THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS

I. MODELS OF DISCIPLESHIP AT JESUS TIME

In Israel, during the 1st century, there were several other groups of masters and disciples. Lets see the most important ones: 1. Apocalyptic prophets: They gathered a group of followers and expected the imminent coming of God. It was not a personal calling, but a general invitation to repent and change their life style because Gods judgment was very close. It would be a judgment of salvation or condemnation. John the Baptist belongs to this type. 2. The Teachers of the Law (Rabbinical school). The relationship between masters and disciples was essential in giving birth to the Judaism as we know it today. These rabbis or doctors did not choose their disciples; the students chose to join the school of a certain master with the hope of being accepted by him. Sometimes disciples left a master to follow another one. The task of the rabbis was to teach the Law and its right interpretation. Therefore, there was not a close and intimate relationship between master and disciple.

II. THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS IN MARKS GOSPEL

2.1. THE CALLING TO DISCIPLESHIP A. The calling of the first four disciples (1:16-20) Jesus, at the beginning of his public ministry, calls his first disciples, two couples of brothers: Simon and Andrew (1:16-18); James and John (1:19-20). These two callings follow the same literary pattern: a) walking along the shore; b) Jesus sees the brothers; c) calls them; d) they left everything immediately and followed him. Jesus takes the initiative: he sees and calls them. They answered right away by accepting his calling (obedience) and leaving everything behind (property, family, profession). This is the essence of discipleship: joining Jesus by being obedient and faithful to him. Peter seems to emphasize this later in the gospel: Look, we have left everything and followed you (10:28). The expressions come after me (Jesus calling) and followed him (acceptance of the calling) are technical expressions to describe those

who accompany Jesus and their commitment as disciples. In fact, in Mark, a disciple is a committed follower of Jesus. However, we need to make a distinction: a) on one hand, not all those who follow Jesus can be considered disciples because they have not been called or they did not make a personal commitment to follow Jesus in faithfulness and obedience (for example, the crowd in 3:7 and 5:24); b) on the other hand, discipleship is not an exclusive privilege of the twelve. The twelve are the closest disciples of Jesus, but still there are other disciples in the gospel: Levi (2:14); the twelve with others who formed his company (4:10.34); the women who observed the crucifixion from afar (15:40-41). The objective of discipleship is this: come after me and I will make you into fishers of people (1:17). Since the beginning of the gospel, we know that the disciples have been chosen for a mission and it is universal: first to the people of Israel (6:7-13) and later to the gentiles (13:10; 14:9). The first four disciples appear often in the gospel and represent the group of the twelve and the other disciples. Peter is normally the spokesman of the twelve in his greatness and in his weakness (see 8:29.32-33; 9:5-6; 10:28; 11:14.21-22; 14:29-31); John in 9:38; James and John in 10:35-45. For three times Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to witness an important experience: the resurrection of Jairus daughter (5:37); the transfiguration (9:2); the agony at Gethsemane (14:33-34); Jesus proclaimed his eschatological discourse because Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him to do so (13:3-4). In conclusion, the first four disciples are Jesus closest companions and Peter is the leader. B. Levis calling (2:13-14) Levis calling follows the same literary pattern as the previous one: a) walking along the shore; b) Jesus saw Levi, the son of Alpheus, sitting at the tax office; c) called him; d) he got up and followed him. This is the calling of a true disciple. Looking at this structure, it is surprising not to find his name on the list of the twelve (3:16-19). Among the names, there is James, the son of Alpheus, but Mark does not tell us if there is any connection between Levi and James. Therefore, the conclusion is that Levi is a disciple, but he is not one of the twelve. What is Marks purpose or reason for narrating Levis calling then? Levi is a tax collector (2:14). He belongs to a class of people known for their immorality, dishonesty, and hated by all the Jews. Mark wants to highlight that Jesus calls to discipleship not only honest people like Peter and the others, but also people like Levi, sinners and others with 2

