Abstract
Students of the second Gospel have long been puzzled by the cryptic assertion, in Mark 6.52, that the disciples ‘did not understand concerning the loaves…’ Through an exegetical study of Mk 6.45-52, this essay proposes that what the disciples have misconstrued is their own active participation in the inbreaking, eschatological kingdom that Jesus inaugurates. Relying mainly on narrative-critical insights, the study first surveys the disciples’ function to this point in the Markan story, a function featuring companionship with Jesus as well as empowerment by him. Against this backdrop, the second sea-crossing story depicts the disciples’ failure to exercise their authority over the sea already given to them by Jesus. In turn, this reading considers as central to the passage not only the identity of Jesus (the traditional chris-tological understanding) but also the empowered discipleship that is central to his kingdom proclamation.
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