#bible study #greeknewtestament #mark #gospel #salt
There's a couple of verses in Marks' Gospel often described as enigmatic and yet as reading the same way in English Greek and Hebrew/Aramaic due to the grammar and words choices.
Yes I'm typing about Chapter 9 Verses 49 - 50
All for with fire will be salted. (lovely example of future passive and dative of agent)
Fine/good (is) SALT if (conditional form ean) the salt saltless / unsalt becomes (note geneetai subjunctive in/ with what / which you will season it ? or is it season with it?
have in yourselves salt and be at peace in / amongst each other.
Thing is this whole dscussion started with the disciples arguing about who was the greatest amongst them and moved through several topics and then ...I think there should be a pause between verse 48 and 49.
Jesus had just cited a belief that Hell was a place in which fire never was extinguished
I think this gave him an idea.
Some burnt offerings were slated before being placed in flames and there is a also a cooking technique of using salt crusts to seal in seasonings and flavours.
Maybe he was being ironic .
Maybe as he spoke to his followers some one nearby was preparing a dish for an oven.
You will be salted for the fire ? Or everything is salted for the fire.
Salt used for cooking can not be reused but salt is an essential thing.
Was someone nearby arguing about how much salt should be used?
The disciples had been arguing and look how verse 50 ends.
Be at peace amongst yourselves and each other.
Keep your salt. Don't waste it?
Maybe those two verses aren't so enigmatic but more ironic?
Maybe the most important message is not about salt but about PEACE
eireeneute en alleelois
BE PEACEFUL
and revise the uses of the dative case !
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