28. Mark 7:24-37: Back to the Gentiles
Earlier Mark presented to healing stories in Jewish territory (5:21-43). Now we get two in Gentile territory (7:24-37). Jesus has just authoritatively undone the Jewish purity system that promoted an ethnic pride and exclusivity. Though his ministry is focused on reconstituting an inclusive Abrahamic people God intended to use to bless the world, Mark wants us to see that taboo-breaking inclusivity in action in him. To have an outreach to the Gentiles grounded in the ministry of the Master would be important, crucial even, for the New Exodus movement that continued on after his earthly ministry. Indeed, we have here an important allusion to the Exodus, I believe. Then, the narrator of Exodus notes, a “mixed crowd” left Egypt with the Hebrews (Ex.12:38). An Exodus of more than just the Hebrews will be matched and exceeded by a New Exodus of more than Jewish people! 7:24-30: A Syrophoenician Woman This story unsettles readers because it suggests that Jesus was reluctant to help...