Lesson 17: Mark -Chapter 15

 

First read Mark 15 all the way through.

The ‘Supernatural’ Acts and Events in  Mark 15:

Things you don’t see everyday:

Verse 33:

-There was darkness over the whole land while Jesus was being crucified.

Verse 38:

-Curtain of the Temple is Torn in two. (supernatural)

Verse 39:

– Centurion prophetically proclaims: Truly this man was the Son of God!

 

Now read it again in detail along with the Notes and Commentary below:

Notes and Commentary:

 

I.  Jesus On Trial: Before Pilate –Verses 1-15

     Verses 1-5:  The Sanhedrin had made it’s decision. Now they send Jesus to Pilate hoping that he will agree to carry out their sentence. However, Pilate is not about to rubber stamp their ‘religious’ condemnation. He proceeds to judge for himself.

The Jewish leaders say that this Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah- an heir of King David. If so, then this could be treason and this Jesus might be leading a revote against Rome. The chief priests made all sorts of charges against this Jesus but the ‘King’ charge is the only one that really concerns him. Pilate asks Jesus: "Are you the King of the Jews?"

Jesus barely responds: "You have said so." Then he declines to answer any further. This is totally shocking to Pilate. However, he sees no real basis for condemning this man to death.

At this point in the Gospel of Luke, Pilate finds out that Jesus was from Galilee so sends him off to be judged by Herod Antipas the Tetrarch ruler over that area. Herod sends Jesus back and honors Pilate with the responsibility for this man.

     Verses 6-14:  Pilate then seeks to find a way to release Jesus since he finds no merit in the charges. He decides to offer him up as the prisoner who receives the traditional reprieve for Passover. However, the chief priests stir up the crowd to ask for the release of Barabbas instead. The plans of Pilate are frustrated. Even worse, Barabbas really was an insurrectionist against Rome and a robber. He really did deserve his sentence.

Pilate then asks the crowd what he should do with Jesus: "Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" The crowd responses: "Crucify him." Pilate asks: "Why, what evil has he done?" But the crowd continues to shout all the more: "Crucify him."

For years, I have wondered who the people were that made up this crowd. After all, a few days ago people were cheering Jesus as a King when he came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Also, the chief priests were afraid of the people and were careful to arrest Jesus in the middle of the night hoping to prevent a riot. Neither did they challenge Jesus and stop him from clearing and teaching in the Temple. The crowd must have been comprised of zealot supporters of Barabbas and stooges of the Sanhedrin.

     Verse 15:  Pilate is left with few alternatives. He decides to make the best of a bad situation and gain the favor of the Jewish religious leaders and the crowd. He already said that Jesus really wasn’t guilty of anything and yet he sentences Jesus to be crucified. Note: The Gospel of Matthew records the famous scene of Pilate washing his hands of the situation. Nevertheless, the legal and moral responsibility remained all his. He could have released Jesus, he had the power, and he had already had him tortured but he sent him on to be crucified.

The Gospel of John (19:1-6) tells us that he had Jesus scourged first before he brought him back and asked: "…what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" Pilate was probably hoping that the punishment would be enough to satisfy them. Anyone who saw the movie: "The Passion", observed how brutal that punishment really was. However as it turned out, Jesus ended up suffering through both.

 

II.  The Mocking of Jesus by the Roman Soldiers –Verses 16-21

     Verses 16-20:  The Roman soldiers came and led Jesus away to the Army headquarters in the Palace. Notice it says that the whole battalion was called in. Obviously they were concerned about any possible backlash from the followers of Jesus.

Several soldiers were probably guarding Jesus when he was being judged by Pilate. They heard the claim that he was supposed to be some kind of ‘King of the Jews’ and told the rest of their company about Jesus.

The Roman soldiers stationed in Judea generally despised the Jews because they acted so uppity and usually treated them as untouchables. Here was their chance to have some fun with one of these royal pains. From a Jewish perspective, the Romans were occupiers and oppressors. Also, the more religious, like the Pharisees did not want to have anything to do with ‘Gentiles’ in general because they considered them to be ‘unclean’.

A purple robe was a sign of wealth and royalty. Purple cloth was difficult and expensive to produce in the ancient world. It could well have been one of Pilate’s old robes that he had thrown away. It is hard to imagine that they would have put a robe like that in good condition on Jesus. Notice the games that the real King of the universe had to endure: mock homage and salutes, mixed with spitting and striking-a real scene of revelry.  One day these soldiers and everyone else will genuinely bow down to Jesus:

“so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  –Philippians 2:10-11 (ESV)

Finally they take the robe away and put his own clothes back on him and then lead him away to be crucified.

     Verse 21:  It was customary for condemned man to carry his own cross through the streets of Jerusalem on out to the hill outside the city gates where the prisoners were executed-called Golgotha. Along the way Jesus was no longer able to carry his own cross, so the soldiers grabbed a passerby and forced him to carry it for Jesus.

Mark identifies the cross bearer as Simon of Cyrene. Cyrene was an important city in what is today Libya, and had a large Jewish community at the time. So Simon could have been a Jewish pilgrim visiting in Jerusalem for the Passover. It is also possible that he lived in Jerusalem but was known as Simon of Cyrene because he originally came from there. This could be the case, since Mark and his readers were acquainted with his two sons Alexander and Rufus who obviously were part of the Christian community when the gospel was written.

 

III.  Details of the Crucifixion Setup –Verses 22-28

     Verse 22:  They took Jesus to Golgotha (place of the skull). It was probably so named because it was a rounded hill top that was devoid of vegetation. In Jerusalem today there is a hilltop thought to be the possible location with impressions beneath that remind one of eye sockets. The actual site of course is uncertain.

