Mark 16

 After the Sabbath, early the next morning of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and other women, went to the tomb of Jesus to anoint His body with oils, and they saw that the stone had already been rolled away. Inside the tomb, they were "alarmed" when they saw a man in a white robe who told them not to be alarmed. "You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go tell His disciples...that He is going before you into Galilee: there you will see Him, as He said to you."

And they left there trembling and amazed.

Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first. She had gone to tell the disciples, but they did not believe. Jesus also appeared to two men on the road, and they also told the others, but they did not believe them either. Then He appeared to the eleven and rebuked them for their hardened hearts when they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 

He told them to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but He who does not believe will be condemned." Then Jesus gave power to those of the apostles.

Finally, after speaking to His disciples, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father. And the disciples went out and preached the Word, and the Lord worked with them, "confirming the Word through accompanying signs."

COMMENTARY

I did not know this until now, that verses 9-20 of chapter 16, may have been written and added later. In many cases, those verses are omitted in some texts, but in my John MacArthur Study Bible and in McGee's commentary, they are there with reference to the controversy. 

It is helpful to read the other gospels to cross reference the empty tomb and resurrection to understand the order of events. We know the women were the first to go to the tomb, while the disciples hunkered down and mourned together. When the women arrived at the tomb, they were instructed to go tell the disciples what the angel said. Jesus said He would meet them in Galilee, and Matthew wrote about that meeting. Jesus also met with the two men walking on the road to Emmaus, and Luke's gospel includes that account. Jesus did command His disciples to go into the world and preach the good news, which we know they did that, too.

Regarding Jesus' words "He who believes and is baptized will be saved..." means those who believe will be saved, because Jesus also stated that those who do not believe are condemned. Baptism is not a condition for salvation. It is what believers do to profess their faith. (see John 3:36)

The signs that Jesus gave to His disciples were for those early ministries of the apostles; sign gifts are no longer present today or necessary, particularly because we have the Word of God to read for ourselves. When the disciples brought the Word to every creature, "...the Lord did work with them and confirmed the Word with signs which they performed."

credit: ArtPal

 

Mark 15

At daybreak, the chief priests, elders, and scribes held a meeting with the council about how to bring charges against Jesus; and they bound Him and brought Him to Pilate, the Roman governor of Jerusalem. Pilate asked Him if He was King of the Jews, which, if Jesus affirmed, would implicate Him in a rebellion against Rome because no one was king except Caesar. And that is exactly what the Sanhedrin was aiming for. 

Jesus did affirm.

Then the chief priests brought many other accusations against Jesus, though He did not defend Himself. Pilate marveled at how Jesus remained silent. 

During the Passover, it is customary for one prisoner to be released, and Pilate asked if the crowd if they wanted him to release Jesus; but the chief priests provoked the crowd to ask for Barabas, a murderer and insurrectionist against Rome. Confused, Pilate asked what they wanted him to do "with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?" And they cried out, "Crucify Him!" When Pilate said that He had done no evil, they cried out the more, "Crucify Him!"

Wanting to pacify the mob, Pilate handed Jesus over to his guards to be crucified. In the hands of the soldiers, Jesus was scourged, beated, mocked, and spat on. They pretended to worship Him, failing to understand that they will truly bow and worship Him when He comes in glory. But I digress.

The guards grabbed a man, Simon a Cyrenian, to help carry the cross for Jesus to Golgotha. There Jesus was given wine with myrrh to drink, but he refused it. Then He was crucified at the third hour (9 AM).

The soldiers divided His garments, fulfilling prophecy. An inscription stating His charge was affixed above His head: THE KING OF THE JEWS. He was crucified between two robbers - who criticised Him - also fulfilling prophecy. People walking past mocked Him saying, "...save Yourself..." The chief priests also mocked, "...He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." (Even if He did, they still would not believe!) 

In the sixth hour, darkness covered the land, and at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Someone offered him sour wine. Then He gave up His spirit. At that moment, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom, and a centurion who stood watching Jesus said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God."

And the women also remained, watching.

Finally, in the evening, Joseph of Arimathea, of the Sanhedrin, courageously went to Pilate (in secret) to ask for Jesus' body, and Pilate was surprised Jesus had died so quickly. Joseph wrapped Jesus' body in fine linen and laid Him in a tomb, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And the women witnessed where He had been laid. 

COMMENTARY

When I realized that I had to read Mark 15 today, and that it was about the crucifixion of Jesus, I loathed it in my heart because I am very grieved that My Lord had to suffer this way. But I was about to get a lesson when I read the commentary. And thank God I did. 

The first thing McGee address was this: "...we should not come to this chapter with a feeling of defeat or sympathy for the Sufferer. We should walk softly and reverently through these scenes with a heart welling up to God in thanksgiving for providing so great [a] salvation."

It is not our sympathy that the Son of God wants. He wants our faith. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Rom. 10:9-10). He wants the faith of your heart, not the sympathy of your heart.

It is the Crucifixion toward which all creation and the purposes of God were moving from all eternity, for He was the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

The cross was God's purpose. My regret for my sin sending Jesus to the cross is correct, but my regret to behold My Savior on the cross because it is painful to read is just as wrong as Peter who rebuked Jesus when He told His disciples He was going to die. So I'm going to think about this differently now.

