The Appendices to the Gospel according to Mark. 427 



at a later time or added from a different source ? The fact that 

 Jerome quotes only the excuse is probably due to the purpose he had 

 in introducing the saying, which was fulfilled in the reference to the 

 age being under the power of Satan. 



For the following reasons we conclude the two parts belonged to- 

 gether from the first : 



a) The significance of the apology of the apostles, as of so many 

 sayings of the disciples in the Gospels, is found in its furnishing an 

 excuse, or occasion rather, for the saying of Jesus. As Gregory aptly 

 says, "Ihr Teil ist, die Veranlassung zu dem Spruch Jesu zu geben. 

 Sie kennzeichnen die Richtung, die seine Worte nehmen werden, das 

 Ziel dessen, was er sagt." (p. 36.) 



b) The answer of Jesus does correspond fairly well with the apology 

 of the disciples. They offer as an excuse for unbelief the fact that 

 the age is an evil one, in which Satan prevents the comprehending of 

 the truth. Therefore they ask that the righteousness of Christ be 

 revealed, overthrowing the power of Satan, and freeing from un- 

 belief. 



Jesus replies that the power of Satan has already reached its limit, 

 and that already his death has made it possible for sinners to turn 

 from unbelief to the truth and inherit the glory of righteousness. 

 This latter portion of the words of Jesus seems to be an answer, 

 although not a very direct one, to the request of the disciples for a 

 revelation of his righteousness. 



c) The need of the disciples at this time was for comfort for them- 

 selves and encouragement in their work. These are furnished by the 

 answer of Jesus which declares that no longer are they in a world 

 under Satan's power and that by his death he has made possible 

 for sinners salvation from sin. 



Our conclusion, therefore, is that the answer of Jesus originally 

 belonged to the words of the disciples. At the same time it seems 

 quite probable that the answer of Jesus was originally more full, and 

 that in a part of it not quoted here it may have replied more directly 

 to the request of the disciples for an immediate revelation of his 

 righteousness. 



3. Is this logion an integral part of the Longer Conclusion or an 

 interpolation ? 



In spite of the high authority which supports the former view, we 

 consider it an interpolation. True the rebuking of the disciples by 

 Jesus for their unbelief and hardness of heart does offer an occasion 

 for their excusing themselves (axsloyoOvTo), though the canonical 

 Gospels furnish no example of such an attempt in connection with the 



Tkans. Conn. Acad., Vol. XVIIT. 29 February, 1915. 



