I love the idea this man spent his entire life educating himself, doing research and writing so i can get all that knowledge on a free pod cast. Saved me a good 20 years. Thank you sir!
@@kwill1911 Well, 1) he is a "six-time New York Times best-selling author" (as is mentioned at the beginning of each podcast), travels worldwide to deliver classes, seminars and speeches at prestigious institutions, has a youtube channel with 166K subscribers....there's just a few clues. And 2) I never said there was anything wrong with it. He put in the hard work, and luckily is now reaping the rewards for what I imagine once seemed an unlikely cash cow (i.e. Jesus).
I was raised in a fundamentalist church and was shocked and liberated after receiving my MDIV at Howard University School of Religion. Listening to your blog reminds me of my professors lectures. Thank you for your rigorous scholarship and teaching...very enjoyable.
Jesus was announced as king of Israel in that choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Quickly said, Pilot dressed Jesus up as King, Pilot presented Jesus to the Sanhedrin and high priest among the crowd as "their King". Told the crowd to choose to crucify "their King" or Barabbas. The Saducees and High Priest chose "their king" Jesus to be crucified and instigated the Jewish crowd to choose "their King" to be crucified..... and so the Priesthood anointed Jesus as their king in order for him to be executed. And Pilat published this fact above Jesus head at a time when Jerusalem was most crowded of Jews from all over the realm. What this accomplished was to legalize according to Torah law Jesus' amended covenant and make irrelevant all burdensome Talmudic rules. I think Jesus and Pilat planned it together. Neet trick on the Sanhedrin huh.
Dr Ehrman, I just binged like 5 hours of your teachings in a weekend. I went to a Christian college and took several courses such as the synoptic gospels and have never heard the gospels taught the way you teach them. Thank you for sharing your teachings with us!
What I find so wonderful about Mark’s language is its liveliness, the way the Greek jumps into the present tense: “Look! He walks into the room! He speaks to the crowd! They’re bringing a leper to him!” I can imagine it being read out loud and the audience enraptured as if they’re listening to an amazing play or maybe even a podcast “🫢🎉👏
I cannot find the words to describe how good this series is. Two cool, intelligent people having a polite conversation about a deeply fascinating subject......what's not to like? And, IMO, this particular episode is the best yet.
The New Testament is not a corpus of books as Bart keep describing it. A Testament is a legal instrument which indicates that someone left a property behind and some instructions as how to manage that property. For the Old Testament, the property was CANAAN. The New points to the Roman Dominions which, as Mary sang it, the Jewish Messiah(Christ) conquered from Caesar and passed them on to the heirs who are the slaves, the poor, the widows, and the orphans... No doubt that the person who slapped the title NEW TESTAMENT on the front of our current corpus was aware of the sack of Rome by the barbarians-Huns, Goths, Vandals, Lombards- and perceived the Roman Empire as a gift from God. Reading the New Testament without knowing that piece of history can lead to misinterpretation of it. JESUS IS THE MESSIAH(CHRIST), THE SON OF GOD FOR THAT VERY REASON...
I'm watching this 3 mo later, and having the same reaction: this is the best episode yet. I've read and heard this story for decades, but feel like I'm seeing it for the first time.
Am definitely a believer in the resurrection of Jesus (unlike Bart, who is famously agnostic) but I just very much love Bart’s treatment on the Gospel of Mark.
Bart mentions Jesus' silence before Pilate, saying it is as though Jesus is in shock. I don't see evidence for him being in shock as he had told his disciples what would happen. By being silent Mark is showing Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53:7 "He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth." I appreciate Bart's talks and I will continue to read on my own too.
Yes, when Pilate asked, Are you the king of the Jews, Jesus responded. But when Jesus was accused.of wrong doing he said nothing, "And the chief priests accused him of many things, but he answered nothing. Then Pilate asked him again, saying, Do you answer nothing? See how many things they testify against you. But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. I still say this is Mark showing one part of Jesus fulfilling Isaiah. If you don't agree you don't agree, but I am not alone in this view.
Isn't the passage from Isaiah exactly like Jesus is being described as in shock? Furthermore, there are theologies that say that to redeem humanity, the Messiah has to experience particular stages of life and it seems to me like Jesus had to experience doubt to redeem those who doubt. There are many mystics who have similar revelations-that the redemption is complete only after they abandon faith and find it again.
I grew up in a Christian household, went to Christian school and was involved in the church 3 times a week until I was 22. I am now I guess agnostic, but I love learning the historical background of all of this! I wish someone would have taught me all of this actual evidence growing up. Love this!
Brilliant presentation! Thank you dr. Megan and dr. Bart for this wonderful evening. Easter is coming, and although I am no longer a practicing Christian, I relive the time spent with my grandparents and parents with nostalgia ...
On the women (i.e. not male disciples) discovering the empty tomb: in a fair number of cultures, it is women's work to prepare the dead for burial. I would read it as that being the reason women went to the tomb -- and then of course they would discover whatever happened to be there. The real question I have is: if the women never told anyone, how did Mark find out what happened at the tomb? Even just in terms of the story-as-story, it seems to a modern eye like that would need explaining. I'm not surprised that later scribes, as well as the writers of Matthew and Luke, wanted something else to be the end of the story.
I think that's why Mark is such a genius. Just by reading this book, you would know that (assuming that the story is true) Mary would've told someone at some point. Mark entire story is that nobody understands Jesus. They're all amazed and confused by Jesus. By ending Mark in that fashion, he's inviting you to be a part of the mystery and confusion.
Religious education can't do anything but turn you "religious". Becoming a Christian comes only by being born again. Dr Bart Ehrman, for sure, never experienced the birth by the Holy Spirit.
Exactly. It’s really disappointing when apologists that clearly have an agenda to propagate ignorance can’t grasp what Ehrman actually does which is provide clarity through facts what religious leaders and apologists want to keep clandestine
The New Testament is not a corpus of books as Bart keep describing it. A Testament is a legal instrument which indicates that someone left a property behind and some instructions as how to manage that property. For the Old Testament, the property was CANAAN. The New points to the Roman Dominions which, as Mary sang it, the Jewish Messiah(Christ) conquered from Caesar and passed them on to the heirs who are the slaves, the poor, the widows, and the orphans... No doubt that the person who slapped the title NEW TESTAMENT on the front of our current corpus was aware of the sack of Rome by the barbarians-Huns, Goths, Vandals, Lombards- and perceived the Roman Empire as a gift from God. Reading the New Testament without knowing that piece of history can lead to misinterpretation of it. JESUS IS THE MESSIAH(CHRIST), THE SON OF GOD IN THE LIKENESS OF CAEASAR AUGUSTUS FOR THAT VERY REASON...
@@Pax-Africana “No doubt that the person who slapped the title NEW TESTAMENT on the front…” My reading says the churches generally agreed on the 27 books of the NT around the time the apostles left the Earth. In fact, Constantine ordered Eusebus of Caesarea at the C of Nicaea, 325 CE, to produce 50 copes for Church in Constantinople. The same list of 27 was called “canonized” by Athanasius, the Bishop of Alexandria in 367. Then the Latin Vulgate was commissioned by Pope Damasus in 383. So the NT was a done deal a full generation before the Sack of Rome in 410. And that doesn't seem like very good evidence for Jesus being God. What's your expertise in this? Have you seen the parchments in Rome? Did you read the church documents in Latin or Greek? I trust Ehrman.
@@nextworld9176 Remember the original manuscripts are anonymous at that time and still are. The Catholics and by that I also mean the Orthodox who accept the symbol of Faith of Nicaea and Constantinople follow this naming of the books for liturgy purpose to make their ritual smooth... If as you said the so-called Church agreed on the books by the time the Apostles left this world, that would put the canonization of those books around year 95 or 100 when the last Apostle John passed. But Eusebius in his "Ecclesiastical history" paints a very different picture. By the time of Constantine, no book was agreed upon yet, and different community was prioritizing different books which is why Constantine convened the Oeucumeical Council for harmonization.....
James Tabor argues in his Mark study that the author did have access to the letters of Paul, because of the mirrored wording in the Eucharist account. Mark 14:22-24 22: And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many. 1 Cor 11:23-25: 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” The wording in these two accounts share language, as compared to the Didache Eucharist wording. Interestingly Luke’s gospel has both wordings taking the cup twice. Luke 22:16-20
Thanks for describing your funding program. Academics have lives too, and knowing people are trying to support them as people with real lives, and not just book writers who get paid for what they produce, is very nice to see.
