Jesus in the Synagogue of Capernaum: The Pericope and Its Programmatic Character for the Gospel of Mark: An Exegetico-Theological Study of Mk 1:21-28

This book is an edited work of the doctoral thesis, which considers Jesus’ first appearance and activity in Galilee in relation to Mark’s Gospel. It is its central affirmation that Mk 1, 21-28 has a programmatic character for the Gospel of Mark, because the themes/motives present in it are found throughout the ministry of Jesus, and are both repetitive and verifiable in the Gospel. Its placement at the beginning of the account of Jesus’ ministry introduces the reader to what is going to happen in the story of Jesus’ public activity, and affects the reader’s understanding of the entire Gospel narrative. This thesis for the first time has proved in a detailed and systematic way that this pericope has a programmatic character for Mark’s Gospel.