Mike Spindler (michspiregent.edu) BINT 500 SU08 DE Assignment...
Mike Spindler (michspi@regent.edu)
BINT 500 SU08 DE
Assignment 3 (Mark 2:1-3:6)
NASB
FINAL VERSION
Part A.2
Observation 1:
(Cat 1) The relationship between the segments in Mark 1 and the current text (2:1-3:6) is a specific progression in Jesus' ministry from simply performing miracles to now performing them in context as illustrations. The miracles are now each accompanied by Jesus' proclamation of doctrinal authority and clarification: forgiveness of sins (2:7); behavior (2:17, 3:5, etc.) Good!
Observation 2:
(Cat 1) The previous segments have had almost nothing to say about what Jesus was thinking or felt. This segment shows a general progression in exposing the reader now to attitudes and the basis for actions from Jesus. It actually started at the end of the previous segment with one indicator - when Jesus was approached by the leper and He was “moved with pity” - He healed him (1:41.) This has increased in this segment to include Jesus “seeing their faith” - He forgave him (2:5), being “aware in His spirit” - He answered them (2:8), and finally “looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart” (3:5) - He healed the man. Great!
Observation 3:
(Cat 2 - Par. 4) There is a pivot in the fourth paragraph when Jesus is discussing the issue of fasting for His disciples and then completely changes from this metaphor of a bride and bridegroom (2:19-20) to the completely different metaphor of the cloth, and the old and new wine and wineskin (2:21-22.) Note: Everywhere else in this segment a metaphor is extended to go with a completed or impending action - here a second and third metaphor, related themselves, are given without context in Jesus' actions. Normally, I would not call this a pivot, but you've stated your case so well, I'll give you credit. << smile >>
Observation 4:
(Cat 2 - Par. 4) Jesus makes an identification in the fourth paragraph when He explains to the scribes that the relationship between Him and the disciples is like that of a bridegroom to his bride. (Mark 2:18-20) This is bordering on interpretation. The issue here is why Jesus' disciples do not fast. To take that a step further and say that the issue is one of a relationship between Him and His disciples is wandering into the area of interpretation. Jesus also does not directly call Himself the bridegroom or His disciples the attendants. The issue of relationship and who are the bridegroom and attendants would come out during the interpretive questioning and answering process.
Observation 5:
(Cat 3) The segment has an overall relationship of questions posed and then answered as figures of speech - similes. The first (2:7, para. 1) is regarding the paralytic healed; the scribes ask; and Jesus compares this healing with the forgiveness of sin. The second (2:16 - para. 3) is regarding His befriending sinners; they ask - Jesus hears; and He responds comparing it with attending to those that need a physician. The third (2:18 - para. 4) involves fasting; they ask; and He compares fasting for His disciples at this time would be like a wedding party fasting in the presence of the bridegroom. And the fourth (2:24 - para. 5) involved picking grain for food; they asked about doing such work on the Sabbath; and He compared it to David entering the house of God to eat consecrated bread. Great observation, but call it comparison based on metaphors, not similes. Similes are explicit comparisons using key words such as “like” and “as” (My NASB doesn't include these words - does yours?) Metaphors are like similes, except they are implicit comparisons not using these kinds of key words.
Observation 6:
(Cat 4) The chronological story continues in this segment, but the primary theme has changed to ideological. What I've underlined is a great insight but doesn't belong in your observation of explanation here. This is foremost a series of explanations from paragraph to paragraph as Mark relates one query in each paragraph as Jesus gives answers for each accusation or question from the Pharisees and scribes.
Para. 1: Questioning Jesus' Authority (2:7)
Para. 3: Questioning Associations (2:16)
Para. 4: Questioning about Fasting (2:18)
Para. 5: Questioning what is Lawful (2:24)
Para. 6: Questioning Sabbath Healing (3:2 - unspoken, but answered)
Great!
Part A.3
Titles
Para. 1: Healing the Paralytic
Para. 2: Levi Recruited
Para. 3: Dining with Sinners
Para. 4: The Bridegroom
Para. 5: Questioning Sabbath Behavior
Para. 6: Sabbath Healing
Good titles!
Mike, great job overall! Please see my comments. You've got a complete for this part.
Part B.2 & B.3
(All observations from paragraph 4.)