Bart - Not sure if you or Megan read these comments? I hope you do. There has beens some scholarly thought that “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” is a reference to the opening line of the 22nd Psalm. In other words, the 22nd Psalm is allegedly a Messianic prophecy fulfilled by Mark. Psalm 22 also talks about a crown of thorns, they cast lots for my garment, and a Talmudic commentary allegedly interprets a word as “nail” or “nailed,” which current Messianic Jews believe that Judaism actually does have some early pre-Jesus tradition that the Messiah was supposed to be crucified. Dr. Bart, what say you? Did Mark write this in and other crucifixion events to fit in with some things in Psalm 22?
Great video! Around 36:22 Bart says “…Everybody’s MOCKING him. People passing by or MOCKING him…the soldiers are MOCKING him both of the other people being crucified that day are MOCKING and both of them are MOCKING him and he is silent the entire time until the very end when he cries out Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” Please keep in mind that the writer of Mark has Jesus quoting Psalm 22:1 here. The author clearly understood Psalm 22 and clearly included this in his portrait and understanding of Jesus. Parts of Psalm 22 are below: 1: My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? … 6: But I am a worm and not a man, SCORNED by men and DESPISED by the people. 7: All who SEE me MOCK me; they SNEER and SHAKE their heads: 8: “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him. … 16: “…a band of evil men encircles me; they have PIERCED MY HANDS AND FEET. … 18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. 19 But You, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. … 24: “For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. HE HAS NOT HIDDEN HIS FACE FROM HIM, but has attended to HIS CRY for help.” … 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. … 30 Posterity will serve Him; they will declare the Lord to a new generation. …
Tuesday is my favorite day of the week, It means that I get to listen to another Misquoting Jesus podcast at work! :D (though Friday means I don't have work, and that's a close second)
Jesus was announced as king of Israel in that choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Quickly said, Pilot dressed Jesus up as King, Pilot presented Jesus to the Sanhedrin and high priest among the crowd as "their King". Told the crowd to choose to crucify "their King" or Barabbas. The Saducees and High Priest chose "their king" Jesus to be crucified and instigated the Jewish crowd to choose "their King" to be crucified..... and so the Priesthood anointed Jesus as their king in order for him to be executed. And Pilat published this fact above Jesus head at a time when Jerusalem was most crowded of Jews from all over the realm. What this accomplished was to legalize according to Torah law Jesus' amended covenant and make irrelevant all burdensome Talmudic rules. I think Jesus and Pilat planned it together. Neet trick on the Sanhedrin huh.
Dr. Ehrman is right in pointing our that Mark is a spectacular piece of literature. In fact, fiction as I see it. And where it's derived from, Dennis R. MacDonald and Francesco Carotta have demonstrated in their published works that Mark is a mimesis of Homer's Odyssey, his Iliad, and some Greek tragedian plays; and, a diegetic transposition of a lost but partially copied life of Julius Caesar. The reason is that Mark reads as an epic that ends in tragedy at the climax, then an apotheosis in the denouement. In that sense, it's similar to the career of Julius Caesar after he crossed the Rubicon.
The New Testament is not a corpus of books as Bart keep describing it. A Testament is a legal instrument which indicates that someone left a property behind and some instructions as how to manage that property. For the Old Testament, the property was CANAAN. The New points to the Roman Dominions which, as Mary sang it, the Jewish Messiah(Christ) conquered from Caesar and passed them on to the heirs who are the slaves, the poor, the widows, and the orphans... No doubt that the person who slapped the title NEW TESTAMENT on the front of our current corpus was aware of the sack of Rome by the barbarians-Huns, Goths, Vandals, Lombards- and perceived the Roman Empire as a gift from God. Reading the New Testament without knowing that piece of history can lead to misinterpretation of it. JESUS IS THE MESSIAH(CHRIST), THE SON OF GOD FOR THAT VERY REASON...
Incrível como a mente humana é capaz de persuadir de uma forma tão astuta, pois cerca de mais de dois mil anos atrás esse escritor de Marcos foi capaz de escrever uma narrativa tão cheias de nuances para embasar o q ele queria q os outros acreditassem e até hoje continua conseguindo o seu intento, até hoje foi a melhor interpretação desse Evangelho q eu ouvi, obrigado Barth Erman
This is so much cooler than the narrative that is most commonly taught! The gospel according to Mark is great! It would make a banger movie or video game plot.
Love his ways of explaining, easy to understand, and love how he often laughs and joking about it, I don't practice any religion but I find it interesting and fascinating. My question is that if the women in Mark never told anybody how did the apostles know that he raised from the dead?
Now I have to back and read Mark! Thanks for the homework, Bart...This was one of the most compelling episodes and Mark leaves us with a cliffhanger. Everyone loves a cliffhanger..
Jesus was announced as king of Israel in that choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Quickly said, Pilot dressed Jesus up as King, Pilot presented Jesus to the Sanhedrin and high priest among the crowd as "their King". Told the crowd to choose to crucify "their King" or Barabbas. The Saducees and High Priest chose "their king" Jesus to be crucified and instigated the Jewish crowd to choose "their King" to be crucified..... and so the Priesthood anointed Jesus as their king in order for him to be executed. And Pilat published this fact above Jesus head at a time when Jerusalem was most crowded of Jews from all over the realm. What this accomplished was to legalize according to Torah law Jesus' amended covenant and make irrelevant all burdensome Talmudic rules. I think Jesus and Pilat planned it together. Neet trick on the Sanhedrin huh.
@@termination9353 There is no reason to assume that he existed at all… Barabbas (translated to son of the father) sounds like a made up name… for the made up story that the people could choose which of the two criminals they want to free, just like the Jom Kippur sacrifice. That story sounds like myth from start to finish.😂
Very interesting. No wonder that Bart is an agnostic. Thank you for your work, both of you, and for showing me the gospel of Mark from completely different perspective.
Regarding the original ending of Matthew, could it have been the author's intent to emphasise that the women did NOT speak to anyone, thus confirming that the tale of Jesus came not from the fanciful tales of mournful women, but from the risen Christ appearing to his disciples at Galilee as was promised?
If the men were not told by the women to go to Galilee, then how did the apostles know to go there? Remember, those dudes were the dedicated lieutenants of a major rabble-rouser, and were high-tailing it outa Dodge to avoid getting caught, themselves.
The way Bart recited that poetry from Mark was breath-taking and made sense for the first time. Most renderings emphasise the _"forgotten me"._ Bart emphasised: _"My god! My god, why have _*_YOU_*_ forgotten me."_ I've been an atheist for almost 50 years, but I was moved almost to tears. I've not seen such an impactful and unexpected reading since Ian McKellen in the Rings. Most read the inscribed poem in the Black Speech in a sing-song way. McKellen broke the mould: _"One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them._ _One ring to bring them all._ _And in the darkness..._ *_BIND THEM"_* {:o:O:} _(Edited for tyops)_
Since you've been an atheist for 50 years, you're not a young person. So, in a few decades, you'll learn how wrong you've been. You'll be amazed that you ever believed such secular superstition. Nothing to worry about, though, no one will be angry with you. You'll be in a beautiful world, with friends, family, and, even, pets. You can laugh at my comments. But you'll see.
@@billrener4897 The only one believing in superstition here is you. You have only one shot at life, and you're wasting what precious time you have on myth and ignorance, and desperately trying to convince others of your own false beliefs.
Jesus was announced as king of Israel in that choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Quickly said, Pilot dressed Jesus up as King, Pilot presented Jesus to the Sanhedrin and high priest among the crowd as "their King". Told the crowd to choose to crucify "their King" or Barabbas. The Saducees and High Priest chose "their king" Jesus to be crucified and instigated the Jewish crowd to choose "their King" to be crucified..... and so the Priesthood anointed Jesus as their king in order for him to be executed. And Pilat published this fact above Jesus head at a time when Jerusalem was most crowded of Jews from all over the realm. What this accomplished was to legalize according to Torah law Jesus' amended covenant and make irrelevant all burdensome Talmudic rules. I think Jesus and Pilat planned it together. Neet trick on the Sanhedrin huh.
@@billrener4897 *_" So, in a few decades, you'll learn how wrong you've been."_* Tragically, you will never learn how wrong you've always been. {:o:O:}
I really like Megan as host because she has some great comments and questions. I don't know the relationship between Megan and Bart but it seems close and trusting.
Thank you for this commentary. I'm sure it seems mysterious to many that Jesus said "Take away this cup", and "Why have you forsaken me?", but to me it shows that while he knew in his brain the reason for his sacrifice, in his heart he had fears just like the rest of us. So it's an indication that we can have direct access to God because he was partially human and we can empathize with each other. I think it's very moving.
