New Testament

• James R. Edwards, "Markan Sandwiches: The Significance of Interpolations in Markan Narratives". Novum Testamentum XXXI, 3 (1989) 193-216: "Readers of the Gospel of Mark are familiar with the Second Evangelist’s convention of breaking up a story or pericope by inserting a second, seemingly unrelated, story into the middle of it. A good example occurs in chapter 5 where Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, importunes Jesus to heal his daughter (vv 21-24). A woman with a hemorrhage interrupts Jesus en route to Jairus’ house (vv 25-34), and only after recording the woman’s healing does Mark resume with the raising of Jairus’ daughter, who had died in the meantime (vv 35-43)." The literary technique has a theological purpose: the sandwiches emphasize the major motifs of the Gospel, especially the meaning of faith, discipleship, bearing witness, and the dangers of apostasy. Moreover, the middle story nearly always provides the key to the theological purpose of the sandwich.
• JP Heil, "Mark 14.1-52: Narrative Structure and Reader-Response": Biblica 71 (3, 1990), 305-332. The nine scenes of Mk 14.1-52 are laid out in an alternate progression of seven interlocking segments. The intimate union of the disciples with Jesus who goes towards his suffering and death compensates for and even dominates their opposition and separation. This narrative sequence gives the reader strength and courage to closely remain with Jesus and, by his prayer of submission to the divine will, to take part in Jesus' final triumph over suffering and death.
• JP Heil, "The Progressive Narrative Pattern of Mark 14.53-16.8": Biblica 73 (3, 1992) 331-358. Mark's passion-resurrection narrative (Mk 14.53-16.8) is laid out in an alternating order of nine scenes, each contrasting with those that precede and follow. Seven groups of three scenes thus occur 'in sandwich'. Faith in Jesus, despite the failures of those who follow it, overrides the rejection of his true identity by the Jewish and Gentile authorities. The narrative sequence challenges the reader to remain faithful to the 'way' of Jesus and, at the same time, makes one able to do so by revealing the depth of the mystery of the Messiah through his very rejection by the authorities.