The Sanhedrin had to find a reason to legally dispose of Jesus. Only Rome could carry out the death penalty. The best charge was that Jesus claimed to be king. Pilate, being a lazy politician, was only interested in pacifying the mob. He actually did not take offense to Jesus and was in awe of Him because He did not defend Himself. In other gospels, we are told that Pilate even talked to Jesus privately to get Him to give him reason to override the Jewish religious rulers; but Jesus came for this purpose, and nothing was going to alter the outcome. 

Then Pilate thought he could release Jesus through the tradition of a prisoner release program, but they were set to eliminate Jesus (which Pilate knew was because of their envy over Jesus' popularity). Therefore, they were content to ask for one of the most hardened prisoners, Barabas, whose place Jesus probably took on the cross because Barabas was set to be crucified.

By the way, the chief priests provoked the crowd to call for the crucifixion of Jesus, and they complied. And Pilate handed Jesus over to his soldiers. But remember what McGee said -- to keep this in perspective. Jesus was an innocent man, yes! But He took our place on that cross because of sin, our sin, and we are not innocent. Sin must be judged and punished.

In the hands of the soldiers, Jesus was inhumanely treated, tormented, and tortured. Maybe that was why the soldiers eventually pulled a man out of the crowd to help Jesus bear the cross.

Jesus was on the cross for six hours, and He died not because His body or organs failed. Those crucified in this manner usually lived a while, even days, and that was why they broke the legs of those hanging because it quickened death. But Jesus died quickly because He gave up His spirit. They did not break His bones, which is also a fulfillment of Scripture. 

At the time of His death, the veil in the temple was torn in two, and the very reason was because Jesus is now our way to God. Before His death, the veil separated man from God, and only the priest could enter behind the veil to speak with God for the people. That veil is no longer needed, and we can go directly to Jesus to speak with God. 

credit: Chad Workhoven

 

Mark 14

This is Mark's longest chapter. 

During Passover, the chief priests and scribes plotted to take Jesus and put Him to death - but after the feast, so as not to stir up the multitudes. 

Meanwhile, Mark tells about Mary (sister of Lazarus) who broke a flask to use expensive oil on Jesus' head and feet. Judas became agitated and complained that the oil could have been sold and the money used to help the poor, but Jesus corrected him. He told them that they will have the poor with them always (so keep that spirit, Judas, and find other opportunities to help them), but they will not always have Him with them. In fact, Mary was right to do this because she anointed His body for burial.

Because Mark did not write always in chronological order, he next said that Judas went to the chief priests to betray Jesus for money, which connects to the previous section when Judas complained about Mary wasting oil on Jesus. He seemed to care more about money. Not the poor.

Back to the Passover, Jesus and His disciples had the supper in an upper room of an inn, in the evening. Here Jesus informed them that one of them would betray Him, and they all knew they were capable and asked, "Is it I?" Jesus pointed to prophecy and said, "The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born."

At the feast, Jesus took bread and blessed it and gave it to His disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." And He took the cup and said, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

Afterward, they went to the Mount of Olives, and Jesus told them that all of them would stumble because of Him, as it is written: 

I will strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.

And again, He spoke of His Resurrection. Peter contradicted Jesus in disbelief, saying he would not stumble; but Jesus revealed to him that before the rooster crows twice, Peter would deny Him three times. And, yet again, he said he was willing to die for Jesus. And they all agreed. 

Then Jesus took James, John, and Peter, leaving the others further off while He went to pray. He asked His three disciples to watch. Jesus prayed, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."

Three times Jesus went to pray, and three times He found the three disciples sleeping. The third time as He was speaking with them, the chief priests and armed guards arrived, with Judas, who pointed Jesus out with a kiss, calling Him "Rabbi." 

Next, they arrested Jesus, but not before Peter drew his sword and cut off a servant's ear. Jesus noted that they brought an armed crowd when they had plenty of opportunities to seize Him before; yet, the Scriptures must be fulfilled. They took Him and His disciples fled, just as He said. 

In front of the high priest, chief priests, elders, and scribes, Jesus stood silent. False testimony was given before them, but no one's story lined up. Someone lied and accused Jesus of threatening to tear down the temple in three days and rebuilding it. 

The high priest asked Jesus if He was the Christ, the Son of the Blessed, and Jesus admitted He was. The priest tore his robe, and they condemned Him to death. Some spit on Him, and they blindfolded Him and hit Him, taunting Him to prophesy who struck Him. 

Meanwhile, Peter, who had followed Jesus all the way, was identified as a disciple, but he denied it. And each accusation he became more defensive, so that by the third time, he was cursing. Then he heard the rooster and remembered that Jesus knew him better than he knew himself. And Peter wept. 

COMMENTARY

Keep in mind that even Jesus knows that poverty will never be eliminated on earth. In fact, money is the last thing that will fix poverty. 

The Passover looked forward to the coming of the Lamb, and in the future millennial kingdom (as per Ezekiel), the Passover will be restored.

In many ways, we are like the disciples. At supper, they asked if they were the one who would betray Jesus. We are all weak and depraved, and we are all capable of turning our back on God. The only way we can best know ourselves is if we use the mirror of the Word of God. The Scriptures shows us the depths of the human heart. The only solution to our problems is the Lord. (Pray, therefore.)