     Verse 23:  They offer Jesus wine mixed with Myrrh, but he doesn’t take it. Tradition is that pious women in Jerusalem provided the wine as an anesthetic to all condemned criminals as an offering of mercy. Jesus chooses to face death with a clear mind. Besides, he had told his disciples at the Last Supper that it was the last time he would eat or drink with them in this life.

     Verses 24-25:  "And they crucified him.." -Meaning that they nailed him to the cross and placed it upright in position. In the process, the soldiers stripped him of his clothes and gambled over his garments. A fulfillment of Psalm 22:18.

"And it was the third hour.." -That would place the time at around 9:00 am in the morning.

     Verse 26:  The Roman charge against Jesus was treason- that Jesus was perceived to be a contender for the throne of Judea: "The King of the Jews". In Roman executions it was traditional to have a sign naming the charge, called the ‘titulus’ in Latin, which was carried with the prisoner to the execution site and then nailed above his head for all to see.

The title: "King of the Jews" rankled the Jewish leaders as we can see in John’s account (John 19:19-22). Pilate was obviously pulling their chains. However, the title is accurate. Jesus was the heir of David and he is coming one day to literally reign in Jerusalem.

     Verses 27:  Jesus was placed between two ‘robbers’. The Greek word here for robber can also mean "insurrectionist". Since mere robbery was not a capitol offense, some scholars believe that the second word is the preferred meaning.

Many historians believe that the execution was previously arranged with Barabbas in mind (he was a ‘Zealot’ insurrectionist), Jesus was inserted into the plan as a substitute. The Romans many times would crucify criminals together that were guilty of similar crimes. Barabbas would have been at home with this group while Jesus stands out as unique. Which is fitting.

     Verse 28:  And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “He was numbered with the transgressors” –This verse is missing in all of the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts. Most scholars believe that it was a notation made by a copyist that was inserted into the text in later copies. All of the modern editions of the Bible have either dropped the verse or footnoted it. Nevertheless, it does represent a truth, the placing of Jesus between the two robbers could be considered to be a fulfillment of Is. 53:12. Also, Luke 22:37 does record it.

 

IV.  The Crucifixion –Verses 29-32

     Verses 29-32:  It is hard to imagine what Jesus was feeling while he was dying on the cross and all these people were standing around making fun of him. How barbaric! It is difficult for me to understand how people could be that way while a person is obviously suffering and dying. Some of the recent scenes of terror and videotaped beheading from the Middle East seem to be in the same category. How does one learn to hate in this way? I thank God for the Holy Spirit which leads all believers to love one another and even their enemies.

"Come down for the cross" -what a diabolical taunt. The fact is he did save others and it was in his own power to save himself. What a temptation! The chief priests and scribes are challenging him here to come down and demonstrate that he really is the Messiah. He could have done it and what a surprise that would have been. What would they have said then? Would they have finally believed? Probably not. Nevertheless, he followed the plan of his Father and died on the cross for everyone and for all time.

As a final insult, even those dying on the cross next to him were involved in the taunting. Luke tells us that later one of the criminals recanted and received a promise of life in Paradise from Jesus.
 

V.  The Death of Jesus –Verses 33-41

     Verse 33:  Darkness fell upon the whole land from noon to 3 PM as Jesus was dying on the cross.

     Verses 34-36:  At 3 PM Jesus cried out in Aramaic: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" -this is a direct quote of Psalm 22:1. Some of the bystanders misunderstood what Jesus said and thought that maybe he was calling for Elijah to come and save him.

Most Bible teachers believe that it was at that very moment that God the Father placed upon his Son Jesus, all the sins of the world of every generation from the beginning to the end. For the first time in his life, Jesus was feeling the agony of separation from his Father. The scriptural penalty of sin is eternal separation from God. At that moment, Jesus paid the penalty for us all.

Sour wine was part of the daily allotment of the Roman soldiers, so it would have been readily available. John 19:28 tells us that Jesus said: "I thirst" -so the wine was probably given in response.

Jesus cries out and then dies. John records the last cry as: "It is finished" (John 19:30). Mathew tells us that immediately there was an earthquake (Matt. 27:51).

     Verse 38:  At the death of Jesus, the great curtain that separated the holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn in two. The curtain was huge and exceedingly thick. The tearing of the curtain would have caused a major problem for the temple priests.

Only the High Priest was allowed to enter the holiest place once a year, the presence of God was said to be there. The rendering of the door that separated one from the presence of God symbolized the beginning of a new covenant. A covenant where regular people could have access to the Father through faith and commitment to the Son. A human intermediary or priest is no longer needed. Jesus himself being both our High Priest and the sacrificial lamb bringing atonement for our sins, for now and forever.

     Verse 39:  A Roman centurion testifies: "Truly this man was the Son of God!" Whether the Roman meant it in the way that we Christians read it today is uncertain. Nevertheless, it was a prophetic statement of truth. One wonders how all the chief priests and scribes were responding to the darkened sky and to the earthquake that shook their precious temple and really changed the perception of their religion forever. After all, there is no longer any temple and the temple sacrifices have ceased long ago in 69/70 AD.

     Verses 40-41:  It is interesting that a number of women are mention here that followed Jesus from Galilee and did not shrink from being present at his execution. There is no doubt that they may have been hoping for a different ending. Nevertheless, they were faithful to Jesus to the very end. Mary Magdalene we are familiar with, and Salome is the mother of the Apostles James and John. However, Mary the mother of James the younger and Joses we know of only here at the crucifixion.

This does leave us with some questions. Where were all the Apostles? John was there supporting Mary the mother of Jesus. We also know that Peter was hanging on in the back some where. What about the rest? I wonder if Judas showed up? We can only speculate.

