The Eagle and the Dove: Roman Imperial Sonship and the Baptism of Jesus (Mark 1.9-11)

Abstract

This essay argues that the common understanding of imperial divine sonship among biblical scholars can be reframed by emphasizing the importance of adoption in Roman society and imperial ideology. A case study from the Gospel of Mark-the portrayal of Jesus' baptism-demonstrates some of the pay-off for reading the NT with a newly contextualized perspective on divine sonship. Through engagement with diverse sources from the Hellenistic and Roman eras, the dove will be interpreted as an omen and counter-symbol to the Roman eagle, which was a public portent of divine favor, election, and ascension to power.The new age has a savior figure, the greatest benefactor of all times, the divi filius…the victorious Augustus.-Helmut Koester  Some of the most stimulating recent scholarship in religious studies has been done on the interface between political and religious power, and NT scholarship is no exception. Through publications and conferences, the research on Roman political ideology, emperor worship, and early Christianity is proliferating-and much of it is excellent. To cite only a small sample of recent or representative types, one could note the text-specific studies on the Gospels,  * A version of this essay was presented at the  New England SBL Meeting. Subsequently I received helpful suggestions from many colleagues, especially Adela Yarbro Collins and the anonymous reviewer for NTS.

Mission, identity and ethics in Mark: Jesus, the patron for outsiders

“…In the Roman worldview birds, especially eagles, indicated 'providential favor for the accession to power of the person on or near whom they alighted' (Peppard 2010:445). Peppard (2010) continuous:…”