Mark 1:29-39

FEASTING ON THE WORD

PastoralThe healing power of touch and community

Exegetical
See 1:36 (below)

Theological
From synagogue to house (where xns will meet)
Mother-in-law as servant in a messianic context

Homiletical
Most of the commentators make some comment on Simon's mother-in-law serving.
"Readers sensitive to the treatment of women in both ancient and contemporary society will perhaps chafe at her being restored to health only then to serve the men." But she is presented as one who serves, and Jesus himself said that he had come, not to be served, but to serve (10:45).

He offers some possibilities for the focus of the sermon:

  • Simon's Mother-in-Law as servant vs. Simon who fails to serve

  • Marginalization of women vs. her model of discipleship

Jesus at Prayer

  • "This description of Jesus at prayer does not seem to be a 'precious moments' image, suitable for for framing. Rather, the disciples seem to have discovered Jesu in a time of his own searching, even as the disciples inform him that [everyone is searching for him]. According to scholars, it is not entirely clear whether the temptation is to chose between healing and preaching, or continuing to do both, albeit elsewhere. If the latter, it seems for Mark that the preaching of Jesus and the extinguishing of evil are two sides of the same coin. Preaching exists that evil might not."• This idea of Jesus searching is based upon the setting, that Jesus has gone to a ἔρημον τόπον which is where John baptized and Jesus was tempted. Harrington calls the wilderness "a priveleged place of contact with God."

EXEGETICAL NOTES

Bedridden with a fever
• Bedridden connotes inability to do one's daily tasks
• Fever would've been seen as the illness itself, rather than just a symptom

Mark 1:36 καὶ κατεδίωξεν αὐτὸν Σίμων καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ
κατεδίωξεν  meaning searched for or hunted is generally used in a hostile sense. For example, Pharaoh pursued the Israelites. 
• Harrington: "tracked down;" has the overtone of "pursue" in a hostile sense. Is this the first indication of the disciples' misunderstanding. I wonder if it fits into my thesis about how they perceive Jesus' mission, his role and theirs.