 

VI.  The Burial of Jesus –Verses 42-47

     Verse 42:  Preparation Day- Friday before sunset was called the day of preparation since food and provisions were prepared ahead of time for the Sabbath (Saturday).

     Verse 43:  Joseph of Arimathea was a respected member of the Sanhedrin and a closet follower of Jesus. He was looking for the Kingdom of God and probably hoped that Jesus was the promised Messiah. He boldly goes to Pilate and asks for the body of Jesus. What an act of incredible courage. He has nothing to gain and everything to lose. His associates on the council would have condemned his actions for sure. Being closely identified with one who was crucified as a ‘traitor’ would not commend him to the Romans either.

     Verses 44-45:  Pilate is surprised and checks to see if Jesus was already dead. The centurion confirms that Jesus is dead. This is major a testimony! The Roman soldiers knew how to kill people, they were experts. They also knew when someone was dead or maybe just unconscious. Jesus was dead. There go all the modern theories about Jesus coming too later and living a life as a regular person. According to the Roman centurion, Jesus was dead. So Pilate gave permission to Joseph to take the body.

One wonders where all of the disciples of Jesus were? Why didn’t any of them come for the body? It was fortunate that Joseph of Arimathea came for Jesus because the Romans rarely surrendered the bodies of executed criminals to their friends or family. It is remarkable that Pilate surrendered the body of Jesus to Joseph.

     Verse 46:  Joseph had Jesus taken down and he wrapped his body in a new linen shroud. Then he took him and laid him in a new tomb carved in rock and had the rock rolled in front of the entrance and closed up. According to the Gospel of John (19:39-42), Nicodemus helped Joseph. Matthew (27:60) tells us that the tomb was made for Joseph.

     Verse 47:  As an interesting side note, apparently Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed the removal and burial of Jesus and made plans to complete the preparation of the body on Sunday morning after the Sabbath was complete. But that was Friday, the whole world changed once and for all Sunday morning.

 

-Read: Mark 16: 1-8 for the next lesson.

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Lesson 16: Mark -Chapter 14: 27-72

 

First read Mark 14: 27-72 all the way through.

The ‘Supernatural’ Acts and Events in  Mark 14: 27-72:

Things you don’t see everyday:

Verses 28:

-Prophetic declaration

Verse 30:

– Prophecy of Peter’s denial

Verse 42:

– Prophetic Word of knowledge

Verse 43:

-Jesus knows that Judas and the temple guards are almost there.

 

Now read it again in detail along with the Notes and Commentary below:

Notes and Commentary:

 

I.   The Prophecy of Peter’s Denial –Verses 27-31

     Verses 27-28:  Along the way to Mount of Olives, Jesus tells his disciples that soon all of them would leave desert him and scatter. He is quoting Zechariah 13:7 here:

‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

Then he tells them that they will meet again in Galilee after he is ‘raised up’ (Resurrection).

This kind of conversation had to be confusing to them. First of all, none of them were thinking about leaving, and the veiled reference to meeting again after he was ‘raised up’ would not have been meaningful to them in the context of that evening. All of the disciples deny here that they are going to let Jesus down, particularly Peter.

     Verses 29-31:  Peter had enough of the ‘betrayal’ talk at the supper; here he boldly states that even if all the others take off, he’s going to stick it out with Jesus. Boldness can be a virtue at times. However, the Gospel of Luke (22:24-30) tells us that just before this the twelve were arguing over who was the greatest among them again.  So Peter’s ‘boldness’ here probably came from pride. Peter was emphatic: "If I must die with you, I will not deny you."

Jesus tells Peter:

"Truly, I tell you, (When Jesus says ‘truly’, it is always as good as done) this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."

As we shall see, it wasn’t long before this prophecy was fulfilled.

 

II.  Gethsemane –Verses 32-42

     Verses 32-34:  Jesus and his disciples reach the Mount of Olives and continue on to the garden or orchard of Gethsemane on the lower slopes of the Mount. This was one of Jesus’ favorite places to go, particularly for prayer and meditation.

Jesus left eight of the apostles at the entrance to ‘watch’ and took Peter, James, and John with him to stand and support him in prayer. As we shall see, the three were really quite tired and not very supportive in his time of need. Jesus knew what was ahead of him and the torture and death that he would soon be facing and was quite sorrowful and actually in agony over it.

We know Jesus as the Divine Son of God and sometimes we forget that he was also human. He got hungry, tired, and he felt physical pain. Also, rejection by others would have bothered him like anyone else. Soon he was facing the ultimate rejection by his own people, and incredible amounts of physical torture and pain. Like anyone else, he would have liked to avoid such treatment if possible.

     Verse 35:  It was usual for folk in those days to pray standing with hands raised. Notice that he is so distressed that he just falls down to the ground. The account in Luke (22:39-46) tells us that he prayed in such great agony that The Father sent an angel to support and strengthen him.

     Verse 36:  Notice that he addresses God as:

"Abba, Father"

‘Abba’ (Aramaic) was what little children called their dads in those days. It was equivalent to our ‘Daddy.’  Jesus asked his dad to change the plan if it was possible. After all, who would want to face the rejection that was ahead along with the extreme pain of Roman torture, crucifixion, and a slow death. If this seems to be a moment of weakness or vulnerability, it is proven not to be the case by what he says next:

"Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Jesus says this in spite of the certainty and knowledge that soon he would face torture and cruel death.

     Verses 37-41a:  Three times, Jesus came back to his disciples and found them sleeping. They were not exactly giving him the prayer support that he was hoping for. Notice in vs. 37-38 that he singles out Peter:

"Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

There are lots of times in my own personal prayer life when I can’t seem to stay awake and I am reminded of this verse:

"The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

How true, at least in my experience. Jesus not only singled out Peter because he was one of the key leaders, but also because he knew that Peter would soon be facing his own temptation.

