The Messianic Secret (In Mark)

[[file:mark.jpg|frame|right|180px|link=http://store.mpn.net/productdetails.cfm?PC=71%7CMark, by Timothy J. Geddert (Believers Church Bible Commentary)' At the beginning of the twentieth century, a provocative study of Mark by Wilhelm Wrede sparked a long debate about the origin and the meaning of the “messianic secret” in Mark (cf. 8:29–30). In this commentary I have seldom referred to a “messianic secret.” I am persuaded that there are other aspects of secrecy in Mark more central than the secrecy surrounding Jesus’ messiahship itself. For example, in p 426 Mark there is more emphasis on keeping Jesus’ identity as Son of God “secret” than his identity as Messiah (e.g., 1:25, 34; 3:11–12). There is also direct teaching about secrecy connected with the coming of God’s reign (4:11). The main function of secrecy in Mark is to preserve Mark’s view that true insight comes not from unambiguous open proclamation and objective proofs (cf. 4:11–12; 8:11–12), but by way of discernment in the context of faithful discipleship and in the light of the cross. Thus Jesus’ true identity as Christ and Son of God is linked to the passion (cf. 8:29–31; 15:37–39). Only those with special “eyes and ears” recognize it there. Although some secrecy is preserved only until the resurrection (9:9), God’s reign continues to be a “secretly coming kingdom” until the end of the age. I have not found it helpful to construct a comprehensive theory that aims to explain all Markan secrecy, especially not one focused specifically on a “messianic secret.” What is needed is sensitivity to the function of secrecy in a wide range of texts and to how each of the “secrecy texts” relates to Mark’s emphasis on the need for “seeing eyes” and “hearing ears.” That is the approach taken in this commentary.

—Timothy J. Geddert