When Jesus prayed for the hour to pass from Him, it was not death He dreaded, but the cross, when all of God's wrath would be laid upon Him. That was the cup He did not want to drink.

Notice, that when Judas identified Jesus, He called Him teacher or master -- not Lord. Why? Because only through the Holy Spirit do we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Judas did not have the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin, which set up an illegal trial. Jesus had no witnesses of His own and only those who brought false witness against Him were present. Of course, Jesus did not defend Himself, which also fulfilled prophecy (Isa. 53:7). Ultimately, they condemned Jesus because He claimed to be Messiah. 

credit: Bible Verses to Go

 

Mark 13

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus had pronounced judgment on the temple; that is why in Mark 13, one of the disciples asked Jesus to look at the temple and its buildings...like, how could this ever go away? But Jesus replied, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

Later, at the Mount of Olives, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus when these things will happen, and what signs will there be?

THE TRIBULATION 

First Jesus told them to beware of those who want to deceive them by claiming to be Him. Also, they will hear about wars and rumors of wars; nation will rise against nation; there will be natural disasters and famines and troubles. 

He told them to be watchful because they will be brought before councils, religious rulers, and kings for Jesus' sake, and they will be beaten. "But the gospel must first be preached to all the nations." He said not to worry what to say because the Holy Spirit will give them the words to speak in that moment. And family members will betray one another and may even cause the other to be put to death. Believers will be hated because of Him, but those who persevere to the end shall be saved. 

THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

Daniel spoke of the abomination of desolation, and "when you see it standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then...flee..."

For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 

And furthermore, 

...the sun will be darkened...the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.  

Those who see the beginnings of these signs, that generation will not pass away before all of these things have occured. It will be a short time. And no one knows the hour it will happened -- only the Father in heaven. So watch and pray!

COMMENTARY

These are eschatological events regarding the Great Tribulation period and the second coming of Christ. The disciples could not understand how Jesus could proclaim an end to the temple in Jerusalem, but Jesus told them that these buildings would pass away. As Paul explained in 2 Cor. 4:18, "...the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."        

Mark was not present when Jesus told the four disciples these eschatological prophecies therefore, they told the others, including Mark, who recorded it here for us. In Matthew's gospel, he recorded the three questions asked: When will these things happen; what is the sign of His coming; and what is the sign of the end of the world?

Mark recorded Jesus' answer regarding false Christs. Not the AntiChrist, but antichrists who: DENY Christ's (1) virgin birth, (2) miracles, (3) shedding of blood for sins of the world, (4) bodily resurrection, (5) heavenly ascension, and (6) His second coming. Many antichrists exist today and more are coming.    

THE SECOND COMING

The second coming is introduced by the darkening of the sun and moon. Jesus will arrive in the clouds in glory. This is completely different than the rapture -- the immediate snatching away of the church. This is the end of the tribulation period, and all will see.

So watch and be ready...  

credit: A Little Perspective

 

Mark 12

 Jesus then spoke to the chief priests, scribes, and elders in parables to expose their hypocrisy. He said a man planted a vineyard and leased it to vinedressers, while he went far away. At vintage time he sent a servant to receive some of the fruit from his vineyard, but the vinedressers beat the servant and sent him away. The man sent another servant, and him they threw stones at and sent him shamefully away. The man sent more servants, and the vinedressers beat some and killed others. Finally, the man sent his son, but these the vinedressers killed, thinking the inheritance would belong to them. 

Jesus asked the temple rulers what they thought the man should do? He will come and destory the vinedressers and give the vineyard to others. 

The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

The temple rulers knew Jesus was talking about them, and they sought to lay hands on Him; but they feared the multitude.

Later the Pharisees and Herodians meant to trap Him by asking Him if it was lawful to pay taxes. Jesus, knowing their hypocrisy, asked them to give him a coin. He asked whose image was on the coin. They said Caesar. Therefore, Jesus told them, give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar; but give to God what belongs to God. 

Next the Sadducees asked Him about the resurrection because they did not believe in a resurrection. They gave a lame story about a woman whose husband died w/o children; she married his brother and he died without children; she married the next brother, and he died without...you get the picture. In the resurrection, they wondered, whose wife would she be? Jesus told them they were wrong because they do not know the Scriptures. In the resurrection,  there is no reason to marry. And besides, God is the God of the living, not the dead. 

Then the scribes asked which was the greatest commandment, and Jesus told them:

Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the fist commandment. And the second like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. 

Finally, Jesus asked them how it was that the scribes say that the Messiah is the Son of David? For David himself seid by the Holy Spirit:

The LORD said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.

David himself called Him Lord; how is He then his Son?  

Jesus condemned the scribes because they were hypocrites. Later he observed how the wealthy gave much to the treasury of the temple; however, a poor widow gave all she had. Jesus used it as an example to demonstrate true sacrificial giving. 

COMMENTARY

In the parable of the vineyard, the man is God the Father and the vineyard is the nation Israel. The servants God sent were the prophets, and the heir was Jesus Christ. Obviously, the vinedressers were the religious rulers. While Jesus came to the lost sheep of Israel first, He was also for the whole world; however, this was directed at the religious rulers and they knew it. Jesus even foretold what the religious rulers were plotting and would do to Him at the end of that week. Furthermore, He predicted what God the Father will do with the religious rulers by pronouncing judgment on them. By A.D. 70, Rome would destroy the city of Jerusalem. 

