Mark uses a number of different literary techniques to present his account of the life of Jesus. One of these techniques has become known as the ‘Markan Sandwich’. This is the technique whereby Mark interrupts a story with what appears to be an unrelated story.
Eg. Ch 5. The healing of Jairus’ daughter is interrupted with the the healing of the lady with the haemorrhage. Markan Sandwiches appear in the following locations.
Mark 3:20–35; 4:1–20; 5:21–43; 6:7–30; 11:12–21; 14:1–11; 14:17–31; 14:53–72; 15:40–16:8.
The present reading (Mark 6:14-19)is the ‘filling within’ the Markan Sandwich. The ‘bread’, as it were, is the sending out of the disciples.
