Jonathan Rivett Robinson, Markan Typology: Miracle, Scripture and Christology in Mark 4:35-6:45 (London: T&T Clark, 2023), 63.
In Mark’s Gospel there are no visible indications of ontological divinity, with the possible exception of the transfiguration in Mark 9:2–7. Wrede comments, ‘To be sure the story of the transfiguration does show . . . the glory or majesty of Jesus; this is, something supramundane which has no place in the earthly life of Jesus’. Mark 9:2 isthe only instance where Jesus appears to give any signals as to a theio-morphology. But, its temporary nature implies it does not represent an ongoing ontological state. It also highlights the lack of ontological signals in the rest of the Gospel. Jesus’ transfiguration does conform to several aspects of the ontological transformations discussed above, but unlike that in Joseph and Asenath, Philo and Paul, Jesus’ change is not given any commentary in the text. The lack of description of an agent enrobing Jesus (9:2–3) may suggest an inherent state or ability of Jesus being revealed rather than being temporarily given. In my view, this is the point in Mark’s Gospel most inviting of an incarnational interpretation. Yet it must be recognized that it is only one possible implication and it is far from certain. Further, if this implication was accepted then neither is it clear who or what exactly has been incarnated, because Mark makes no reference to any preexistent state. Despite the tantalizing hint of a divine ontology, I must conclude that Mark 9:2–7 is more interested in the scriptural typology evoked by Jesus’ radiance than any possible ontological implications of it.
The Amateur Exegete 