Das Messiasgeheimnis und die Spruchquelle

The Messianic Secret and the Sayings Source Q: The article represents a new way of looking at the complexity with regard the “Messianic Secret” as a tribute to William Wrede, who was born almost 150 years ago. Wrede advocated a literary and historical solution to the Messianic Secret found in the Synoptic Gospels. The article aims to resolve the riddle by also taking the Sayings Source Q into consideration. Q is seen as located in the disciple group of John the Baptist and this group's adherents. The article argues that Mark developed the Messianic Secret as theme to adapt the unmessianic message of Q. As effect, Mark initiated a “christological” use of this motif within the church. The thesis of the article represents a modification that is a progression of some of the author's earlier opinions. HTS Theological Studies Vol. 64 (1) 2008: pp. 353-37