Mark 10-11
What I Noticed Today (Mark 10-11)
Mark 10
In verse 1, (See also Matthew 19:1-12), Jesus and the disciples left Capernaum and went into Judea on the west side of the Jordan River.
Note: The phrase “across the Jordan” is an area known as Perea or Transjordan. It was a district ruled by Herod Antipas.
In verses 2-12, crowds of people came to Jesus, and He taught them. Some Pharisees came to Jesus to trap him by asking, is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus answered God’s intention was never for those God had joined together to separate (Genesis 1:27).
Note: Jews had two views on divorce. Some believed Deuteronomy 24:1-4 allowed divorce in the case of marital infidelity. Others believed a man could divorce his wife for almost any reason.
Teaching the disciples privately in the house, Jesus said someone who divorces his wife and remarries commits adultery.
Note: Mark does not include the exception noted in Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9.
In verses 13-16, (See also Matthew 19:13-15), while in the house, people brought little children to Jesus for a blessing. The disciples stopped them thinking it a waste of time. Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
In verses 17-27, (See also Matthew 19:16-26), as Jesus was leaving, a young man ran up and knelt before Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus answered he must keep the commandments (those listed are the second tablet dealing with personal relationships, Exodus 20:12-16). The man said he had kept all these commandments. Jesus told him then sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow Me. The man went away sad because he had many possessions.
In verses 23-31, (See also Matthew 19:23-26), Jesus explained to the disciples that it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Peter said, we have left everything to follow You. Jesus answered whoever sacrifices for Him in this age will be rewarded in the age to come.
Note: The disciples were concerned with worldly rewards, thinking they had given up what they had and therefore deserved some earthly reward. Jesus said their reward would come in their eternal life.
In verses 32-34, (See also Matthew 20:17-19), Jesus predicted His death for the third time. He explained that soon he would be handed over to the chief priests and scribes and be condemned to death. He would be killed and rise again after three days.
In verses 35-45, (See also Matthew 20:20-28), James and John (the sons of Zebedee) came to Jesus asking to be given places of honor when He came into His glory. Jesus answered the Father decides who will sit in these places of honor. When the other ten disciples heard about James’ and Johns’ requests, they were upset. Jesus reminded them they were not to be like the Gentile rulers to use their power to lord it over people. Whoever desires greatness must become a servant. Whoever desires to be first must become a slave to all. He did not come to be served but to serve and to be a ransom for many.
Note: Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross as a ransom for us was the ultimate act of service to mankind.
In verses 46-52, (See also Matthew 20:29-34), as Jesus and the disciples were leaving Jericho, a blind man named Bartimaeus heard Jesus was coming and called out, Son of David, Jesus have mercy on me. When Jesus called to the man, Bartimaeus addressed Jesus as Rabbouni (my Teacher), saying he wished to see. Jesus simply said your faith has healed you. Bartimaeus was healed immediately and began to follow Jesus.
Note: The use of the title “Son of David” suggests Bartimaeus believed Jesus was the prophesied Messiah.
Mark 11
Mark 11 begins the fifth and final section of the Gospel of Mark: Jesus’ ministry in and around Jerusalem during this final week.
Note: Mark arranged the order of events in Mark 11-13 topically more than chronologically.
In verses 1-11, (See also Matthew 21:1-11), Mark describes Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As they approached Bethphage and Bethany, Jesus sent two disciples into the village (probably Bethphage) to borrow a young donkey. They brought the donkey to Jesus, threw their robes over it, and He sat on it. As Jesus rode, many people laid their robes and palm branches in the road. The people cried out, chanting Psalm 118:25-26.
Note: Bethany is where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived and is where Jesus often stayed when He was in Judea.
Jesus went to Jerusalem and into the temple complex. After looking around, he went to Bethany with the disciples.
In verses 12-14, (See also Matthew 21:18-19), the next morning (Monday of Holy Week), on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was hungry and spotting a fig tree he went to it to see if it had any fruit. Finding no fruit, Jesus cursed the tree.
Note: Mark tells us it was not the season for figs, but there should have been edible buds on the tree. Instead, it had only leaves.
Note: The fig tree is a picture of Israel, who had produced no spiritual fruit.
In verses 15-19, (See Matthew 21:12-17), Jesus and the disciples came into Jerusalem the next morning and made their way to the temple area. Jesus threw out the money changers and those carrying goods through the temple complex. Jesus quoted Isaiah 56:7b. The chief priests and scribes heard about this and began to plot how they would kill Him.
Note: There were three kinds of money in circulation at this time: Roman, Greek, and Jewish. Only Jewish money could be used to pay the temple tax, so the money changers were there to exchange Roman and Greek money for Jewish money. Their rates of exchange took advantage of people.
In verses 20-26, (See also Matthew 21:20-22), early the next morning, as Jesus and the disciples were passing by the fig tree again, Peter noted that it was withered. Jesus explained that the absence of doubt and the presence of faith released the power of prayer. Jesus concluded the teaching by saying that we should forgive others while we pray so that our Father in Heaven will also forgive us.
In verses 27-33, as Jesus came into the temple complex on another day (Tuesday), the chief priests, scribes, and elders asked Jesus two questions: 1) By what authority do you do these things, and 2) Who gave you this authority. Jesus said he would answer their questions if they would answer His question: was John’s baptism from heaven or men. They didn’t answer Him because they knew if they said from heaven he would say then why didn’t you believe him. If they said from men, they would arouse the people who believed in John as God’s prophet.
Because they refused to answer Jesus, He refused to answer them.
Some points for additional consideration:
- Can we let go of the idea that we deserve an earthly reward because we served in some way? Rewards in heaven come from our sacrificial service to our fellow man.
- The fig tree did not bear fruit, and it was cursed. Do we bear fruit in season?
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.