In the gospel of Mark, we see the author use a literary technique called an “inclusio” to show the reader the importance of a specific passage. This is the authors way of putting an emphasis on a certain passage that we as readers should pay attention to. Here, we are to pay special attention to… Continue reading →

Mark uses a literary technique called an “inclusio” to show the reader the importance of a specific passage.  In chapters 8 and 10, we read two healing miracles that form two literary “bookends”, and sandwiched between these two stories is a monumental lesson about Jesus.  Specifically, we learn who Jesus is as a “divine man”… Continue reading →

Two distinct miracle passages in Mark seem to act as literary “bookends” and offer an insight into Mark’s view of Jesus’ “true identity”: a Jesus that is different from the Jesus that was understood (or misunderstood) by the disciples themselves. Beginning with Jesus’ healing of a blind man and ending with his healing of a different… Continue reading →