Mark as an introduction to Galatians...
Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2023 4:35 pm
Despite all manner of claims about other Gospels being the first, I'm increasingly convinced that Mark, or rather proto-Mark, was the first.
Most notably, I think that the ending of Mark was meant to lead directly into Galatians.
From BeDuhn with my modifications:
The women run away scared, leaving Paul as the only figure who actually reveals the risen Jesus.
Mark is a Pesher on Kings and the Prophets, relating the fall of the First Temple to the fall of the Second Temple. The figure of Jesus is based on Paul, pre-figuring Paul's teachings, presenting Paul's teachings as the correct interpretation of the scriptures, against the Temple priesthood. That the Temple priesthood's understanding of the scriptures was wrong is evidenced by the fact that the Temple was destroyed.
Mark's Gospel is really the only Gospel that does this and it is really the only Gospel that directly interacts with the Pauline letter collection. That, again, is why it has to be the first.
Most notably, I think that the ending of Mark was meant to lead directly into Galatians.
Mark 16:
6 And he *said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and PeterPaul, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” 8 They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
6 And he *said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and PeterPaul, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” 8 They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
From BeDuhn with my modifications:
1 Paul, an emissary, not from human beings nor
through a human being, but through Jesus Christos . . .
2 [. . . to the assemblies of Galatia—]
3 (May there be) favor and peace for you from God our
Father and Master Jesus. . . .
6 I am amazed that you are deserting so quickly from
the one who called you with favor (over) to a different
proclamation. 7 There is no other in accord with my proclamation,
except there are certain people who are disturbing
you and wishing to change (it) into a different proclamation
of the Christos. 8 But even if we or an angel from (the)
celestial sphere were to proclaim to you (something) else
than what we have proclaimed to you, may that one be
damned. 9. . . If one of you proclaims (something) else
than [that which you received, may that one be damned.]
[11For I inform you, (my) colleagues, that the proclamation
which was proclaimed by me is not according to
a human being; 12 for neither did I receive it at the hands
of a human being, nor was I taught (it), except through
a revelation from Jesus Christos. 13 For you heard about
my conduct formerly in Judaism, that I excessively] persecuted
[the assembly of God and sought to destroy it, fervently perused the assembly of God
14 and I was exceeding in Judaism many of my peers among
my people, being overly zealous for the traditions of my
ancestors.
15 But when God, who had separated me from my
mother’s womb and called (me) through his favor,
thought (it) good 16 to reveal his child in me, so that I
might proclaim him among the nations, I did not present
myself immediately to flesh and blood, 17 neither did I go
up into Jerusalem to] those who were emissaries before
me,
through a human being, but through Jesus Christos . . .
2 [. . . to the assemblies of Galatia—]
3 (May there be) favor and peace for you from God our
Father and Master Jesus. . . .
6 I am amazed that you are deserting so quickly from
the one who called you with favor (over) to a different
proclamation. 7 There is no other in accord with my proclamation,
except there are certain people who are disturbing
you and wishing to change (it) into a different proclamation
of the Christos. 8 But even if we or an angel from (the)
celestial sphere were to proclaim to you (something) else
than what we have proclaimed to you, may that one be
damned. 9. . . If one of you proclaims (something) else
than [that which you received, may that one be damned.]
[11For I inform you, (my) colleagues, that the proclamation
which was proclaimed by me is not according to
a human being; 12 for neither did I receive it at the hands
of a human being, nor was I taught (it), except through
a revelation from Jesus Christos. 13 For you heard about
my conduct formerly in Judaism, that I excessively] persecuted
[the assembly of God and sought to destroy it, fervently perused the assembly of God
14 and I was exceeding in Judaism many of my peers among
my people, being overly zealous for the traditions of my
ancestors.
15 But when God, who had separated me from my
mother’s womb and called (me) through his favor,
thought (it) good 16 to reveal his child in me, so that I
might proclaim him among the nations, I did not present
myself immediately to flesh and blood, 17 neither did I go
up into Jerusalem to] those who were emissaries before
me,
The women run away scared, leaving Paul as the only figure who actually reveals the risen Jesus.
Mark is a Pesher on Kings and the Prophets, relating the fall of the First Temple to the fall of the Second Temple. The figure of Jesus is based on Paul, pre-figuring Paul's teachings, presenting Paul's teachings as the correct interpretation of the scriptures, against the Temple priesthood. That the Temple priesthood's understanding of the scriptures was wrong is evidenced by the fact that the Temple was destroyed.
Mark's Gospel is really the only Gospel that does this and it is really the only Gospel that directly interacts with the Pauline letter collection. That, again, is why it has to be the first.