(Gospel of Mark 3:14 - 3:19)
Jesus climbed a mountain and called down to those he wanted, and they came up to him. Twelve of them he chose to be his companions, that he might send them out to preach and endow them with the power to heal and to exorcise evil spirits.
The 12 he appointed were these:
Simon (whom he called “Peter”)
James, the son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom he gave the name of Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”)
Andrew
Philip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James, the son of Alphaeus
Thaddaeus
Simon the Zealot
Judas Iscariot, the one who turned him in
Notes
1. According to the text, Boanerges means “sons of thunder” presumably in Aramaic, the language that Jesus and his disciples spoke. It does not, however, seem to be a regular word, only an awkward portmanteau expression partly from Hebrew, made up either by Jesus or by the author of Mark. The term is never used again.
2. This is the standard list of the apostles, however, some of the names vary. The Gospel of John, which, unlike the other gospels, does not offer a list of the apostles, calls Bartholomew, Nathanael, while Thaddeus is probably the same person as Judas or Jude, the son or brother of James. James, the son of Alphaeus, is sometimes (unflatteringly) called James the Less. Matthew may also be Levi, the son of Alphaeus, and Simon may be the same person as Simeon of Jerusalem. Curious that more than one apostle would be known by more than one name. Unlike the Romans, who had a first name, a family name, and a tribal name, Hebrew men had only one name. Added to it might be another name indicating their place of origin or residence, whose son they were, what work they did, or a personal characteristic they might have -- very similar to the situation in medieval England.
3. Ascending a mountain suggests an ascent to Heaven, communion with the divine. Moses climbs a mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. Perhaps this is a parallel, Jesus ascending a mountain and calling up to him his chosen apostles.
Showing posts with label James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James. Show all posts
Monday, August 21, 2017
Monday, August 3, 2015
Beginning of Jesus' Ministry
(Gospel of Mark 1:14 - 1:20)
After John was imprisoned, Jesus traveled through Galilee preaching the gospel of God. "The time is come," he declared, "when the reign of God on earth is imminent. Repent of your sins and receive the gospel!"
Walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus caught sight of Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea -- for they were fishermen. Jesus exhorted them, "Come along with me. I will have you fish for people." Immediately they put down their nets and followed him.
A little farther up the shore, Jesus saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in a boat mending their nets. At once he called to them. Leaving their father Zebedee and the hired men in the boat, they, too, came along with Jesus.
Notes
1. Most translations refer to Jesus proclaiming the "kingdom of God." This means little. God is not a hereditary monarch. What it does mean is that he will reign and rule. Obviously, he already reigns in Heaven, so what Jesus is proclaiming is that God will soon reign on earth. Therefore, it is in the best interests of men to repent of their sins and get in his good graces before it happens.
2. Jesus selects his disciples in what would seem an impulsive manner, no job interviews, examination of resumes, background checks, nothing. The impression given is that he has some preternatural knowledge of the men he chooses and knows what he doing when he selects as his disciples simple fishermen with no religious training or experience in evangelizing. The disciples do not hesitate, ask no questions. They are apparently not given any choice in the matter: they are called and must go with Jesus. Does Jesus compel them with some hypnotic power? Why doesn't he give his disciples a chance to follow him freely, of their own volition, at least give them some time to think about what they are getting into? (It makes a better story this way!) So far the disciples seem a great deal like brainwashed cultists or zombies who wander off, leaving their jobs, to follow some stranger who merely calls to them.
3. So far Jesus has acquired 4 disciples, all Galilean fishermen, Simon (who would later be called Peter) and Andrew, brothers, and James and John, another pair of brothers, sons of Zebedee. There is no indication he knew them in the past or that he had any personal connection with them. A back story is totally absent.
4. There is no indication of the passage of time between the baptism of Jesus and the selection of his disciples, only what time necessary for John to get himself arrested and thrown into jail.
After John was imprisoned, Jesus traveled through Galilee preaching the gospel of God. "The time is come," he declared, "when the reign of God on earth is imminent. Repent of your sins and receive the gospel!"
Walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus caught sight of Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea -- for they were fishermen. Jesus exhorted them, "Come along with me. I will have you fish for people." Immediately they put down their nets and followed him.
A little farther up the shore, Jesus saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in a boat mending their nets. At once he called to them. Leaving their father Zebedee and the hired men in the boat, they, too, came along with Jesus.
Notes
1. Most translations refer to Jesus proclaiming the "kingdom of God." This means little. God is not a hereditary monarch. What it does mean is that he will reign and rule. Obviously, he already reigns in Heaven, so what Jesus is proclaiming is that God will soon reign on earth. Therefore, it is in the best interests of men to repent of their sins and get in his good graces before it happens.
2. Jesus selects his disciples in what would seem an impulsive manner, no job interviews, examination of resumes, background checks, nothing. The impression given is that he has some preternatural knowledge of the men he chooses and knows what he doing when he selects as his disciples simple fishermen with no religious training or experience in evangelizing. The disciples do not hesitate, ask no questions. They are apparently not given any choice in the matter: they are called and must go with Jesus. Does Jesus compel them with some hypnotic power? Why doesn't he give his disciples a chance to follow him freely, of their own volition, at least give them some time to think about what they are getting into? (It makes a better story this way!) So far the disciples seem a great deal like brainwashed cultists or zombies who wander off, leaving their jobs, to follow some stranger who merely calls to them.
3. So far Jesus has acquired 4 disciples, all Galilean fishermen, Simon (who would later be called Peter) and Andrew, brothers, and James and John, another pair of brothers, sons of Zebedee. There is no indication he knew them in the past or that he had any personal connection with them. A back story is totally absent.
4. There is no indication of the passage of time between the baptism of Jesus and the selection of his disciples, only what time necessary for John to get himself arrested and thrown into jail.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)