Mark 15:39 as a Markan Theology of Revelation: The Centurion's Confession as Apocalyptic Unveiling
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus' arrest, trial and execution ends with the Roman centurion who oversees the death process proclaiming Jesus as God's son. Gamel explores two key questions in relation to this moment: what does the centurion mean when he says that Jesus is God's son, and why does he say it? The confession is not made on the basis of any signs nor from any indication that he perceives Jesus' death as honourable or exemplary. This apparent lack of motivation itself highlights a key Markan theme: that this insight is revealed by an apocalyptic act of God, signalled by the tearing of the temple veil. Thus the confession, which we can understand to be made sincerely and knowledgeably, is the result of an act of God's revelation alone.

Gamel explores the theory of Mark depicting a story in which all human characters exhibit varying levels of blindness to the spiritual realities that govern their lives. By making a thorough examination of Mark's Gospel – while placing primary focus on the centurion, the study is unlimited and presents a serious examination of the whole Gospel – Gamel concludes his argument with the point that, at the foot of the cross, this blindness is decisively confronted by God's apocalyptic act. The offer of sight to the centurion demonstrates the reconciliation of God and humanity which are otherwise in Mark's Gospel repeatedly presented as antagonistic spheres. Finally, the fact that revelation is offered to a Gentile highlights the inclusion of the nations into the promises of Israel.

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Mark 15:39 as a Markan Theology of Revelation: The Centurion's Confession as Apocalyptic Unveiling
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus' arrest, trial and execution ends with the Roman centurion who oversees the death process proclaiming Jesus as God's son. Gamel explores two key questions in relation to this moment: what does the centurion mean when he says that Jesus is God's son, and why does he say it? The confession is not made on the basis of any signs nor from any indication that he perceives Jesus' death as honourable or exemplary. This apparent lack of motivation itself highlights a key Markan theme: that this insight is revealed by an apocalyptic act of God, signalled by the tearing of the temple veil. Thus the confession, which we can understand to be made sincerely and knowledgeably, is the result of an act of God's revelation alone.

Gamel explores the theory of Mark depicting a story in which all human characters exhibit varying levels of blindness to the spiritual realities that govern their lives. By making a thorough examination of Mark's Gospel – while placing primary focus on the centurion, the study is unlimited and presents a serious examination of the whole Gospel – Gamel concludes his argument with the point that, at the foot of the cross, this blindness is decisively confronted by God's apocalyptic act. The offer of sight to the centurion demonstrates the reconciliation of God and humanity which are otherwise in Mark's Gospel repeatedly presented as antagonistic spheres. Finally, the fact that revelation is offered to a Gentile highlights the inclusion of the nations into the promises of Israel.

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Mark 15:39 as a Markan Theology of Revelation: The Centurion's Confession as Apocalyptic Unveiling

Mark 15:39 as a Markan Theology of Revelation: The Centurion's Confession as Apocalyptic Unveiling

Mark 15:39 as a Markan Theology of Revelation: The Centurion's Confession as Apocalyptic Unveiling

Mark 15:39 as a Markan Theology of Revelation: The Centurion's Confession as Apocalyptic Unveiling

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Overview

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus' arrest, trial and execution ends with the Roman centurion who oversees the death process proclaiming Jesus as God's son. Gamel explores two key questions in relation to this moment: what does the centurion mean when he says that Jesus is God's son, and why does he say it? The confession is not made on the basis of any signs nor from any indication that he perceives Jesus' death as honourable or exemplary. This apparent lack of motivation itself highlights a key Markan theme: that this insight is revealed by an apocalyptic act of God, signalled by the tearing of the temple veil. Thus the confession, which we can understand to be made sincerely and knowledgeably, is the result of an act of God's revelation alone.

Gamel explores the theory of Mark depicting a story in which all human characters exhibit varying levels of blindness to the spiritual realities that govern their lives. By making a thorough examination of Mark's Gospel – while placing primary focus on the centurion, the study is unlimited and presents a serious examination of the whole Gospel – Gamel concludes his argument with the point that, at the foot of the cross, this blindness is decisively confronted by God's apocalyptic act. The offer of sight to the centurion demonstrates the reconciliation of God and humanity which are otherwise in Mark's Gospel repeatedly presented as antagonistic spheres. Finally, the fact that revelation is offered to a Gentile highlights the inclusion of the nations into the promises of Israel.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780567688095
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 04/18/2019
Series: The Library of New Testament Studies
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

Brian K. Gamel teaches at Baylor University, USA.

Chris Keith is Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Norway. He is the author of The Pericope Adulterae, the Gospel of John and the Literacy of Jesus, a winner of the 2010 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise, and Jesus' Literacy: Scribal Culture and the Teacher from Galilee. He is also the co-editor of Jesus among Friends and Enemies: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Jesus in the Gospels, and was recently named a 2012 Society of Biblical Literature Regional Scholar.

Table of Contents

List of Tables
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. History of Research
3. The Centurion's Speech and Meaning: An Analysis of What His Words Signify
4. The Centurion's Speech and Motivation: An Analysis of Why He Speaks His Words
5. The Centurion's Speech and Markan Soteriology: Salvation as Revelation, Reconciliation and Redemption
6. Conclusions
Bibliography
Index of Scripture
Index of Ancient Sources
Index of Modern Authors

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