The Gospel of Mark

[Seeler]

In doing a bit of on-line research, I came across the statement that there are only 24 verses in Mark which don't appear in Matthew or Luke. I haven't been able to find a list of them.

In tomorrow's reading, we will see a "certain young man" wrapped in linen who follows Jesus after the other disciples flee. The young man will lose his garment and run away naked.

Very curious story. And who knows why Matthew and Luke did not include it in their gospels?

Yes, the story is quite astonishing in this regard. I started today thinking about the disciples who were sent after the fellow with the jug of water. But this part of the narrative began to speak to me more powerfully.

The young man with the water jug and the disciples who were sent to find him and followed him –
I was given this explanation at one time – I don't remember the source.
With Jesus and the disciples were in Jerusalem, they frequently visit his or stayed at a certain house where a teenage boy lived with his mother. Perhaps it was a rooming house or what today would be called a B&B or perhaps the family were practising hospitality to travellers. What ever, the boy and his mother had heard of Jesus.
One day as he was going about his chores, carrying water as his mother was expecting guests, he noticed two disciples followed him to his home.
Throughout the day and evening, as he helped his mother, he observed and listened to all that was happening. Eventually it came became time to retire for the night. As he was falling asleep, he became aware that guests were leaving. Curious, and not taking time to dress, he grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around himself and followed them at a distance. Observing them in the and the garden, he was aware when the soldiers came and crept closer to see and hear what was happening. When noticed by the soldiers, he ran off as one grabbed the sheet he was using for a cloak. Embarrassed he sent back in the house.
Years later he wrote of these events – the gospel according to Mark. His name was John Mark.
As I said, this is the explanation I was given. This eyewitness account seemed reasonable at the time; but a lot of speculation.

An interesting aside: the gospel of Mark seems to uphold Peter as the foremost disciple. Therefore I would think perhaps he was the one that the young man was most interested in following. I can't speculate on who the other disciple might have been.
I've also heard that the Gospel according to John was in part an answer to Mark, upholding John as the foremost and most beloved disciple.
.

 

[paradox3]

Summary: Mark 14: 26 - 51

1. Jesus predicts that all the disciples will desert Him and Peter will deny him three times that day.

2. Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him after entering the garden of Gethsemane. He is grieved and asks them to remain with him and stay awake. After praying, He finds them sleeping. This happens twice.

3. Judas arrives with a crowd with swords and clubs. There are chief priests, scribes and elders. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss and He is arrested. One of those standing near draws his sword and cuts off the ear of the slave of the high priest. Jesus says, "Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled." (v. 49)

4. All desert Jesus and flee but a certain young man follows. He is wearing nothing but a linen cloth. He runs away naked when he is caught, leaving behind the linen cloth.

 

[paradox3]

Reflection: Mark 14: 26 - 51

Jesus is betrayed not only by Judas but by the other disciples who fall asleep and later flee when He is arrested.

The certain young man shows more courage but ends up running away naked.

What does this say about the original twelve disciples? Is this story relevant to our lives today as followers of Jesus?

 

[Waterfall]

What does this say about the original twelve disciples? Is this story relevant to our lives today as followers of Jesus?

If the disciples stayed would we have the gospel?

 

[paradox3]

If the disciples stayed would we have the gospel?

The disciples might have been arrested, too, if they had not fled.

It is hard to imagine that Jesus would have encouraged active resistance. Maybe there would have been no point to them sticking around.

 

[Luce NDs]

Remember all the burned myths, manuscripts and stories as now entombed in the past ... except for the exceptual bohemian ... that can see beauty in the inert ... thus the carving chip'n and painting of carriers ... mediums!

Abstract is sometimes defined as dark or even black as midnight aspirations as they come over you ... as a kind of mule ...

 

[unsafe]

The certain young man shows more courage but ends up running away naked.

Could there be a connection between Mark 14 where the young man appears out of nowhere and Mark 16 verse 5--the young man at the tomb ?????

 

[Jaebius]

The certain young man shows more courage but ends up running away naked.

Could there be a connection between Mark 14 where the young man appears out of nowhere and Mark 16 verse 5--the young man at the tomb ?????

The young man in Mark 14 is Mark. The "young man" in Mark 16:5 is an angel.