A Jewish rabbi on RUclips says that women would never go and attend to the dead body of a man. In our culture women take a nursing role so it doesn’t seem atypical, but the rabbi said in Jewish culture now & then this would not happen. I don’t know if this applies To family/ mothers also.
I've always thought of the parables this way: If you make a straightforward statement, someone can either agree or disagree; those who disagree discount, and those who agree may experience nothing else. It's raining. I agree. Done. But as with books like Zen Flesh, Zen Bones or the Wisdom of the Desert Fathers, parables cause you to digest, consider, challenge, contextualize the information. It's a process by which we take a degree of internal ownership of the meaning, and that's more powerful.
Dr. Ehrman. THAT was really amazing explanation of the Gospel of Mark. I am reading the Gospel again and trying to re-understand the entire meanings. Thanks a lot.
The New Testament is not a corpus of books as Bart keep describing it. A Testament is a legal instrument which indicates that someone left a property behind and some instructions as how to manage that property. For the Old Testament, the property was CANAAN. The New points to the Roman Dominions which, as Mary sang it, the Jewish Messiah(Christ) conquered from Caesar and passed them on to the heirs who are the slaves, the poor, the widows, and the orphans... No doubt that the person who slapped the title NEW TESTAMENT on the front of our current corpus was aware of the sack of Rome by the barbarians-Huns, Goths, Vandals, Lombards- and perceived the Roman Empire as a gift from God. Reading the New Testament without knowing that piece of history can lead to misinterpretation of it. JESUS IS THE MESSIAH(CHRIST), THE SON OF GOD FOR THAT VERY REASON...
@@Pax-Africana I appreciate your elaboration on the meaning of the word testament. But I do not see your attitude and Bart's as opposed to each other. If anything your comment enriches his. I'd be interested in knowing who first applied the word Testament to the set of books.
@@StephenMBauer Bart and I cannot see to eye to eye as he keeps misreading Paul on the return of his Master. If Paul was convinced that Messiah(return) was in his lifetime why on earth did he start organizing family life and the life of his communities? He talked at length about the role of a wife, a good husband, the bishops, etc... Why not tell everybody to get ready for Christ(Messiah) was coming back. He tells Thessalonicians to go to work and anyone who refuses to work must not eat. All in all, Paul's mission was not to announce the end of the world but to interpret the New Covenant for the Gentiles to ratify and in so doing join the family of Abraham as spiritual Jews.
@@StephenMBauer Of course the one who applied the word Testament to the set of books did not decide decide on his own initiative as the Roman Church had always work through committee, committee of bishops, etc... So for me that issue of knowing who applied it first is irrelevant. One thing is certain, make the liturgy runs smooth played a role...
What we need soon is "The genius of the Gospel of Luke" ! I'm looking forward to that video because Luke is my favourite Gospel It has that flying into space yarn.
In Mark 15:39, the centurion says, "Truly this was the Son of God" In Luke 23:47, the centurion says, "Certainly this was a righteous man". I wonder which book is misquoting the centurion.
He could have said both and was a matter of emphasis with regards to how both author wants to convey to the audience. One author focuses on the divinity, the other one on humanity.
@@kuyab9122 Personally, I think most of it was made up for entertainment purposes. When I was a teenager, I read "Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar". Even now I can remember being thrilled by the yarn.
@@tedgrant2 That is a reach. Manuscripts being written then of that nature are meant to be taken theologically and not for pleasure/entertainment value.
Hello great program , 1 Corinthians 2 1-8 states one of the reasons Jesus was cruçified. Then Jesus asked a question My God why has thou Forsaken ME, Seems to me he should have known. A strange story. 🤔
another beautiful irony is that Mark was right on a meta level too: nobody understood his meaning either, until waaaaaaay later with the analytic framework of Messianic Secret
Wow Dr. Ehrman, Thank you for showing us what kind of a biblical book Mark is and especially the nuances surrounding the narrative. Lot to think about, digest, and discuss with believers. Many Thanks!
Jesus was announced as king of Israel in that choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Quickly said, Pilot dressed Jesus up as King, Pilot presented Jesus to the Sanhedrin and high priest among the crowd as "their King". Told the crowd to choose to crucify "their King" or Barabbas. The Saducees and High Priest chose "their king" Jesus to be crucified and instigated the Jewish crowd to choose "their King" to be crucified..... and so the Priesthood anointed Jesus as their king in order for him to be executed. And Pilat published this fact above Jesus head at a time when Jerusalem was most crowded of Jews from all over the realm. What this accomplished was to legalize according to Torah law Jesus' amended covenant and make irrelevant all burdensome Talmudic rules. I think Jesus and Pilat planned it together. Neet trick on the Sanhedrin huh.
@@sally9352 What do you know of the Torah Law. the Law SAYS the Covenant would be broken and a New Covenant installed. Jesus fulfilled that Law. Jeremiah 31:31 -Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Fact or fiction notwithstanding... Perhaps too, all this "don't tell" leaves the reader feeling he/she is being let in on a secret that needs now to be both believed and shared.
Really enjoyed this episode. I am starting to appreciate more the 'genius' of Mark. I think I had always been taught it was just an unstructured summary gospel that was very rudimentary. I think some 19c scholars in particularly put this across, Mark as kind of pre-theological, lacking the ecclesiology of Matthew, the Kingdom parables of Luke or the high-christology of John. Now I can see that Mk. is just as theological as the other three, that is, he has a 'bent', an 'image' of Jesus he wants to convey just like the others. The Armageddon book? I didn't even know about this, I thought your latest work was on Heaven, Hell and afterlife, which I found really interesting- I emailed you with my feedback on it Bart ;)
" He bent the image of Jesus." Why would He make up a lie knowing that he will be killed for it? The pagans put a rope around his neck and dragged him down the street until he died. They all died horrible deaths. It doesn't make sense that they would fabricate a lie to want to die a horrified way.
✡✝Great video; maybe your best. In this video; what source are you using for your commentary? And, do you ascribe to the narrative that Mark may be related to Barnabas, and is the amanuensis for Peter? I am a partial alumni from UNC/Tweetsie. You're answering one of the questions while I typing in your re-cap. Έχετε υπέροχες διακοπές στο Λονδίνο.
One of my favorite books is Animal Farm and you could read it in a few hours - so much in so few pages. Great Gatsby too. Brevity is a skill, Moby Dick be damned.
Thankyou Drs. The meaning to the author of “ The beginning of the good news (proclamation of good things)” probably incudes that after forty years (Mark being written in 66-70CE) the ORIGINAL liberating and status upsetting power of the FOUNDER’S message had been dulled by the 12 disciples and James in Jerusalem. ‘Gospel’ is mainly Paul’s word and ‘Mark’ presents stories and sayings arranged in a way to support Paul’s mission and views, even if he denigrates the understanding of the 12 disciples. ‘The beginning’ then carries the force of a ‘get back to basics’ or ‘back to the Bible’ polemic. Dr. G. Craig Fairweather.
On this point - Mark being written in 66-70CE - the first thought came to mind was that had a be a really bad time to produce a work like that, since the Great Jewish Revolt raged between 66-73. If 40 years after Jesus' execution, then maybe a little past 70 AD? Regardless, would have to wonder what impact the Great Jewish Revolt had on views/sentiments/etc. of the author and his community?
- The Gospel of Jesus was originally one book, written by Lazarus in consultation with the Apostles [John 21:24] and published soon after Jesus left them on their own. The religion was hijacked by Rome, the Gospel was broken up scrambled adulterated into a bunch of competing narratives. Later four of those adulterated gospels were canonized with falsely ascribed authorship and a Gnosticism cover-story. It was the finding of an original Gospel of Jesus scroll in Jerusalem that gained the Knights Templar power over the Church and their eventual undoing when the church finally retaliated against them Friday 13th.
Regarding the nature of the father/son relationship that you discuss around 16:00, this is a question that I've had for a long time. Modern readers of the Christian Bible often interpret this relationship in a pretty literal way: Jesus is (in some sense) literally the son of God. But, I've often wondered whether this misses the mark. In the ancient near-east, wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that someone writing about a father/son relationship in the context of the divine might be invoking the same relationship that ancient Israelites had referred to for centuries that indicated a covenantal relationship--an extension of that found in the Hittite suzerainty treaty form?
