SALTY CONTEXT OF PEACE

#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 !

Charleston Shooting

Given a recent event the #CharlestonShooting I wish to show respect for the victims and family by citing a passage from #Galatians ... yes the end of chapter 3 verses 26 and 28 ...please forgive my modernization of a few words and phrases

For we are all children of god through faith in Christ Jesus  ... 
...
Nor is there a Jew nor a Greek or Slave or Free nor Male or Female.

All of you are one in Christ Jesus.


Personally I feel we are all Children of God Christian or other

I also wish to remind people of #Matthew 5:9

Blessed (are) the PEACE MAKERS 

People please do not be tempted into debates or arguments with political or paranoid agendas about mental health racism gun control or flags.

Consider instead what actions we can take to MAKE PEACE as individuals and communities? Thank You.

Our normal slow progress through the #gospel of Matthew continues next week.

Pray for peace

#blessedarethepeacemakers #pray for peace #gaza #israel #syria #ukraine

Yes I blogged on this verse before but given this week's events we all need the reminder.

Matthew Chapter 5 Verse 9

Blessed are the peacemakers

μακάριοι οἱ εἰρηνοποιοὶ

Not the online warriors and hatemongers endlessly apologizing or justifying violence.

Spare a thought and prayers for paramedics doctors patients nurse parents and civilians in war zones!