Open this publication in new window or tab >>2024 (English)In: Journal for the Study of the New Testament, ISSN 0142-064X, E-ISSN 1745-5294, Vol. 46, no 4, p. 464-488Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Can the Markan disciples still be viewed as potential role models for the Gospel audience if Mark’s writing is identified as a biography? This long-standing line of narrative interpretation has recently been rejected as anachronistic by Helen K. Bond, who maintains that in Graeco-Roman biographies, secondary characters are only included for what they bring to the portrait of the protagonist. In response, this paper demonstrates that ancient biographies regularly use followers of their main characters to provide multiple mimetic patterns that clarify, broaden, and mitigate what it means to imitate their heroes. In particular, Mark’s cast of secondary characters offers three alternative patterns of behaviour for potential followers of Jesus: apostles, who emulate his itinerant lifestyle of preaching, healing, and exorcism; hosts, who provide apostles with food and shelter in their homes; and supporters, who serve the movement in other ways in accordance with their abilities and social status.
Keywords
bioi, exempla, mimesis, narratology, paradeigmata, vitae
National Category
Religious Studies
Research subject
Biblical Studies, New testament
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:ths:diva-2291 (URN)10.1177/0142064X241235319 (DOI)
2024-03-212024-03-212024-05-24Bibliographically approved