In His final week on earth, Jesus had confronted every group that targeted Him: the chief priests, scribes, Pharisees, Herodians, and the Sadducees. He exposed them as hypocrites and ignorant of the Scriptures. Every time their paths crossed, they stepped right into it. 

When He asked them about David, He was pointing to His virgin birth. David spoke about one of his future descendants, calling him Lord, which was the Son of God. Jesus said David wrote the Psalm through the Holy Spirit and that this Psalm is about Him, the Messiah. 

credit: CrossCards

 

Mark 10

 Jesus went to Judea where the Pharisees questioned him about divorce, hoping to trap Him, but He answered them with a question: "What did Moses command you?" They replied that Moses permitted divorce. 

Jesus explained that it was because of the hardness of their hearts that Moses permitted divorce, but truly, from the beginning of creation, 

God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.

Later the disciples asked Him about divorce, and Jesus explained that whoever divorces and marries another commits adultery. 

Next, people brought their children to Jesus to bless them, and His disciples tried to turn them away. However, Jesus taught them that the kingdom of God is like this, and those who are like children receive the kingdom. Therefore, He held the children and blessed them. 

Then a rich young ruler ran to Jesus, calling Him good, and knelt before Him, asking how he may inherit eternal life. Jesus asked why he called Him good when only God is good. He questioned him about the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, or lie, honor your parents. The young man said he had kept them from his youth. 

Jesus loved him (with empathy) and told him then to give all he had to the poor and he would have treasure in heaven; take up the cross and follow Him. But the young man became sad and went away because he had "great possessions."

Jesus told His disciples that it is difficult to have wealth and enter the kingdom of God. How difficult it is to trust in wealth. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. The disciples pondered: "Who then can be saved?" And Jesus replied: 

With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Peter, always the spokesmen of the disciples, noted that they had done what He had told the young ruler to do. Jesus responded that there is eternal reward for those who leave their earthly desires, suffer persecution, and follow Him. 

As they were going up to Jerusalem, Jesus told them again of His betrayal, suffering, death and resurrection, and they were afraid. Then James and John asked that Jesus would permit them to sit on either side of Him in glory, but Jesus told them that they did not know what they asked or if they were able to drink the cup that He was about to drink. He told them that where they are in glory is not His to give, but whomever is, he is being prepared now. 

Of course, the other disciples were annoyed with James and John, but Jesus assured them that whoever wants to be first must be a servant or slave of all and give his life a ransom for many. 

Finally, in this chapter, Jesus healed Bartimaeus, and he got up and followed Jesus.  

COMMENTARY

MARRIAGE

When the Pharisees asked Jesus about divorce, Jesus flipped their focus onto marriage. God created marriage. Any violation of marriage is sin, in God's eyes. He never intended for divorce. However, He permits divorce for unfaithfulness or sexual immorality or fornication; yet, He still hates divorce. And furthermore, even if people get divorced, for any reason, they can still be forgiven of that sin.

The problem actually regarding marriage is that people do not take marriage seriously and should not get married in the first place. If couples solemnly understood marriage, they would let God arrange their marriage for them, when and with whom. 

DEITY OF JESUS

When the rich young ruler referred to Jesus as good, Jesus asked him why he called Him good when only God is good. He wanted him to think about what he had said because he was correct. Jesus is God and He is good. 

He also gave him an opportunity to give up what he was trusting in most: his earthly riches. The young man went away sad because he did not want to give his wealth up for Jesus. All of us need to examine ourselves to see what earthly things are we are trusting in more or clinging to more than Jesus. That is what keeps us from following Jesus completely and fully. 

credit: lifeway 

 

Mark 9

 Continuing from Mark 8, Jesus told His disciples that there were some standing (before Him) that will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God with power. Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John onto a high mountain where He was transfigured before them. His clothes were shining bright white and Elijah and Moses appeared with Him. 

Peter asked if it was good for them to be present and should they make three altars for Him, Elijah, and Moses -- when he was interrupted by a voice that came from a cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" Suddenly, there was no one there but Jesus and themselves. 

Jesus told them not to tell anyone what they witnessed until He had risen from the dead. They still did not understand what He meant. They asked Jesus why the scribes said that Elijah must rise first, and Jesus agreed with the scribes, meaning that John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah; but He also pointed out that the [Old Testament] prophesied about Him, too, and what do the scribes say about Him?

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the mountain, the multitude rushed Him. A man with a young son with a demon had asked the other disciples if they could cast it out, but they could not. Jesus said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?" And he told the man to bring the boy to Him. 

The demon thrashed the boy and threw him on the ground, and he foamed at the mouth. The man told Jesus he had suffered with this spirit since childhood; it threw him in the fire and water, trying to destroy him. "But," he asked Jesus, "if You can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." Jesus replied,

If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.

And the father cried out with tears,

Lord, I believe, help my unbelief! 

Then Jesus cast out the spirit, and the spirit obeyed. The boy appeared dead, but Jesus lifted him up and he was well again. The disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out this demon, and Jesus told them that that kind cannot come out but by prayer and fasting.

Jesus again told His disciples about His betrayal, His death, and His resurrection on the third day, but they still did not understand and were afraid to ask. 