Observation 1: There is a pivot in the fourth paragraph when Jesus is discussing the issue of fasting for His disciples and then completely changes from this metaphor of a bride and bridegroom (2:19-20) to the completely different metaphor of the cloth and the old and new wine and wineskin (2:21-22.) Note: Everywhere else in this segment a metaphor is extended to go with a completed or impending action - here a second one is given without context in Jesus' actions. (Cat 2) Good, but see my comment above regarding this observation.
Question: Why did Mark place the story of the cloth and wine/wineskins here without an apparent tie-in to a ministry event? (C) Good.
Observation 2: Jesus makes an identification within the fourth paragraph when He explains to the scribes that the relationship between Him and the disciples is like that of a bridegroom to his bride. (Mark 2:18-20) (Cat 2) Please see my comments on this observation above.
Question: What would this simile Identification is your relation, not simile. have meant to the Pharisees? Did they have all of the pieces to put it together… into context of the Messiah - what scripture(s) would they have known to make the connection? (E) An 'E' was used here since there are no fundamental ABC questions to ask before getting to this in-context question that was part of the observation. First of all, an E question is one of implication. Ask what the implications are of this identification. Also a fundamental A question that could be asked here is what the identification means.
Question: What would be the implications to us of understanding the relationship with the Body of Christ from this answer? (E) This is not an E question but one of application. When you use words such as “us,” you've just pulled it from the 1st to the 21st century. Ask and answer the question for the 1st century, and then, you can put a 21st century application on it.
Observation 3: There is a particularization stating that the Pharisees and John's disciples both fast, but Jesus' do not (2:18.) (Cat 2) Good.
Question: Is there anything else known about “John's disciples?” (E) I used an 'E' here because there is nothing in the text that sparks this question - it is out of context for Mark's discussion, but was part of the observation. This is a yes-no question. The directions ask you not to ask these kinds of close-ended questions.
Question: What did fasting mean to the Pharisees? (A) Good, but this question should have been asked first.
Observation 4: A repetition is made with two examples by Jesus that new does not mix or fit with the old (2:21-22.) (Cat 2) You have continuity of old and new examples here, not repetition. Repetition is used of words, clauses, phrases, and word families. Similarities in situations, events, examples, etc. is called continuity.
Question: While these appear to be generally true wise statements, why did Jesus make them in the context of a discussion on fasting, Your observation doesn't mention Jesus or fasting. or Mark place them here? It is also rare for it to be recorded that Jesus gave two examples - why, are there different aspects to the same messages? (A -or- C since further investigation would need to be done to decide if it is in context, or just placed here by Mark.) The way you determine whether it is in context or just placed there by Mark is to ask and answer interpretive questions. Ask why Jesus put forth these 2 related examples. In the course of answering this question, you will most likely answer all your above questions on this observation. Don't combine questions into A-C or other combinations. Keep your questions separate.
Observation 5: Jesus uses a hyperbole twice in the text that “no one would…” (sew an unshrunk patch on an old garment or put new wine into an old wineskin.) Obviously someone could. (Cat 2) Good.
Question: What was Jesus' purpose of making such emphasis as “no one would”? (A) Good question, but it is a B question, not an A; however, I will give you full credit for it since the directions did not ask you to identify the type of question.
Part B.4
Spiritual truth: Once Jesus' ministry began - His focus was fixed and progressed quickly and with several purposes being completed. Jesus' time as a man was imperative. We have no understanding of what happened the majority of His first 30 years. But once God the Father blessed Him and the Holy Spirit descended - it appears from the chronology of events that He had very specific prophesies to reveal, truths to expose, and in this segment - old covenant to new covenant truth to expose. Both chronological age-wise for me and for God's timetable of events - which includes me - time is imperative.
And second, I am enjoying the digging-in to what was Jesus feeling, thinking, and the overall “mission” in the details of all of that Jesus did. Fascinating… probably not unlike the physical experience of going to Israel and walking the details. I am honestly getting excited and am listing some scriptures to do this on my own between semesters. Super!
Observations - 50 points (5 @ 10 points each) 45
Interpretive Questions - 30 points (5 @ 6 points each) 26
Spiritual Truth with Application - 10 points 10
Grammar, Sentence Structure, Spelling - 10 points 10
Grade: 91 / Mike, good job overall! I can see you're really getting into this. You're certainly on the right track - just some fine-tuning to do. Please see my comments and let me know if you have questions.