The author of the Gospel of Mark places Mark 9:14-29, which deals with the disciples' failure in exorcism, right in the middle of the 'Journey on the Way' section (8:27–10:52). This story goes beyond a simple miracle narrative; it contains profound ...
The author of the Gospel of Mark places Mark 9:14-29, which deals with the disciples' failure in exorcism, right in the middle of the 'Journey on the Way' section (8:27–10:52). This story goes beyond a simple miracle narrative; it contains profound theological questions regarding the disciples' misunderstanding of Jesus' passion prediction and the essence of true discipleship.
However, while existing historical-critical studies on this text have contributed to revealing the transmission process or historicity of the text, they have shown limitations in grasping the internal dynamics of the text in its final form.
This study attempts a narrative analysis of Mark 9:14-29 to confirm that the text forms an organic 'story.' The narrator places more weight on the 'plot of revelation,' which uncovers the essence of faith, than on the 'plot of resolution' dealing with the exorcism event itself, thereby clearly aiming to reveal the true meaning of discipleship to the reader.
In particular, by contrasting the 'disciples who possessed authority but failed' with the 'child's father who is imperfect but entrusts himself to Jesus,' the narrator guides the reader to understand that true faith is not a mechanical exercise of authority, but an attitude of constantly clinging to Jesus.
By participating in this narrative journey, the reader comes to understand that abandoning self-assurance and uniting with Jesus through prayer is the only way of 'true discipleship' that follows the suffering Messiah.