l i b r a r y o f n e w t e s t a m e n t s t u d i e s WATchWordS Mark 13 in Markan Eschatology TimoThy J. GedderT JOURNAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT SUPPLEMENT SERIES 26 Executive Editor, Supplement Series David Hill Publishing Editor David E Orton JSOT Press Sheffield J WATCHWORDS Mark 13 in Markan Eschatology Timothy J. Geddert Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 26 To my parents George and Annie Geddert Copyright © 1989 Sheffield Academic Press Published by JSOT Press JSOT Press is an imprint of Sheffield Academic Press Ltd The University of Sheffield 343 Fulwood Road Sheffield S10 3BP England British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Geddert, T. J. Watchwords: Mark 13 in Markan eschatology 1. Bible. N.T. Mark Critical Studies I. Title 226'.306 EISBN 9781850751274 CONTENTS Acknowledgements 9 Abbreviations 11 Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 15 Chapter 2 A MARKAN PERSPECTIVE ON SIGNS 29 Introduction 29 I Mark's Use of arijaeiov 30 II Mark's Omissions of GT]ji8iov 34 III The Markan Jesus and 'Objective Evidence' 40 IV Mark and 'Objective Evidence' 47 V Implications for Interpreting Mark 13 57 Chapter 3 A MARKAN PERSPECTIVE ON DISCERNMENT 59 Introduction 59 I The Leaven and the Loaves (Mark 8.14-21) 61 II The Call to Understand (7.31—8.26 in Context) 71 III Mark's Use of PAETTCO in the Light of His Epistemology 81 IV PAinco in Mark 13: Implications for Exegesis 84 Chapter 4 A MARKAN PERSPECTIVE ON DISCIPLESHIP 89 Introduction 89 I YpTiyopecD, The Doorkeeper Parable, and Gethsemane 90 II The Four Watch Schema of the Passion Night 94 III Implications of Mark's Four Watch Schema for Interpreting Mark 103 Chapter 5 MARK'S TEMPLE THEOLOGY 113 Introduction 113 I An Overview of the Data to Be Interpreted 114 II The 'Cleansing' of the Temple 117 III The Prophecy to Destroy and Rebuild 130 IV The Rending of the Temple Veil 140 V Implications for Interpreting Mark 13 145 Chapter 6 MARK'S THEOLOGY OF SUFFERING AND PERSECUTION 149 Introduction 149 I The Road to Jerusalem: Via Dolorosa^ 151 II The Rejected Baptist and the Fulfilment of His Mission 155 III Jesus' Passion and the Mission of the Disciples 158 IV Implications for Interpreting Mark 13 175 Chapter 7 MARK 13 AND MARK'S LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT 177 Introduction 177 I Discipleship/Discernment and Mark's Literary Method 178 II A Model for Interpreting Mark's Gospel 185 III The Literary Function of Mark 13 192 Chapter 8 MARK 13 AND THE SECRET KINGDOM 199 Introduction 199 I The Secret Coming of the Kingdom in Mark 199 II Mark 13.1-4 and Mark's Agenda for Mark 13 203 III The Significance of the Temple's Destruction 206 IV The Significance of the Disciples' Suffering and Persecution 215 Chapter 9 MARK 13 AND THE TIMING OF THE END 223 Introduction 223 I Judgment and Vindication: Intermediate and Final 225 II The Destruction of the Temple and the End of the Age 231 III The Timing of the End 239 IV A Markan Perspective for Reading Mark 13 253 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 255 Notes 259 Bibliography 317 Index of Biblical References 341 Index of Authors 349 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I have frequently read long lists of acknowledgements at the beginning of a book and have sometimes wondered whether the author did any of the work. I have now written a book and will never have those thoughts again. The support and help of family and friends during the time of writing has left me with a debt of gratitude that I could never repay. Fortunately none of those who helped need settle for whatever repayment I could ever give. They will be much more richly rewarded. Special mention must be given to two young friends whose extraordinary help in the final stages has been most remarkable. Thank you, Matthew and Andrew. I will try to help you when you are old enough to write a book. Thanks are due to those who helped in a variety of ways along the way... especially to Lynn, Kathy, Conrad, Dave and Clint. I am grateful to Prof. I. Howard Marshall, who not only guided me through the research and writing, but also stood by me when the challenges along the way were not only academic. I also thank Dr. Ruth B. Edwards and Prof. G.R. Beasley-Murray for examining my Ph.D. thesis, for urging me to make some changes, and not least for recommending that my thesis be accepted. I hope they will recognize in this publication many improvements over the thesis they examined. And a special thank you to Katrina Poetker, without whose expert help and good judgment, this study would have many more deficiencies than it has. A word of appreciation is extended to the British Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom for financial support, and to family and friends in Pitmedden, Canada, and California for support in many other ways. Finally, to the first critical reviewer of this book: thanks, Gertrud, for being kind. Thanks for everything.