form of execution by crucifixion. And finally, there is no parallel in other bios-accounts to the liberating and reconciling effect of the hero’s death. Barnett’s observations also support the notion that the Gospel account as bios is both historical witness and proclamation. A final important observation regarding bios is that the character of its hero is often intended to be imitated by the reader/hearer.9 This raises the intriguing question as to what degree the very genre of Mark’s account hints