a bad reputation. Jesus offers a chance to everyone. That is why later he says to the Pharisees: it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I came to call not the upright, but sinners (2:17). C. The election of the twelve (3:13-19) The mountain is the place where Jesus chose the twelve closest companions. In Marks gospel, the mountain describes a close relationship and communication with God; the place where God and human beings can meet and talk (see 6:46; 9:2-8; 13:3-5). In the OT, God made a covenant with the twelve tribes of Israel at the Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20); now, Jesus on the top of a mountain will establish Gods new holy nation by electing the twelve disciples. Like in the other callings, here Jesus takes the initiative as well (summoned those he wanted). They accept and obey his calling right away (they came to him 3:13). Jesus gives them a mission: a) they must be his companions; b) they will be sent out to proclaim the message with power to drive out devils (3:14-15). a) Being with Jesus means that they live in the kingdom of God that is emerging and witness with their own eyes his public activity. b) Preaching and driving out devils means that they receive Jesus power to do the same actions he does; their activity is a continuation of Jesus ministry. Mark, by writing their names, indicates that the circle of the twelve is complete. Although Jesus continues to call disciples (8:34; 10:21), the group of the twelve will remained unchanged. D. The parables (4:1-34) In the parables there is more interesting information about the disciples (the twelve and others): the secret of the kingdom of God has been revealed to you; to those outside, everything is told in parables (4:10-11). The contrast between the disciples and those outside is really strong: on one side, God gives the disciples understanding to comprehend the secret of the kingdom; on the other hand, for those outside this mystery or secret is an enigma. In these parables, Jesus explains the secret of the kingdom of God. It is a present reality, hidden and small, that moves on to reach its completion at the end of time. In Jesus, God wants to get closer to people and begin a new relationship. In fact, Jesus proclaims the gospel of God and invites Israel to repentance, faith in the gospel and living in the dimension of the kingdom of God. Some people listened and welcomed Jesus message (4:8); others, instead, rejected it (for 3

example, the religious authorities who prefer to believe that he is a follower of Satan). That is why we say that the kingdom is a hidden reality. However, despite the humble beginning, it will grow bigger and stronger until it will reach the whole world at the end of time (4:2629.30-32). E. The mission of the twelve (6:6b-13.30) After being rejected by the people of Nazareth, Jesus decided to send the twelve to preach all over Israel. Jesus once again takes the initiative of the action and the twelve accept this commission with obedience. New elements are added: a) two by two (the testimony of two witnesses were needed during a Jewish trial and loving fraternity); b) Authority to cast out demons; c) Instructions regarding the mission: 1) Bring a staff for protection; 2) Travel light: no bread, no bag, and no money; 3) Wear sandals (itinerancy); 4) Bring just a tunic, not two; 5) Live in the house that offers them hospitality: not moving from house to house; 6) shake off the dust on their feet in places that reject their preaching as a symbol of their future punishment. In other words, the twelve must travel light because they will be moving around a lot during their preaching; they must also learn to abandon themselves in Gods hands because he will take care of them. After this, the twelve began their missionary journey which is an extension Jesus mission. They do the same things Jesus did: they preach a message of repentance, teach, heal and drive out unclean spirits. However, there is one thing the twelve did, but Jesus never did according to the gospel of Mark: anointed many sick people with oil and cured them (6:13). When the twelve returned to Jesus, after completing their mission, and reported all they had done and taught, Mark do not call them disciples or the twelve, but apostles (6:30). The word apostle (apstolos) means someone sent with a mission. Therefore, the twelve in this text are the ones sent by Jesus as his messengers or heralds: welcoming them is the same as welcoming Jesus himself. 2.2. THE INCOMPREHENSION OF THE DISCIPLES Until now, the portrait of the disciples in Marks gospel is very positive: they left everything behind to follow him; they are faithful and fully committed to his cause by staying with him and sharing his mission. However, this will not last long and the conflict between Jesus and the disciples will appear right away. The biggest problem of the disciples is their incomprehension. Even though they are with Jesus always and learn from him, still do not 4

