In this matter it is essential to distinguish between what Mark
thought of Jesus and what Jesus thought of himself. The two
concepts must be in continuity, but with the deepening of
understanding of the nature and significance of the life, death
and resurrection of Jesus, and with the particular circumstances
of Mark's community, different aspects may well come to the
fore. To begin with, Mark's gospel is primarily concerned with
the gradual revelation of who Jesus was, whereas, as Morna
Hooker says, 'it is clear that for Jesus himself it was the
proclamation of God's kingdom, not his own messianic status,
that was central' (p. 201). A second caution is also important.
For Christians Jesus is the Word made flesh, the incarnate Son
of God. This understanding of Jesus is, however, the product of
centuries of deepening of understanding. 'Word', 'flesh',
'incarnate' are all terms which have no place in Mark, and 'Son
of God' is an expression which can bear a variety of meanings in
the Old Testament. Mark stands e