What I Noticed Today (Mark 12-13)
Mark 12
In verses 1-12, (See also Matthew 21:33-46), Jesus, still speaking to the chief priests and elders, told the parable of the vineyard owner. A landowner developed and planted a vineyard then leased it to some tenants. The landowner sent a slave to collect the rent at harvest time, but they beat the slave and sent him away. The landowner sent a second slave whom they also mistreated and sent away. The landowner sent a third slave whom they killed. The landowner sent more slaves, some they beat, and some they killed.
Finally, the landowner sent his own son, thinking they would respect the son. But the tenants killed the son, hoping to gain an inheritance. Therefore, the vineyard owner will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to someone else. Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22-23. The chief priests and elders knew Jesus was speaking against them, so they plotted to destroy Him.
Note: The three slaves sent to collect the rent represent the prophets God sent to the people of Israel. God sent prophets many times to gather the harvest, but each time they were rejected.
In verses 13-17 (See also Matthew 22:15-22), then the chief priests and elders sent some Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to trap Him by asking whether it was legal to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus knew their intent and asked them to bring a Denarius and asked whose picture was on the coin. They answered Caesar’s. Jesus said then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.
Note: If Jesus had simply answered yes, they would have pictured Jesus as pro-Roman, thus alienating the crowd. But if he said no, they would have characterized Jesus as being a rebel against Rome.
In verses 18-27, (See also Matthew 22:23-33), the Sadducees now came to Jesus attempting to trap Him by asking if a woman marries a man and he dies, and she marries his brother, and this happens seven times, whose wife will she be in the resurrection.
Note: Sadducees were part of the Jewish aristocracy, often priests and members of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish supreme court). They did not believe in the resurrection, God’s future judgment, angels, or spirits. They accepted only the Pentateuch as authoritative and even rejected the traditions set down by the Pharisees.
Jesus answered them, saying they had deceived themselves. They had assumed there would be marriage in heaven, and they did not fully understand the power of God. Jesus quoted Exodus 3:6, which says, “I am the God of…” indicating God still is their God. God is the God of the living, not the dead, suggesting Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still had a relationship with God, confirming there is life after death.
In verses 28-34, (See also Matthew 22:34-40), one of the scribes (teachers of the Law) heard this previous exchange and asked Jesus what is the most important commandment.
Note: Scribes had established a large volume of 613 commandments from the Mosaic Law, some more important than others, some positive (to do), and some negative (not to do).
Jesus answered by quoting the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), saying this was the most important commandment. The second commandment Jesus said is to love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). The scribe admitted that Jesus was correct, and Jesus said the scribe was not far from the kingdom of God (he had spiritual understanding).
Note: To this point, the chief priest, elders, Herodians, and scribes had all attempted to trap Jesus, but He had refuted them all.
In verses 35-37, as Jesus was teaching in the temple, he asked how is that the Messiah is said to be the Son of David, yet David said the Messiah was His Lord. The only possible answer is that the Messiah is descended from David and also His Lord.
Note: Unlike the religious leaders, the crowd listening to Jesus were listening with delight.
In verses 38-40, (See also Matthew 23:1-9), Jesus warned the people about the hypocrisy of the scribes who liked to portray themselves as important, and at the same time, took advantage of widows. They are all show and will receive a harsh judgment.
In verses 41-42, as Jesus was sitting across from the temple treasury, rich people were putting in large sums of money while a widow came and dropped two small coins into the treasury. Jesus said this woman had given more because she had given out of her poverty all she had, while the rich had given out of their surplus.
Note: The widow displayed great trust in God by giving everything she had. She was trusting God to supply her needs.
Mark 13
Mark 13 is known as the Olivet Discourse because it was Jesus’ teaching given on the Mount of Olives.
In verse 1-2, (See also Matthew 24:1-3), as Jesus was leaving the temple, a disciple remarked about the temple stones, and Jesus said not one stone would be left on top of another.
In verses 3-8, Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olive across from the temple complex. Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus when this destruction he spoke of would happen. Jesus warned them not be deceived about those claiming to be Him. Signs of the beginning of the end include wars, earthquakes, and famine.
In verses 9-13, (See also Matthew 24:9-14), Jesus warned the disciples they would face persecution, be handed over to the Sanhedrin (local courts), they would be flogged and brought before governors, and kings as a witness to them. The disciples were not to worry about what to say when they were arrested because the Holy Spirit would speak for them. They would be hated by everyone, even their own families, because of their faith in Jesus, but if they persevere, they will be delivered in the end.
In verses 14-23, (See also Matthew 24:15-28), Jesus continued teaching, saying when they see the abomination of desolation (a reference to Daniel 9:25-27), the people must immediately escape Jerusalem and go to Perea. There will be a great tribulation unlike any seen before. No one would survive if God did not limit the days of tribulation. They were not to believe those who claim to be Messiah because they are trying to lead the elect astray.
In verses 24-27, (See also Matthew 24:29-31), Jesus continued saying in those days (the days of the great tribulation), the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shine. There will be a great upheaval in the heavens. Then the Son of Man will come with great power and glory and will send His angels to gather the elect from all over the earth.
In verses 28-31, (See also Matthew 24:32-36), Jesus continued teaching with the parable of the fig tree. When the fig tree blossoms, you know summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things (the events of Mark 13:14-23), you will know that the end is near.
In verses 32-37, Jesus concluded by saying no one knows the hour or day when these things will happen, not even the angels or the Son. Only the Father in Heaven knows. Be alert and be ready at any time.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