     Verses 41b-42:  That was it, the time had come and Jesus knew that Judas would arrive any minute with the soldiers and betray him. Jesus knows what is coming, yet he goes straight ahead to face his capture, trial, torture and death. Praise God for his Son Jesus who came into the world to free us all and was willing to endure everything for our sake.

 

III.  The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus –Verses 43-52

     Verses 43-45:  Judas showed up that night with a whole gang of officials and Temple guards fully armed. He had probably observed Jesus slip away from crowds on numerous occasions and decided to leave nothing to chance. In the dim light flowing through the orchards on the Mount of Olives at night it was necessary for Judas to personally identify Jesus so that the right man could be seized and arrested.

Regardless, the actions of Judas were despicable and infamous. Judas identified Jesus using a kiss and called him ‘Rabbi’; the traditional greeting between a student/disciple and his Master implying endearment and respect in the very act of betrayal.

     Verses 46-49:  The men with Judas immediately seized Jesus. Then the scene got rather chaotic for a while. One of the disciples of Jesus actually drew a sword at that point and cut off a servants’ ear. Mark leaves it at that, but John identifies the swordsman as Peter and the servant as Malchus. Also, Luke tells us that Jesus healed the man’s ear.

Then Jesus spoke and protested the treatment he was receiving. Was he leading some kind of armed rebellion? The expected answer was no. He pointed out that they could have easily arrested him as he taught in the Temple every day that week. Of course, the chief priests opted for a secret arrest in order to avoid a possible riot.

     Verse 50:  Then all the disciples ran away and deserted Jesus leaving him to face his destiny alone. Just like Jesus said they would.

It is obvious that the officials were only concerned with arresting Jesus and brought only enough soldiers to make the arrest and control the situation. They really didn’t try to arrest and pursue the disciples also. So the disciples were able to run away and avoid arrest.

     Verses 51-52:  The reference to the ‘young man’ is found only in Mark and was probably John Mark himself, the author of the Gospel.

A linen garment was an indication of wealth in those days. He probably tagged along with Jesus and the disciples following their meal that evening. Then continued to follow the group that arrested Jesus until he was threatened also with arrest and lost his cloths in the process of getting away.

According to early Christian tradition, the family of John Mark was wealthy and provided the upper room for the last supper and later on Pentecost.

 

IV.  Jesus On Trial: Before The Sanhedrin –Verses 53-65

     Verse 53:  Following his arrest, Jesus was taken to the high priest and before a hastily called session of the Sanhedrin. The trial of Jesus can be divided into two parts- first the religious trial before the Sanhedrin, and second the legal/political trial before Pilate and Herod Antipas (However, the Gospel of Mark does not include the appearance of Jesus before Herod).

The second trial was necessary because the Sanhedrin and the Jewish religious authorities did not have the legal right to carry out capitol punishment. The Roman authorities (including Pilate and their puppet King Herod) retained that legal right and power solely for themselves.

     Verses 55-59:  Notice that the chief priest had already decided to have Jesus killed. The so-called trial was merely an opportunity to find the necessary pretense or excuse for carrying out their plans to eliminate Jesus. In their ‘religious’ trial, false testimony was entertained and condoned, even though there was little agreement among the so-called witnesses. All contrary to the Mosaic Law.

The Sanhedrin needed to find a reason within their religious laws to have Jesus condemned; but they also needed to be able to support and demonstrate that Jesus was guilty of a serious breech of Roman law (like treason) that would assure a sentence of death by the Roman authorities.

The Jewish authorities were faced with a dilemma. Seemingly no charge could be constructed or found that would satisfy both the religious and legal requirements for a sentence of death. So what if Jesus did say that he could tear down and rebuild the Temple in 3 days? What would that mean to the Romans? They would never kill someone for making crazy statements.

     Verses 60-64:  At this point, the Sanhedrin really had nothing to charge Jesus with, after all their efforts. Anyway, nothing that the Romans would be interested in. Then the high priest (Caiaphas-who remains unnamed in Mark) challenges Jesus to answer the charges. Jesus continues to remain silent. Finally, the high priest asks Jesus if he is the Messiah, ‘the Son of the Blessed (God)’. There were rumors that Jesus had made claims for himself that went beyond the title of Messiah- The Anointed One.

When Jesus answered: "I Am", he used the personal name of God and actually was claiming it as his own and he was claiming to be Divine. Further more, using the ‘Son of Man’ title, he was claiming to be the divine figure represented in Daniel 7 who was to receive everlasting dominion over all the earth. The reaction from the high priest and the Sanhedrin was immediate. They all understood what he was claiming. It was blasphemy for sure and worthy of death.

     Verse 65:  The groans and the shouts of the leaders were probably deafening at that point. Some left their seats and began to spit on Jesus and while others proceeded to hit him. The ‘respected’ council was nearly in a riot when the guards finally took him away.

I can never understand those scholars who teach that Jesus never claimed to be the divine Son of God. The reaction of the chief priests and scribes makes it very clear what they believed that Jesus was declaring here. They finally had the charges that they needed from his very own mouth:

1. The religious Charge: Blasphemy–claims to be equal with God.

2. The legal Charge (For the Romans): Treason-Claims to be the Messiah–The true King of the Judah and the whole world (Dan. 7).

The entire Sanhedrin agreed to condemn Jesus to death, at least all of those who were present at this trumped up session. Not exactly the high point in the history of this venerated council.

 

V.  Peter’s Denial of Jesus –Verses 54, 66-72

     Verse 54:  All of the disciples of Jesus scattered at his arrest except Peter. Verse 54 records that Peter followed the procession at a distance and even ventured into the courtyard of the high priest.

