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It has long been a mystery why the Gospel of Mark includes so few Old Testament quotations. Some scholars conclude that this is because it was written for Gentile audiences, who were not familiar with Jewish scripture. Others argue that Mark’s gospel does mention the Old Testament on occasion, but not as often as Matthew and Luke do. This blog post will present evidence in favor of both theories, and then offer an explanation which may reconcile them both.
There are times in Mark’s gospel when the Old Testament is referenced, such as Mary’s song at Jesus’ birth (Luke chapter two) or Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus after he was told that “today” he would be with him in Paradise (Mark chapter nine). But there are many more instances where this explicit reference does not occur. Some argue that these references were intentionally omitted by a Gentile author who wanted his story to stand on its own and did not want to make too much of Jewish scripture. Others say it may simply have been due to lack of access for Jews living outside Judea during the time period which some scholars believe the Gospel of Mark was written.
The question then becomes: why do Matthew and Luke both include many more references to the Old Testament than Mark does?
Why are these few explicit quotations mentioned in Mark’s Gospel so rare when Matthew and Luke have many more of them, even going as far as saying that Jesus fulfilled specific texts from Isaiah or Jeremiah? Some scholars believe it is due to a Gentile perspective. Others say it may be because Jews living outside Judea might not have had access to Jewish scriptures during this time period which some scholars believe was written about 60-70 CE. The question then becomes: why do Matthew and Luke both include many more references to the Old Testament than Mark does? One possible answer could relate back to an idea of fulfillment when understanding how Jesus acted out in his life what people thought he would do based on what was written in the Old Testament.
So is there any reason why Mark would have few Old Testament quotations? One idea could be because Jesus fulfilled many of the passages in his life and so they were not needed. Another answer could be that these verses might not have been readily available to people living outside Judea at this time, which some scholars believe was written about 60-70 CE. Matthew and Luke both include more references to the OT than Mark does but it may also relate back to an understanding of fulfillment when looking at how Jesus acted out what he had predicted or others thought he would do based on what was written in the old testament scriptures.
Text: The Bible makes little mention of languages being spoken by different nationalities due to political reasons; for example we know that Assyrians spoke a different language, but we do not know what.
One idea could be because Jesus fulfilled many of the passages in his life and so they were not needed. Another answer could be that these verses might not have been readily available to people living outside Judea at this time, which some scholars believe was written about 60-70 CE. Matthew and Luke both include more references to the OT than Mark does but it may also relate back to an understanding of fulfillment when looking at how Jesus acted out what he had predicted or others thought he would do based on what was written in the old testament scriptures.
The Bible makes little mention of languages being spoken by different nationalities due to political reasons; for example we know that Aramaic was the common language in Judea at this time but we seldom find it spoken by Jesus.
This is because there were many languages being spoken and so he would have been using what his listeners understood to make a point. What did you think about when reading those two verses?
-The use of different languages: This could be how people spoke on an everyday basis, such as with family or close friends who they knew well enough to understand them without having to speak their native tongue. That doesn’t mean these are not meaningful conversations; instead, they just signify closeness and intimacy between the speaker and listener because of trust built over time together. I wanted to mention this example first since it’s something familiar in our own lives, and I think it’s a good parallel for how Jesus might have spoken.
-The use of different languages: This could be how people spoke on an everyday basis, such as with family or close friends who they knew well enough to understand them without having to speak their native tongue. That doesn’t mean these are not meaningful conversations; instead, they just signify closeness and intimacy between the speaker and listener because of trust built over time together. I wanted to mention this example first since it’s something familiar in our own lives, and I think it’s a good parallel for how Jesus might have spoken.
-The wisdom that comes from experience: When we’re teaching kids about life lessons based on what has happened to us or what we’ve learned, there’s often a lot of repetition. That may be how Jesus taught as well–reminding people that the wisdom he had to share was valuable because it came from his experiences and not just some theoretical idea made up in someone else’s head.
-The importance of context: We don’t know what conversations were happening at the time Mark wrote this Gospel, so all we can do is speculate about why these are rarely mentioned in other places where Old Testament quotations would have been expected. Maybe they’re still spoken around certain communities but not others? Or maybe it has something to do with their significance for Jewish culture (i.e., one quotation might have been considered too powerful by those listening and therefore withheld).
-The importance of being human: And whether or not Jesus actually quoted these specific texts, he certainly used the broader themes and lessons from them as wisdom for his listeners. The Bible is an ever-changing document that speaks to people in different ways depending on their time and place. When we read it today–or even just parts of it–we need to remember that what was written down might have been interpreted differently by those who heard it first hand.
Ending sentence: I hope this helps you all learn more about how a Gospel writer’s context can influence which passages are included over others! Happy reading! Article includes: -How does the context of a Gospel writer influence which passages are included over others? -The importance of being human. -When we read it today–or even just parts of it–we need to remember that what was written down might have been interpreted differently by those who heard it first hand. Added paragraph: “Mark’s Old Testament Quotations” by Mark Neuenschwander is licensed under CC BY – NC – ND, and any use should attribute this author as well as provide their article link with attribution (a textual reference). This work has been published in an article on ThoughtCo., where it benefits from comments received and edits made after publication.” They also go
