers are things uncertain, we must come to the true Prophet. Him God the Father wished to be loved by all, and accordingly He has been pleased wholly to extinguish those opinions which have originated with men, and in regard to which there is nothing like certainty — that He the true Prophet might be the more sought after, and that He whom22 they had obscured should show to men the way of truth. For on this account also God made the world, and by Him the world is filled; whence also He is everywhere near to them who seek Him, though He be sought in the remotest ends of the earth. But if any one seek Him not purely, nor holily, nor faithfully, He is indeed within him, because He is everywhere, and is found within the minds of all men; but, as we have said before, He is dormant to the unbelieving, and is held to be absent from those by whom His existence is not believed.” And when Peter had said this, and more to the same effect, concerning the true Prophet, he dismissed the crowds; and when he very earnestly entreated the old man to remain with us, he could prevail nothing; but he also departed, to return next day, as had been agreed upon. And after this, we also, with Peter, went to our lodging, and enjoyed our accustomed food and rest.

https://bible.prayerrequest.com/4900-ch ... ers/8/566/
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/celsus.html

[arnoldo]

Celsus, as quoted by Origen, argues that the crucifiction was in this realm.

According to some "unbelieving", the crucifixion wasn't in this realm.

Pilate doesn't think so.

The Letter of Pontius Pilate.

Which He Wrote to the Roman Emperor, Concerning Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Cæsar the emperor, greeting.1

Upon Jesus Christ, whose case I had dearly set forth to thee in my last, at length by the will of the people a bitter punishment has been inflicted, myself being in a sort unwilling and rather afraid. A man, by Hercules, so pious and strict, no age has ever had nor will have. But wonderful were the efforts of the people themselves, and the unanimity of all the scribes and chief men and elders, to crucify this ambassador of truth, notwithstanding that their own prophets, and after our manner the sibyls, warned them against it: and supernatural signs appeared while he was hanging, and, in the opinion of philosophers, threatened destruction to the whole world. His disciples are flourishing, in their work and the regulation of their lives not belying their master; yea, in his name most beneficent.
https://bible.prayerrequest.com/4900-ch ... ers/8/596/

[Giuseppe]

Celsus, as quoted by Origen, argues that the crucifiction was in this realm.

According to some "unbelieving", the crucifixion wasn't in this realm.

Pilate doesn't think so.

Your Pilate is a believing, accordingly.