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Misquoting Jesus Podcast

Does Mark Have a Vendetta against the Twelve Disciples?

January 28, 2025 · 47 min · Watch on YouTube →

GospelsNew Testament

Show notes

Episode Outline:
– Introducing Mark’s portrayal of Jesus’ disciples
– Why Mark presents the disciples in a negative light
– The disciples misunderstand Jesus’ mission
– Jesus’ three passion predictions in Mark
– Peter calls Jesus the Messiah but still gets it wrong
– The disciples seek greatness instead of the cross
– Why Mark shows the disciples failing to understand
– Who actually recognizes Jesus in Mark?
– Mark’s purpose: a crucified Messiah
– Why Mark may emphasize the disciples’ doubt

Episode Description
The disciples were Jesus’ closest companions during his ministry, the collective Robins to his Batman. As such we might expect them to be more enlightened, more intelligent, more attuned to God’s divine plan than other people Jesus’ came across. The Gospel of Mark, however, seems to defy that expectation. Today, we talk about how the author of Mark portrays the disciples, how that treatment advances his aims for the gospel, and whether this portrayal is representative of a personal vendetta.

Also watch these episodes:
The Genius of the Gospel of Mark
The Genius of the Gospel of Mark

What Are the Synoptic Gospels?
What Are the Synoptic Gospels?

Did Jesus’ Disciples Think He Was God?
Did Jesus’ Disciples Think He Was God?

Go deeper on this topic

Online course Genius of Mark: Jesus the Secret Messiah Unpack the sophisticated and nuanced meaning of Mark, the least read and most under-appreciated - yet earliest and most brilliant - of the four accounts of Jesus' life… Bart Ehrman · 8 lessons Free courseFree Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Really Write the Gospels? A free lecture on who actually wrote the Gospels, and how scholars can tell. Bart Ehrman · 1 lesson

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