Gospel Of Mark Literary Techniques

Readers of the Gospel of Mark are used to the many different writing styles that Mark exemplifies, such as the Secrecy theme. Although, there are many other important styles that Mark utilizes and one of the overlooked technique that Mark employs in his Gospel is the intercalation technique. In other words, Mark breaks up a story and inserts, what seems to be an unrelated story. Intercalation can also be referred to as a “Markan Sandwhich’; the material follows an A-B-A schema, where the ‘B’ story seems to be unrelated to both the ‘A’’s; The ‘A’’s represent the repetition of a certain theme that they both employ. One of the best examples to examine would be in Chapter 5 of Mark (Mark 5:21-43). A man by the name of Jairus, ruler of a synagogue

On the surface of this story, one may not notice the importance of these passages, but if we take a closer look at the technique that was used we can see a deeper meaning and different themes that are revealed to Mark’s

If one takes a closer look we seem to see one common theme between the two of them: they both are desperate to receive a blessing from Christ. Jairus, one of the leaders of the synagogue, who was respected throughout the community, fell to his feet and begged for Jesus’ help; a true sign of humility (Mk 5:22). Then, a woman who has been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, was seen to be physically and spiritually unclean, and she also showed deep humility; came from behind Jesus and touched His robe, hoping to be healed (Mk 5:25-29). These two characters, though, seem to exhibit different types of faith. See, Jairus was a respected member of his community, while the woman could claim nothing to her name, and was only known for her shame; they were on two different levels of social class. Jairus holds the upper hand for religious purposes and it seems as though Jesus will help him first, but Mark employs his use of irony and intercalation technique by having the woman healed first; she has the greater faith. In her humility, she didn’t even feel worthy to go up and ask Jesus for his healing: “When she heard about Jesus, she came from behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, ‘If I touch his clothes, I will be healed’” (Mk 5:27-28). Even though she has been plagued with her physical impurities and