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Throughout the Gospel of Mark, there are regular examples of Jesus admonishing both people and demons not to reveal to others who he truly was. Over the centuries this has given way to a number of unsatisfying theological explanations as to why Jesus did not want his identity known, when reason would tell us that the success of his mission, and even the justification for his miracles, called for the widest possible knowledge of his identity and powers.
Apart from theological reasons, there may be other explanations. Mark's Gospel was written approximately 70 CE, barely 40 years after the traditional time of the crucifixion. It may simply be that the author need an explanation as to why none of his readers had ever heard of Jesus. If he had really performed so many wonders and miracles, it could be that people would have expected word to have got around. The "messianic secret" could have been a defence against this.
Another possible explanation is given by Dennis R. MacDonald (The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark), who has made a study of the early Christian writings in the context of the epics of Homer. He believes that the author of Mark was actually developing the character of Jesus as a parallel to that of Odysseus. As for the messianic secret, he says that Odysseus, like Jesus, had to keep his identity secret from those who opposed him but could reveal it to those who were his allies (For example, Odysseus' crew/ Jesus' disciples).
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When was Secret Gospel of Mark born?
Secret Gospel of Mark was born on 1915-05-29.
When did Secret Gospel of Mark die?
Secret Gospel of Mark died on 1991-07-11.
What is the messianic secret who coined the phrase and how does Morris explain it?
I'm not sure who Morris is (without a first name), but the term "Messianic Secret" was first used to describe the multiple instances (nine to be exact) of Jesus concealing his identity (presumably specifically as the messiah) in The Gospel According to Mark, by William Wrede in his book The Messianic Secret,first published in 1901in Germany. The english translation came in 1971. Wrede proposed that the reason for the secret surrounding the messiahship of Jesus in Mark was (in his opinion) due to the fact that the historical Jesus never urged secrecy at all because he didn't actually see himself as the messiah of the Jews. After his death, his followers began to proclaim that he was indeed the promised messiah. The question then was how to reconcile this when Jesus made no such claim about himself. Wrede explains that the early Christian writers invented the idea that Jesus tried to keep his identity secret, in order to find an agreement between the opposing stories.There have subsequently been many theories by various authors, philosophers, and theologians to explain the messianic secret in Mark. -See Bart D. Ehrman's The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, John Michael Perry's Exploring the Messianic Secret in Mark's Gospel, and William Wrede's The Messianic Secret, just to name a few.Hope that helps!
The relevance of the gospel of mark to modern day audiences?
...I am writing a book on Jesus whole life in modern day terms. But, because I'm a girl, Jesus and his disciples are girls, Lasarus is a girl and Mary and Martha are boys. :) There is a bible that is in modern day terms.
What is the difference between the Messianic Secret and the Messianic Mystery?
Messianic secret: Means that as Jesus heals, preaches, and teaches, he is revealed as the promised Messiah. Messianic mystery: Announces the paradox that the Jesus, the Messiah, although son of God would have to suffer, die, and then be raised in glory.
In which New Testament gospel is messianic secrecy a prominent theme?
In Mark's Gospel, Jesus almost always requests those whom he cures not to tell others of him. He even demands that demons do not say who he is. It is as if he spent his entire mission preaching and curing, but did not want to be remembered.
Which gospel writer did not include accounts of Jesus birth?
AnswerThe earliest of the New Testament gospels, now known as Mark's Gospel, did not include an account of the birth of Jesus. THese accounts were added by the authors of Matthew and Luke.The author of John knew Luke's account of the birth of Jesus, but did not include it in his gospel. In fact, he suggests that he did not even believe that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
What Gospel did Mark write?
He wrote the second, the Gospel of Mark.
What is the authors name for the new testement?
The authors of the New Testament vary, as it is a collection of writings by different individuals. Some of the key authors include Paul (Epistles), Matthew (Gospel of Matthew), Mark (Gospel of Mark), Luke (Gospel of Luke and Acts), John (Gospel of John, Revelation), and Peter (Epistles).
Is Mark's Gospel an autobiography or a biography?
The gospel of Mark is a biography of Jesus written by John Mark
What are the 4 Gospels in Christian Bible?
They are the Gospel of Matthew,Gospel of Mark,Gospel of Luke,and the Gospel of John.
Who was Mark in The Bible?
Mark was one of the writers of the Gospel accounts. The Gospel according to Mark is the second one.
