Humor in the Midst of Mark applies methods developed in humor studies to explore how the Gospel of Mark uses incongruity and humor in the miracle accounts in Mark 4:35–6:6. By positioning the gospel within the broader context of comedic texts from antiquity, Jon Carman explores the social, psychological, and pedagogical effects that humor may have had on ancient audiences of Jesus followers as they encountered performances of the gospel. Carman’s study demonstrates that humor studies offers a new window into reading and understanding characterization and Christology not only in the Gospel of Mark but also in other early Christian texts.

Jon Carman works in higher-education religious life. His research focuses on the areas of humor studies and the Gospel of Mark as well as wealth ethics in early Christianity. His articles have appeared in the Journal for the Study of the New Testament and the Journal for the Study of the Old Testament. Additionally, he is the author of several invited chapters for edited volumes on humor in early Christian literature.