comprehend Jesus true identity and mission. The reason is because they see everything from a human perspective, not according Gods mind. From Marks view, the disciples do not have any excuse to justify their lack of understanding because, since the beginning, they have personally witnessed Jesus preaching, teachings, healings, and exorcisms; through the parables, he taught them the secret of the kingdom of God; when electing the twelve, he shared with them his divine authority to cast out unclean spirits. In other words, the disciples should see Jesus at least as a messenger from God; they should comprehend that he is the Messiah and the Son of God (1:1). However, in the following passages we will see that because the disciples reason from a human point of view, they are incapable to comprehend who Jesus is and where his authority comes from. Lets see the most important episodes about the incomprehension of the disciples: A. The parables. Jesus explains its meaning, but the disciples still do not understand it: Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? (4:13); the same problem when teaching about what makes people pure or impure: Even you dont you understand? (7:18). B. The calming of the storm. During the crossing of the Sea of Galilee, there was a violent storm and the disciples woke up Jesus because they were afraid to perish: Why are you so frightened? Have you still no faith? The disciples said: Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him (4:40-41). The disciples do not comprehend that when Jesus is with them there is nothing to be afraid of, he will save them from every danger. Their question shows that they do not see in this event a revelation of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. C. The feeding of the five thousand (in Galilee). After teaching the crowd, the disciples want Jesus to dismiss them, but he wants the disciples to feed them and they said: Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat? (6:37). Jesus gave the disciples the authority to heal and drive out demons (6:13), so he expects them to use that power to feed the crowd, but they keep thinking according human standards (they do not have enough money it is humanly impossible) and forget according to God standards (they can make a miracle if they trust in him). D. The walking on the water. They do not believe that Jesus can walk on the water and prefer to think that he is a ghost; then Jesus got into the boat and the wind calmed down for their amazement: They were utterly and completely dumbfounded, because they had not seen 5

what the miracle of the loaves meant; their minds were closed (6:5152). The disciples still do not see Jesus as the Son of God and the shepherd of Israel; instead of trusting him, they are filled with fear; they keep seeing all these actions with a human mind and this incomprehension is hardening their hearts. E. The feeding of the four thousand (in gentile land). The crowd has been with Jesus for three days in a deserted place and now they are really hungry. Jesus, moved with pity, informs the disciples that the crowd has nothing to eat. The disciples asked him: Where could anyone get these people enough bread to eat in a deserted place? (8:4). The disciples once more see everything from a human perspective and forget about their previous experiences of Jesus calming the storm or feeding the crowd. They fail to believe that Jesus can solve the problem and also fail to see the hand of God at work in Jesus miracles. Furthermore, Jesus would have loved them to perform the miracle because he has shared with them his divine authority and power. F. The leaven of the Pharisees. The disciples are in the boat with Jesus and worry about having only a loaf of bread. Meanwhile, Jesus is warning them about the dangerous influence of the Pharisees and Herodians. The disciples attitude exasperates Jesus saying: Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not understand, still not realize? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes and do not see; ears and do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect? They answered, twelve. And when I broke the loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect? And they answered, seven. Then he said to them, Do you still not realize? (8:17-21). In this scene, the incomprehension of the disciples has reached the maximum: the more Jesus tries to show them his identity, the less they realize. They behave like those outside; they follow human thoughts and see everything from a human perspective, when they should see Gods hand at work and think like him. Summing up, we could say that the disciples on one hand stay with Jesus and share his mission; on the other hand, they do not comprehend his true identity. Therefore, Jesus fight with the disciples wants to overcome their incomprehension before it destroys their commitment to his cause. G. The healing of a blind man at Bethsaida (8:22-26). This is the only miracle in the gospels where Jesus has to act twice to heal a man completely. This blind man seems to represent the disciples and how hard it is for Jesus to make them see who he is and understand the meaning of his public activity. 6

2.3. THE DISCIPLES REJECT THE IDEA OF SERVICE The section 8:27-10:52 follows this pattern: 1) predictions of the passion; 2) incomprehension of the disciples; 3) Jesus instructs them about discipleship. A. Peters confession. This is a surprising story because until now the disciples did not comprehend Jesus identity, but at this point Peter, in the name of the disciples, declares: You are the Christ (8:29). They finally understand that Jesus is the Messiah, but their confession is insufficient and partial because they still ignore his deeper identity (Son of God) and the center of his ministry (passion and death). That is why Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone (8:30). B. The first prediction of the passion. At this point, Jesus begins to teach his disciples about his destiny: passion, death, and resurrection (8:31). Peter, as spokesman of the disciples, shows his incomprehension by rejecting the idea of a destiny of death for Jesus (8:32). Jesus rebukes Peter for pushing him away from Gods path and said: Get behind me, Satan! You are thinking not as God thinks, but as human beings do (8:33). After this, Jesus instructed the crowds and the disciples about the requirements or conditions to become a disciple (8:34-9:1): 1) to renounce himself; 2) to take up his cross; 3) to follow Jesus; 4) willingness to lose the life for serving Jesus and the gospel. In the following scenes, we observe other cases of incomprehension: after the story of the transfiguration, they do not understand what rising from the dead mean (9:10); the disciples are incapable of expelling an unclean spirit from a boy. Jesus explains to them that this kind of exorcism can only be done through prayer; in other words, they must put their confidence and trust in God (9:29). If they keep thinking according to human standards, they will never succeed. C. The second prediction of the passion. Jesus predicts again his coming suffering, death, and resurrection. Once more, the disciples do not comprehend Jesus prediction. In fact, they are arguing about who is the greatest (9:33-34). At this point, Jesus sat down and began to teach them about what should be the proper attitude of a disciple: If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all (9:35). Then, he puts a child as an example: they must be like children and serve others, especially the needy or weak ones. All the actions done in his name will receive their reward, but they also need to be at peace with one another. 7

