An exegetical analysis of mark 143 9
Text and Translation
3 And while He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4 But some were indignantly remarking to one another, Why has this perfume been wasted 5 For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor. And they were scolding her. 6 But Jesus said, Let her alone why do you bother her She has done a good deed to me 7 For the poor you always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good but you do not always have me. 8 She has done what she could she has anointed my body beforehand for the burial. 9 And truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done shall be spoken of in memory of her.
Form and Structure
The coherence of the verses under discussion is clearly evident upon deeper and surgical examination. It covers key biblical aspects or rather traditions that the people lived by then. It may then be outlined as follows based on the contents
Anointing and uncleanliness (Mark143)
Societal view of material wealth (Mark144-5)
Jesuss reaction (Mark146)
Jesus prophecy of his suffering and death (Mark148)
Conclusion (Mark149)
Mark 143-9 acts like the center piece of a sandwich between two critical events in the life of Christ. These are his betrayal and his arrestcrucifixion. The section opens with Jesus Christ in the house of a leper. Lepers were often considered unclean and not allowed to mix with people in the olden society. At this point its evident that Jesus views the unclean from a different perspective. Rather than condemn them to eternal damnation, he opts to stretch out a helping hand to them. This re-affirms Jesuss earlier statements when he told those opposing his association with sinners that he had not come for the righteous but had indeed come to help the sinners see the light. In Mark 217, its written
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
Similar verses are found in other gospel books that give account of the life of Christ. While there may exist variations in statements used to relay it, it all boils to one point, Jesus came for the sinners and not the righteous. As the section develops, anointing comes into play. Throughout the scriptures, anointing was a reserve for special purposes. These include consecration setting aside for holy purposes, choosing of Kings, and as a preparation for burial of the dead. The people around Jesus when the woman smears the expensive oil on Jesus react with surprise. This depicts the love of wealth that humans have grown to value over time. Its symbolic of the cross-section of interest in wealth and faith which has proved a weakness to the human nature. Jesus then reacts to the people who feel this is a waste and appreciates the womans gesture. It is then that he foresees his suffering and death. He also highlights the role of the anointing oil as a preparation for his burial. Conclusively, Jesus exalts the womans act and promises him a place in history. However, the anointing of Jesus brings in a new perspective unlike the previous ones. Its done by a woman.
Study Methodologies
The various study methodologies used in exegetical studies may at one point or the other affect the end product obtained. The approach taken is a fundamental component of exegetical analysis. While some may take the approach of looking for what the text says, others may be looking for what he wants in the text. The latter approach may limit proper analysis of the text as the one undertaking the study has presupposed assumptions about the text. The end product then rather than reflecting the study, ends up being twisted to represent the authors idea. Basically, the best exegetical approach is to go to the text to look for what it says and represents rather than what you want it to represent. The various methodological approaches taken in study of this text included exploration of the general passage meaning, exploration of the specific passage meaning, exploring of the context with which the passage was written(both historical, literary and genre), and understanding how to deal with metaphors, symbols and figures of speech.
Contributions of the various methodologies to textual understanding
The various methodological processes used in analysis of the text contribute to understanding of the text in question. Exploration of both the general and specific meaning of the passage raises important questions that guide us through the texts exploration. Such questions include what was the authors biblical meaning What was the intent and objective of the passage What elements of the text are basic and essential in its study What did the original readers see in the passage What general precepts and principles are presented within the text among others These questions offered guidance during the study of this text.
Understanding the context of the passage is a fundamental methodological process that helps establish proper understanding of the text. The historical context helps us to establish the author, language used, and place. These are important in helping develop the contextual setting within which the text was written. Additionally, the primary objective is obtained and this enables proper and deeper understanding with regard to the intention of writing the passage. The sentence structures and thought sequence tell us more about what the authors intent hence giving more meaning to the passage. Translations and paraphrases within the text too help a lot in determining the authors intent and intended message being conveyed. The genres which may include narrative, wisdom, poetry, prophecy, apocalyptic among others also helps us to understand the purpose of the verse. While some verses were written for purposes of historical account, others are basically acts of prophecy in that they try to mention what exits in the unknown future.
In this study, thorough understanding of the Metaphors, Symbols and Figures of Speech was also employed. This allows the author of this paper to be able to explore the more internal meaning of text. This is usually challenging and most times end up being more of the ideas of the one studying. However, if this is done after careful analysis of the contexts historical, literary and genre, then the likelihood of a wide variation is minimal. After these methodological approaches are completed, then it becomes easier to draw up conclusions thereby establishing the theological ramifications of the text and its application in the modern scenario.
