The ritual (de)construction of masculinity in Mark 6 a methodological exploration on the interface of gender and ritual studies

Abstract

Both ritual studies and masculinity studies are relative newcomers to the field of New Testament studies. This article endeavours to combine insights from both of these fields and to show how such a combination can be heuristically helpful. In particular, it explores how the respective masculinities of “king” Herod and Jesus are narratively constructed in Mark 6 through the presentation of their behaviour during their participation in rituals, meals to be exact. The two key female characters are also discussed and analysed, in relation to ritual failure. In doing so, new light is shed on this chapter of the Gospel of Mark. In addition, and experimentally, a new matrix for the analysis of the masculinity/religion interface is presented and tested.