Editing Marcan priority (section)

===Hard readings===

Often the differences in Mark from the parallels in Matthew and Luke are "hard readings" ([[Lectio difficilior potior|Lectio Difficilior]]), which seem to portray Jesus or the apostles in a negative light or in ways that a later redactor would likely find uncongenial. Marcan priority argues that these hard readings were more likely original to Mark and then smoothed out or omitted when Matthew and Luke encountered them, rather than added by Mark to accounts lacking them.{{sfnp|Goodacre|2001|pp=65–67, 89–90}}

Notable hard readings unique to Mark include:
* "He was {{em|not able}} to do a miracle there, except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he {{em|was amazed}} because of their unbelief." ({{bibleverse|Mk|6:5–6}}), vs. "He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief." ({{bibleverse|Mt|13:58}}).
* Jesus "healed {{em|many}} who were sick" ({{bibleverse|Mk|1:34}}), vs. "{{em|all}} who were sick" ({{bibleverse|Mt 8:16; Lk 4:40|multi=yes}}).
* "When his family heard this they went out to restrain him, for they said, 'He is out of his mind.'" ({{bibleverse|Mk|3:21}} uniquely).
* In the storm at sea, the disciples ask, "{{em|Don't you care}} that we are about to die?" ({{bibleverse|Mk|4:38}}), vs. "We are about to die!" ({{bibleverse|Mt 8:25; Lk 8:24|multi=yes}}). Jesus replies, "Do you still {{em|have no faith?}}" ({{bibleverse|Mk|4:40}}), vs. "ye of little faith" ({{bibleverse|Mt|8:26}}) or "Where is your faith?" ({{bibleverse|Lk|8:25}}).
* The disciples' "hearts were hardened" ({{bibleverse|Mk 6:52, 8:17–18|multi=yes}} uniquely).
* James and John ask to sit beside Jesus in his kingdom ({{bibleverse|Mk|10:35}}), vs. their mother making the request ({{bibleverse|Mt|20:20}}).
*A hungry Jesus curses a fig tree for lacking fruit (Mark 11:12–14).<ref>{{bibleverse|Mark|11:12–14}}</ref> One scholar notes this not only appears self-serving, but also irrational, as Mark adds that "it was not the season for figs." In contrast, Matthew 21:18–22<ref>{{bibleverse|Matthew|21:18–22}}</ref> interprets the incident as a miracle that shows the power of faith.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://imp.lss.wisc.edu/~rltroxel/gospels/lect4.pdf|title=Early Christian Gospels, Lecture 4: Markan Priority|last=Troxel|first=Ronald L.|date=2007}}</ref>

Marcan posteriority faces the harder task of accounting for these as Marcan changes, but does so by appealing to Mark's fondness for vivid detail and for starkly contrasting Jesus' teachings with the attitudes of those around him.