Characterization of Peter in the Gospel of Mark

Abstract

The role of Peter in the Gospel of Mark has been studied from various perspectives during the past. This chapter explores the possibility of studying the shaping and function of Peter as a character in Mark's story of Jesus. It deals with theoretical aspects of roles, characters and narrated figures. The chapter argues that Peter is a character in Mark's narrative and not in the first place, a historical person. Mark shaped the character Peter in view of the narrative function(s) he attributed to the character. The characterization of Peter in Mark is examined in view of the way in which the character is shaped and also in the light of its narrative function. The chapter analyses the characterization of Peter in the gospel. It concentrates mainly on the depiction of Peter by focusing on what the narrator directly or indirectly tells the reader about him. Keywords: characterization of Peter; gospel of Mark; narrative function; story of Jesus