Jesus the Oracle: Reading Mark in Roman Egypt

Annelies Gisela Moeser's Jesus the Oracle reads Jesus' journey from Capernaum to Jerusalem in Mark's gospel through the cultural context of 2nd-3rd century Roman Egypt, highlighting his supernatural knowledge and wisdom. It emphasizes the importance of access to the divine for non-elite crowds, persons with disabilities, and children, subverting the Roman world order and that of their local, elite allies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

In her book, "In Jesus the Oracle," Annelies Gisela Moeser delves into the cultural backdrop of 2nd-3rd century Roman Egypt to interpret Jesus' journey from Capernaum to Jerusalem in Mark's gospel. Moeser offers a comprehensive account of the Egyptian practice of oracles, encompassing processional oracles, to construct a framework for interpreting Mark. Through this lens, she draws attention to descriptions of Jesus' supernatural knowledge and wisdom, such as in the story of the Rich Man (Mark 10:17-22). Unlike Clement of Alexandria's homily on the Rich Man, which advocated detachment from possessions, Moeser's non-elite perspective suggests that Jesus' advice is more radical. This model of processional oracles underscores the significance of access to the divine for individuals from various backgrounds, including non-elite crowds, persons with disabilities, and children.

Traditional Egyptian religion upheld the existing socio-political regime. However, Jesus' procession and proclamation of the basileia (reign) of G*d challenged the Roman world order and the local, elite allies of the Romans. Moeser's book provides a valuable perspective on the intersection of religion, culture, and social dynamics in the ancient world, shedding light on the ways in which Jesus' message resonated with and disrupted the prevailing norms of his time.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978711792