Insider and outsiders

Insiders and outsiders

Here is the other end of the ‘sandwich’ which began in verses 20–21; the family have arrived. At the same time, a further layer is added to the sandwich, in that the inner circle of the disciples, whose call was narrated just before the family were introduced, now return to the scene, and in this final tableau of chapter three the two groups are memorably placed in contrast. Mark thus wraps up a comprehensive portrayal of the differing levels of response to Jesus: outright hostility (the scribes), well-meaning scepticism (the family) and enthusiastic commitment (the disciples)…