Then He asked His disciples what they discussed on the road, though they did not say because they argued about who would be the greatest. He told them: "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Then He took a child and held him, and explained that whoever received a child in His name received Him; and whoever received Him, received not Him but He who sent Him.

Jesus also taught that if anyone caused a child (a believer) to stumble, it would be better if he were drowned in the sea. 

If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire - where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.

All believers will be tested with fire (suffering), Jesus told them. "Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."

credit: SweetwaterNow

 

Mark 7

 The Pharisees and scribes went to Jesus and complained that Jesus' disciples ate bread with "defiled...unwashed hands..." because it contradicted the Jewish tradition of washing hands, cups, pitchers, etc. in a special manner before eating.

Jesus called those men hypocrites and noted that Isaiah prophesied about them, saying:

The people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. 

By that He meant they had rejected he commandment of God and propped up the tradition of men. Jesus also reminded them that Moses told them to honor father and mother or face death, but they made up their own law to bypass what Moses commanded; therefore, they did not have to honor their parents. 

Then Jesus told the multitude that nothing that enters a man can defile him, but that which comes out of him. "If anyone has ears, let him hear." His disciples later asked Him what He meant, and He explained that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him because it cannot enter his heart, but rather his stomach and is eliminated. 

But from the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All of these evil things come from within and defile a man.

Afterward, He went to the region of Tyre and Sidon, and a Greek woman sought Jesus and fell at his feet begging Him to heal her young daughter who had an unclean spirit. He explained that it was necessary that the children of Israel be filled first (with the gospel), and it was not right to take their bread and share it with the little dogs (Gentiles).

But she replied, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs." And Jesus told her to go her way because the demon had left her daughter. 

Next Jesus went to Decapolis, and someone brought a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged Jesus to heal him. Jesus put His ears in the man's ears and then touched the man's tongue, and said, "Be opened." Immediately the man's ears were opened and his tongue was loosed. The people said, "He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

COMMENTARY

A little background: during the intertestamental period of the Bible (the time between the OT and NT), several new groups were formed: 

Scribes: professional expounders of the Law who started our correctly but ended up "hair-splitting," focusing more on the letter of the Law than the spirit of the Law. 

Pharisees: defended the Jewish way of life against foreign influence, true nationalists, but they became strict legalists. They thought they could bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. They believed in the supernatural, but couldn't see the truth even when it slapped them in the face. 

Sadducees: these were the wealthy and socially-(worldly-)minded who did not care for tradition and they rejected the supernatural

Herodians: political party of opportunists seeking to keep the Herods on the throne. 

In the confrontation between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus called them hypocrites because they were only concerned with what they looked like on the outside. 

Jesus explained that in the heart is what defiles a man, and He listed these evil things:

1. evil thoughts

2. adulteries and fornication: unlawful sexual relations

3. murders: including hatred

4. theft: including not working when you are getting paid

5. covetousness: like greediness

6. wickedness: anything intended to hurt people

7. deceit: like lying 

8. lasciviousness: sensuality

9. evil eye: envy

10. blasphemy: slander against God and man

11. pride: God hates this above all else

12. foolishness: without respect for God or man

About the Greek women--it may seem cruel what Jesus had said to her about "the little dogs," but He tested and demonstrated her faith. He meant that the Jews were to receive Him first, and then the message would go to the Gentiles; but she already believed, and her faith healed her daughter. 

 

Mark 6

Jesus and His disciples returned to Nazareth where He taught in the synagogue, astonishing the people; they said: 

Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?

They were actually offended by Jesus! Therefore, He would not do His mighty works because of their unbelief. 

Then He sent His twelve disciples out two by two with instructions to go to the house of Israel and preach repentance and power to cast out demons. They took nothing with them, and whoever did not receive the message, they departed from them and shook the dust from their feet. Jesus said it will be "more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"

Next, Mark wrote about the beheading of John the Baptist. When Herod had heard about the works of Jesus, he was paranoid that it was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Mark recounted the story of how John rebuked Herod for marrying his brother's wife, and Herod threw John into prison, as if that would wipe away his sin. On Herod's birthday, his wife's daughter danced for him, and, as consolation, he offered her anything she wanted. She asked her mother for what, and because her mother hated John, she told her daughter to ask for his head on a platter. Herod loathed to do it, but he must keep his word in front of all his high officers and nobles; therefore, he had John the Baptist beheaded and gave John's head to his wife. (A sick woman indeed!)

Back to the narrative, the twelve disciples returned to Jesus and told all they had done and taught. They then tried to go to a secluded place with Jesus, but the multitude came, and Jesus had compassion on them and stayed to teach them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. 

Because of the hour, the disciples suggested that Jesus send them away to get food, but Jesus told them to feed them. They were shocked by the idea and found only five loaves and two fish to spare. Therefore, Jesus had them arrange the crowd in to groups, He blessed the food, and the disciples passed it out among the five thousand men (not counting women and children). Afterward, the disciples collected twelve baskets of leftovers. 

After this, the disciples got into the boat to go to the otherside of the sea, while He departed to go somewhere alone to pray. In the middle of the night, while the disciples were still on the boat, they were struggling to manage it, and Jesus saw this. He walked out on to the water to where they were, and they thought He was a ghost. They cried out to Him, and He told them to be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." They were amazed because they did not understand in their hearts what He had done with the feeding of the loaves and fish. Then He got into the boat with them and they went to Gennesaret.