Indeed, that seems to miss the Mark. I should ass that what we'd call adoption was certainly not unknown at the time. For example, emperor Augustus was adopted by Caesar, and he in turn adopted his sons. It seems that in the OT, though, while there are some examples of effective adoption (such as Moses being raised by pharao's daughter), there doesn't seem to have been a formal process for it. So it seems that the NT adopts this Roman custom, not only does God apparently adopt Jesus, but later on it seems all the Christians are said to be "God's sons" by his choice.
This really puts in context why the Holy Spirit is so essential to the church. Imagine you only have the Gospel of Mark-you'd have to ask how do people know? And the Holy Spirit must have been such a satisfying answer.
Loved Bart's talks for a long time. Great series with Meghan as host. Son of God - pretty clear. I don't understand that strange expression "Son of Man".
Read Daniel 7. Jesus applied it to himself (Mark 14:62) and the high priest knew what Jesus was doing hence the reason why he accused Jesus for blasphemy. Jesus puts (Daniel 7:13-14 and psalms 110) together since they already knew psalms 110 is about the messiah (mark 12:35-37). Stephen also used the same verse in Acts 7:56 just as Jesus
My father was a great storyteller, he used to tell them to me every day, sometimes they took hours because I would not fall asleep, and his voice and facial expressions were like Bart's here and mine facial expressions like Megan's here. See 36:48, Bart almost fault in sleep, but not Megan, but at 41 : 44 she did finaly 😀
I've been following Professor Ehrman off and on for years through the Teaching Company/Great Courses but have to say I've never seen him this animated; what wonderful insights I took away from this. Teaming Megan and Bart in this format was an inspired idea and it works brilliantly. Anyway, for those interested, below is a RUclips video of the famous actor David Suchet reading Mark in its entirety from St Paul's; it's remarkable. ruclips.net/video/JjOgcMQXvSc/видео.html
Hey Bart, what do you think about the gospels being based on the story of Titus Flavius written in the book the jewish wars? Do you think the old testament stories (creation and so forth) have their origin in babylonian and persian astrology? (I read a book called the celestial code of scripture).
If Mark wrote this some thirty years after Jesus' death don't you think his narrative would be made to fit the history?As a disciple Mark would have previously thought that Jesus was going to be King of the Jews - like King David - and he would be part of the government. Jesus obviously got wind of his sentence and so he had to inform the disciples of his real future and asks them to arrange a Resurrection.
According to Dennis Mc Donald, she, the feet washer, is borrowed from the Odyssey, her name Euraclea, meaning "proclaimed throughout the world," the same woman who washed Odysseus' feet..
The woman with the alabaster jar follows the exact same sequence of events as Eurycleia did in Homer’s Odyssey….right down to the breaking of the jar and being the only person who recognized the master. Mark even provides an Easter egg that he’s using Odysseus a basis for his Jesus narrative. Jesus tells the disciples that the nameless woman who anointed his feet will win ‘far flung glory.’ How does a nameless woman win worldwide glory? She doesn’t…until you realize that the phrase ‘far-flung glory’ in Greek is ‘eury cleia’
Mark doesn't mention the Virgin birth, because it never happened; Matthew and Luke were written by graeco-roman christians for a Greco Roman audience, that's another reason why Mark has Jesus directing you to read the scriptures Hebrew Bible and to bring God first 🤔💭
About "having the summer off," remember teachers are not paid for that time. We're only paid for the part of the year when we are working. Even still we spend at least some of the summer prepping for the year, unpaid.
I never thought Jesus spoke in parables to be simple because I could never doggie out what he was trying to say. I'm glad to find out that was on purpose!
It would suggest that Jesus did not chose the brightest of individuals to be his disciples. This seems surprising as he wanted them to go forth and spread his word to the Jewish Nations!
- The Gospel of Jesus was originally one book, written by Lazarus in consultation with the Apostles [John 21:24] and published soon after Jesus left them on their own. The religion was hijacked by Rome, the Gospel was broken up scrambled adulterated into a bunch of competing narratives. Later four of those adulterated gospels were canonized with falsely ascribed authorship and a Gnosticism cover-story. It was the finding of an original Gospel of Jesus scroll in Jerusalem that gained the Knights Templar power over the Church and their eventual undoing when the church finally retaliated against them Friday 13th.
@@bluerfoot indeed. Not because of the Disciples, but because of Paul. As we know, the disciple came to nothing and Jesus Jewish remaining followers committed suicide on the mount in AD70 This left Paul to sell his version to the empire - with did not include the Jewish faith as Jesus taught. Sadly, Institutionalised Christianity has little to do with Jesus teaching - he said “change not one jot or iota of the Law!” Yet that’s exactly what Paul did.
@@johnsinclair2672and where did you get that quip from? "Paul's corrupted version"? Could you stop by my house later? I need you to paint some circles on my children's basketball court and you seem pretty good at that 😂
@@marcomoreno6748 haha good one Marco. Not a quip fella, simply an observation of what is written - facts, not thoughts, as confirmed by all textural critic scholars of the New Testament, worth their salt. Seems - until you learn to read, and not follow the gang, you’ll have to stay in the nursery and paint your own circles! 🤣
I love the idea this man spent his entire life educating himself, doing research and writing so i can get all that knowledge on a free pod cast. Saved me a good 20 years. Thank you sir!
The main difference is, Bart is making pots and pots of money from it.
@@theotheoth 1.) How do you know that? 2.) Why is that wrong?
@@kwill1911 Well, 1) he is a "six-time New York Times best-selling author" (as is mentioned at the beginning of each podcast), travels worldwide to deliver classes, seminars and speeches at prestigious institutions, has a youtube channel with 166K subscribers....there's just a few clues. And 2) I never said there was anything wrong with it. He put in the hard work, and luckily is now reaping the rewards for what I imagine once seemed an unlikely cash cow (i.e. Jesus).
@@theotheoth that's fine, he should be rewarded for the effort he put in. Getting this content for free is awesome in itself
@@Ybby999 See my point number 2: that's basically what I said.
I was raised in a fundamentalist church and was shocked and liberated after receiving my MDIV at Howard University School of Religion. Listening to your blog reminds me of my professors lectures. Thank you for your rigorous scholarship and teaching...very enjoyable.
How did your religious studies impact your beliefs?
Thank you Dr Ehrman for providing all this great educational content for free and on such a big scale. It's hugely appreciated.
Jesus was announced as king of Israel in that choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Quickly said, Pilot dressed Jesus up as King, Pilot presented Jesus to the Sanhedrin and high priest among the crowd as "their King". Told the crowd to choose to crucify "their King" or Barabbas. The Saducees and High Priest chose "their king" Jesus to be crucified and instigated the Jewish crowd to choose "their King" to be crucified..... and so the Priesthood anointed Jesus as their king in order for him to be executed. And Pilat published this fact above Jesus head at a time when Jerusalem was most crowded of Jews from all over the realm.
What this accomplished was to legalize according to Torah law Jesus' amended covenant and make irrelevant all burdensome Talmudic rules.
I think Jesus and Pilat planned it together. Neet trick on the Sanhedrin huh.
@@joeydutch7178 Nope. Just spreading around the word of God. You all seem to be deficient.
@Termi Nation alright 👍 👀
I agree scholars are really starting to become interested in educating lay people. Christians & Atheist a like should know the Actual story.
@@Zuzuboy1218 Yes, like James Tabor who retired about a year ago now doing yt.
Dr Ehrman, I just binged like 5 hours of your teachings in a weekend. I went to a Christian college and took several courses such as the synoptic gospels and have never heard the gospels taught the way you teach them. Thank you for sharing your teachings with us!
I've been going to church for years, but I've never learned as much as I have from this one video. What an amazing gift. Knowledge is beautiful.
What I find so wonderful about Mark’s language is its liveliness, the way the Greek jumps into the present tense: “Look! He walks into the room! He speaks to the crowd! They’re bringing a leper to him!” I can imagine it being read out loud and the audience enraptured as if they’re listening to an amazing play or maybe even a podcast “🫢🎉👏
In a world of low literacy most people had to experience these gospels as being read out loud
I cannot find the words to describe how good this series is. Two cool, intelligent people having a polite conversation about a deeply fascinating subject......what's not to like?
And, IMO, this particular episode is the best yet.
The New Testament is not a corpus of books as Bart keep describing it. A Testament is a legal instrument which indicates that someone left a property behind and some instructions as how to manage that property. For the Old Testament, the property was CANAAN. The New points to the Roman Dominions which, as Mary sang it, the Jewish Messiah(Christ) conquered from Caesar and passed them on to the heirs who are the slaves, the poor, the widows, and the orphans...
