Mark 3:20-35 From the Perspective of Shameihonor

Abstract

Shame and honor are pivotal values for the setting in life of the first-century social world, and these values need to be considered a major part of the webbing in the Markan intercalation at 3:20-35. The focus of this passage illustrates that honor was not deposited in the typical locations of that day, i.e., the family and influential members of the Jewish community. The writer acomplishes this task by setting scenes in which the family of Jesus tried to approach him because of anxiety about their honor; likewise, the scribes approached Jesus concerned about their honor. The ultimate outcome of this Markan presentation is that Jesus acquires honor at the expense of the scribes and designates a new focal point of honor in a fictive kinship group.