Koester, Ancient Christian Gospels (1990)

Koester's Argument for a Proto-Mark

Koester (Ancient Christian Gospels 275-286) argues that the canonical Mark is a revision of the Mark that Matthew and Luke used.

"Common Omissions" of Passages from Mark

• Mk2:27 ("The Sabbath is made for man"); cf. Mt12:5, Lk6:5.
• Mk4:26-29 The Secret Seed Parable.
• Mk10:21 (Jesus looked and loved him); cf. Mt19:21, Lk18:22.
• Mk10:23 (Disciples perplexed, How hard for rich man); cf. Mt19:24, Lk18:25.
• Mk12:29 (Dt6:4); cf. Mt22:37, Lk10:26.
• Mk12:32-34 (Scribe not far from Kgdm of God).
• Mk14:51-52 (Naked Young Man).
• Mk10:39b (Baptized with the baptism); cf. Mt20:23.

Original Wording Preserved in Matthew and Luke

• Mk4:11 (mystery); cf. Mt13:11, Lk8:10 (mysteries).
• Mk8:31 (after 3 days); cf. Mt16:21, Lk9:22 (on the 3d day).
• Mk9:25-29 (Healing of Epileptic); cf. Mt17:18-20a, Lk9:42-43.

Peculiar Terminology in the Canonical Markan Text

• "Gospel" euaggelion esp. used absolutely.
• "Teach" didaskein and "teaching" didach:
  • Mk1:27 "a new teaching"
  • Mk6:30 "and what they taught"
  • Mk6:34 "began to teach many things"; cf. Mt14:14 (cured), Lk9:11 (healed).
  • Mk8:31, 9:31 (teaching at passion predictions).
  • Mk2:13 4:1-2 10:1 11:17 12:35 37 38.
• "Amaze" qambeisqai: Mk1:279:15 10:24 32 14:33 16:5.

The Urmarkus Hypothesis

• Mk6:45-8:26 (Bethsaida section), unknown to Luke?