In this city, the people recognized Jesus and brought their sick to Him and begged Him to heal them; many just wanted to touch the hem of His garment that

...as many as touched Him were made well. 

COMMENTARY 

This is the peak of Jesus' ministry. He had made two trips to His hometown of Nazareth. Luke 4 recorded His first visit where He performed no miracles because there they tried to kill Him. This second visit, in Mark, His disciples were with Him, and He healed only a few sick people. Both times He taught in the synagogue, and both times He was rejected. 

This is also the place we learn that Mary, Jesus' mother, had other children, sons and daughters, all half-siblings with Jesus. They were "scandalized" because of Him. They thought they knew Him, but they did not. 

Because of the unbelief in Nazareth, He did not perform any miracles. In a similar way, when we talk to someone about Jesus, if they have a mocking heart, they are not ready to hear the gospel. Their heart is unwilling. When people have unbelief, they cannot know the power of God. 

Jesus sent His twelve disciples out to share the news of repentance, but this time He gave them orders to take nothing with them. This was a short journey and they had limited time to spread the good news. He gave them power to cast out demons, and He told them to shake the dust from their feet in places where they were rejected. "To reject the grace of God invited His judgment." When they were done, they  returned to Jesus and reported all they had done.

The feeding of the five thousand was a miracle, obviously. First Jesus taught the people and met their spiritual need; then He fed them and met their physical need. 

The miracle of Jesus walking on water to His disciples, according to McGee, was the same story of Peter walking on water to Him. But Mark left this part of the story out, for some reason. However, Matthew does record what Peter did. 

Finally, an important point is that when the men were struggling to manage the boat in the middle of the night, Jesus saw. He saw their struggle and He went to them. He is the same Jesus today, and He sees and knows our struggle. He is there, and all we need to do is cry out to Him. 

credit: Anna Noble via Dear 52

 

Mark 5

Jesus and His disciples came into the country of Gadarenes, and immediately Jesus was approached by a man with an unclean spirit. The man had exceptional power, and no one could keep him chained. He cried out all night and even cut himself with stones. 

When the man saw Jesus, he worshipped Him, but the demons cried out, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man, and asked him what his name was. The demon said his name was "Legion, for we are many." He begged that Jesus would not send them away, but rather permit them to enter the swine. And Jesus did. 

The demons entered the swine and they ran into the sea and drowned. The men who fed the swine fled to the city and told others what had happened, and many came into the country to see for themselves. They saw the man with the unclean spirit in his right mind, and they were afraid and pleaded with Jesus to leave their region. 

The man who was demon-possessed wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus told him to go home and tell his friends the great things the Lord had done for him. Therefore, the man proclaimed what Jesus had done and all who heard it marveled. 

Jesus and the disciples returned to the other side of the sea and the multitude met them there. Jarius, a ruler of the synagogue, fell at Jesus' feet and implored Him to come to his house where his daughter was dying and lay hands on her that she may be healed. Jesus began to go with him.

On the way, the people crowded around, and a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent a lot of money on doctors, none of which helped her but actually made her worse off, touched Jesus' garment because she believed she would be healed. And immediately her blood flow dried up and she was healed. 

Jesus asked who touched Him because He had felt power go out of Him. The disciples asked why He wanted to know who had touched Him when the multitude was crushing against Him. Meanwhile, the woman was afraid and fell down before Him and admitted the truth. Jesus said, "...Your faith has made you well. God in peace and be healed of your affliction."

While talking with the woman, Jarius learned that his daughter had died. When Jesus heard, he told Jarius to not be afraid, but believe. They walked on to Jairus' house where he healed the little girl. Everyone there was filled with amazement. 

COMMENTARY

A note about demons: they cannot possess believers because Darkness cannot exist with Light, and 1 John 4:4 tells us that "...greater is He (the Holy Spirit) that is in us than he that is in the world (Satan)." Also, keep in mind that Jesus has power over the demons. 

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Mark 4

 Jesus taught the multitude by parables, from a boat by the sea. 

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

A sower sowed seed. Some fell by the wayside and birds devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, sprang up, but was scorched by the sun because it had no root. Some fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plant. And some fell on good soil, sprang up, and produced thirtyfold, sixty, and some a hundred. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

The disciples asked Him what the parable meant. Jesus said to them, the mystery of the kingdom has been revealed to them who believe, but to those who reject Christ and the gospel it has not been revealed. 

Then Jesus explained the sower: The sower is the One who sows the Word in the hearts of hearers. The first seed fell by the wayside, was received by the hearer, but was snatched away by Satan; the second seed on stony ground, received immediately by the hearer, who could only endure for a time, then stumbled during trial and tribulation; the third seed fell among thorns but because the hearer desired the world instead, and the word became unfruitful; and the fourth seed was sown in good ground, the hearer accepted it, and the Word bore fruit at varying degrees. 

PARABLE OF THE LAMP

A lamp is not to be hidden, but placed on a lampstand. The word is a light and is not to be hidden or kept secret. "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."  Jesus continued:

Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given...

