The Quest for Mark's Sources: An Exploration of the Case for Mark's Use of First Corinthians by Thomas P. Nelligan

Author:Thomas P. Nelligan [Nelligan, Thomas P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion, General
Publisher: Pickwick Publications
Published: 2015-07-07T07:00:00+00:00

Preaching not like the wise but with spirit and power (2:1–5)

Preaching with authority, not like the scribes (1:21–22)

Doomed rulers and God’s mystery (2:6–9)

Doomed spirit(s) and the mystery of Jesus’ identity (1:23–26)

Understanding spiritual gifts (2:10–16)

Spirit related search for understanding (1:27–28)

Action/Plot and Order

In terms of action/plot and order there are similarities that can be observed. In both, the action begins with a shift in physical location. Paul recalls going to Corinth while in Mark the narrative moves to the synagogue at Capernaum. Following this come many shared themes which all occur in the same order as indicated by their shared three-part structure.

Vocabulary

Throughout these two sections there is some share vocabulary. The use of the shared verb οἶδα is noteworthy here. First Corinthians 2:2 reads: οὐ γὰρ ἔκρινά τι εἰδέναι ἐν ὑμῖν εἰ μὴ Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν καὶ τοῦτον ἐσταυρωμένον·. Paul has decided to know nothing apart from Jesus. In Mark, Jesus is also the one who is known, only this time by the demoniac. Mark 1:24 reads: λέγων· Τί ἡμῖν καὶ σοί, Ἰησοῦ Ναζαρηνέ; ἦλθες ἀπολέσαι ἡμᾶς; οἶδά σε τίς εἶ, ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ θεοῦ. Both contain multiple uses of teaching related words such as διδαχή, διδακτός, and διδάσκω. Other shared words are ἔρχομαι, πνεῦμα, ἄνθρωπος, and ἔχω.

Completeness

All the major elements of 1 Cor 2 find some similarity with Mark 1:21–28, including the mirroring thematic changes within the context of a three part internal division within a single unit of text.

Assessment and Conclusion

In assessing the data collected, some of the most intriguing similarities thus far come to light which can be summarized as follows:

• Both sections share a three part structure.

• Both share themes of preaching, teaching, hiding and revealing and a quest for understanding.

• Both shared common words.

Mark’s basic narrative of Jesus’ ministry appears to follow closely Paul’s theological letter in 1 Cor 2. Added to this are the elements incorporated from 1 and 2 Kings. These affinities go beyond mere coincidence and 1 Cor 2 needs to be considered as a source for Mark 1:21–28 and as part of Mark’s textual weaving.

Assessing the Evidence: The Criteria for Judging Literary Dependence

It is here that the full importance of the criteria for judging literary dependence will become apparent. It will allow the various data that has been collected to be gathered together in order to properly assess whether or not a case for literary dependence can be made.

External Criteria

1. Date—Date is not an issue here with regards to Mark and 1 Corinthians in the context of Markan priority. First Corinthians and the Gospel of Mark were written roughly fifteen years apart thus allowing time for the letter to circulate

2. Accessibility—Paul’s letters were undoubtedly quickly distributed. Even within the New Testament, Paul’s letters are mentioned in 2 Pet 3:15–16 and he is discussed and quoted by many early church fathers268 Paul’s letters must have been readily available and distributed for them to have made such an important impact in the development of early Christianity.

Distance appears not to have been a problem for early Christians and people within the Greco-Roman world at large.

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