One of the tasks of biblical studies is to explain and make biblical texts accessible for different audiences. In doing so, different exegetical approaches tell different stories about the same biblical text. This article analyses exegetical stories about Simon’s mother-in-law (Mark 1.31) from the perspectives of historical-critical, socio-historical, feminist, depth-psychological (tiefenpsychologische), and cultural-scientific (kulturwisschenschaftliche) exegesis. Simon’s house as a place, the mother-in-law as a character, and the phrase “and she was serving them” (1:31) are examined within the narrative and in the context of the entire Gospel of Mark. It becomes clear that “serving” and “following”

are not opposites, but two sides of the same coin. … Download PDF to read more.