Admiratio: The Principle of Wonder in the Gospel of Mark Interpreted Through Josef Pieper’s Philosophy

Abstract

This article proposes a reading of the Gospel according to Mark through the lens of the category of wonder (admiratio), understood as a theological and spiritual disposition essential to the Christian experience. Mark's narrative is marked by episodes of astonishment at the figure of Jesus, whose authority and actions provoke awe in disciples, crowds, and adversaries. Wonder, far from being a mere narrative device, is presented as a path to faith. The analysis draws upon philosophical and theological traditions — from Plato and Aristotle to Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Josef Pieper — which conceive of admiration as the origin of knowledge and the beginning of wisdom. In particular, Pieper highlights wonder as a contemplative posture and openness to mystery, in contrast to the modern logic of productivity. In this sense, the Gospel of Mark does not aim to explain the mystery of Christ, but to provoke in the reader an experience of awe that disposes them to faith. The text concludes that admiratio is more than a fleeting emotion: it is an existential structure that sustains one’s gaze and inaugurates the path of wisdom.