D. The third prediction of the passion. Jesus predicts again his passion, death, and resurrection. The incomprehension of the disciples is summed up in the attitude of James and John: while Jesus is talking about giving up his life, they are thinking about places of honor (sitting at his right and left) in his kingdom. They do not care about service, but personal glory and success (10:37). The reaction of the other disciples shows that they are thinking the same way. Jesus once more tells them that by wanting the places of honor they are behaving like the gentile rulers: they want power and authority to keep the people under control. This is not the path to the kingdom of God. On the contrary, they must be the servants and slaves of all, just like Jesus came to serve and not to be served. 2.4. THE DISCIPLES ABANDON JESUS In the Passion Narrative, the disciples show their true nature or essence: they think they are wise, brave, and faithful, but in truth they are incapable of understanding, cowards, and unbelieving. At the beginning of the Passion they still follow him, but when the events get ugly, they will renounce to their commitment with words or actions, and abandon him. Just like Jesus said to them: the spirit is willing enough, but human nature is weak (14:38). There are still examples of incomprehension during the passion events. At the house of Simon, the leper, some of those present there got angry at a woman who anointed Jesus head with an expensive perfume (14:3-9) because she could have sold it for a lot of money and give it to the poor. For Jesus this is a good and symbolic action that anticipates the anointing of his body at his burial. At the Mount of Olives, Jesus predicts that all the disciples will abandon him soon, but Peter and the others deny it: Even if all fall away, I will not (14:29) and if I have to die with you, I will never disown you (14:31). A few moments later, Jesus complaints because they are sleeping when he asked them to stay awake and pray with him (14:33.37.40). The final result of the incomprehension of the disciples is abandoning and deserting Jesus: Judas sells him for money (14:43-46); the others abandon him and run away (14:50); Peter denies knowing him three times (14:54.66-72). Peter moments earlier promised to die for Jesus, now shows that he is a coward by denying knowing him. With their betrayal, abandonment, and denial of Jesus, the disciples have broken their promise of faithfulness and commitment to him and the cause of the kingdom. The incomprehension has perverted their commitment. 2.5. JESUS RECONCILES WITH HIS DISCIPLES 8

The last time the name of the disciples appears in Marks gospel is at the empty tomb, when a young man talks to the women in this way: You must go and tell his disciples and Peter: He is going ahead of you to Galilee; that is where you will see him, just as he told you. And the women came out and ran away from the tomb because they were frightened out of their wits; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid (16:7-8). There is not a happy ending to the gospel of Mark. Mark gives his readers the opportunity to decide the end of the story. They must ask themselves a question: Did the disciples, in any way, know about Jesus resurrection and his going to Galilee? If the answer is no, because of the silence of women, they never saw Jesus again in Galilee and they went back to their previous life. If the answer is yes, then they saw him in Galilee and reconciled with him after all their incomprehension. This ending reflects at least three things: a) Jesus appeared to the disciples in Galilee and reconciled with them. He forgave their abandonment and made them his followers again. b) The disciples, when seeing the resurrection of Jesus, finally understood his true identity and destiny: Messiah and Son of God. c) The disciples, after seeing the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, finally understood that the essence of discipleship is service, like it was in the public activity of Jesus.

