mission. From that point on, Jesus is viewed as the central actor in the fulfillment of God’s purpose, and so attention centers upon him3. 1.2 In fulfilling his commission, Jesus assumes certain roles in relation to other persons in the narrative, and our understanding of Mark’s narrative Christology will be advanced by considering these role relationships. In addition to Jesus’ relation to God, from whom he receives his commission, four relationships seem most important because they involve either