The second main division includes two complexes along with some other material. The first complex is i. 21–38, a closely articulated group of four narratives, probably all Petrine in origin, concerned with the ministry of Jesus in and around Capernaum. The second is ii. i–iii. 6, a topical complex (probably pre-Markan) of conflict stories arranged to show the development of hostility to Jesus: in ii. 6f. the questioning is unspoken, in ii. 16 the disciples of Jesus are approached, in ii. 18 Jesus himself is questioned, in ii. 24 he is actually rebuked, in iii. 2 his adversaries watch him with malicious intent, and in iii. 6 they plot his death.

THE BEGINNING OF THE GALILEAN MINISTRY

(i. 14–15)

(Mt. iv. 12–17; Lk. iv. 14f.)

The first of the summary statements (see pp. 11f.). It is apparently meant to cover the whole of the main division i. 14–iii. 6.

14. ΚαΙ μετὰ (the ν.Ι. Μετὰ δέ is preferred by G. H. Turner) τὸ παραδοθηναι τὸν Ίωάννην. While according to Jn the ministries of John and Jesus overlapped, the Synoptic Gospels date the beginning of Jesus' Galilean ministry after John's imprisonment. Mark's statement, however, does not altogether rule out the possibility of an earlier activity of Jesus alongside that of John, room for which could be found between i. 13 and i. 14.