III. THE DISCIPLES AND THE TWELVE

In Marks gospel, the term disciples (from Greek mathets: 46 times) normally refers to the twelve men Jesus chose to follow him. They are not two different groups, the disciples and the twelve, but just one. However, the disciples of Jesus are more than twelve, but these ones represent everything that a good disciple should be. Among the twelve, Peter, James, and John form the inner circle of the disciples (1:16-20; 5:37; 9:2; 13:3; 14:33). Peter is the leader of the twelve (1:16-20.29-31.36-37; 3:13-19; 8:29.32-33; 10:28; 14:29-31.54; 14:6672). In Marks gospel, there are other followers of Jesus, but they are never called disciples. They are a distinctive group in between the twelve and the crowd that follow Jesus. Lets see who they are: 9

Mk 2:15: After Levis calling: many tax collectors and sinners were also Jesus followers; Levi should be included in this group. Mk 3:32.34: His family is looking for him. Jesus, looking at those sitting around him, said that those who do Gods will are his family. Mk 4:10: the twelve and others who formed his company asked Jesus about the meaning of the parables. Mk 9:38-40: The person casting out unclean spirits in Jesus name. Mk 10:46-52: The blind Bartimaeus follows Jesus after his healing. Mk 15:40-41: The women who were present at the crucifixion.

These followers of Jesus form a big group; are closely related to the twelve; enjoy a private relationship with Jesus and receive his special teachings; are the true family of Jesus.

IV. WHAT DO THE TWELVE REPRESENT IN MARKS GOSPEL?

We cannot deny that the number twelve, used to designate the group of the disciples of Jesus, is deeply rooted in Israels history and refers to the twelve tribes that formed the whole nation. In Marks gospel, we cannot find any text that probes the connection between the twelve disciples and the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew and Luke show the connection). Therefore, what is the meaning of twelve in Jesus mind? 4.1. The election of the twelve. This election is a historical fact in Jesus life. This group did not have a relevant role in the life of the Early Christian Church and disappeared very soon (even the names of the twelve are not the same in the synoptic gospels). However, it is impossible that Jesus chose these twelve men by luck This number must have a hidden symbolism in relation with Israel. 4.2. The twelve and the eschatological Israel. The origin of twelve comes from the twelve sons of Jacob (Genesis 29:31-30:24). Their descendants formed the twelve tribes (Gen 35:23-26; Ex 1:2-4; Nm 26:5-51; Deut 33) that sealed a covenant with God in the Sinai desert and became the nation of Israel, Gods holy people (Ex 24:4).

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The number twelve is deeply related to the eschatological hope. Although nine of the twelve tribes were lost forever after the war with Assyria, the prophets still keep the hope that one day Gods nation will be gathered under the twelve tribes again (Is 49:6; Jer 30:3; Ez 45:8; Mi 7:12; Sir 36:10; 48:10). For this reason most of the experts have always seen a connection between the number twelve of the disciples and the prophets hope for Gods restoration of the twelve tribes that formed Israel. Consequently, according to many experts, the twelve disciples represent the new people of God, his holy nation. Others, deny this relation because Mark does not offer any textual evidence or proof. 4.3. Why did not Mark emphasize the symbolism of the twelve? It is evident that for Mark there is a connection between the twelve and the eschatological Israel of the twelve tribes. He did not emphasize this relationship because it could mean to put limits to the universal mission of Jesus, which since the beginning was directed not only to the people of Israel, but to the nations of the whole world (gentiles).

V. WHAT IS THE PROFILE OF A TRUE DISCIPLE?

5.1. Receives a special calling: Jesus takes the initiative in calling his disciples: he looks for them (1:16-20) and chooses those he wants (3:13). Jesus is the one who calls and those called can accept or reject his calling. Nobody can become a disciple of Jesus if he does not receive the call they just can be followers or sympathizers of Jesus. We have little information about their social conditions: fishermen, tax collectors, zealots They were just normal people. 5.2. Jesus companion (3:14): They were chosen to be always with Jesus and have a close relationship (familiarity and intimacy). He wants to share his life with them in order to understand the meaning of his words and actions. In the gospel, when Jesus leaves the crowd, he is always in the company of his disciples (see 3:9; 4:36; 6:31; 7:17). They go with him to the synagogue, to the mountain, to his house; they witness his miracles and listen to his teachings. He wants to show them his true identity and mission (Messiah and Son of God). In conclusion, there are no secrets among them They are the true family of Jesus because they do the will of God (3:31-35). 5.3. Leaves everything behind (1:18.20; 10:28): The disciples of Jesus are those who put everything behind to follow him (family, profession, riches). They are willing to give up or sacrifice everything in order to have Jesus. Their last sacrifice is to renounce themselves (8:34), which means forgetting about themselves and their needs, to 11