Literary-Historical and Biblical-Theological Context
Background
Generally, the writings of the Gospel according to Mark are anonymously undated. They are practically no direct social, historical or political context of its writings. However, scholars have over time made comparisons to known early Christian communities using the texts in order to come up with suppositions of its historical background.
Mark is the shortest of the canonical gospels and is often considered the oldest of the four. Scholars have suggested that it probably is the primary source of most of the materials contained in Luke and Matthew.
Authorship
The text in the book does not identify specific authors to the book. It is believed that it was written based on stories relayed by Mark to other people thus its referred to as Gospel according to Mark. Historical it is believed that the gospel was documented by Mark Peters companion who is believed to have recorded Peters preachings in Rome. This is supported by this statement,
Mark, having become Peters interpreter, wrote down accurately whatever he remembered of what was said or done by the Lord, however not in order.
This statement has a historical background ranging from Eusebius in the year 325 whose works rely upon Papias, a Bishop in Hierapolis who wrote between c.60 130. However, it is believed that the gospel was written in Rome given that the time calculation method applied is Roman. Rather than divide the night into three, he divides it into four watches which is synonymous with Roman. His knowledge of Palestinian is also quite faulty.
Audience
The original targeted audience expected to read the writings of mark could be primarily Greek. This is true as the first writings were done in Greek. However, the presence of loaned words to Greek from Latin in original writings in Mark has led to suggestions that marks audience was probably also included the Latin who understood little Greek. Such words include modiosmodius, leginlegio, dnarindenarius (a Roman coin), and kenturincenturio additionally, it is evident that the writing was not meant to be read by the Aramaic and Hebrew as it is displayed that they lacked deep knowledge of Jewish customs. This is shown by the translation from these languages to Greek. In one instance too, the author explains the Jewish customs. It may also be argued though that the writing targeted far beyond the Jews and that by then their existed no universal language so the author had to use the one available which was probably Greek. His audience is however further limited by the fact that he fails to explains or introduce the new characters he brings in e.g. John the Baptist. This could be interpreted to mean that his target audience was probably limited to those already familiar with the events preceding the writings as well as the life of Jesus. The audience has however over time changed with various translations available. This affects how different people understand the verse in reading.
Significance of the text to the original audience
The original audience intended for the text is generally considered the Greek. Basically, its initial significance was highly dependent on the interpreters at that time. Given that at time there was great resistance to the gospel spread, some were quick to point out some of the things they considered as Jesus mistakes with regard to the text. However, the text can be said to have been primarily a demonstration of the abilities and the good qualities that Jesus wanted his disciples to learn. It was at some point referred to as the mark of death of Jesus.
The setting of the text
The text explains Jesus actions while at Bethany in the house of a leper. The reference made to the destruction of the temple in the earlier chapterputs its setting to somewhere in 30CE. This is further supported by the subsequent planning of betrayal by Judas and the chief priests. The setting projects a scenario where somebody considered unclean is probably cleansed.
Discussion
While the woman who anoints Jesus with expensive oil remains unknown in Mark he is revealed in John and Luke as the sister of Martha whose name is Mary. The womans action revealed the following about the woman
She exalted Jesus as a king. This is confirmed the next day when Jesus declares himself as the king as he makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
It symbolized Jesuss anointing as a royal priest who was due to make atonement to his followers.
As Jesus was due to die, She displays an understanding of the reason for His death, recognized her sins and the need for salvation. She further symbolized the preparation of the Christs body for burial.
The Insensitivity and Reactions of the Disciples
HYPERLINK javascript7b7d o Mark 144-5 Mark 144-5 But some were indignantly remarking to one another,
Why has this perfume been wasted For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor And they were scolding her.
This verse gives a projection of the concern of the people to worldly materials more than faith. They dont seem to understand the implication of such an action but only focuses on its material point of view. Judas for instance says, But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to poor people
Judas says this, not out of concern for the poor but because of his greed for money needless to mention that he was the custodian of the money box that they used for upkeep during their activities. While a closer look reveals that all the disciples consider this act wasteful, Jesus was their spokesperson on this issue. The contrasting events revealed from these reactions included while the woman put all his attention on Christ, the disciples put their focus more on the monetary value attached to the oil. Secondly, while Mary got her motivation from devotion and sacrifice to the savior, Judas and the other disciples were rather motivated in their talking with greed and jealousy. Often devotion has been mistaken for fanatism and accompanied by persecution. This manifests itself in this case by the reaction of the disciples to the womans devotion. In Mary an understanding of Christs personality and works is revealed. On the other hand the disciples display a dependence on worldly possessions thus failure to listen to the saviors words occasioned by their rebuke for the woman.