From that position, he was somewhat privy to the discussion of the Sanhedrin. Usually the council held their meetings near the Temple, but this hasty session was irregular in both time and place. Peter tried to blend in with the guards and servants as he warmed himself by the fire. One wonders what his plans were if any. Peter obviously hoped to make good on his boast that "Even though they all fall away, I will not."

     Verses 66-68:  While he was in the courtyard a servant girl recognized him declaring: "You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus." Notice how Peter responds. He was obviously not prepared to answer. What a weak retort: "I neither know or understand what you mean."

Then he moves toward the gateway as the rooster crows the first time. One wonders what happened to Peter’s usual boldness. Was he intimidated by all of the religious leaders at the so-called trial? Did he fear for his own life? Was he beginning to question whether Jesus was really the one? Maybe it was a combination of all of the above?

     Verses 69-70:  The servant girl saw Peter again by the gate and this time addressed those standing near by: "This man is one of them." Again Peter denied it.

The scripture indicates that some time passed and then those standing near by began to insist that Peter was surely one of those connected to Jesus: "Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." This time Peter was really upset. He cursed and answered his accusers: "I do not know this man of whom you speak."

Immediately the rooster crowed a second time and Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." Peter had failed famously. Luke 22:61 tells us that Jesus turned and looked directly at him that very moment. As Peter thought about it he broke down and wept. He had failed the Lord and there was no way he could ever take it back.

Note: John Mark probably got this account from Peter himself. It should give us all hope considering that Peter was eventually restored by Jesus.

 

-Read: Mark 15 for the next lesson.

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Lesson 14: Mark -Chapter 13

 

First read Mark 13 all the way through.

The ‘Supernatural’ Acts and Events in Mark 13

Things you don’t see everyday:

 Verse 2:

– Prophecy of the destruction of the temple.

Verses 5-6: 

-Prophecy of coming false teachers.

Verses 7-8:

-Prophecy of signs of last days.

Verse 11:

-Prophecy of help from the Holy Spirit.

Verses 12-13a:

-Prediction- followers of Jesus would be persecuted.

Verses 14:  

-Prophecy of the ‘abomination of desolation’ of the temple.

Verse 22:

-Prophecy of false christs and false prophets performing signs and wonders

 

Now read it again in detail along with  the Notes and Commentary below:

Notes and Commentary:

Mark 13: The Olivet Discourse -‘The Little Apocalypse’

 

I.  The Prophecy of The Destruction of The Temple –Verses 1-3

The disciples here are impressed with the huge and magnificent Temple that Herod built.  It was one of the architectural wonders of the ancient Roman world.  Jesus takes them by total surprise by proclaiming and prophesying the total destruction of the Temple. 

The followers of Jesus are still expecting Jesus to conquer the Romans and set up the ‘Messianic’ kingdom.  After all, a couple of days ago he came into Jerusalem as the ‘Son of David’ riding on the back of a donkey with the shouts and adoration of the people.  Now he is proclaiming that the Temple was going to be utterly destroyed!  This had to be completely confusing to the disciples. 

Also, the last couple of days he taught in the Temple, challenged the Temple leaders and teachers, and cleaned out the Temple.  It probably looked like he was intending to take over the place to his followers. Now he was prophesying its destruction?  Peter, James, John, and Andrew go privately to Jesus to find out what the deal is.

Note:  In 70 AD, Jerusalem was attacked by the Roman army under Titus, and the Temple was utterly destroyed.  The Soldiers took it apart one stone at a time in order to recover the ornamental gold which had melted into the cracks and crevices when the Temple was burned.  The prophecy was completely fulfilled.

 

II.  The Ultimate Question –Verse 4 

Peter, James, John, and Andrew were elected to ask Jesus the question on everyone’s mind.  When is the Temple going to be destroyed, but the real underlying question which Jesus knew was on their minds but they do not officially ask-  when are we all going to take over, and when is the "Messianic" kingdom going to be established after all? 

Jesus answers these two questions in the rest of the chapter.  Some have referred to these passages as the ‘Little Apocalypse’.  However, some of the references pertain to the generation of the disciples up to the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD, while other references are for the very ‘end-times’ leading up to the Second Coming of Christ and the ushering in of the ‘Messianic’ Kingdom of God which the disciples were looking for. 

The disciples did not envision a large parenthesis of time between these major events.  For us, it provides some difficulty and some differences of opinion among Bible scholars in interpreting where to place all the events noted by Jesus.  I believe that much of what Jesus talks about is relevant for both events and for both time periods.

 

III.  Signs of The End -The Beginning of ‘Birth Pangs’ –Verses 5-8

     Verse 5-6: Jesus tells them not to be deceived. Before the end, there are going to be false teachers who come claiming: ‘I am he’ (The Messiah), deceiving many.

     Verses 7-8: Signs of the ‘end times’ to look for: Wars, earthquakes, famines-  the beginning of birth pains.

Many critics of the Bible have asserted that wars, earthquakes, and famines have happened in every generation of human history.  This may be true, however, the prophecy of Jesus here is to look for a time which is more clearly defined by extraordinary catastrophic events.  Also at the same time, look for false leaders who are proclaiming that they are the expected ‘Messiah’ or the next or final embodiment of ‘Christ’.

Leading up to 70 AD, there were a number of leaders in Judea that rose up against the Roman Empire.  Some believed that it was a good time to rebel against Rome because of succession battles that were on-going (there were four different Roman emperors in 69 AD) and there were rebellions and wars in far away places occupying the Roman armies.

There had also been a number of major earthquakes at the time, and famines were numerous, many caused by the disruptions of war. However, all of these difficulties were quickly resolved and soon the army of Titus was marching on Jewish cities and particularly Jerusalem.

