What is the sign? What is the σημειον?

The section of Mark's Gospel 13:1-31 is loaded with meaning, since it is the reply of Jesus to the Twelve, who asked, "What is the sign that these things are about to come to an end?"

The meaning of some of these words comes into view if we look over the Greek words and how the Greeks used them, and if we find that they connect to any familiar words in English. Here is a list of a few of the vocabulary terms.

1. σημειον, semeion, has a variety of uses for an ancient Greek:
   1. mark by which something is known
   2. sign
   3. signal made of flags
   4. landmark for property boundaries etc.
   5. device upon a shield, like the shield held by the Greek soldier on the ancient Greek vase, at right.
   6. watchword
   7. in reasoning, it meant proof
   8. symptom
   9. in mathematics, a geometric point in time.
   Our English word semaphore comes from this Greek root.
   
2. εγω ειμ, ego eimi, literally, "I am." In v. 6, Jesus warns against those who say this, a phrase with intense meaning for the Jews. Cf. Exodus 3 for the story of Moses and the Lord at the burning bush, where the Lord reveals his name to Moses.
   
3. πλανησουσιν, planesousin, meaning to lead astray, wander. We have an English word, planet, based on this Greek word. The planets are not fixed in the night sky; they wander. E.g., Venus is sometimes visible as a morning star, sometimes as an evening star.
   
4. σεισμοι, seismoi, meaning earthquakes. We have an English word for earthquakes: seismic.
   
5. μαρτυριον, marturion, meaning witness, testify. Our language has the word martyr from this Greek usage.
   
6. βδελυγμα, bdelugma, meaning abomination, a Greek word for which I know no connecting English words. In Greek usage, it means nauseating, filth, or coarse, beastly behaviors.
   
7. ερημωσεωσ, eremoseos, meaning desolation. In Greek usage, it is a word for isolated, "of the desert," or "in the wilds." Mark uses this concept a few times in chapter 1, for instance. English derives hermit from this Greek root.

Many people attempt to nail down the identity of the nausea from the desert that stands where it ought not stand. Could it mean King Herod from Red Edom? Could it mean Adolf Hitler, Anwar Sadat, Michael Gorbachev or the eagle atop the standard of a Roman legion? We agreed that the main lesson in this regard is quite clear, the very first words spoken by Jesus here: "Take heed that no man deceive you!"

Questions for next time, Aug. 27

The plan for this Thursday morning is dip into Mark's gospel, chapter 6. Here are some questions to consider before we meet:

1. Jesus was amazed by lack of faith in his home town. Has the faith of anyone in the first five chapters of Mark gladdened his heart?
2. Did King Herod, from Red Edom, go down to the Jordan River to see John the Baptizer?
3. Scan Luke 9:1-9 and 10:1-23, as background on the mission of the Twelve. Can you see any good extra information from Dr. Luke's account?
4. The Twelve went out with Jesus' message to many villages. Was it all talk or did they act, too?
5. Is it reasonable to expect that we can also walk like the Twelve, sent out by Jesus?
6. Did Jesus pray with his Twelve in the lonely desert place?

We will discuss these and other questions early Thursday morning. Sharpen up your ears to listen for what the Spirit says to us through this gospel section.

Notes and results from July 16, Mark 1

Our section of study was Mark's gospel chapter 1.

To set this first chapter of Mark into perspective, we also read John's gospel, chapter 1. The men made comments about Mark 1 compared to John 1, a few of which were:

1. Both gospels use the word "beginning."
   
2. Baptism of Jesus is in both.
   
3. In both, Jesus calls the first few of the disciples.
   
4. Neither cover the birth of the Messiah like Matthew and Luke.
   
5. John does not mention any healings yet, but Mark mentions several, including leprosy.
   
6. Mark details how-what-where-when information, but John discusses the meaning of the Word, especially in the first 18 verses.
   

We discussed several Greek words in the original text.

1. εξομολογουμενοι, confessing, which contains Greek roots we might recognize
   
   
   1. εξ, ex-, meaning out of
      
   2. ομο, homo-, meaning same as
      
   3. λογο, logo, meaning word
   
   
2. σχιζομενουs, being rent: notice the fragment σχιζ, which stands out as the root of our English word schism.
   
3. φωνη, voice, which is a root for our English words phone, phonetic etc.
   

We also discussed the Greek word in Mark 1:41, σπλαγχνισθειs, which literally means intestines, but which translates as compassion. Some of the men did not enjoy thinking about intestines. :) However, this word is only translated as real intestines in one place in the New Testament, and all other times as compassion. Philippians 2:1 contains another famous use of the word. We compared it to the English word balls which means one thing anatomically, but in many contexts means courage or gumption.

As a result of Jesus having compassion on the leper, He was forced to head for the hills with his men. He could not go openly into cities but had to rest up out in the lonely, desert places. This invites comparison to David, who also had to escape several times to the wild, desert places like Adullam.