Abstract
Mark is a gospel of secrets that gradually unfold to the audience. This becomes more evident in light of recent studies of Mark as a narrative drama. In such a drama, Jesus, especially in his hero's death, is the center of the gospel. However, his counterpart is the ideal disciple who follows him as far as the cross. Mark presents this ideal disciple portrait in a gradually expanding dramatic crescendo through key women presented in the gospel. The climactic ending comes in the Bethany woman's prophetic action and its completion in Mary Magdalene, especially, and the other women who obey Jesus' initial command, "Follow me," as far as the cross. Thus, they make possible the "preaching of the gospel in the whole world" as a necessary prerequisite for the return of Jesus.
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