The gospel text from Mark this week includes two separate pericopes that are interwoven in a typically Markan manner. This technique, known as "intercalation," is found throughout Mark's gospel. As many as nine of these insertions have been tallied, including 3:19b-35; 4:1-20; 5:21-43; 6:7-29; 11:12-19; 14:1-11; 14:17-31; 14:53-72; 15:40-16:8.

Scholars do not fully agree on Mark's motive behind his method. The Markan practice of beginning one story, breaking off from it to introduce a second complete and apparently unrelated story, then returning to the initial story, has been judged as everything from poor organizational ability and a failure to deftly integrate various traditions, to intentional tension building and subtle, ingenious highlighting of theological motives that underlie Mark…