The Role of the Spirit in Mark's Narrative : an exegetical narrative examination with special attention to Mark's prologue

Abstract

This thesis investigates the role of the Holy Spirit in the narrative of the Gospel of Mark by exegetically analyzing the six mentions of the Spirit in Mark and using tools of narrative criticism. Special attention is given to Mark’s prologue by studying its content, length, and function in relation to the rest of the narrative. The Greek word for spirit is also reviewed in detail to provide a better understanding of its use in the Markan gospel. Even though the analysis of Mark’s mentions of the Holy Spirit concentrates on the pericopes where the Spirit is found, this does not lose sight to the rest of the Markan story. This thesis attempts to prove the centrality of the Spirit to Mark’s narrative which, among other things, focuses on the arrival of God’s ruling happening in two stages and resulting in multiple conflicts. The author of Mark sets his story in the context of a new eschatological time being inaugurated in the life and ministry of Jesus. As this thesis tries to demonstrate, the Spirit is revealed as essential to the validation of Jesus’ identity and the fulfillment of his mission, which after his departure was to be continued by his followers, empowered by the same Spirit.