No doubt that the person who slapped the title NEW TESTAMENT on the front of our current corpus was aware of the sack of Rome by the barbarians-Huns, Goths, Vandals, Lombards- and perceived the Roman Empire as a gift from God. Reading the New Testament without knowing that piece of history can lead to misinterpretation of it. JESUS IS THE MESSIAH(CHRIST), THE SON OF GOD FOR THAT VERY REASON...
I'm watching this 3 mo later, and having the same reaction: this is the best episode yet. I've read and heard this story for decades, but feel like I'm seeing it for the first time.
lol hopeless
30 years in the Church or church adjacent and more light bulbs clicked on for me in this one conversation than ever before.
Church fathers need to start studying the Bible
Am definitely a believer in the resurrection of Jesus (unlike Bart, who is famously agnostic) but I just very much love Bart’s treatment on the Gospel of Mark.
The explanation of "Son of God" is so critical! Thank you for that!
Bart mentions Jesus' silence before Pilate, saying it is as though Jesus is in shock. I don't see evidence for him being in shock as he had told his disciples what would happen. By being silent Mark is showing Jesus fulfilling the messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53:7 "He was oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth." I appreciate Bart's talks and I will continue to read on my own too.
Except Jesus talks and says “you say so”. But in Isaiah “he did not open his mouth”…. Someone is mistaken.
And he Cried
Yes, when Pilate asked, Are you the king of the Jews, Jesus responded. But when Jesus was accused.of wrong doing he said nothing, "And the chief priests accused him of many things, but he answered nothing. Then Pilate asked him again, saying, Do you answer nothing? See how many things they testify against you. But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. I still say this is Mark showing one part of Jesus fulfilling Isaiah. If you don't agree you don't agree, but I am not alone in this view.
Isn't the passage from Isaiah exactly like Jesus is being described as in shock? Furthermore, there are theologies that say that to redeem humanity, the Messiah has to experience particular stages of life and it seems to me like Jesus had to experience doubt to redeem those who doubt.
There are many mystics who have similar revelations-that the redemption is complete only after they abandon faith and find it again.
I grew up in a Christian household, went to Christian school and was involved in the church 3 times a week until I was 22. I am now I guess agnostic, but I love learning the historical background of all of this! I wish someone would have taught me all of this actual evidence growing up. Love this!
I can hear the deep respect and love Bart has for the gospel of Mark.
33:55,
me: "Please say "missing the mark," please say "missing the mark"".
Damn
Brilliant presentation! Thank you dr. Megan and dr. Bart for this wonderful evening. Easter is coming, and although I am no longer a practicing Christian, I relive the time spent with my grandparents and parents with nostalgia ...
On the women (i.e. not male disciples) discovering the empty tomb: in a fair number of cultures, it is women's work to prepare the dead for burial. I would read it as that being the reason women went to the tomb -- and then of course they would discover whatever happened to be there. The real question I have is: if the women never told anyone, how did Mark find out what happened at the tomb? Even just in terms of the story-as-story, it seems to a modern eye like that would need explaining. I'm not surprised that later scribes, as well as the writers of Matthew and Luke, wanted something else to be the end of the story.
I think that's why Mark is such a genius. Just by reading this book, you would know that (assuming that the story is true) Mary would've told someone at some point.
Mark entire story is that nobody understands Jesus. They're all amazed and confused by Jesus. By ending Mark in that fashion, he's inviting you to be a part of the mystery and confusion.
I love how Megan always comes out with a new look and shares some new info that surprises Bart.
She would be stoned to death in your homeland for having blue hair.
Sorry to spoil things but I suspect that maybe part of their calculated schtick -- after all, nobody can embrace a holier-than-thou know-it-all.
Ehrman makes clear what years of religious education could not.
Religious education can't do anything but turn you "religious". Becoming a Christian comes only by being born again. Dr Bart Ehrman, for sure, never experienced the birth by the Holy Spirit.
Exactly. It’s really disappointing when apologists that clearly have an agenda to propagate ignorance can’t grasp what Ehrman actually does which is provide clarity through facts what religious leaders and apologists want to keep clandestine
The New Testament is not a corpus of books as Bart keep describing it. A Testament is a legal instrument which indicates that someone left a property behind and some instructions as how to manage that property. For the Old Testament, the property was CANAAN. The New points to the Roman Dominions which, as Mary sang it, the Jewish Messiah(Christ) conquered from Caesar and passed them on to the heirs who are the slaves, the poor, the widows, and the orphans...
No doubt that the person who slapped the title NEW TESTAMENT on the front of our current corpus was aware of the sack of Rome by the barbarians-Huns, Goths, Vandals, Lombards- and perceived the Roman Empire as a gift from God. Reading the New Testament without knowing that piece of history can lead to misinterpretation of it. JESUS IS THE MESSIAH(CHRIST), THE SON OF GOD IN THE LIKENESS OF CAEASAR AUGUSTUS FOR THAT VERY REASON...
@@Pax-Africana “No doubt that the person who slapped the title NEW TESTAMENT on the front…”
My reading says the churches generally agreed on the 27 books of the NT around the time the apostles left the Earth. In fact, Constantine ordered Eusebus of Caesarea at the C of Nicaea, 325 CE, to produce 50 copes for Church in Constantinople. The same list of 27 was called “canonized” by Athanasius, the Bishop of Alexandria in 367. Then the Latin Vulgate was commissioned by Pope Damasus in 383.
So the NT was a done deal a full generation before the Sack of Rome in 410.
And that doesn't seem like very good evidence for Jesus being God.
What's your expertise in this? Have you seen the parchments in Rome? Did you read the church documents in Latin or Greek? I trust Ehrman.
@@nextworld9176
Remember the original manuscripts are anonymous at that time and still are. The Catholics and by that I also mean the Orthodox who accept the symbol of Faith of Nicaea and Constantinople follow this naming of the books for liturgy purpose to make their ritual smooth...
If as you said the so-called Church agreed on the books by the time the Apostles left this world, that would put the canonization of those books around year 95 or 100 when the last Apostle John passed. But Eusebius in his "Ecclesiastical history" paints a very different picture.
By the time of Constantine, no book was agreed upon yet, and different community was prioritizing different books which is why Constantine convened the Oeucumeical Council for harmonization.....
Easily the best and most thorough explanation of Mark that I personally have ever heard ❤️💙💜
I bet his course on Mark is really good. I think they're quite expensive (it's all relative) but I've actually considered getting this one
James Tabor argues in his Mark study that the author did have access to the letters of Paul, because of the mirrored wording in the Eucharist account.
Mark 14:22-24 22: And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many.
1 Cor 11:23-25: 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
The wording in these two accounts share language, as compared to the Didache Eucharist wording.
Interestingly Luke’s gospel has both wordings taking the cup twice. Luke 22:16-20
This was a really fascinating episode. It added so much beauty to Mark's gospel. I cannot overstate my appreciation.
Fortunately for us laymen, Dr. Ehrman is a gifted teacher in addition to his skill , insight , and dedication as a researcher .
He profits from not telling the truth lmao
she asks really good questions. they make a good team. This is very informative stuff.
Thanks for describing your funding program. Academics have lives too, and knowing people are trying to support them as people with real lives, and not just book writers who get paid for what they produce, is very nice to see.
Bart - Not sure if you or Megan read these comments? I hope you do. There has beens some scholarly thought that “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” is a reference to the opening line of the 22nd Psalm. In other words, the 22nd Psalm is allegedly a Messianic prophecy fulfilled by Mark. Psalm 22 also talks about a crown of thorns, they cast lots for my garment, and a Talmudic commentary allegedly interprets a word as “nail” or “nailed,” which current Messianic Jews believe that Judaism actually does have some early pre-Jesus tradition that the Messiah was supposed to be crucified. Dr. Bart, what say you? Did Mark write this in and other crucifixion events to fit in with some things in Psalm 22?
Great video! Around 36:22 Bart says “…Everybody’s MOCKING him. People passing by or MOCKING him…the soldiers are MOCKING him both of the other people being crucified that day are MOCKING and both of them are MOCKING him and he is silent the entire time until the very end when he cries out Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?”
Please keep in mind that the writer of Mark has Jesus quoting Psalm 22:1 here. The author clearly understood Psalm 22 and clearly included this in his portrait and understanding of Jesus.
Parts of Psalm 22 are below:
1: My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
…
6: But I am a worm and not a man, SCORNED by men and DESPISED by the people.
7: All who SEE me MOCK me; they SNEER and SHAKE their heads:
8: “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.
…
16: “…a band of evil men encircles me; they have PIERCED MY HANDS AND FEET.
