Being with Jesus and Being Sent Out

Abstract

Mark 3:13-19 is key to understanding discipleship in the Gospel of Mark. Discipleship as an important theme in the gospel plays out in how Jesus constituted the group that would become his closest companions. The pericope presents the discipleship mandate as the reason for the call of the twelve. Focusing specifically on Mark 3:13-15, which we consider the heart of the narrative, we can show that Jesus intended unity and mission to be two essential components of the identity and vocation of his followers. He called the twelve “to be with him” (unity) and “to be sent out” (mission). These two are therefore mutually constitutive and the raison d’être of the Jesus community. The communion (koinonia) resulting from being with Jesus is Christian witness, and there could be no authentic mission (martyria) without unity. In their mission, the twelve will preach and have authority to cast out demons, thus capturing the aspect of diakonia that must accompany Christian proclamation and witness.