16 Joost Smit Sibinga Mark 14:1-2: 67 3-5: 69 + 69 = 138 [= 3 x 46] 6-9: 141 10-11: 68 | 276 | 414 syllables [= 9 x 46] The incident in Simon’s house, v. 3-5, uses one third, all the rest two thirds of the sum-total of 414 syllables. 276, it should be remembered, is the triangular number of 23.28 9.4 The name Jesus occurs once in Mark 14:6 and after this only in 14:18. What is its position? syllables words Mark 14:1-2: 67 34 3-5: 138 | 205 58 | 92 6a: ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς: 4 3 εἶπεν: 2 1| 4 6b-9: 135 62 10-11: 68 | 205 | 414 s. 30 | 92 | 188 words The mention of Jesus’ name in v. 6a is at the centre of the syllable design, and an analysis of the word composition shows the phrase ‘and Jesus said’ to be in exactly this position.29 10 This use of two times 92 words and three plus six times 46 syllables (see the 138 + 276 = 414 syllables) - not to mention the size of the Amen- saying in Mark 14:9 - invites a short excursus about two consecutive passages in the gospel of John. Intermezzo: John 2:1-11 and 12-22 10.1 The story of the (first) Miracle of Cana, John 2:1-11, offers an interesting parallel to Mark14:1-11.30 Its composition is reflected in the following survey: 28 See Acts 27:37 and M.D. Goulder, Type and History in Acts, London: S.P.C.K., 1964, p. 229-230 on associations and possible ‘significance’ of the number 276. 29 One may compare the parallel in the fourth gospel, John 11:55-12:11. For N(arrative) and D(iscourse) the story uses 400 [+ 2] + 90 = 490 [+ 2] s. - see the [ ] in 12:4 and 9. Jesus speaks only in v. 7b, that is after 350 [+ 1] s., with 140 [+ 1] s. to follow. The position of Jesus’ first words, ἄφες αὐτήν in v. 7b, within D is: 43 + 4 + 43 = 90 s. 30 Cf. M.J.J. Menken, Numerical Literary Techniques in John (NovTS 55), Leiden: Brill, 1985, p. 72-80. Two remarks: (a) In John 2:5 many editions print ὅ τι ἄν ... This is to be read