Edwards: Markan Sandwiches
The concept of Markan Sandwiches refers to the literary device featured prominently in the Gospel of Mark in which the author interpolates an anecdote within another anecdote. According to Edwards (1989), while a number of literary scholars have remarked upon this curious structure, few have agreed as to why Mark chooses to rely upon this technique. Edwards advances the thesis that the sandwiching technique is intentional and is used to reinforce the theological purpose of the author of the Gospel. Mark’s favoring of the sandwich technique far exceeds that of those of the authors of the other synoptic gospels Luke and Matthew.
One sandwich involves that of a woman with a hemorrhage who approaches Jesus mid-narrative in the story of the healing of Jairus’ daughter. If an interpolation can be described as having an A-B-A structure, the “A” narrative details a resurrection narrative which is less famous than that of the raising of Lazarus. In Mark’s narrative, Jesus is asked to come to the house of Jairus, the patron or head of the synagogue, because his daughter is sick. Once Jesus arrives, he is told that the girl is dead but Jesus responds that she is only...
Reference
Edwards, J. (1989). Markan sandwiches: The significance of interpolations in Markan narratives.
Novum Testamentum. XXXI (3), 193-216.
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