One could say that our own times are marked with wars, famines in some places, and extreme problems and disasters brought on by weather.  However, there are other signs to be aware of also.  Jesus refers to these signs as the ‘beginning of birth pangs’.  This analogy indicates that in the end-times, these type of events will proceed to get increasingly more numerous and more severe.

 

IV.  Witnessing In The Church Age –Verses 9-13

The counsel of Jesus to his disciples here in verses 9-13 is particularly pertinent for the early Christians and continues to be relevant even today, especially for missionaries.

     Verse 9:  Local ‘councils and Synagogues’ represent the Jewish ruling authorities in towns and synagogues; while ‘governors and Kings’ represent the Gentile rulers. 

The disciples were expecting to ‘rule’ in the Messianic Kingdom.  Jesus is trying to prepare them for reality and the hard times they will soon be facing.  One cannot imagine the turmoil that they were going through listening to what Jesus was telling them.  After all, they had been constantly arguing among themselves who was going number 2 in the Messianic Kingdom. 

Now Jesus was informing them that they were going to be subject, not only to arrest by Jewish authorities, but also Gentile rulers.  What a come down this was.  Most likely they didn’t accept any of this until after the death and resurrection of the Lord.

     Verse 10:  And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. (ESV)

This had to be very disappointing for the disciples to hear.  They pretty much expected to rule over the whole World first and then teach all the people from a position of power.  However, Jesus is saying that it is going to be the other way around.  They are going to be subject to the interference of Jewish and Gentile authorities, and the ‘Messianic’ Kingdom that they expect to help rule isn’t going to happen until the ‘good news’ of Jesus is preached and proclaimed to every nation. 

The language of this statement includes all the Gentile nations!  Even after the Resurrection and Pentecost, they were bringing the Gospel to only the Jews.  Later the Apostles would take the Gospel to the Gentiles, particularly Paul and Peter. 

However, the World was a lot bigger place than they really knew.  In the first generation, the disciples and their followers took Christianity to all of the Roman Empire and nearly all of the known World. 

‘Doubting’ Thomas walked all the way to India and started a church that was still there when the Portuguese showed up over 1300 years later.  As incredible as their ministry was in the first century; Asia, Southern Africa, and the Americas were probably still untouched as the second generation began their ministry. 

Today, the Gospel of the Kingdom is still in the process of being expanded and preached to every nation.  There are still a few groups of people that have not been reached yet.

     Verse 11:  This is good counsel for their time and for the entire church age down to our own generation.  If Christians are persecuted and brought into court for spreading the Gospel, then they can expect the Holy Spirit to help them.  Like Peter and John astonished the learned men in the Sanhedrin with their answers (Acts 4:1-21).

     Verses 12-13a:   And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. (ESV)

This warning is specifically for the disciples in the first century,  but it has also been proven valid for the followers of Jesus down to our time.  Even close relatives and friends may betray those who serve the Lord Jesus. In this generation it is demonstrated in Muslim countries when one converts to Christianity.

     Verse 13b:  But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (ESV)  

Regardless of the persecution, Followers of Jesus are called to endure and keep on keeping on until the end of the age. Rev. 2:10 tells us:

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.  (ESV)

Rom. 14:4:

And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. (ESV)

This is called the doctrine of  ‘the perseverance of the saints.’  Those who are true followers of Jesus shall endure to the end.  Those who really don’t have saving faith will quit when the going gets rough. See  I John 2:19:

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. (ESV)

V.  The Abomination of Desolation –Verses 14-20

The ‘Abomination of Desolation’ reflects the imagery used by Daniel 9:25-27.  One fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy took place nearly two hundred years before when the Greek army under Antiochus Epiphanes brought a statue into the Holy Place and sacrificed a pig. 

Jesus is prophesying that something similar is going to happen again.  In 70 AD, Roman soldiers did bring in their pagan banners and profaned the Temple once more, before they burned and utterly destroyed it. 

Most Bible scholars expect that an end-time Temple will be rebuilt in the last days and will be desecrated once more by the Antichrist. It is in that final application of this passage that the phrase- “And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved” would most appropriately apply. The Roman attack on Judea and the Destruction of Jerusalem would threaten the survival of the Jewish people but not all of humanity.

The first century Christians living in Jerusalem took this prophesy serious. When they saw the Roman armies circling the city, they immediately left Jerusalem and escaped to Pella, in the Trans-Jordan area.

Verse 20:  ‘The elect’ here are the people of God.  The early church believed that they were spared when the Roman armies had to cut short their expedition in Judea and did not expand their campaign into the Trans-Jordan area where they had escaped.  Many Bible scholars teach that in the last days, Jesus will come again in the nick of time to insure that followers of Jesus and the Jewish people in the end-times will not be completely destroyed by the Antichrist.

VI.  False Christs and False Prophets  -Verses 21-23

This continues the teaching of verse 6.  Many pseudo-Messiahs did break upon the scene before 70 AD. leading to the rebellion against Rome.  For the early Christians, early heretics such as some of the Gnostic leaders seem to fit this scripture. 

Many Bible scholars believe that there will be numerous examples of such in the final moments of history.  The Book of Revelation for example warns us to look out for the Antichrist and his False Prophet.  However, it also tells us about Two Prophets of God who witness in the ‘last days’. 

I have read or heard the theory that since Satan does not really know the future, he has a potential ‘antichrist’ prepared and ready to go in every generation.  Only the hand of God holds back some of these evil leaders.  Hitler, is an example of one evil man who tried to fulfill the role of the Antichrist. 

What about prophets or ministers today, are all who perform signs and miracles by definition ‘false’?  Some Christian pastors teach that the ‘gifts’ of the Spirit and the ministry of prophets ended in the first century when the Bible was complete. If so, then this scripture is meaningless for Christians today.  If all prophets today are false then how can faithful Christians be deceived?

