which is given its Roman technical meaning. The episode took place within the Roman Empire. The Romans could intervene. “Having entered into the herd of pigs (which Jews were not permitted to eat, Lev. .; Deut. .), the Roman “legion” of unclean spirts, in a military image, charged into the sea and were destroyed, alluding to the destruction of Pharaoh’s army in Israel’s Exodus deliverance (Ex. .)” Again, “The people were apprehensive that Jesus had disrupted their delicately balanced adjustment to the alien possession.”94 I am not convinced though my argument would not be affected. As early as Plautus,95 the term ‘legion’ was used simply to designate a large number. And the connection with the Exodus seems tenuous. There may be a further dimension to the episode. Mark’s Jesus’ message was decidedly not to the Gentiles. And the hostility was connected to uncleanliness associated with swine. According to Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiae ., Mark was an interpreter of Peter and wrote down accurately as much as Peter related of the sayings and doings of Jesus. It was Peter above all who brought Jesus’ message to the Gentiles, but there was a difficulty to be overcome; Gentiles ate forbidden food. For Peter a vision was necessary. Acts . ff.: X About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “by no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice said to him again, a 94 Honsley, loc. cit. 95 Casina50; Mostellaria1047.
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