Abstract
This article reinterprets Mark 5 in light of the genre characteristics of Greco-Roman biography. Every interpretation is performed with a specific perspective, and this article aims to extract meaning of Mark 5 from the perspective of Greco-Roman biography. The two genre characteristics to which this article gives special attention are (1) the extensive focus on the protagonist and (2) comparison/contrast.<BR> In the episode of a man with evil spirits in the region of the Gerasenes (5:1-20), Mark accentuates two qualities of Jesus, the protagonist of the Gospel as a Greco-Roman biography. First, Jesus is described as the one who can bind Satan and thus release the man from the oppression of evil spirits. Second, Jesus is depicted as the one who has the same authority with God. In terms of comparison/contrast, the episode contrasts Jesus who is a real bringer of peace with Caesar who merely purports to bring peace. The Roman Empire and its emperor, which are not shy about giving massive propaganda for peace, actually turn out to be the oppressor of a subjugated people. By contrast, Jesus and the kingdom of God can grant the real peace to his people.<BR> In the episode of Jairus and the woman with hemorrhage (5:21-43), comparison/contrast is more explicit than in the previous episode. In this episode, Jairus is more supreme than the woman in many respects: socially, economically, and religiously. In terms of social standing, Jairus who is a named man and a synagogue ruler must have enjoyed more privileges in comparison to the unnamed woman. Economically speaking, the text says that the woman with hemorrhage “had spent all she had” while we can assume that Jairus must have had more secure position in terms of financial status. In the realm of religion, Jairus is respected by people, whereas the woman is despised by people due to her illness. Despite of this, Jesus heals the woman before healing Jairus’ daughter. This teaches two things. First, Jesus takes side with the weak rather than the strong. Second, the most important thing that one needs in getting God’s grace is faith.
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