Christs Rebuke of the Disciples
Jesus says,
Let her alone why do you bother her She has done a good deed to Me. For the poor you always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good but you do not always have me.
Jesus upon seeing the reactions of the disciples rebukes them. Their hidden agenda is revealed by their overt reactions. He asserts the need to always assist the poor and not to wait for opportunities such as this to air the concern for the poor.
Christ explains her actions
Further he says, She has done what she could she has anointed my body beforehand for the burial. Here, he predicts his awaiting death and explains the symbolism of this woman actions in preparation for his death. This could be interpreted to insinuate that the woman could see beyond which others could see and knew what others did not.
Mary Rewarded for her Sacrifice
Jesus acknowledges the womans sacrifice and guarantees her recognition in future when he says,
And truly I say to you, wherever the Gospel is preached in the whole world, that also which this woman has done shall be spoken of in memory of her.
In general the end product of these verses is a category of various people who exist in the world namely
Those considered unclean by the society, recognize their mistakes and are willing to change. They are ready to sacrifice everything if only for their faith.
Those whose decisions are guided by the worldly material possessions
Those who believe they are righteous and are quick to rebuke those whom they feel are wrong notwithstanding their behavior.
Lessons learnt from the verses
Sacrifice
Verse 3 depicts the extent to which sacrifice can be made. The woman shows this through the cost of the oil which he uses to anoint Jesus. She furthers her sacrifice by breaking the vial before pouring it on Jesus. He attaches more importance to the destination of the oil rather than the oil itself and the container.
Self-righteous vs. Sarcasm
While the woman who might have been considered unclean displays self righteousness, surprisingly its the disciples who display sarcasm by their reactions. They focus more on the material value of the oil and ignore the significance of the actions. Its surprising how many people in our modern world would quickly rush to judge before thinking yet they themselves are the victims of the mistakes they insinuate others to be involved in. This is symbolically represented in James where it says For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
Suitability of actions
Jesus through this verse portrays the suitability of an activity as the driving force to determining any judgment that may be made of it. Rather than simply judging from outward look, decisions should be based on the suitability of the activity in performing the intended function.
Role of women in the society
While most if not all previous biblical verses have portrayed women as lacking in leadership and unclean. This verse proves otherwise. Such important activities like anointing were a reserve for men and the women were relegating to performing the less important functions in the society. Through this verse, its revealed that the women too can play important roles in the society. This woman is a further depiction of the womens role in spread of the gospel. Its an assertion that women too rather than just offering entertainment, slavery and dance had a role in the spread of gospel.
Attitude towards sinners
Jesuss actions displays a clear turn around from the trend that had been previously witnessed in the bible where those considered unclean were not allowed to mix with those considered clean. He simply says that without sinners, the gospel would be non-existent and irrelevant. Rather than condemn the society should take a focus on transforming those they consider as sinners.
Theological implications of the text today
The text has over time been interpreted by various religious groups to suite their needs and desires. However, one perspective that has probably remained universal is the fact that the text bears quite a lot of message in itself. This ranges from the poor, sacrifice, Jesus prophecy of his own death, weakness of faith amongst his disciples among others. The text has therefore found an important place in the modern religion in its application to stress the need for sacrifice, the abilities of Jesus and additionally, it acts as the mark of the beginning of the tribulations of Jesus towards his death, burial and resurrection. The issue of feminism has also variously made reference to this verse in reference to the fact that even the bible acknowledged the fact that women too could take important places in the society. The text is believed to have touched on most of the important spheres of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it will be important to note that Mark 143-9 raises the questions of value and worthiness, sacrifice and devotion, and lastly symbolism. It presents a set of paradoxes which raises questions that stimulates self evaluation of reality and symbolism. One asks, Simon the leper, was he clean or unclean Anger by the people in the house about the oil, is it genuinely indignant or is it a failure on their side. Jesus assertion that this was a preparation for his death, can this indulgence give adequate preparation for death and resurrection or not. The sacrifice is it worth or not Seeking answers to this question would probably be similar to questioning who God really is. However, one thing evident is that the activity bore more symbolism that reality. It was more educative and another manifestation of Jesuss ways of imparting wisdom into the people around him. Mark 143-9, therefore manifests faith, love, gratitude and immortality of Jesus. It probably can be termed as a paragon of human nature in totality.
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