Mark 13 and the Return of the Shepherd: The Narrative Logic of Zechariah in Mark

by Paul Sloan, Chris Keith (Editor)

Paul T. Sloan presents a detailed interpretation of Mark's Olivet Discourse in light of the Gospel's many allusions to the book of Zechariah, and argues that previous studies have rightly demonstrated the influence of Zechariah 9–14 on the Passion Narratives. Sloan shows that this influence is not merely confined to Mark's description of Jesus' final week, but also permeates much of his narrative; informing the Gospel's presentation of Jesus' royal identity, his action in the temple, the role of suffering in the bringing of God's kingdom, and the arrangement and interpretation of the Olivet Discourse.

Sloan begins with an extensive review of scholarship on the presence of Zechariah in Mark before analyzing the reception of relevant texts from Zechariah in Second Temple literature. He proceeds to a fresh examination of potential allusions to Zechariah throughout Mark, focusing especially on Mark's use of Zechariah 13:7 and 14:5. In addition to influencing significant themes in Mark's Gospel, Sloan argues that Zechariah provides a helpful framework by which to interpret Mark 13, offering a potential solution to a notorious crux interpretum, namely, why Jesus answers a question about the temple with reference to the coming of the son of man.

264 pages, Hardcover

Published January 24, 2019

Reviews

[Spencer R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t have enough space to adequately summarize this book here, so you can read my full review at Spoiled Milks (04/17/19).

I thought this book was fantastic. I’ve wondered just how Mark 13 works, and Sloan has answered many (though not all) of my questions. Mark 13 uses a lot of imagery from Zechariah 13-14. Sloan compares Mark 13 with Zechariah 13-14 because he believes Zechariah clears up an impasse that has confounded scholars for 150 years. He believes that the allusions to Zechariah 13 and 14 "serve as frames, or bookends, for the tribulation depicted in Mark 13" (5). Jesus alludes to Zechariah 13:7 in Mark 8:38, and he alludes to Zechariah 14:5 in Mark 14:27 (Sloan's focus in chapter 4).

There are multiple allusions to Zechariah throughout Mark’s Gospel and the Passion narrative. Aside from ch. 5 (a review of scholarship on Mark 13), every chapter was excellent. The best, though, was ch. 6 where Sloan combs through each section/paragraph of Mark 13, explaining the text and its interwoven connections to Zechariah 13-14. Jesus is "the awaited, but unexpected, Davidic king" (215). His actions as king do not match what the disciples (or anyone else) expected. He claims to be Israel's king, but his kingship entails pouring out his own blood of the covenant (Zech. 9:11), and being stricken by God (Zech. 13:7). The latter is not a repudiation of kingship, but it is a redrawing, or a new figuration, of what being king entails (215).

Sloan shows incisively why Jesus elaborates on "the persecution of the disciples, the attack on Jerusalem, and the parousia" in one discourse in Mark 13 (213). Sloan shows that having a keen eye, a good knowledge of the languages, and a healthy dose of creative thinking, one can see the OT foundation in the NT. If your interests lie in Mark, you should consider picking up Sloan's book. It's one that I am surely happy to have.

[Charles Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10. Easily the most rigorous discussion of the Olivet discourse I've read. Sloan suggests that Zechariah 13-14 underlies the organization of Mark 13-14. Does Jesus predict the Temple's destruction or His own return - or both? And if the disciples asked about the Temple why does Jesus even talk about His return? It's all here! Great contribution to scholarship on Mark (and the synoptics overall).