Eve-Marie Becker, «Mk 1:1 and the Debate on a 'Markan Prologue'» filologia-neotestamentaria, Vol. 22 (2009) 91-106 page 105

Eve-Marie Becker, «Mk 1:1 and the Debate on a 'Markan Prologue'», Vol. 22 (2009) 91-106

On the basis of observations to the syntactical structure and the literary style of Mk 1:1-15 as well as to the literary genre of the Markan Gospel, this paper questions those concepts of subdividing Mk 1 according to which Mk 1:1-13/15 is classified as a 'Markan prologue'. It is argued instead, that already Mk 1:4 opens up the Gospel narration and that only Mk 1:1-3 has to be regarded as a literary unity: Mk 1:1-3, however, is in no case part of a 'Markan prologue' or a 'prologue' in itself. These verses are rather more to be understood as a prooemium to the overall prose-text of the Gospel narrative, consisting of a 'Buchüberschrift'/title (1:1) and an opening introductory close (1:2-3).

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Prologue of Mark

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Mk 1:1 and the debate on a ‘Markan prologue’ 105 Erzählung übereinstimmen wie der Kopf zum dazugehörigen Körper“ (h c 23)86. Lukian’s definition, moreover, follows the general rhetorical rules for creating a prooemium in ancient literature.87 Thus, we might conclude here: Mk 1:1-3 is in no case part of a ‘Mar- kan prologue’ or a ‘prologue’ in itself. These verses are rather more to be understood as a prooemium to the overall prose-text of the Gospel narra- tive, consisting of a ‘Buchüberschrift’/title (1:1) and an opening introduc- tory close with a mixed quotation (1:2-3) that is based on legitimating prophetic words which, in fact, mark the real historical beginnings of the history of the Gospel – a long time before John’s mission in the desert. Eve-Marie BECKER Department of Biblical Studies Faculty of Theology Taasingegade 3 DK-8000 Aarhus C DENMARK EB@teo.au.dk 86 G. Avenarius, Lukians Schrift zur Geschichtsschreibung (Meisenheim 1956) 115. 87 Cf. further ideas in Avenarius, Schrift, 115.