However, if God has genuine prophets and leaders performing healings and signs and wonders today, then this warning also continues to have meaning for us to

day and in the future. 

I believe that the people of God today (‘The Elect’) will need to continue to discern the ‘real’ from the ‘false’.  Look at the ‘fruit’; does the ministry bring people to Christ and closer to God the Father and his Holy Spirit, or does it lead away from God and any of his genuine teachings in the Bible.  This is the real Scriptural test.

 

VII.  Extreme Natural Disasters –Verses 24-25

“…the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven…”:

Jesus foretells here that many extreme natural disasters will precede his Second Coming.  These verses are similar to the ‘Day of the Lord’ portrayed in the Old Testament prophets. See: Joel 2:10, 30-31, 3:15;  Isaiah 13:10, 34:4;  Amos 8:9; and Ezekiel 32:7-8 for examples.  See also Rev. 16:1-21 which gives a possible detailed picture of these events.

 

VIII.  Son of Man Coming In The Clouds –Verses 26-27

The Second Coming of our Lord will not be in secret.  Everyone will miraculously see him coming in the clouds "with great power and glory." 

He is not coming as a baby again, he is not going to be the ‘Christ Spirit reincarnated’, he will not be the Islamic 12th imam or the Mahdi.  He will be the Jewish Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God coming back in power with all of ‘His people’ to establish his Kingdom. 

All the believers (the elect) that are alive at his coming will be gathered by the Angels from every direction of the globe to meet him in the air.   Also, the Jewish folk will be gathered back in their land waiting and hoping for the coming of their Messiah.

 

IX.  Parable of The Fig Tree –Verses 28-30

The fig tree is a symbol of the nation of Israel.  The Jewish folk in the first century were expecting the coming of the Messiah and rebelled against Roman authority wanting to set up their own country.  The Jewish Christians in the land were hoping for the same thing, only they were looking for Jesus to come back as Messiah. 

However, since Jesus had predicted the utter destruction of the Temple in that generation, one could have anticipated that when the fig tree (Judea) tried to extend its authority, destruction would be soon coming.  The Jewish Christians bailed out as the Romans began to prepare for their attack.  The destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem was completed within the lifespan of the disciples, in that first generation.

Many Bible scholars believe that the parable of the fig tree is also valid for interpreting the events for those who live during the ‘end-time’ generation.  In this case, the fig tree represents the re-establishment of the Jewish nation once more- like modern Israel.  In that case, ‘the generation’ that witnesses the extension of Jewish national authority in the land once more will witness the completion of all the ‘end-time’ events prophesied by Jesus in Mark 13 and elsewhere. 

Therefore, many Bible teachers today believe that the parable of the fig tree is valid for both events- that the parable represents both the first Christian generation that witnessed the destruction of the Temple and for the final generation who see the Lord coming again.

 

X.  But My Words Will Not Pass Away –Verse 31

Jesus wants his disciples to understand that he is not talking about possibilities here.  These events are really going to happen.  I am sure that the disciples were hoping that maybe their homes and country could somehow escape destruction; that maybe the Jewish folk in that generation could all be converted and that Jerusalem and the Temple would be spared. 

Jesus underlines it all for his followers–those in the first generation on through to the last.  The Temple is going to be destroyed, all the catastrophic events of the ‘end-times’ are going to happen, and everything he ever said was going to be fulfilled.

 

XI.  But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows…only the Father –Verse 32

I have heard al sorts of theories about why Jesus may not have known exactly when he was coming back.  Many contend that in his ‘bodily’ form that his knowledge was limited, and some contend that since he has been ‘glorified’ that he surely would now know the ‘day or hour’.  This of coarse is speculation which has little or no scriptural basis. 

Nevertheless, he did not inform his disciples then, and I doubt that he will provide the exact date to any minister or prophet in the future.  Beware of those who claim to know the time of his coming and set dates.  They will always be wrong for sure!  But Jesus does give us lots of clues to watch for in anticipation of his coming.

 

XII.  Be On Guard, Be Alert, And Be Prepared! –Verse 33-37

Rather than telling his disciples or us when these events will take place, Jesus emphasizes here that we all should be watching and we should all be prepared to respond to the ‘signs of the times.’  Particularly the ‘doorkeeper’ who as a servant should be prepared for the Masters return.  This analogy fits the profile of the minister of the Lord Jesus Christ rather well.  It was the responsibility of the ‘doorkeeper’ to wake up or warn all the rest of the servants when he saw his Lord approaching. 

The final counsel here from Jesus is for all of us:

What I say to you (the disciples), I say to everyone: ‘Watch’.

 

-Read: Mark 14 for the next lesson.

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Lesson 13: Mark -Chapter 12

 

First read Mark 12 all the way through.

The ‘Supernatural’ Acts and Events in Mark 12

Things you don’t see everyday:

Verses 6-12:

-Parable of the tenant foretells the death of Jesus.

Verse 15:

– Jesus prophetically knew that they were trying to trap him.

Verses 15-17:

-The Roman coin and Caesar answer is truly inspired.

Verse 25:

-Prophetic info.: The risen dead will not marry.

Verse 40:

-Jesus predicts that the teachers opposing him will be punished.

Verse 44:

-Prophetic/word of knowledge-widow gave all she had.

 

Now read it again in detail along with  the Notes and Commentary below:

Notes and Commentary:

Jesus Teaching in The Temple –Chapter 12

Jesus began teaching in the Temple in the form of parables.  Notice that after a while, the authorities began to perceive that Jesus was talking against them, particularly in the Parable of the Tenants.

 

I.  The Parable of The Tenants –Verses 1-12

The Vineyard in this parable represents Israel. 

     Verses 2-5:  The servants that the master sent represents the prophets. Many were mistreated over the years by the authorities in Israel and even killed. 