PARABLE OF THE GROWING SEED

 If a man scattered seed on the ground, the seed shall grow and the man does not know how because the earth yields by itself; but when the grain ripens, then is the harvest. 

PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of seeds, but when sown, becomes greater than the herbs, so that birds nest in its shade.

On the same day, Jesus went into the boat with His disciples in the evening to cross over to the other side. While He was asleep in the stern, a great windstorm arose, and the boat was filling with water. The disciples woke Jesus and questioned if He cared that they were perishing. 

Then Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves calmed down immediately. He asked the disciples why they were fearful and if they had no faith. And "they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!' "

COMMENTARY

The sower in the first parable was the Son of Man and the seed was the Word of God. The three ways or places the seeds fell represented unbelievers who heard the gospel and did not believe. What happened to the seeds after the Word had been sown represented the response of these hearers: Satan snatched the Word from the heart; another was turned away by persecutions; and another was more distracted by the world. But the last hearers received the Word and it took root in their hearts and produced fruit at different degrees. 

The unbelievers did not understand the parables. By this time, His enemies rejected Jesus' teachings, and the multitude was disinterested in spiritual truth. They only followed Him around to catch a glimpse of His healings and miracles, much like man today. Therefore, from then on He resorted to simple story illustrations. 

One cannot make man understand spiritual things. He must want to understand them before they become real to him. 

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. 2:13-14)

The parable of the lamp is about our responsibility and action. When the truth is exposed by the light, we are accountable to respond. How we respond to the truth will determine if we will remain lost forever. God demands action, and faith is a form of action. 

McGee used an example for faith. If you have a plane ticket, you must trust that there is a plane that will take you where you want to go (listed on the ticket). You must believe this ticket will enable you to board the plane and deliver you to your destination. You can't sit in the airport and get anywhere. You must have faith to board the plane. 

credit: Bible Gateway

 

Mark 3

 The scribes/Pharisees had their eye on the Lord, as He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, to see if He would heal the man with the withered hand. And lo and behold, Jesus called the man to Himself, and asked the scribes/Pharisees if it were lawful to do good on the Sabbath. They did not reply. Jesus was angry and grieved by the hardness of their hearts. Then He healed the man's hand. From that moment, the Pharisees plotted to destroy Jesus. 

Jesus left and went to the sea with His disciples, and again He had to escape the multitudes who had followed Him. He had healed so many people, that anyone who had an affliction flocked to where He was in hopes to just touch Him. Even the unclean spirits cried out to Him: "You are the Son of God, "but He warned them not to identify Him. 

Then Jesus called His disciples (apostles) to Himself and appointed them to go out and preach the gospel, and to have power to heal and cast out demons: Simon (Peter), James and John (brothers), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Jesus. 

Again, they went to a house to eat, where the multitudes surrounded them, and even his own family members sought him, thinking He was crazy. 

The scribes said: he has Beelzebub. "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons." Jesus confronted them and asked how Satan can cast out Satan? A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. "No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house."

Then Jesus said all sins will be forgiven, including blasphemy, except he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit.

Back to the house where Jesus was eating with his disciples, where His family members sought Him, someone had noted that Jesus' mother and brothers were outside seeking Him; Jesus replied, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and my sister and mother."

COMMENTARY

First, it is evident that Jesus healed an extensive number of people. Man is very needy and his physical needs are paramount. Even today, people probably ask more for prayer regarding their physical health than anything else! You can imagine how pressing it was for Jesus to address very physical ailment of the desperate people. 

Mark 3 opens with Jesus entering the synagogue on the Sabbath, and it is possible that the scribes/Pharisees may have planted this man with a withered hand to see if Jesus would act (on compassion) and heal the man on the Sabbath. 

Because Jesus knows man's heart, He very angry and grieved by his enemies. He asked them if it was lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath. The remained silent because they did not want to incriminate themselves. Of course, Jesus healed the man because the Sabbath is made for man and He is Lord of the Sabbath. But from that moment, His enemies sought to destroy Him.

When the scribes accused Him of having a demon while casting out demons, He corrected them. He told them if it were true, He could not continue because He could not stand against Himself. He gave the example of the strong man. What Jesus meant was only God is stronger than Satan, and only God can restrain Satan (the strong man) and enter his domain (his house) and free (plunder) the people (his goods). 

Regarding the unpardonable sin, John MacArthur says: 

Whenever someone deliberately and disrespectfully slanders the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in pointing to the Lordship and redemption of Jesus Christ, he completely negates and forfeits any possibility of present or future forgiveness of sins, because he has wholly rejected the only basis of God's salvation. 

McGee believed that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was only unpardonable in the time of Jesus because Jesus was physically present; therefore, if you rejected Jesus, you were also rejecting the testimony of the Holy Spirit. It was an attitude of unbelief that made the sin unpardonable.

Today, if you do not believe and blaspheme with your mouth, you can still be convicted tomorrow, have a change of heart attitude, and be forgiven. If you blaspheme with your mouth, you can still be forgiven if you repent and believe on the Lord. But if you remain rebellious in your heart and resist the Holy Spirit, then this is a sin against the Holy Spirit. 

credit: A Little Perspective

 

Mark 2

Jesus went to Capernaum again and was in a house. When the crowds heard He was there, they went into the house to see Him. There He preached the Word of God to them. 

