Gospel of Mark Women and Femininity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)

Quote #4

When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." (NRSV 6:22)

And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. (KJV 6:22)

Just how erotic is Herod's pleasure at the dance? A female dancing at a banquet full of men is already suggestive. Add to that the other ancient literary sources with erotic dinners, and we have ourselves an R-rated Bible verse.

Quote #5

Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on." (NRSV 12:43-44)

And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (KJV 12:43-44)

Major props to the widow here, for giving what little she had. But why is she poor in the first place? She's a widow—that is, a woman with no husband to protect and to provide. Ah, ancient world.

Quote #6

Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her. (NRSV 14:9)

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. (KJV 14:9)

This is one prophecy of Jesus that is fulfilled by the very act of reading it. Check it out: Jesus applauds a woman for anointing his head with high-end perfume (14:3-4), saying that we'll be reading about it forever. And here we are, reading it thousands of years later. Pretty cool, but it's not quite up to snuff as far as Women's Lib is concerned. She is after all fawning all over him while he reclines and dines, right?