Humor in the Midst of Mark

Jon Carman applies methods developed in humor studies to explore how the Gospel of Mark uses incongruity and humor in the miracle accounts in Mark 4:35-6:6. By positioning the gospel within the broader context of ancient comedic texts, Carman explores the social, psychological, and pedagogical effects that humor may have had on audiences of Jesus followers as they encountered performances of the gospel. Carman's study demonstrates that humor studies offers a new window into reading and understanding characterization and Christology not only in the Gospel of Mark but also in other early Christian texts.