The Separate Gentile Mission in Mark: a Narrative Explanation of Markan Geography,the Two Feeding Accounts and Exorcisms

Abstract

Various explanations for the apparent disregard for the continuity of the story line and geography within Mark's Gospel have centered on the question of redaction. This article proposes a straightforward narrative understanding, and assumes that geographical references in Mark have meaning, especially within a narrative informed by Jewish thought patterns of the time period of Mark's first audience. Further, this article posits that meaningful geographical references reveal a geographically and chronologically separate mission by Jesus in his exorcistic activity, the two feeding accounts, and the bread conversations, which flesh out a clear narrative of parallel yet different missions to the Jews and non-Jews. The separate Gentile mission is necessary for Jesus, for although neither Jews nor non-Jews knew who Jesus was at the start, the Jewish people already worshipped Yahweh, while the Gentile people did not know Yahweh and were still engaged in worship of heathen demons and idols.