stephan huller

Thomas Schmidt, “Jesus’ Triumphal March to Crucifixion: The Sacred Way as Roman Procession,” Bible Review, Feb 97: 30-37.

Thomas Schmidt’s thesis in “Jesus’ Triumphal March to Crucifixion: The Sacred Way as Roman Procession,” is that the crucifixion procession is modeled on a Roman triumphal march, with Jerusalem’s Via Dolorosa replacing the Sacra Via of Rome. Schmidt’s rhetorical purpose is to convince us that Mark presents Jesus’ defeat and death, the moment of his greatest suffering and humiliation, as both literally and figuratively a triumph.

Arguments:

1. Schmidt argues, from source criticism, that Mark’s gospel was probably written for gentile Christians living in Rome.
2. Mark’s crucifixion narrative contains a number of striking parallels to the Roman triumphal march. The parallels in Mark follow.
a. The “praetorium” – a common designation for the place and personnel of the imperial guard – gathers early in the morning to proclaim the triumphator.
b. The description of Jesus’ clothing. The triumphator is introduced clad in a ceremonial purple robe and crown. In Mk, the soldiers dress Jesus in the purple triumphal garb and place a crown of laurel on his head. The crown of thorns is a ceremonial detail, not an historical fact.
c. The soldiers’ mock homage of Jesus. The soldier’s accolades are represented by the mock homage in Mk 15.18. The soldiers shout in acclamation of his lordship (“Hail, King of the Jews”) and they salute him as they accompany him through the streets of the city.
d. Another carries the implement of the victim’s death. Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross parallels the official who walks alongside the bull.
e. The translation of “Golgotha” – “the place of the head.” Golgotha was the Capitolium (head) to which the triumphator ascended. Jesus’ procession ascends to the place of the head (death), where the sacrifice is to take place.
f. The ceremonial wine poured on the altar. The wine signifies the precious blood of the victim, and links between triumphator, wine and victim signify their connection. The sacrifice is the god who dies and appears as the victor in the person of the triumphator. Jesus does not drink the wine; instead, he pours it out on the altar at the moment of sacrifice.
g. The acclamation of Jesus as Lord (“The King of the Jews” [Mk 15.26]), and his vice-regents appear with him in confirmation of his glory.)
h. The crucifixion of criminals on either side of Jesus is a conscious expression of the mockery of his kingship on the part of the soldiers. Mk tells us that there were 2 bandits – one on his right and one on his left.
i. The epiphany of the triumphator is accompanied by divine portents (“The curtain of the Temple was torn in two” [Mk 15.38]), confirming that he is one with the gods.)

Mark presents the crucifixion as an “anti-triumph” – with Jesus mocked and killed – to show that the seeming scandal of the cross is actually an exaltation of Christ. Mark’s anti-triumph was composed in reaction to the self-deification of the emperors Gaius (37-41 AD) and especially Nero (54-68 AD).
For Mark, it is the mocked Jesus, not the gaudy Roman emperor, who is the true epiphanic triumphator.

stephan huller

I stumbled upon this summary and had to admit - I think the author's right here. This might be useful for mythicists because it presents the story as highly embellished. Again, I think he's basically right about this. I don't know how you argue against what he is saying here.

stephan huller

This too on 2 Corinthians 2:14:

http://books.google.com/books?id=tej...riumph&f=false

stephan huller

Here is an article Schmidt wrote for BAR on the subject:

http://www.bib-arch.org/online-exclusives/easter-05.asp

stephan huller

I think this is one of the most convincing things I have ever read. The problem for me was its literary purpose. Why would Mark develop the narrative this way?

stephan huller

curious.

When Hadrian built Aelia Capitolina on the site of Jerusalem, a temple to Jupiter Capitolinus was erected in the place of the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem.

Vorkosigan

I used this paper to date Mark many years ago, it is probably the most important paper ever written for the date of Mark.

http://michaelturton2.blogspot.tw/20...f-mark_22.html
http://michaelturton2.blogspot.tw/20...killed-in.html

Horatio Parker

To show the triumph of divinity over suffering in a way that a Roman could understand. The eternal vs temporal. Anyone, particularly the poor, could identify themselves with Jesus. You too can be an emperor!

Very interesting stuff.

outhouse

well I find it nothing new.

we know it was written for s roman audience with roman influences in the legend/mythology

there never were any eye witnesses to any part of the walk to where he was hung up, for anyone to be able to state anything with historicity.

outhouse

isnt this pretty weak compared to most scholarships that hold its date where its at now. ?