There was a paralytic on a bed carried by four men, and they went to see Jesus, but they could not get into the house. Therefore, they climb up onto the roof, broke through the roof, and lowered the man down into the house. When Jesus saw their faith, He told the man, "Your sins are forgiven."

The scribes who were present questioned in their hearts why Jesus blasphemed like that because only God could forgive sins. Jesus, who knows all hearts, asked, "Which is easier to say to the paralytic: Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Arise, take up your bed and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins." Then He told the man to get up, take your bed, and go to your house, which the man obeyed. 

Later, Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector, also known as Levi, and told him to follow Him, and he did. When Jesus was at the house of Matthew and other disciples, and the scribes saw Him eating with tax collectors and sinners, they questioned why. Jesus told them, 

Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

Next, the Pharisees questioned why Jesus' disciples did not fast. Jesus asked how the friends of the bridegroom could fast while the bridegroom was with them; but the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and then they will fast. 

Finally, He and His disciples were in the grain field, plucking heads of grain, and again, the Pharisees accused them of doing what was not lawful on the Sabbath. Jesus pointed out that David ate the showbread when he was hungry. And He said: "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."

COMMENTARY

Jesus left Capernaum in chapter 1 because word got out that He had healed the man with palsy, which was why Jesus did not want the man to share what He had done. He did not want His ministry to turn into a healing show because that was not why He had come. He came for a spiritual purpose, to die on the cross for the sins of the world. If people only come to Jesus for physical healing, that obscures the gospel. 

Nonetheless, Jesus returned to Capernaum and was in a crowded house sharing the Word of God when a paralytic man was let down through the roof with the help of his friends. First, Jesus was amazed by the faith of the four men who broke through the roof of someone's house just to let their friend down to see Jesus. It took faith and courage! 

Then Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic, which offended the scribes. But the scribes were right. Only God has the power to forgive sins on earth. But what they misunderstood was that Jesus was not blaspheming God. Jesus is God. 

But the scribes who thought these thoughts in their heads were too afraid to answer Jesus when He confronted them. Since Jesus can do both, forgive sins and heal the man, He then told the paralytic to arise, pick up his bed, and go home. 

On fasting, Jesus gave an illustration about the old and new wine skins. Jesus said that no one puts a new piece of cloth on an old wine skin. He meant that He brought a new way to live and love and have fellowship with God, not to repair the Law or to add to the Mosaic system. He is providing something new and better. 

Under the old Law, man had to work towards his relationship with God, which represented the old worn out garment. The new garment is the from the Lord, like a robe of righteousness, that the new believer receives when He believes. This will enable him to stand before the Lord God Almighty. 

 

Mark 1

Mark called his gospel "the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" - and then quoted Isaiah's and Malachi's prophecy about John the Baptist. 

John the Baptist baptized and preached "baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." People from Judea and Jerusalem went to him in the wilderness and were "baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins."

He wore clothing made from camel's hair and a leather belt, and he ate locust and wild honey. He preached that "...One [comes] after me who is mightier than I...I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 

When John baptized Jesus, "...He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a Voice came from heaven, 'You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

The Spirit "drove" Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, where He was tempted by Satan; "and the angels ministered to Him."

After John the Baptist was in prison, Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom of God: 

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.

Jesus then called His disciples: Simon and Andrew, in which He told them to follow Him, and "He will make them fishers of men;" and James and John, who also followed Him. 

Jesus taught in the synagogues and the people were amazed because He taught as One with authority. He also cast out demons, who knew Jesus as the Holy One of God. Jesus rebuked the demons and they obeyed Him. His fame spread. 

Jesus healed Simon's mother-in-law, and He healed many others, including a man with leprosy, who told Jesus, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus warned not to tell anyone who healed him, but the man "proclaimed it freely, and Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places, and they came to Him from every direction."

Also, Mark shared in his gospel that Jesus rose early, before the sun, to go and pray privately. 

COMMENTARY

Mark 1 began with the ministry of John the Baptist and the first year of Jesus' ministry. There is no genealogy. 

John the Baptist preached repentance and baptized into remission for sins, as he prepared the world for "the One who remits sins."

Real baptism is with the Holy Spirit and serves as a personal testimony, while water baptism is symbolic or ritualistic. Jesus was baptized to "identify Himself with mankind. 

THE TRINITY

Notice the trinity: even though the word is not in the Bible, the Godhead is. When Jesus was baptized, we see Jesus, the second Person of the Godhead; the Spirit of God, third Person of the Godhead, who descended like a dove upon Jesus; and the voice from heaven, "Thou art my beloved son..." which was the Father, the first Person of the Godhead. 

Also, during Jesus' baptism, "John the Baptist introduced Jesus, God the Father identified Him and put His seal upon Him. And next, the temptation in the wilderness initiated Him."

In the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan for forty days. This act proved to the Romans (Mark's target audience) that Jesus is worthy. He did not fail the test as other men did, like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. 

After the temptation, Jesus' ministry began. His message was "Repent and believe the gospel." Jesus demonstrated that He had all authority. "He taught as One who had authority," and "He demonstrated that He had power." He cast out demons, who knew He was the Son of God, and he healed hundreds of people. And though He was extremely busy healing people, He still made time for communion with God the Father, as He found a quiet place to pray before the sun had risen. 

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