 

[unsafe]

Jae --Your Quote -----The young man in Mark 14 is Mark. The "young man" in Mark 16:5 is an angel.

unsafe says ----No where does it say who the young man was Jae ---there are many speculations out there -----the Bible does not say who the young man was ------People love to add their own spin and like to speculate on scripture Jae so be careful that you don't get caught up in that -----The Thing is Jae the Bible always has a Spiritual meaning ---this man has some spiritual connection to what the context is about --- but there was no name given ----

Mark 14:51
Mark 14:51 Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
And there followed him a certain young man
Some think this was John, the beloved disciple, and the youngest of the disciples; others, that it was James, the brother of our Lord;

 

[paradox3]

Agreeing with @unsafe that Mark 16:5 does not state the man was an angel. He is a young man, dressed in a white robe.

Matthew 28:2-3 has an angel with an appearance like lightening & clothing as white as snow.

Luke 24:4 has two men in dazzling clothes.

John 20:12 gives us two angels in white.

 

[paradox3]

The bright white or dazzling clothing is the common feature among the four gospels. . . perhaps more significant than the identity and numbers of men/ angels. Could there be a connection to the story of the transfiguration on the mountain?

 

[Luce NDs]

Better than a streaker in the bazaar ... wry in the marketplace ... not often seen like soul! Stuff we are blind too if common ... like nude beaches. The pious don't have eM ... an thus a uncommon are shocking!

 

[paradox3]

unsafe says ----No where does it say who the young man was Jae ---there are many speculations out there -----the Bible does not say who the young man was ------People love to add their own spin and like to speculate on scripture Jae so be careful that you don't get caught up in that -----The Thing is Jae the Bible always has a Spiritual meaning ---this man has some spiritual connection to what the context is about --- but there was no name given ----

Yes, there is plenty of speculation about the identity of the "certain young man". Joseph of Arimathea is one possibility. It has been suggested that the linen dropped by the young man was used later to wrap the body of Jesus.

What do you think is most likely? Is it the same young man who appears in the tomb in Mark 16?

Agreeing with you there is a spiritual meaning to this story. I am just not sure what it is.

 

[paradox3]

Summary: Mark 14: 53 - 72

1. Jesus is taken before the high priest. All the chief priests, elders and scribes are assembled. Peter has followed Jesus and is in the courtyard, warming himself at a fire with the guards. The council is looking for testimony against Jesus but has found none. Many give false testimony but their accounts do not agree. When questioned by the high priest, Jesus remains silent. But when asked if He is the Messiah, Jesus acknowledges this. They condemn Him to death and He is beaten by the guards.

2. A servant girl recognizes Peter and 3 times he denies he has been associated with Jesus. Then Peter remembers Jesus predicted he would deny Him three times before the cock crowed twice. Peter weeps.

 

[paradox3]

Reflection: Mark 14: 53 - 72

More persecution. More abandonment and denial by His disciples.

This is a very sad story. I am actually finding it difficult to read and think about.

Jesus must be terrified. I wonder what the disciples are feeling and thinking right now. Peter seems to be remorseful.

Where has the "certain young man" gone? What is going through his mind at this point?

 

[Jaebius]

Yes, there is plenty of speculation about the identity of the "certain young man". Joseph of Arimathea is one possibility. It has been suggested that the linen dropped by the young man was used later to wrap the body of Jesus.

What do you think is most likely? Is it the same young man who appears in the tomb in Mark 16?

Agreeing with you there is a spiritual meaning to this story. I am just not sure what it is.

it is not the same young man. One was Mark. The other was an angel.

 

[Jaebius]

Reflection: Mark 14: 53 - 72

More persecution. More abandonment and denial by His disciples.

This is a very sad story. I am actually finding it difficult to read and think about.

Jesus must be terrified. I wonder what the disciples are feeling and thinking right now. Peter seems to be remorseful.

Where has the "certain young man" gone? What is going through his mind at this point?

Terrified? No. Jesus was never afraid.

 

[paradox3]

it is not the same young man. One was Mark. The other was an angel.

The theory about the "certain young man" being Mark certainly has some support. But this has not been established as fact.

As for the man at the tomb being an angel, you are once again conflating the gospels. Mark's gospel does not tell us who the man is.

 

[paradox3]

Terrified? No. Jesus was never afraid.

No? You don't read His comments in the garden of Gethsemane that way? His pleas for the disciples to remain awake with Him?

 

[Redbaron]

I'd suggest that the 'certain young man' from 14:51 is included, because he represents all of us who seek to follow Jesus. Linen is a beautiful fabric, but not a whole lot of protection against cold, wind, rain, etc. That the young man ran off, naked, suggests that he was 'exposed', especially to himself. His veneer of 'faith' was bravado at best. Maybe being stripped of our securities and fantasies, sort of being 'exposed' to ourselves, is a first step to growing up to maturity in following and learning from Christ?