…
18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
19 But You, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
…
24: “For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. HE HAS NOT HIDDEN HIS FACE FROM HIM, but has attended to HIS CRY for help.”
…
27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him.
…
30 Posterity will serve Him; they will declare the Lord to a new generation.
…
@David_UK286 ok Christopher Hitchens
@David_UK286 ok David. What propaganda are you referring to?
Astounding scholarship by Dr. Herman, and perfect interview skills by Megan Lewis.
Ehrman, damn you, autocorrect 😂
Tuesday is my favorite day of the week, It means that I get to listen to another Misquoting Jesus podcast at work! :D (though Friday means I don't have work, and that's a close second)
I concur
Jesus was announced as king of Israel in that choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Quickly said, Pilot dressed Jesus up as King, Pilot presented Jesus to the Sanhedrin and high priest among the crowd as "their King". Told the crowd to choose to crucify "their King" or Barabbas. The Saducees and High Priest chose "their king" Jesus to be crucified and instigated the Jewish crowd to choose "their King" to be crucified..... and so the Priesthood anointed Jesus as their king in order for him to be executed. And Pilat published this fact above Jesus head at a time when Jerusalem was most crowded of Jews from all over the realm.
What this accomplished was to legalize according to Torah law Jesus' amended covenant and make irrelevant all burdensome Talmudic rules.
I think Jesus and Pilat planned it together. Neet trick on the Sanhedrin huh.
I too, don't work on Fridays. I love my life !
To understand "My God My God, why have you forsaken me" Read Psalm 22.
Dr. Ehrman is right in pointing our that Mark is a spectacular piece of literature. In fact, fiction as I see it. And where it's derived from, Dennis R. MacDonald and Francesco Carotta have demonstrated in their published works that Mark is a mimesis of Homer's Odyssey, his Iliad, and some Greek tragedian plays; and, a diegetic transposition of a lost but partially copied life of Julius Caesar. The reason is that Mark reads as an epic that ends in tragedy at the climax, then an apotheosis in the denouement. In that sense, it's similar to the career of Julius Caesar after he crossed the Rubicon.
The New Testament is not a corpus of books as Bart keep describing it. A Testament is a legal instrument which indicates that someone left a property behind and some instructions as how to manage that property. For the Old Testament, the property was CANAAN. The New points to the Roman Dominions which, as Mary sang it, the Jewish Messiah(Christ) conquered from Caesar and passed them on to the heirs who are the slaves, the poor, the widows, and the orphans...
No doubt that the person who slapped the title NEW TESTAMENT on the front of our current corpus was aware of the sack of Rome by the barbarians-Huns, Goths, Vandals, Lombards- and perceived the Roman Empire as a gift from God. Reading the New Testament without knowing that piece of history can lead to misinterpretation of it. JESUS IS THE MESSIAH(CHRIST), THE SON OF GOD FOR THAT VERY REASON...
@@Pax-AfricanaBart is correct. It is not his fault the titles (NT) are misnamed.
Incrível como a mente humana é capaz de persuadir de uma forma tão astuta, pois cerca de mais de dois mil anos atrás esse escritor de Marcos foi capaz de escrever uma narrativa tão cheias de nuances para embasar o q ele queria q os outros acreditassem e até hoje continua conseguindo o seu intento, até hoje foi a melhor interpretação desse Evangelho q eu ouvi, obrigado Barth Erman
Muito bom ver um falante da língua portuguesa aqui
This is so much cooler than the narrative that is most commonly taught! The gospel according to Mark is great! It would make a banger movie or video game plot.
Love his ways of explaining, easy to understand, and love how he often laughs and joking about it, I don't practice any religion but I find it interesting and fascinating. My question is that if the women in Mark never told anybody how did the apostles know that he raised from the dead?
Now I have to back and read Mark! Thanks for the homework, Bart...This was one of the most compelling episodes and Mark leaves us with a cliffhanger. Everyone loves a cliffhanger..
Jesus was announced as king of Israel in that choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Quickly said, Pilot dressed Jesus up as King, Pilot presented Jesus to the Sanhedrin and high priest among the crowd as "their King". Told the crowd to choose to crucify "their King" or Barabbas. The Saducees and High Priest chose "their king" Jesus to be crucified and instigated the Jewish crowd to choose "their King" to be crucified..... and so the Priesthood anointed Jesus as their king in order for him to be executed. And Pilat published this fact above Jesus head at a time when Jerusalem was most crowded of Jews from all over the realm.
What this accomplished was to legalize according to Torah law Jesus' amended covenant and make irrelevant all burdensome Talmudic rules.
I think Jesus and Pilat planned it together. Neet trick on the Sanhedrin huh.
@@termination9353
Obviously Barabbas is a fictional character.
@@ramigilneas9274 No reason to assume Barrabas a fictional character.
@@termination9353
There is no reason to assume that he existed at all… Barabbas (translated to son of the father) sounds like a made up name… for the made up story that the people could choose which of the two criminals they want to free, just like the Jom Kippur sacrifice.
That story sounds like myth from start to finish.😂
@@ramigilneas9274 There is no reason to assume anything actually, all based on your own belief 😅
Thank you for giving me the gift of Mark as a wonderful piece of literature.
Very interesting. No wonder that Bart is an agnostic. Thank you for your work, both of you, and for showing me the gospel of Mark from completely different perspective.
Bart describes himself as an agnostic and an atheist at least a few years ago he did.
Brilliant. Deeply thankfull to my professor Karl Kertelge now, who did not succeed teaching me back then of what I am blessed to grasp now!
Regarding the original ending of Matthew, could it have been the author's intent to emphasise that the women did NOT speak to anyone, thus confirming that the tale of Jesus came not from the fanciful tales of mournful women, but from the risen Christ appearing to his disciples at Galilee as was promised?
If the men were not told by the women to go to Galilee, then how did the apostles know to go there? Remember, those dudes were the dedicated lieutenants of a major rabble-rouser, and were high-tailing it outa Dodge to avoid getting caught, themselves.
I have watched this video three times already. Brilliant analysis. Thanks for sharing Mark with us.
The way Bart recited that poetry from Mark was breath-taking and made sense for the first time.
Most renderings emphasise the _"forgotten me"._ Bart emphasised:
_"My god! My god, why have _*_YOU_*_ forgotten me."_
I've been an atheist for almost 50 years, but I was moved almost to tears.
I've not seen such an impactful and unexpected reading since Ian McKellen in the Rings. Most read the inscribed poem in the Black Speech in a sing-song way. McKellen broke the mould:
_"One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them._
_One ring to bring them all._
_And in the darkness..._
*_BIND THEM"_*
{:o:O:}
_(Edited for tyops)_
Since you've been an atheist for 50 years, you're not a young person. So, in a few decades, you'll learn how wrong you've been. You'll be amazed that you ever believed such secular superstition. Nothing to worry about, though, no one will be angry with you. You'll be in a beautiful world, with friends, family, and, even, pets. You can laugh at my comments. But you'll see.
@@billrener4897 The only one believing in superstition here is you. You have only one shot at life, and you're wasting what precious time you have on myth and ignorance, and desperately trying to convince others of your own false beliefs.
Jesus was announced as king of Israel in that choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Quickly said, Pilot dressed Jesus up as King, Pilot presented Jesus to the Sanhedrin and high priest among the crowd as "their King". Told the crowd to choose to crucify "their King" or Barabbas. The Saducees and High Priest chose "their king" Jesus to be crucified and instigated the Jewish crowd to choose "their King" to be crucified..... and so the Priesthood anointed Jesus as their king in order for him to be executed. And Pilat published this fact above Jesus head at a time when Jerusalem was most crowded of Jews from all over the realm.
What this accomplished was to legalize according to Torah law Jesus' amended covenant and make irrelevant all burdensome Talmudic rules.
I think Jesus and Pilat planned it together. Neet trick on the Sanhedrin huh.
@@billrener4897
*_" So, in a few decades, you'll learn how wrong you've been."_*
Tragically, you will never learn how wrong you've always been.
{:o:O:}
@@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095 Clever response. That's all I feel like saying.
I really like Megan as host because she has some great comments and questions. I don't know the relationship between Megan and Bart but it seems close and trusting.
As a believer in Christ, I appreciate Dr. Bart for encouraging non-believers to read and respect the Holy Scriptures. Thank you, sir.
Reading the Bible is the leading cause of atheism.
@@Nick-Nastithank god, lol
You may be a believer in Christ,nothing to do with the historical Jesus of Marks Gospel 😅
As a former believer it was Bart Ehrmans work that lead me to believe how BS the whole damn thing was.
