Chapter 4 of Mark’s Gospel may thought of as describing the settled life of the

Qumran Community after the time of persecution has passed. Mark’s Parables of

the Kingdom would then reflect the stages of spiritual development in the life of

the Essenes. The ultimate outcome hoped for in that case is the inbreaking of the

Kingdom of God with the Essenes victorious as the only true Israel. Mark adapts

this scenario to the story of Jesus.

© Sidney A. Martin II

April 23, 2001

The Teacher of Righteousness reveals the mysteries hidden in scripture	The Mysteries of the Kingdom of God are likewise revealed by Jesus
The Teacher instructs the Many on the shores of the Dead Sea. The Teacher interprets scripture as allegory i.e., as containing hidden truths. “Through me you have enlightened the face of the Many…for you have shown me your wondrous mysteries.” (1QH XII 27-8) God has hidden the Teacher from the sons of man and concealed the Law within him until the moment of revealing God’s salvation through him. God has given his chosen ones the wisdom and knowledge concealed from others. The Essenes promise to preserve the secrets teachings of their sect and conceal them from outsiders, who “know not the mystery to come, nor do they understand the things of the past. They know not that which shall befall them, nor do they save their soul from the mystery to come.” (1QMyst I 3-4;1QS VIII 11-6; XI 5-7; 1QH IX 21-3; XIII 11-2; XVII 23-4; CD I 1-II 22;War 2 §136,141) Four types of people come to Qumran to test their vocation. How receptive they are to the message hidden in scripture depends on their spiritual nature as predetermined by God. When the Word falls on the secular road, is it a lost cause. Those with rocky souls may at first respond, but with no depth to their spiritual soil, the hidden Word does not take root. Worldly desires may choke even the devout. But those which God has predestined to be the Sons of His Truth are fertile soil and produce an abundance of esoteric Bible interpretation. (1QS III 13 – IV 26; XI 5-9; 1QM XVII 8-9; CD II 2-17; 4Q Horoscope)	Jesus instructs the Great Crowd on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus teaches in “parables”, which here means in allegories. (4:2) “Listen!” Jesus says, and tells them the parable of the sower. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (2-9) Jesus teaches them the Word allegorically as they are able to hear. To his disciples he explains everything in private. “To you is given the mystery of the Kingdom of God.” Those on the outside, however, see and hear without understanding, lest they reform and be forgiven. “Don’t you understand this allegory about the Sower?” he asks rhetorically. “Then how will you understand any allegory?” If this is an allegory about interpreting allegorically, then it follows that if you can’t understand even that much, you won’t be able to interpret anything allegorically. (10-13,33) The sower sows the Word of God. The seed that falls on the road and is eaten by the birds is the Word which is lost. Some falls on the rocks and dries up in the hot sun. This is the Word which is received with joy but when troubles arise, it has no roots. Other “seed” falls on the thorns and is choked out by the cares of this world and the hope for riches and other desires. When the spiritual “seed” falls on good soil and bears rich fruit, however, it is like those who hear the Word and receive it and produce manifold results. (3-8, 15-20)
The process of interpreting scripture under the Teacher’s guidance continues. Interpreting scripture is carried on even at night. “And the Congregation shall watch in community for a third of every night of the year, to read the Book and to Study Law and to pray together.” The mysteries God has concealed are revealed through the Teacher. “Through your glory, my light becomes visible, for from darkness you make my light shine.” (1QS VI 6-8; XI 3-6, 15-9;1QH XIII 11-2; XVII 23-6; 4Q427 Frag. 7 I 18-9) As each man speaks in turn and contributes his wisdom to the community, the others remain silent and listen. According to the measure of their knowledge, they will be honored, one more than another. “I will cause each man to draw near in accordance with his understanding, and according to the greatness of his inheritance, so will I love him.” (1QS V 23 - VI 13, 25-7; IX 12-20;1QH VI 18-9; X 18-9; War 2 §§141-2,145,150)	Jesus tells parables about how to interpret parables allegorically. “Don’t put the olive oil lamp under a tub,” to put it out for the night, he says, “or under the bed,” to serve as a night light, “but put it up on a lampstand” so that it may light up the room through the night. “For there is nothing hidden which will not be brought to light and nothing concealed which will not be revealed.” (21-23) “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” Jesus tells them. “Pay attention to what you are hearing! With what measure you measure it will be measured to you and increased. For to him who has, more will be given, and he who has not, even what he has will be taken from him.” (23-24)
The spiritual perfection of the Community is the ultimate outcome. The process of interpreting the Scripture based on the Teacher’s unorthodox methodology continues. Where there are ten, there shall never lack a man among them who shall study the Law continually, day and night, until the end comes. (1QS IV 18-21; VI 6-7; VIII 14-6) The Community at Qumran is quite small, but from this group of two or three hundred members, the Kingdom of God will grow and in the end take over the whole world. (1QH XIV 8-10, 29-32; 1pHab V 1-6; 1QM XV 1-2; XVI 1; CD I 1 – II 22; 4QpPs^a II 9-11; III 8-13)	The seed bears fruit as the result of the natural process of growth. The Kingdom of God is like when a man throws seed on the ground and then goes to bed and gets up, day in and day out. The seed grows of its own accord, and when it is ripe, it is harvested. (26-29) The Kingdom of God may be compared to a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds but when it is sown it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants and puts out branches so that the birds of heaven may find shelter in its shade. (30-32)
An earthquake ends this period of settlement on the Dead Sea. The Teacher of Righteousness by now has died. He is no longer able to aid them when in 31 BC an earthquake damages the buildings, and the Essenes are forced to abandon the settlement. (Ant. 15 § 121-2) Huge waves are generated on the Dead Sea and water from the cisterns flood the settlement. The Teacher’s successor as Interpreter of the Law takes over and reassures them that God is on their side. (CD VII 18-20)	A storm at sea marks the end of Jesus’ work on the Sea of Galilee When evening comes, the disciples leave the crowd behind and take Jesus “just as he is”, asleep in the boat. A fierce storm (Mt. 8:24 “seismos” = earthquake) comes up. The waves almost swamp the boat. “Teacher!” they cry. “Don’t you care if we’re destroyed?” Jesus quiets the storm. “Why are you so afraid?” he asks. “Do you still have no faith?” The disciples are in awe. Even the wind and waves obey him. (35-41)

The principles laid down at the founding of the Community have now come to fruition. By the process of esoteric Bible interpretation following the Teacher’s allegorical technique, the secrets of salvation long concealed from mankind have been revealed to the Sons of Truth. In time, so the theory goes, the Kingdom of God will be established. This Golden Age comes to an end with the earthquake in 31 BC, which forces the Essenes to abandon their settlement, which will not be reoccupied until the death of Herod in 4 BC.