empty themselves of the teachings and traditions of their society and religion, in order to put their lives in Gods hands and let him fill them with his divine values. They will receive their reward: they will receive a hundred times as much as they have left (including persecutions) in the present time and eternal life in the world to come (10:30). 5.4. Receives private teachings or instructions: Jesus explains to the disciples in private those topics hard to understand: the mystery of the kingdom of God (4:10-13); teaching of purity and impurity (7:1718); the disciples were unable to drive an unclean spirit out (9:28-29); the danger of riches (10:23-27) 5.5. Chosen for a mission: Jesus elected the twelve to make them fishers of people (1:17) and send them to proclaim the message with power to drive out devils (3:14). Later, Mark describes the sending of the twelve on a preaching mission with authority over unclean spirits (6:7-13) and the success they achieved (6:30). They were given specific instructions regarding how to fulfill the mission: a) two by two: they are true witnesses of what they preach and form a loving fraternity; b) travel light: they must be completely free from everything, not attachments, and put their trust and confidence in Gods providence; c) behavior in front of rejection: they must actively highlight that they are rejecting an important message for their lives (shake the dust off their shoes) as a final warning for them in order to provoke a positive reaction. This day they became missionaries. However, their mission begins in Israel, but their final destination is universal: to proclaim the gospel to all the nations (13:10; 14:9; 16:15). 5.6. Given Jesus authority: In Marks gospel, there is no mention of the twelve being the hierarchy of the Church or given special powers to govern it. Even though Peter is the most relevant disciple, and James and John appear often with him, all of them still do not have authority over the other disciples. In Marks view, the disciples must be equal, live in fraternity, and be the servants of all: who is the greatest (9:3337); sit in his glory at his right and left (10:37). The only authority the twelve/disciples receive is the power to cast out unclean spirits during their missionary work (3:15; 6:7). Being witnesses of Jesus teachings and actions is not enough, they need themselves his transforming power to show that the kingdom of God had already arrived to the world. 5.7. The importance of service: Service is the essence of true discipleship. A disciple should not aim for glory, power, riches or authority, but put himself at the service of all and become the servant/slave of all; become the smallest in the community (like a 12

child, see 9:35-37) and ready to sacrifice his life for them (10:35-45). They must follow Jesus example that came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (10:45).

VI. DO THE TWELVE/DISCIPLES FIT THAT PROFILE?

6.1. Negative portrait of the disciples: texts Mk 1:36-37: Jesus went to pray and the disciples want him to go back and keep making miracles for the crowd: lack of missionary spirit. Mk 4:10-13: They do not understand the meaning of the parables. Mk 4:40: During a storm, they are on a boat terrified, afraid of drowning, because they have no faith (Jesus is with them). Mk 5:31: The disciples rebuke him for asking about the person who touched his clothes while surrounded by a large crowd. Mk 6:36-37: During the first feeding, the disciples want Jesus to dismiss the crowd because they do not have money to buy food. Mk 6:49-52: When seeing Jesus walking on water, they were terrified because they thought he was a ghost. Mk 7:18: They do not understand Jesus teaching about what makes a person pure or impure. Mk 8:4: During the second feeding, the disciples do not know where to get enough food to satisfy such a large crowd. Mk 8:14-21: They have only a loaf of bread on the boat and Jesus is talking about the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod; they believe he is saying that because they did not bring enough bread. Mk 8:31-33: During the first prediction of the passion, Peter rebuked Jesus for telling that he was going to suffer and die. Mk 9:5: During the transfiguration, Peter wants to stay on the mountain; he does not want to follow the way to the cross. Mk 9:28-29: The disciples could not cast out an evil spirit from a boy because the have no faith and lack of prayer. Mk 9:30-32: During the second prediction of the passion, they still do not understand the meaning of his words. Mk 9:33-34: They are discussing among them who is the greatest. Mk 9:38: They want to stop an exorcist to drive out demons in Jesus name because he is not one of his disciples. Mk 10:13-14: The disciples rebuke people who want their children to be blessed by Jesus. Mk 10:24-26: They do not understand his teaching about riches. 13

Mk 10:37: James and John want Jesus to give them a seat at his right and left in his glory. Mk 14:4-5: They rebuked Jesus for accepting the expensive perfume of a woman, instead of selling it and give the money to the poor. Mk 14:10-11: Judas promises to hand Jesus over to the priests. Mk 14:28-31: Jesus predicts that Peter and the other disciples soon will deny knowing him. Mk 14:37.41. At the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to pray for three times, but they fell asleep for three times. Mk 14:44-45: Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Mk 14:50: After the betrayal all the disciples ran away. Mk 14:66-72: Peter denies knowing Jesus for three times. Mk 16:7-8: After seeing a young man (angel) at the empty tomb, the women failed to communicate his message for the disciples.

