This is a study of the language of wonder or amazement, comparing its use in Graeco-Roman, early Jewish and early Christian literature to the Gospel of Mark. Mark's intensive use of wonder, often redactional, impels us to regard the passion and empty tomb scenes as manifesting God's presence. Mark is unique among the Gospels in the density of his wonder language, which signifies the breaking in of the rule of God. Miracles, teaching, restoration to community, passion and empty tomb are all marked as divine interventions in the Gospel by reactions of wonder.

This is a study of the language of wonder or amazement, comparing its use in Graeco-Roman, early Jewish and early Christian literature to the Gospel of Mark. Mark's intensive use of wonder, often redactional, impels us to regard the passion and empty tomb scenes as manifesting God's presence. Mark is unique among the Gospels in the density of his wonder language, which signifies the breaking in of the rule of God. Miracles, teaching, restoration to community, passion and empty tomb are all marked as divine interventions in the Gospel by reactions of wonder.

William Wrede was among the first to recognise the creative contribution of the Gospel writers. His work thus laid the foundation for the work of the Form Critics, Redaction Critics and Literary Critics whose scholarship dominated New Testament studies during the twentieth century. This highly influential work was throughout this period the departure point for all studies in the Gospel of Mark and in the literary methods of the evangelists. It remains highly relevant for its ground-breaking approach to the classically complicated question of whether Jesus saw himself and represented himself as the Messiah.

Annotation. Arguing that crowds in the Gospel of Matthew serve as a theological entity that represent the people of Israel (as opposed to their leaders), Cousland (classical, Near Eastern, and religious studies, U. of British Columbia, Canada) explores how this representation sheds light on Matthew's relationship to Judaism. Although Matthew had broken with Jewish leadership, he still had hopes of converting the Jewish people to Christianity and this tension was displayed in the ambivalent manner in which crowds were portrayed in the gospel. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.

This thorough manual for advanced students and their supervisors, and anyone researching or writing on the Gospel of Mark, is the opening volume in an important new series of Guides to Advanced Biblical Research. Together with an essay on the current state of research and a discussion of the future of Markan study, it provides a chrestomathy of samples of Markan research together with a review of recent dissertations and a full, annotated bibliography.

The earliest of the four Gospels, the book portrays Jesus as an enigmatic figure, struggling with enemies, his inner and external demons, and with his devoted but disconcerted disciples. Unlike other gospels, his parables are obscure, to be explained secretly to his followers. With an introduction by Nick Cave

How Baptism and the Eucharist Shaped Early Christian Understandings of Jesus Long before the Gospel writers put pen to papyrus, the earliest Christians participated in the powerful rituals of baptism and the Lord's Supper, which fundamentally shaped their understanding of God, Christ, and the world in which they lived. In this volume, a respected biblical scholar and teacher explores how cultural anthropology and ritual studies elucidate ancient texts. Charles Bobertz offers a liturgical reading of the Gospel of Mark, arguing that the Gospel is a narrative interpretation of early Christian ritual. This fresh, responsible, and creative proposal will benefit scholars, professors, and students. Its ecclesial and pastoral ramifications will also be of interest to church leaders and pastors.