23. Mark 6:14-30: The Political Realities of the Mission
(I
depend here on Myers’ Say to this
Mountain, 72-73)
We are in the middle of
another Markan “sandwich” here. 6:7-13 narrates the sending out of the disciples.
6:14-30 tells the gruesome story of John the Baptist’s death. 6:31-44 returns
to the conclusion of the disciples’ mission.
Josephus, the 1st
century Jewish historian, tells us that Herod had John killed because he was fomenting
an insurrection. And he was. Gathering the people in the wilderness under the aegis
of a New Exodus against both established Roman and Jewish authorities could hardly
be otherwise construed. Mark has already clued us into to that aspect of the
story. Here he unveils another related aspect of it.
Herod Antipas (ruled Galilee
from 4 b.c. to 39 a.d.). After he had John killed, the ruler had dreams that
John was coming back from the dead to haunt him in the person of Jesus
(6:14-16). Guilty conscience no doubt. But true as well. The movement he
started was continuing and even increasing under the leadership of this Jesus!
Intermarriage was a
political strategy of no little importance in building dynasties. When John
objected to Herod’s marrying his brother’s wife (6:17ff.), the moral and the political
converged. Additionally, Herod was a half-Jew who vigorously promoted the
Hellenization of the area under his rule. Not surprising for a ruler dependent
on Roman favor. He traded on his (half-) Jewishness only when it helped him or
supported his agenda. For John to claim Herod accountable to Torah was to raise
question about the legitimacy of Herod’s rule (6:18).
“Mark’s portrait of Herodian court
intrigue takes on the character of parody (6:19ff.). The king throws a dinner
party for the ruling classes of Galilee (6:21). Despite this impressive
gathering of political, military, and economic leaders, however, it is a young
dancing girl and a drunken oath that finally determine the fate of the Baptist
(6:22-25).” (Myers, Say to this
Mountain, 73)
How
momentous events often turn on small and petty whims and grudges!
John’s death gives us a
preview of what will happen to Jesus. When Mark returns to the report of the
disciples on their mission, we now feel the pathos of the cost of God’s New
Exodus to its participants.
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