The spittle in the eye motif is plagiarized from the Egyptian Serapis story
I am a believer in Jesus. This was an interesting and helpful review of Mark. I have a very detailed commentary on Mark that I will now re-read.
Thank you for this commentary. I'm sure it seems mysterious to many that Jesus said "Take away this cup", and "Why have you forsaken me?", but to me it shows that while he knew in his brain the reason for his sacrifice, in his heart he had fears just like the rest of us. So it's an indication that we can have direct access to God because he was partially human and we can empathize with each other. I think it's very moving.
A Jewish rabbi on RUclips says that women would never go and attend to the dead body of a man. In our culture women take a nursing role so it doesn’t seem atypical, but the rabbi said in Jewish culture now & then this would not happen. I don’t know if this applies To family/ mothers also.
And Romans let the crucified rotten on the cross for general deterrence, especially in the case of a capital state crime...
@@WMedl Jews insisted that even executed criminals were interred on the same day they died. Jesus was executed for heresy against the temple.
Had heard Ehrman call Mark a brilliant work of literature for a while now, didn’t fully realize it until this podcast. Thank you!
I've always thought of the parables this way: If you make a straightforward statement, someone can either agree or disagree; those who disagree discount, and those who agree may experience nothing else. It's raining. I agree. Done. But as with books like Zen Flesh, Zen Bones or the Wisdom of the Desert Fathers, parables cause you to digest, consider, challenge, contextualize the information. It's a process by which we take a degree of internal ownership of the meaning, and that's more powerful.
As always, so absorbing. I always come away wanting more!
Man, this episode is fantastic 👏 I'm listening to it a second time already!
Dr. Ehrman. THAT was really amazing explanation of the Gospel of Mark. I am reading the Gospel again and trying to re-understand the entire meanings. Thanks a lot.
Bart Ehrman is extremely clear and concise.
The New Testament is not a corpus of books as Bart keep describing it. A Testament is a legal instrument which indicates that someone left a property behind and some instructions as how to manage that property. For the Old Testament, the property was CANAAN. The New points to the Roman Dominions which, as Mary sang it, the Jewish Messiah(Christ) conquered from Caesar and passed them on to the heirs who are the slaves, the poor, the widows, and the orphans...
No doubt that the person who slapped the title NEW TESTAMENT on the front of our current corpus was aware of the sack of Rome by the barbarians-Huns, Goths, Vandals, Lombards- and perceived the Roman Empire as a gift from God. Reading the New Testament without knowing that piece of history can lead to misinterpretation of it. JESUS IS THE MESSIAH(CHRIST), THE SON OF GOD FOR THAT VERY REASON...
@@Pax-Africana I appreciate your elaboration on the meaning of the word testament. But I do not see your attitude and Bart's as opposed to each other. If anything your comment enriches his. I'd be interested in knowing who first applied the word Testament to the set of books.
@@StephenMBauer
Bart and I cannot see to eye to eye as he keeps misreading Paul on the return of his Master. If Paul was convinced that Messiah(return) was in his lifetime why on earth did he start organizing family life and the life of his communities? He talked at length about the role of a wife, a good husband, the bishops, etc...
Why not tell everybody to get ready for Christ(Messiah) was coming back.
He tells Thessalonicians to go to work and anyone who refuses to work must not eat.
All in all, Paul's mission was not to announce the end of the world but to interpret the New Covenant for the Gentiles to ratify and in so doing join the family of Abraham as spiritual Jews.
@@StephenMBauer
Of course the one who applied the word Testament to the set of books did not decide decide on his own initiative as the Roman Church had always work through committee, committee of bishops, etc...
So for me that issue of knowing who applied it first is irrelevant.
One thing is certain, make the liturgy runs smooth played a role...
What we need soon is "The genius of the Gospel of Luke" !
I'm looking forward to that video because Luke is my favourite Gospel
It has that flying into space yarn.
In Mark 15:39, the centurion says, "Truly this was the Son of God"
In Luke 23:47, the centurion says, "Certainly this was a righteous man".
I wonder which book is misquoting the centurion.
He could have said both and was a matter of emphasis with regards to how both author wants to convey to the audience. One author focuses on the divinity, the other one on humanity.
@@kuyab9122
I wonder why the centurion thought he was executing the Son of God.
And how did he come to the conclusion that he was righteous ?
@@tedgrant2 The book doesn't tell much to extrapolate from.
@@kuyab9122
Personally, I think most of it was made up for entertainment purposes.
When I was a teenager, I read "Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar".
Even now I can remember being thrilled by the yarn.
@@tedgrant2 That is a reach. Manuscripts being written then of that nature are meant to be taken theologically and not for pleasure/entertainment value.
Just found this channel. Awesome since I'm just reading "Lost Christianties"
Bart, Megan. I love this format! Thanks for making these videos.
Hello great program , 1 Corinthians 2 1-8 states one of the reasons Jesus was cruçified. Then Jesus asked a question My God why has thou Forsaken ME, Seems to me he should have known. A strange story. 🤔
Watching this was time well spent. Thankyou both.
One of the most passionate things I've ever listened to.
another beautiful irony is that Mark was right on a meta level too: nobody understood his meaning either, until waaaaaaay later with the analytic framework of Messianic Secret
Meghan! I collect eye glasses and admire your collection!
It's an extra interesting week: Prof. EHRMAN talking about the book of Mark & it's Passover week. I'm more invested in the former.
This was one of the best episodes yet. Thank you!
It's always a good day when Bart uploads!
Wow Dr. Ehrman, Thank you for showing us what kind of a biblical book Mark is and especially the nuances surrounding the narrative. Lot to think about, digest, and discuss with believers. Many Thanks!
Jesus was announced as king of Israel in that choice between Jesus and Barabbas. Quickly said, Pilot dressed Jesus up as King, Pilot presented Jesus to the Sanhedrin and high priest among the crowd as "their King". Told the crowd to choose to crucify "their King" or Barabbas. The Saducees and High Priest chose "their king" Jesus to be crucified and instigated the Jewish crowd to choose "their King" to be crucified..... and so the Priesthood anointed Jesus as their king in order for him to be executed. And Pilat published this fact above Jesus head at a time when Jerusalem was most crowded of Jews from all over the realm.
What this accomplished was to legalize according to Torah law Jesus' amended covenant and make irrelevant all burdensome Talmudic rules.
I think Jesus and Pilat planned it together. Neet trick on the Sanhedrin huh.
@Termi Nation Jesus didn't come to abolish the law but to fulfill it, and the priest did not anoint Jesus.
@@sally9352 Jesus"if you want enter paradise,keep the commandments"
What are the commandments??
@@pubgpedia711 why are you asking me? What is your point?
@@sally9352 What do you know of the Torah Law. the Law SAYS the Covenant would be broken and a New Covenant installed. Jesus fulfilled that Law. Jeremiah 31:31
-Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Fact or fiction notwithstanding...
Perhaps too, all this "don't tell" leaves the reader feeling he/she is being let in on a secret that needs now to be both believed and shared.
I’m an atheist but have been kinda fascinated by Mark for a while, it’s a literary masterpiece imo
Bart D Erhman doesn't disappoint. I was super blessed by this episode.
Just submitted two questions to this podcast for the first time. Really love this podcast. You guys are doing great work!!
Really enjoyed this episode. I am starting to appreciate more the 'genius' of Mark. I think I had always been taught it was just an unstructured summary gospel that was very rudimentary. I think some 19c scholars in particularly put this across, Mark as kind of pre-theological, lacking the ecclesiology of Matthew, the Kingdom parables of Luke or the high-christology of John. Now I can see that Mk. is just as theological as the other three, that is, he has a 'bent', an 'image' of Jesus he wants to convey just like the others. The Armageddon book? I didn't even know about this, I thought your latest work was on Heaven, Hell and afterlife, which I found really interesting- I emailed you with my feedback on it Bart ;)
" He bent the image of Jesus." Why would He make up a lie knowing that he will be killed for it? The pagans put a rope around his neck and dragged him down the street until he died. They all died horrible deaths. It doesn't make sense that they would fabricate a lie to want to die a horrified way.
✡✝Great video; maybe your best. In this video; what source are you using for your commentary? And, do you ascribe to the narrative that Mark may be related to Barnabas, and is the amanuensis for Peter? I am a partial alumni from UNC/Tweetsie. You're answering one of the questions while I typing in your re-cap. Έχετε υπέροχες διακοπές στο Λονδίνο.
Bart and Megan.....love this series. Question: what is the evidence that Mark was the first Gospel according to scholars? Maybe do a show on this?