     Verses 6-9:  The tenants kill the Master’s Son figuring that they will gain the vineyard in the process.  The Master in the parable kills unfaithful tenants and gives the vineyard to others. Jesus is really the master’s son in this parable.

In 70 AD the temple and Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans and the leaders at that time were killed fulfilling this parable.  

     Verses 10-11:  Jesus also represents the rejected stone of Psalm 118:22.  The time is coming when he is going to put a cap on history and an end to the present age.

     Verses 12:  The chief priests confirm what Jesus is alluding to in the parable. They are looking for some way to arrest him but are afraid of the crowds that are following him. Later they would not only have him arrested but killed.

 

II.  Give To Caesar and To God –Verses 13-17

Again the Pharisees, along with some Herodians, try to trap Jesus.  They start out pretending to pay Jesus a complement, however Jesus perceives their hypocrisy. 

     Verses 14b-15:  They are presenting Jesus with a clever ‘no win’ scenario.  If Jesus says to go ahead and pay Roman taxes, then many of his supporters, especially Zealots, would probably abandon him, so these ‘smart guys’ reason.  On the other hand, if Jesus tells them not to pay the taxes, then they can charge him with treason before the Roman authorities.  Actually, quite a brilliant plan. 

     Verses 15b-17:  However, Jesus sees the trap and resolved the question in such a way that even the ‘smart guys’ were amazed.  Notice that he ends with: "and to God what is God’s"-after all, God is really the ultimate authority. on that they can all agree.

 

III.  Marriage and The Resurrection –Verses 18-27

     Verses 18-23:  Next, a bunch of Sadducees, who didn’t believe in the Resurrection, try to demonstrate the crazy problems one might experience in the Resurrection if one had been remarried a number of times. After seven marriages, who would one be married to in the after life? 

This was probably one of the favorite unsolvable questions that they usually presented to their ‘smart’ Pharisee adversaries (who believed in the resurrection).  No one had ever been able to solve this problem before so the Sadducees were confident that they had Jesus where they wanted him.

     Verse 24:  But Jesus spoke with unusual authority and proclaimed that there would  be no marriage in the life to come. 

     Verses 25-27:  Then he deals brilliantly with the real question and demonstrates the truth of the resurrection and the after life, by quoting from the Pentateuch (first five books), the only scriptures that the Sadducees fully recognized. 

Jesus, quoted from Exodus 3:1-6,  citing God himself as proof for the continuing existence of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in an after life.  The Sadducees had to be surprised and totally defeated by his answer.

 

IV.  The Greatest Commandments –Verses 28-34

The final question of the day posed to Jesus comes from one of the scribes or teachers.  This seems to be a genuine query rather than a trap. 

     Verse 29-31:  This teaching of Jesus is just as valid for Christians today.  We are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Secondly, we are called to love others as ourselves. 

     Verse 32-34:  Notice that this teacher agrees with Jesus and states that these two commandments were more important than "all burnt offerings and sacrifices."  Jesus commends this teacher:  "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."  Later, hundreds of scribes, teachers, and Pharisees joined the early Christian church.  Perhaps this teacher was one of them. 

I love the last line of verse 34: 

"And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions." 

Obviously, Jesus had demonstrated his superiority that day over the smartest and the best educated men in Judea.

 

V.  The Messiah is Son of David and More? –Verses 35-37

Now it is Jesus’ turn to ask a question and there were no takers. But the regular folks are hanging on his every word.

Jesus points out that according to the scriptures, the Christ (the Messiah or the ‘anointed one’) was supposed to be a descendant (a son) of King David, and yet in Psalm 110:1, David refers to his descendant as ‘Lord’:

David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

Jesus does not answer his own question here, but leaves it hanging. In reality, only Jesus could fulfill this scripture as a descendant of David but also the Son of God. But none of the authorities recognized who Jesus really was or even wanted to know.

The answer:  If the Messiah was merely David’s descendant (son), than David would naturally hold the primary position of authority.  However, Jesus was not only the Messiah and a descendant of David, but he was also the Son of God.  Therefore, David recognized his own descendant as his Lord and his superior.

    

VI.  Who Has Real Authority -the Teachers or Jesus? – Verses 38-40

Now Jesus teaches in the temple to a large crowd, and they listened to him with wonder and delight.  All the ‘smart guys’ were gone, they had enough, but the regular folk received it all with pleasure.

     Verse 38:  Jesus than warns the people that the teachers of the law they respect and who are suppose to represent God and his teaching are really hypocrites that will be judged severely by God.

Jesus points out that those teachers of the Law, who demand respect and positions of authority, who seek honor and commendation, but actually rob widows are not following God’s Word at all.

 

VII.  The Poor Widow’s Offering vs. The Rich –Verses 41-44

Jesus and his disciples watched as people filed in to give money to the temple treasury.  A whole lot of rich folks came in with all sort of ‘pomp and circumstance’ and gave huge amounts of money to the temple.  I am sure that the disciples were appropriately impressed.

     Verses 42-44:  Among the crowd was a poor humble widow who dropped in two small copper coins.  She contribution would have probably gone unnoticed except for maybe a sneer by the priest overseeing the collection.  The disciples may have missed it or may have dismissed it along with the temple priest. But they would have been shocked when Jesus said:

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

It was a popular teaching in Israel at the time, and especially among the priests and temple teachers, that the poor were sinners that deserved their poverty while the rich were righteous folks blessed by God. It was a false doctrine but the temple priests would have looked down on the poor widow assuming that she was a ‘sinner.’

But Jesus knew something that they did not know.  The widow gave all she had and was giving it to God fulfilling the First Commandment.  Now that is really righteous and impressive!

 

-Read: Mark 13 for the next lesson.

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