The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark

In this book, MacDonald argues that the author of Mark consciously emulated Homeric epic. He begins by describing the common Greco-Roman custom of teaching prose composition through mimesis (Greek) or imitatio (Latin) and by pointing out several examples of their practice in pagan, Jewish and later Christian texts. He then proceeds to make the controversial case that large portions of Mark draw either directly on the texts or indirectly on the topoi of Homer. The argument is compelling and meticulously constructed. Both of our readers agree that this is important, groundbreaking work that will revolutionize the study of the gospels.