Binding the Strong Man

Table of contents: Part one. Text and context. A reading site and strategy for Mark -- The socio-historical site of Mark's story of Jesus -- Part two. Reading the first half of Mark. An introduction to Mark's literary style and strategy: the "first" prologue and call to discipleship (Mk 1:1-20) -- The first direct action campaign: Jesus' assault on the Jewish social order in Capernaum (Mk 1:21-3:35) -- "Listen!" The first sermon on revolutionary patience (Mk 4:1-36) -- Jesus' construction of a new social order, I: the miracle cycle (Mk 4:36-8:9) -- The execution of John and the "First" epilogue (Mk 6:1-32; 7:1-23; 8:10-21) -- Part three. Reading the second half of Mark. Midpoint of the story: the "second" prologue and call to discipleship (Mk 8:22-9:30) -- Jesus' construction of a new social order, II: the teaching cycle (Mk 9:30-10:52) -- The second direct action campaign: Jesus' showdown with the powers in Jerusalem (Mk 11:1-13:3) -- The second sermon on revolutionary patience (Mk 13:4-37) -- Jesus' arrest and trial by the powers (Mk 14:1-15:20) -- The execution of Jesus and the "second" epilogue (Mk 15:21-16:8) -- Part four. Mark and radical discipleship. Summary: the ideology and social strategy of Mark's community -- Afterword: on continuing the narrative of Biblical radicalism -- Appendix: bringing the Gosple down to earth: a review of recent socio-political readings of the Jesus story.