The Crucifixion, Resurrection,
and Multiple Endings of the Gospel of Mark
Introduction
Click here for the introduction.
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| Mosaic of the Last Supper in St. Peter's Church in Jerusalem |
Primary Source
Click here for Chapter 14 of N.T. Wright's book Resurrection and the Son of God.
(for free access to more excerpts from Wright's book, click here)
Click here for discussion questions pertaining to the chapter.
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Mosaic of the Preparing of Jesus' body in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem
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Click here for O. Wesley Allen, Jr.'s article "Mark 16:1-8: A Case Study of Resurrection Revised". This article examines literary themes in the Gospel of Mark and their use and exploitation for homiletic and theological purposes.
Click here for Neill Q. Hamilton's article "Resurrection Tradition and the Composition of Mark". This article uses the composition of Mark to defend the theory of the Q source and as a source for other stories of Christ's resurrection in the synoptic gospels. These are very important theories to consider when examining possibilities behind the different endings attributed to the Gospel of Mark and their possible sources.
Click here for Dr. Andy Johnson's article "The 'New Creation,' the Crucified and Risen Christ, and the Temple: A Pauline Audience for Mark." This article provides excellent background information regarding the audience that the Gospel of Mark was written to, their historical and cultural context, and the implications that has for the book.
Below is a link to a VERY detailed blog researching many aspects of the Gospel of Mark belonging to Michael Kok, a PhD candidate at the University of Sheffield. Especially note the November 29, 2012 entry regarding evidence for the longer ending of Mark found in Titian's Diatesseron.
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| Tomb inside The Church of the Holy Seplucher |
Other Suggested Readings:
For a more in depth look at the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
Marks of His Wounds: Gender Politics and Bodily Resurrection by Beth Felker Jones
Another literary look at the lack of resurrection in Mark.
(Sorry, was unable to find a free source for this book)
Resurrection in Mark's Literary-Historical Perspective by Paul M. Fullmer
Conclusion
The Gospel of Mark is a rich text, ripe with literary repetition and parallel, historical importance, and possibilities to contribute to the conversation on biblical source texts. While some might consider it a rudimentary read, one for a beginner in biblical studies, it is clear from our sources that the structure and content of the book is far from simplistic. I hope that the writings of Wright, Allen, Hamilton, and Johnson have helped you delve deeper into the Markan text than you might have done otherwise, and opened your eyes to new and interesting perspectives on it's content. It is also my hope that, through the use of this study, you have been able to experience the narrative in Mark in a profoundly meaningful way, so as to have been deeply effected by what has been written there. Please feel free to share your experience with others, and use the prompts accompanying the chapter from Wright's book to foster robust, healthy, challenging, and insightful conversations with those who you choose to share
Composed by Alyssa Bennett Smith
