Markan Distinctives

• Mark Places Peter’s rebuke immediately after his confession (Matthew “from that time on” Luke omits Peter’s reaction.)


• In Mark, seeing the disciples is Jesus’ impetus to rebuking Peter.


• In Mark Jesus calls the multitude along with his disciples to hear about taking up the cross.


• Interestingly only Mark adds the Gospels sake to that which people ought to loose their life for, he also mentions people being ashamed of Jesus’ words. More telling of the other evangelists purposes if we assume Markan priority.


• Hooker: “What he speaks is the word – a term which is perhaps intended to hint at the fact that this message [the prediction of the passion and his invitation to follow] is (paradoxically) the gospel or the good news.


• Typical of Mark, emotions are rawer


• He doesn’t soften the rebuke by calling Peter a hindrance, he is simply Satan.


• Jesus calls the generation adulterous and sinful

Hook words

Rebuking is the verb used in verse 30 of Jesus’ strict injunction to the disciples to say nothing. They have special knowledge of who Jesus is. They incorrectly use this knowledge to rebuke Jesus from talking about the cross. Surely the Son of God will not die.
Get behind me Satan hooks us into: if any of you would follow (get behind) me, take up your cross. Does renouncing yourself sound like the rebuking of the previous verses?

This is the ironic gospel: the attribute of god known as foolishness and weakness. This bad news is the good news.