1. Textual Issues and Evidence
 
 -who wrote the gospel?  when? why? for whom?
 -what is distinctively ìMarkanî about this text?
 -how does Mark portray Jesus?

2.  Markan Structure
 
 a) bipartite structure:-combination of two  ìmemory traditionsî
   i) Jesus as a founder/teacher vs. passion narratives
  ii) narrative transition in Mark
   miracles -->opposition --> ìWho is Jesus???î
   Recognition:  8:27-30; 9:7
   Suffering
 
 b) triads as architectonic principles
  -three seed parables (4:3-32)
  -three popular opinions about Jesus (8:27-28)
  -three predictions of the Passion (8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34)
  -three denials of Peter (14:66-72)
 
 c) frame narratives: eg. Mark 3:21; 3:31-35

 d) geographical arrangement
  -Galilee--->Jerusalem
 

3.  Distinctively Markan Redactional Features

 a)  the ìMessianic Secretî

 b) Negative Depiction of Disciples
  i)  lack of perception: 4:35-41; 5:25ff; 8:14-21
  ii)  misperception: 8:27
  iii)  rejection:  14:32-42;  14:66-72

4.  Apocalypticism
 -îlittle apocalypseî: ch. 13
 -îthe Kingdom of God is at handî (1:13)
  ìtake heed and watch!î  (13:37)

4. Conclusions
 -why is this gospel important?
 -why has it been ignored?