Question

Discuss the role of the temple in the gospel of Mark? (200 words)

Answer 1

Answer.

The entry of Jesus into the holy city of Jerusalem brings together several primary themes and terms in Mark’s gospel: kurios , hodos (“way”), ho erchomenos (“the coming one”).  His arrival into the temple of Jerusalem is seen as fulfilling Isaiah’s hope for Yahweh’s eschatological return to Zion and Malachi’s warning about the sudden “coming” of the Lord into His temple. In fact, it is in the Hospel of Mark that the temple is linked to the mission of Israel to the nations. This is made evident when Jesus overturns the tables, He says that the temple was to be a house of prayer for all nations (in 13:10). Moreover, the preaching of the gospel to all nations is linked to the destruction of the temple. This unfolds the climax where the veil of the temple is ripped and a Gentile centurion confesses that Jesus is the Christ.

The temple is used as a strong metaphor for the end of an archaic order as well as the beginning of a new faith. Both the Jews’ and disciples’ lack of understanding is strongly tied in with the doom that hangs over the temple. At the same time, the passion of Christ begins with Jesus offering bread and wine at a new table, thereby initiating a new temple.