The purpose of this thesis is to study the discipleship of Mark. For achieving this study purpose, Narrative Criticism was used. Literary technique is one of key elements in Narrative Criticism, because it is associated with the author's intention. The author draws responses from reader through literary technique. Those responses of reader help to reveal the purpose of this thesis.
According to D. Rhoads, the purpose of Mark's narrative is to establish the sovereign of God to rule over the world. 8:27-10:45 is placed in the mid-point of the plot which the possibility of God's ruling shrinks. The verbal motif of 'road' refers to 'God's Way' and here, 'God's Way' symbolizes to follow Jesus to accomplish God's ruling. However, the disciples reduce the possibility of God's ruling.
In 'God's Way', the author endeavors to make reader true disciples. That is revealed through his literary technique. The author places the frames of the blind of Bethsaida and the blind man, Bartimaeus in the first and the end. That shows what Jesus does on the way to Jerusalem. Jesus tries to open spiritual outlooks of his disciples. That effort is displayed through repeated patterns of framing episodes about the prophecy of Jesus' passion and revival.
The discipleship can be classified into human's perspective and God's perspective. Jesus induces belief, service, self-denial and obedience from the disciples, from God's perspective. This is to make reader think from God's perspective. Reader compare the disciples to minor characters, or identify themselves with them. They also deny human's perspective and finds themselves agreeing with God's perspective. Thus, the purpose of the author for reader is pastoral.