Brian63

I am beginning reading Burton Mack's "The Lost Gospel" about the book of Q, and on the bottom of page 37 he discusses how the stratigraphy of Q was showing signs of a non-apocalyptic Jesus, and a stronger presence of wisdom traditions in its place. He says:

(emphasis added)

What are the "pre-Markan pronouncement stories?"

Thanks,

Brian

Ben C Smith

Hello, Brian.

In my understanding, a pronouncement story in the gospel tradition is one in which a brief narrative leads up to an authoritative saying from Jesus. The saying serves as sort of a punchline or conclusion to the story; in fact, the saying generally looks like the very reason the story was transmitted in the first place.

Typical examples might include Mark 2.15-17 (culminating in the saying about the sick and the well), Mark 10.13-16 (culminating in the saying about children and the kingdom), and Mark 12.13-17 (culminating in the saying about Caesar and God).

A pre-Marcan pronouncement story would be one which is suspected to have preceded Mark in the tradition; that is, Mark did not make it up, but rather got the story from some (oral?) source.

Ben.

Zeichman

Does anyone know the degree to which he elaborates on this in "A Myth of Innocence"?

I think Mack believes, though never states it, that chreia source was written.

Zeichman

You, and Mack fans in general may be interested in this: http://www.religion.emory.edu/facult.../Patterns.html - the full book is online for free in pdf form, available for like $140 used on Amazon.