Texts in Conversation
The Psalms of Solomon portray a future Davidic ruler who is empowered by a holy spirit, wise, and “powerful”, drawing on texts such as in Isaiah. Mark’s Gospel follows this Jewish interpretive tradition in having John the Baptist announce the arrival of a “powerful” one that is coming.
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Psalms of Solomon 17:37
Pseudepigrapha
35 He will strike the earth with the word of his mouth forever; He will bless the Lord's people with wisdom and happiness. 36 And he himself will be free from sin, in order to rule such a great people. He will expose officials and drive out sinners by the strength of his word. 37 And he will not weaken during his reign, relying upon his God, because God will make him powerful by a holy spirit; and wise in intelligent counsel, with strength and righteousness. 38 And the blessing of the Lord will be with him in strength, and it will not weaken. 39 His hope will be in the Lord. Then who can be stronger than he?
Date: 80-30 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Mark 1:7
New Testament
5 People from the whole Judean countryside and all of Jerusalem were going out to him, and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “One more powerful than I am is coming after me; I am not worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 Now in those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River.
Date: 60-75 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
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Notes and References
"... John’s message was about more than a baptism. He pointed the way to one to come after him. He called him “the stronger one to come” (verse 7; Isaiah 11:2; Psalms of Solomon 17:37; 1 Enoch 49:3). The way in which Jesus is strong will be Mark’s burden in his Gospel. In this context, the allusion is vague, to a figure of deliverance in the eschaton, so a messianic figure is likely intended. Luke 3:15–17 is explicit in this regard. The key opponent is less Rome than it is spiritual forces (Mark 3:22–27; 9:14–29). The greatness of the person to come points toward the greatness of the era to come. The image of the stronger one points to someone who can engage in battle and may suggest a regal figure. Another chiasm takes place here (stronger one/I/I/he) ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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