The Jimmy Akin Podcast #039 Who Was the Young Man Who Ran Away Naked? - Jimmy Akin
Jun 23, 2025
Dive into the fascinating mystery of the young man who fled naked during Jesus's arrest in Mark's Gospel. The discussion unpacks various theories about his identity, including the possibility that he might be Mark himself or even Lazarus. Listeners will be intrigued by the implications of anonymity in a politically charged context. This exploration reveals surprising clues and opens up a dialogue about the significance of this enigmatic figure in biblical narratives.
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Protective Anonymity in Mark
- The young man who fled naked is unique to Mark's Gospel and remains anonymous without mention of his name.
- Mark likely withheld names to protect those who performed seditious acts during Jesus' passion narrative.
Mark Not the Naked Man
- The idea that Mark was the naked young man is a late theory not supported by early tradition or the text.
- Mark's audience wouldn't expect authors to insert themselves anonymously like modern filmmakers do.
The Young Man Was Known Follower
- It’s unlikely the naked young man was a random curious person since authorities only seized known followers.
- The story's preservation suggests he was known within the early Christian community.