Mark 15:39 as a Markan Theology of Revelation: The Centurion's Confession as Apocalyptic Unveiling (The Library of New Testament Studies Book 574)

"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."--Bloomsbury Publishing 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 Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Tables Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Chapter 1. Introduction Mark 15.39 as the Climax of Mark’s Gospel Methodology Moving Forward Chapter 2. History of Research The Centurion’s Confession – Mark 15.39 The Rending of the Temple Veil – Mark 15.38 Conclusions Chapter 3. The Centurion’s Speech and Meaning An Analysis of What his Words Signify Introduction The Centurion’s Sincerity Markers of Mockery The Bystanders The Centurion’s Speech Positive Markers Performance-Critical Analysis Conclusions The Centurion’s ‘Christological’ Confession Jesus as the Divine Son of God Son of God as Royal Messiah – the Jewish Model Son of God as Imperial Ruler – the Roman Model The Limits of Ideal Models The Centurion’s Identity Centurion as a Historical Person Centurion as a Cultural Symbol Centurion as a Literary Character Conclusions Chapter 4. The Centurion’s Speech and Motivation An Analysis of Why he Speaks his Words The Centurion’s Non-triumphal Confession Signs and Portents Rending of the Temple Veil Darkness at Noon Mark’s View of Signs Jesus’ Manner of Death A Noble Death A Martyr’s Death The Scandal of the Cross ‘Seeing that in this way he died’ The Centurion’s Speech and the Rending of the Veil The Inclusio of Mark 15.38 and 1.10 The Interruption of Mark 15.38 Synkrisis and Mark 15.38 Synkrisis Synkrisis in the Passion Narrative The Centurion’s Speech as Synkritical Contrast The Rending of the Veil and Synkrisis Subverting Synkrisis Conclusions Chapter 5. The Centurion’s Speech and Markan Soteriology Salvation as Revelation, Reconciliation, and Redemption Eschatological Sight Blindness of Humanity to ‘Spiritual’ Realities Blind Especially to the Identity of Jesus Enemies and Family Disciples Demons as Exceptions Blindness as the Condition of Humanity Apocalyptic Epistemology Mark’s Epistemology Precursors to the Centurion Revelation as Prolepsis and Pinnacle Sight as Gift to the Centurion Sight as Supernatural Sight as Eschatological Sight as Salvation Sight as Universal Rapprochement between God and Humanity Extension of Blessings to the Gentiles Conclusions Chapter 6. Conclusions Summary Future Possibilities Bibliography Index of Scripture Index of Ancient Sources Index of Modern Authors "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." -- ‡c From publisher's description