One of my favorite books is Animal Farm and you could read it in a few hours - so much in so few pages.
Great Gatsby too. Brevity is a skill, Moby Dick be damned.
Wow, such a terrific series! Gotta love the gospel of Mark, my favorite gospel.
Thankyou Drs. The meaning to the author of “ The beginning of the good news (proclamation of good things)” probably incudes that after forty years (Mark being written in 66-70CE) the ORIGINAL liberating and status upsetting power of the FOUNDER’S message had been dulled by the 12 disciples and James in Jerusalem. ‘Gospel’ is mainly Paul’s word and ‘Mark’ presents stories and sayings arranged in a way to support Paul’s mission and views, even if he denigrates the understanding of the 12 disciples. ‘The beginning’ then carries the force of a ‘get back to basics’ or ‘back to the Bible’ polemic. Dr. G. Craig Fairweather.
On this point - Mark being written in 66-70CE - the first thought came to mind was that had a be a really bad time to produce a work like that, since the Great Jewish Revolt raged between 66-73. If 40 years after Jesus' execution, then maybe a little past 70 AD? Regardless, would have to wonder what impact the Great Jewish Revolt had on views/sentiments/etc. of the author and his community?
- The Gospel of Jesus was originally one book, written by Lazarus in consultation with the Apostles [John 21:24] and published soon after Jesus left them on their own. The religion was hijacked by Rome, the Gospel was broken up scrambled adulterated into a bunch of competing narratives. Later four of those adulterated gospels were canonized with falsely ascribed authorship and a Gnosticism cover-story. It was the finding of an original Gospel of Jesus scroll in Jerusalem that gained the Knights Templar power over the Church and their eventual undoing when the church finally retaliated against them Friday 13th.
Regarding the nature of the father/son relationship that you discuss around 16:00, this is a question that I've had for a long time. Modern readers of the Christian Bible often interpret this relationship in a pretty literal way: Jesus is (in some sense) literally the son of God. But, I've often wondered whether this misses the mark. In the ancient near-east, wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that someone writing about a father/son relationship in the context of the divine might be invoking the same relationship that ancient Israelites had referred to for centuries that indicated a covenantal relationship--an extension of that found in the Hittite suzerainty treaty form?
Indeed, that seems to miss the Mark. I should ass that what we'd call adoption was certainly not unknown at the time. For example, emperor Augustus was adopted by Caesar, and he in turn adopted his sons. It seems that in the OT, though, while there are some examples of effective adoption (such as Moses being raised by pharao's daughter), there doesn't seem to have been a formal process for it. So it seems that the NT adopts this Roman custom, not only does God apparently adopt Jesus, but later on it seems all the Christians are said to be "God's sons" by his choice.
@@KaiHenningsenagreed. Adoption was the highest compliment. That child was often the preferred child (see Octavius).
“What do we know that we think we know?” Mind blown !
This approach is useful equally for believers as well as nonbelievers! Thanks for sharing!
Also - who was the reporter - disciples asleep, so who knew what he prayed?
Very enjoyable podcast thank you dott Bart ehrman ✌️
This really puts in context why the Holy Spirit is so essential to the church. Imagine you only have the Gospel of Mark-you'd have to ask how do people know? And the Holy Spirit must have been such a satisfying answer.
Whoever read mark would have known more. They would of been leaders who were already initiated.
Loved Bart's talks for a long time. Great series with Meghan as host. Son of God - pretty clear. I don't understand that strange expression "Son of Man".
Read Daniel 7. Jesus applied it to himself (Mark 14:62) and the high priest knew what Jesus was doing hence the reason why he accused Jesus for blasphemy. Jesus puts (Daniel 7:13-14 and psalms 110) together since they already knew psalms 110 is about the messiah (mark 12:35-37).
Stephen also used the same verse in Acts 7:56 just as Jesus
My father was a great storyteller, he used to tell them to me every day, sometimes they took hours because I would not fall asleep, and his voice and facial expressions were like Bart's here and mine facial expressions like Megan's here. See 36:48, Bart almost fault in sleep, but not Megan, but at 41 : 44 she did finaly 😀
I've been following Professor Ehrman off and on for years through the Teaching Company/Great Courses but have to say I've never seen him this animated; what wonderful insights I took away from this. Teaming Megan and Bart in this format was an inspired idea and it works brilliantly. Anyway, for those interested, below is a RUclips video of the famous actor David Suchet reading Mark in its entirety from St Paul's; it's remarkable.
ruclips.net/video/JjOgcMQXvSc/видео.html
I could listen to Bart and Megan every day.
Hey Bart, what do you think about the gospels being based on the story of Titus Flavius written in the book the jewish wars? Do you think the old testament stories (creation and so forth) have their origin in babylonian and persian astrology? (I read a book called the celestial code of scripture).
If Mark wrote this some thirty years after Jesus' death don't you think his narrative would be made to fit the history?As a disciple Mark would have previously thought that Jesus was going to be King of the Jews - like King David - and he would be part of the government. Jesus obviously got wind of his sentence and so he had to inform the disciples of his real future and asks them to arrange a Resurrection.
Maybe so. The resurrection ball could have started rolling even before Jesus died.
According to Dennis Mc Donald, she, the feet washer, is borrowed from the Odyssey, her name Euraclea, meaning "proclaimed throughout the world," the same woman who washed Odysseus' feet..
The woman with the alabaster jar follows the exact same sequence of events as Eurycleia did in Homer’s Odyssey….right down to the breaking of the jar and being the only person who recognized the master. Mark even provides an Easter egg that he’s using Odysseus a basis for his Jesus narrative. Jesus tells the disciples that the nameless woman who anointed his feet will win ‘far flung glory.’ How does a nameless woman win worldwide glory? She doesn’t…until you realize that the phrase ‘far-flung glory’ in Greek is ‘eury cleia’
Hi Bart,
Have ypu read the immortality key?
What are your thoughts on the use of psychedelic substances in early christianity?
Mark doesn't mention the Virgin birth, because it never happened; Matthew and Luke were written by graeco-roman christians for a Greco Roman audience, that's another reason why Mark has Jesus directing you to read the scriptures Hebrew Bible and to bring God first 🤔💭
About "having the summer off," remember teachers are not paid for that time. We're only paid for the part of the year when we are working. Even still we spend at least some of the summer prepping for the year, unpaid.
Remarkable how Bart understands the crucifixion as rending the veil opening access to God, yet Bart has rejected his faith
No I understand why you do love this Gospel!
I never thought Jesus spoke in parables to be simple because I could never doggie out what he was trying to say. I'm glad to find out that was on purpose!
Yeah he tells apostles the esoteric version and the public the exoteric version.
It would suggest that Jesus did not chose the brightest of individuals to be his disciples.
This seems surprising as he wanted them to go forth and spread his word to the Jewish Nations!
- The Gospel of Jesus was originally one book, written by Lazarus in consultation with the Apostles [John 21:24] and published soon after Jesus left them on their own.
The religion was hijacked by Rome, the Gospel was broken up scrambled adulterated into a bunch of competing narratives.
Later four of those adulterated gospels were canonized with falsely ascribed authorship and a Gnosticism cover-story.
It was the finding of an original Gospel of Jesus scroll in Jerusalem that gained the Knights Templar power over the Church and their eventual undoing when the church finally retaliated against them Friday 13th.
@@bluerfoot indeed. Not because of the Disciples, but because of Paul.
As we know, the disciple came to nothing and Jesus Jewish remaining followers committed suicide on the mount in AD70
This left Paul to sell his version to the empire - with did not include the Jewish faith as Jesus taught.
Sadly, Institutionalised Christianity has little to do with Jesus teaching - he said “change not one jot or iota of the Law!” Yet that’s exactly what Paul did.
@@johnsinclair2672and where did you get that quip from? "Paul's corrupted version"? Could you stop by my house later? I need you to paint some circles on my children's basketball court and you seem pretty good at that 😂
@@marcomoreno6748 haha good one Marco.
Not a quip fella, simply an observation of what is written - facts, not thoughts, as confirmed by all textural critic scholars of the New Testament, worth their salt.
Seems - until you learn to read, and not follow the gang, you’ll have to stay in the nursery and paint your own circles! 🤣
Dr. Ehrman, please do a podcast with Dr. Craig Keener! I know it would epic! ☦
You two are absolutely the best thing on the internet.
Wonderful explanation thank you
Dr Erhman, when Jesus said “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”, was he quoting Psalm 22 vs 1?
This was an amazing episode!
Sounds like Bart wants to interview Megan... It would be nice to hear about her non-profit for PHD students.