Words

Continuning the series on Mark 5:1-20, my next section covers the narrative function of point of view and how Mark conveys his ideological (or theological) point of view in the passage.

In this narrative we find Mark’s ideological stance: Jesus is mightier than the mightiest of men (Mark A commentary - New Testament Library, Euguene Boring 2006, 150) and his healing power is victorious over the powers of evil (Mark 1-8: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary - Anchor Bible Commentary, Joel Marcus 2000, 354). And a secondary ideological point of view shows that Jesus himself began Gentile missions, with this pericope as the forerunner. Mark uses phrases, characters, props, and setting leading to this conclusion.

He uses a two step progression (into the other side of the sea and into the land of the Gerasene) and a verbal repetition (unclean) along with the tombs, demons, and pigs to illustrate that Jesus is going into a land of uncleanness and evil. He shows the inability of any man to bind the demoniac with repetitious use of the negative (Marcus 2000, 350) and gives the demon’s name, Legion, enforcing the magnitude of the power that controls the demoniac. Mark has the demon approach Jesus and cry out, thus giving the demon the first words in the passage intensifying the difficulty and danger. But Mark, having painted the picture of evil, also shows Jesus’ affect on the demon. This powerful demon who could not be controlled by any man falls on his face, prostrated before him, begging not to be tormented and asking permission to go into the nearby pigs. Mark even clarifies that it was in fact Jesus who began the conversation, asserting Jesus’ sovereignty in the situation (Marcus 2000, 351). The demons come out of the man with no struggle (Boring 2006, 151). Mark’s point of view shows that Jesus is indeed mightier than any man, for he has done what no man can do.

This also shows Mark’s theology of the cross, that the healing power of Jesus is victorious over the powers of evil (Marcus 2000, 354). Indeed, even the length and placement of this particular pericope demonstrate the importance of understanding that God triumphs over evil (Boring 2006, 150). Jesus has gone into a strange place, a Gentile land, and yet he is still Lord over it. His healing power can triumph over evil even in any place (Boring 2006, 152).

This victory over evil has lasting effects on the people of this land. With an inside view, Mark shows the fear of the townspeople which leads to their opposition to his work. This opposition to Jesus is illustrative of a growing opposition to Jesus in the book of Mark (Marcus 2000, 352). It also probably relates to the rejection that Mark’s own community was feeling at the time Mark composed this Gospel (Marcus 2000, 353). But Mark makes it clear that despite this opposition, the good news of Christ is carried forward. With the description of the man returning to the Decapolis and proclaiming what Jesus had done for him, Mark frames this pericope in such a way that later Gentile mission work shows through (Boring 2006, 154). Mark gives his perspective that Gentile missions were started by the Lord himself.

In these ways Mark displays his ideological points of view, namely that Jesus is the mightiest of men, that he is victorious over the powers of evil, and he has instituted Gentile missions.

All Entries on Mark 5:1-20
Plot
Point of View
Jean Starobinski’s Article
Characterization
Setting
Rhetorical Devices