6.2. Positive portrait of the disciples: texts Mk 1:16-20: The disciples accepted Jesus calling to follow him and to become fishers of men before seeing any miracle. They believed in Jesus word, generously left everything (family, profession, property, village), and followed him (see also 10:28). Mk 3:13-19: From among his disciples, Jesus chose twelve to be with him and to send them to preach they accepted his invitation. Mk 6:7-13.30: Jesus gathered the twelve and sent them to preach with the authority to expel unclean spirits. The mission was very successful. The disciples never stop following Jesus until the final failure (4:36; 5:1; 6:1.53; 8:22; 9:30.33; 10:32.46; 11:1) and obey his commands (4:45-46; 8:6-7; 9:20; 11:2-7; 14:12-26) even when facing the opposition of hostile forces (3:6.22.31; 6:26a.14-29; 7:1-5; 8:11.31; 9:14.31; 10:2-9.33-34; 11:18.27-33; 12:1-27; 13:8-23; 14:1-2). Mk 3:34-35: The disciples are the family of Jesus because do Gods will. Mk 4:10-13: To them was revealed the secret of the kingdom of God. The disciples collaborate in his mission by doing the tasks Jesus assigns them: find a boat (3:9); find a colt (11:7); seek and prepare a room to celebrate the Passover (14:16); distribute the loaves among the crowd (6:41; 8:6); go with him to the Garden of Gethsemane (14:37), but fall asleep. 14

They always show their willingness to help Jesus and to learn from their mistakes; the only problem is that they think like human beings think and forget to think like God does. Mk 8:29: Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, even though he fails to understand that his way leads to the cross. Mk 14:27: Jesus predicts Judas betrayal and the desertion of the rest (14:50), but also the promise that Jesus, after his resurrection, will see them again in Galilee (14:28). This is a promise of restoration of friendship and hope. The fact that the women did not say anything to the disciples (16:8), it does not mean that the disciples did not see Jesus in Galilee, but only that it was not written here. Mark does not tell us the final result of the events, but the readers know the disciples transmitted to the world the resurrection of Jesus.

6.3. Conclusions about the portrait of the disciples 1. The twelve/disciples are not a hostile group against Jesus. At first, they welcomed generously and obediently his calling and mission, but later failed to understand his identity and destiny, and deserted him at the moment of his passion and death. However, Jesus promised to restore his friendship with them after the resurrection. There is hope for them Jesus will call them again to be his disciples and to send them to preach. 2. There is no happy ending in Marks gospel: they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid (16:8). Jesus promised to see the disciples again in Galilee, but women failed to deliver the message of the young man at the tomb. Discipleship could fail because of fear or cowardice. The gospel has an opened ending both a positive or negative response is possible. The disciples answered positively by believing in the resurrection of Jesus and bringing his good news to the ends of the world. Now, the readers of the gospel have to make their own decision about Jesus and it will determine the authenticity of their life style and fulfillment of their beliefs. 3. In other words, the reader of Marks gospel is invited to embrace the positive side of the disciples and reject the negative side. The reader could have the same defects and fears, and fail in the same areas Therefore, the example of the disciples should stimulate him to avoid their failures by repenting and believing in the true Jesus, the Messiah and the Son of God. Then, he should follow him on the way to the cross with the certainty that after death there is resurrection.

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4. In Marks gospel there are other minor characters who succeeded where the twelve/disciples failed: a) Bartimaeus (10:46-52): follows Jesus on the way to the cross; b) Simon, the Cyrenian (15:21): takes Jesus cross; c) the poor widow (12:4144): offered all her money to the Temple as a symbol of her trust and confidence in God; d) the woman at Bethany (14:3-9): the generosity towards Jesus; e) the Roman centurion (15:39): a gentile recognized Jesus as the Son of God at the feet of the cross.

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