3/17/2019 Guide for Writing an Exegesis of a Gospel Pericope

Guide for Writing an Exegesis of a Gospel Pericope

R. C. Flores, SVD
A. Content

1. Context.
Choose one reliable translation to work on (NAB, NRSV, NJB, or NEB). Read your pericope. Locate
your pericope both within the immediate context of the basic division of the book and the overall structural units
of the book. You may have to read a couple of chapters to get the sense of the functions of the pericope in the
wider unit. Look for key words and transitions in making your determination of the parameters of the pericope.
In short, you have to ask the question, where should the pericope properly begin and where should it end?
Example: The story of the healing of Simon’s Mother-in-Law (Mark 1:29-31)

Why should the pericope begin in v. 29 Mark 1:29 As soon as they left the
and not in v. 28? Why should it end in v.31 synagogue, they entered the house of
Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30
and not in v. 32? Notice that the story Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with
is enclosed by the word “left” (colored red)a fever, and they told him about her at
and that v. 32 is a new story indicated by once. 31 He came and took her by the hand
a new setting: “When it was evening.” and lifted her up. Then the fever left
A day for the Jews begins at her, and she began to serve them. (NRSV)
sunset.

2. Literary Outline.
Outline your pericope. Avoid using a commentary but read and discern its literary structure yourself.
Notice that the sample pericope (Mark 1:29-31) is a miracle story with a plot. Hence, we can use the structure of
a story to outline the text.

Text Box: A. Introduction 1. Setting: They left the synagogue to the

house (v. 29a). 2. Characters: “They” = Jesus, Simon, Andrew, James,
John, Simon’s mother-in-law (vv. 29b-30a). B. Conflict: Simon’s mother-
in-law sick with a fever (v. 30b) C. Climax: Jesus’ response (v. 31a) D.
Outcome (Denouement): 1. The fever left her (v. 31b) 2. She began to
serve them (v. 31c).

3. Questions on the Text.

List your questions or
problems on the text, words or expressions which you not understand, or the sequence of the story which is not
clear to you. Examples from Mark 1:29-31:
a. What is the literary form of this pericope (form criticism)?
b. Does this miracle story belong to the time of Jesus (stage 1), or to the early church (stage 2) or a
composition of the evangelist (stage 3)?
c. If it is the evangelist’s composition, what’s the purpose of his story? Who could be the original
audience (redaction criticism)?
d. Did Mark have another source in making this story, like oral tradition, Old Testament stories, or
stories outside the biblical literature (source criticism)?
e. Are there expressions or words that are difficult to understand (philological criticism)? Examples:
1) Synagogue?
2) Why is the name Simon used not Peter?
3) Why are only the four names of the disciples mentioned and not all?

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3/17/2019 Guide for Writing an Exegesis of a Gospel Pericope

4) Why was Jesus needed to be told that someone is sick? Was he not aware since he was with
the group?
5) Why was the mother-in-law of Simon not named?
6) Why was the fever seemed to be personified that it “left” the sick person?
7) What is the meaning of “she served them?” Did she become their waiter?
f. You can also ask questions from the point of view of culture.
1) What is the meaning of sickness in that culture? What are the causes of illnesses?
2) What are the roles of the mothers-in-law in that culture (feminist hermeneutics)?

4. Exegesis
These questions can be answered by consulting reliable commentaries (see the commentaries on reserve
under my name at the Rizal). Consult, at least, three commentaries and try to present their exegesis in this
section in view of the questions you’ve raised. Commentators may not agree on the meaning of a particular verse
or passage. Choose which your group thinks as the best argued and most logical exegesis. Of course, justify why
you prefer that interpretation over the others.

5. Conclusion:
Conclusion is normally divided into two parts: summary and relevance. Summarize, in your words, the
insights found in your exegesis research. State its relevance by articulating its significance to the present.

B. Form and Style

1. For footnote and bibliographical entries, use Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers,
Theses, and Dissertations, 6th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996).

3. How to cite the bible. Click here.

2. Minimum: 6 pages; Maximum: 20 pages.

Page size: 8.5/11in, white, good quality bond paper.
Spacing: DOUBLE (not 1.5)
Font: Times New Roman; Size: 12
Margin: Left = 1.5 inches; Right = 1 inch ; Top and Bottom (1 inch)
Tab: 10 spaces
Pagination: Top right. Page number should be invisible on the first page.
Ink: black

3. Typographical and grammatical errors must be reduced to the barest minimum, better absolutely no
errors.

4. Your title page should look like this. Click here.

5. Deadline: 29 September 2005, class time. Late submission means failure.

Section G = 9:00 am
Section H = 10:30 am

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