Context Is Everything: Literary Context
Warning. The Interpretation process can seem like a research project as you are pouring over "library materials." The good thing is that in a digital age, no one will get a paper cuts. But will will be on a hunt for the answers to the questions you raised in the Observation phase in the last two modules.
The first part of this module is to focus on the Interpretation question, "What DID this text mean" in its original setting? Initially, you will need to acquire cultural and historical background from the first century world to help address the context in which the event takes place; for Context is Everything (CIE). This will assist you in situating yourself in the world of the Biblical text.
Literary Context: There are a number of resources that will provide you with keen insight into how your strategic passage fits into the larger context of the biblical book, The obvious first choice would be to examine the surrounding context. You have already done the Book level survey. Employ the Observations you have already seen through you two times through the Gospel of Mark. Ask this question, “How does my strategic passage (Mark 1:1-13 or Mark 8: 27-33 or Mark 15:25-39) fit into the surrounding literary context?” That should be the driving question. Yes, on the Book level. But in this Interpretation, we are focused like a laser on the immediate context surrounding your strategic passage. Please re-read True^North page 120 for some guidance.
- Check out TheBibleProject.com for videos and material on the content of the Bible. Watch the video on Mark’s Gospel.
- Gordon Fee, How to Read the Bible: Book by Book for a nice summary of how each book of the Bible fits together as a literary whole. Read the chapter on Mark’s Gospel.
- Fee, Gordon D, and Douglas K Stuart. 2009. How to Read the Bible Book by Book : A Guided Tour. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. https://thedtl.on.worldcat.org/oclc/894238059
- Direct link to the book in ProQuest
- Commentary on Mark. Our library has many commentaries on Mark’s Gospel. Most contemporary ones are written from a literary perspective. The writer will have done precisely what I am asking you to do. Here is a good one that is somewhat less technical:
- Schnabel, Eckhard J. 2017. Mark: An Introduction Commentary. Westmont: InterVarsity Press. https://thedtl.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1036775129
- Direct link to ProQuest
Literary Context Exercise
I want you to employ the above resources to answer the contextual question, “How does my strategic passage fit into the surrounding context?” Have this question in mind as you read through the relevant material. Take notes while you read the material or watch the video.
I am also including my two commentaries I have written on Mark’s Gospel. One shorter and one much longer.
The shorter version is found in Collins, Kenneth J, and Robert W Wall, eds. 2020. Wesley One Volume Commentary. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press. https://thedtl.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1152595534. Go to the article on the Gospel of Mark and read through the material corresponding to your strategic passage.
The longer work is found in these scanned pages from Mark: A Commentary for Bible Students.
At the start of every major section of the commentary (based upon the outline provided in the Introduction) I identify for you themes or structures which hold the story together. Plus, in each episode in the Gospel of Mark I attempt to link it to what precedes it and what follows. This is what I am asking you to do.
Utilizing all these resources, can you accumulate notes to answer the question, “How does my strategic passage fit into the surrounding context and what is its significance.” You do not need to make full bibliographic citations. But please, make notes in parentheses where the ideas come from and the page number of the source.