Jews and Judaism in Mark's Gospel: An examination of Mark 4:11-12 in its literary context

This thesis demonstrates that Mark 4:11-12 is an integral part of the Marcan composition and should be interpreted as part of a much larger whole. In addition, the literary connections between Mark's Gospel and the Old Testament are also deemed significant in assessing Mark's attitude toward the Jews and their religion. The use of Isaiah in Mark is especially important since the source of Mark 4:11-12 is Isaiah 6:9-10.;This thesis concludes that Mark 4:11-12 cannot be taken to reflect a polemic against the Jews. In the first place, there is no indication that Mark's use of Isaiah (or any other Old Testament text) reflects an aversion toward the Jews or Judaism. An analysis of Mark's use of Isaiah 6:9-10 and his appropriation of other Old Testament themes and motifs indicates that his attitude toward his literary heritage is quite constructive and positive.;Secondly, the seemingly negative portrayal of the Jews throughout the Marcan narrative, and especially in 4:11-12, must be seen as part of Mark's total theological agenda. In attempting to account for the failed mission to the Jews, Mark utilizes Isaiah 6:9-10 to argue that Jesus' identity was intentionally hidden from the Jews because this is part of God's sovereign plan. On the one hand, the blindness of the Jews allows for the preservation of the intended destiny of Jesus. On the other hand, the obduracy of the Jews serves a pedagogical purpose to bring about not only their own salvation, but also the salvation of the Gentiles.;Finally, anti-Judaic statements in Mark must be viewed from the perspective that the teachings of Jesus represent one form of a multiform Judaism operative during the first century. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).