Introduction When I wrote the book, The Two Gospels of Mark: Performance and Text, I concluded that the character “Andrew” (Greek: “Andreas”) was never on stage in the performance of the Gospel of Mark. “Andrew” is not necessary to the action, he does nothing individual, he does not receive a nickname like his ‘brother’, and…
Year: 2020
Clement of Alexandria and Titus Flavius Clemens
The fact that Clement of Alexandria adopted the name “Titus Flavius Clemens” implies approval of the original Titus Flavius Clemens. So it’s no surprise that Clement allows good Christians to be wealthy. Clement cites the Gospel of Mark as primary among the synoptics. These two details are consistent with the picture I paint in The…
What is the meaning of “Herodians” in the Gospel of Mark?
Summary “Herodians” appear in the text of Mk 3:6 and 12:13. I believe that they were added by an editor. Herodians do not speak or contribute anything distinctive to the action. The name is a distinction without a difference. During the performance of the Gospel of Mark, there were no Herodians onstage. Because Mark’s purpose…
Matthew created Mt 8:5-13, which characterizes the centurion as a man of faith, in order to retain him at the crucifixion
In the Gospel of Mark, the author gave the Roman centurion the last word at the crucifixion: “Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” (Mk 15:39 NRSV) I suggest that Matthew wanted to avoid the ambiguity of…
I doubt the existence of a church at Corinth
I Corinthians and 1 Clement are epistles addressed to a church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians is ascribed to Paul and 1 Clement is ascribed to the leader of the Roman congregation. Both letters concern factions within a congregation (1 Cor 1.10-11 and 1 Clem 1.1). It is odd that both Paul of Asia Minor, and…
The history of the Basilica of Saint Clement in Rome is consistent with my scenario
The archaeology and early history of the Basilica of Saint Clement in Rome are consistent with my book, The Two Gospels of Mark: Performance and Text. The archaeology links Pope Clement I to a church that began as a first-century private house. Tthe papal name “Clement I” was retroactively applied to the period in which…