Bible Study Notes on Mark 12:1-27 – 20180420 – Black & White with Shades of Gray

Mark 12:1 “…He began to speak to them in parables…”
During passion week. Looks like the parables He’s using are all pointing to the Messiah’s death and resurrection, not just general living teachings. This seems to have been His focus since at least Him healing the blind man outside Bethsaida.

5 “…many others, beating some and killing some”
Wonder if the servants began to see the pattern. Represents the prophets and teachers sent to Israel over the years. Some knew the cost they would pay for telling the truth and did it anyway. What is most desired in a servant is obedience.

7 “…let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours”
Interesting point. Religious leaders were so intent on killing Jesus. Did they ever have the slightest idea that they could somehow mold, shape, or change the mind and desire of God by killing His Messiah, if they somehow recognized Jesus as such. Could they have actually recognized Jesus was the Messiah and killed Him anyway because He wasn’t the one they wanted. And could they have in any sense thought they could get away with it. It’s a believable plot in the parable, but in real life we’re talking about God, not just a land owner. Had they really been lulled into disbelief that God wasn’t watching since they hadn’t heard from Him in so long. Can understand them killing Jesus if they only thought of Him as a teacher with whom they didn’t agree and who made them feel guilty regarding their sin. This thought adds a new level to their evil behavior.

9-12 “…He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others…they knew He had spoken the parable against them…”
He warned them what was coming, and they continued on their way. I don’t see how they couldn’t have known the truth by this time.

13 “…the Herodians…”
Secularists. Since they asked about taxes, they probably thought they might find something in the secular world to use against Him. If He were just a regular insurrectionist, He might speak out against the Romans.

14 “…You are true, and care about no one…You do not regard the person of men…”
Not just flattery, but trying to appeal to His vanity as an insurrectionist if He were one. Insurrectionist would have considered himself above the law which he was fighting against. They’re trying to puff Him up as one so He might speak out against the government.

15 “…Why do you test Me?…”
Get the feeling this irritated Jesus more than their usual foolishness. He was teaching about what was coming, and they were throwing secular arguments at Him. If they had only been listening to what He was saying, they would know He wasn’t the type of malcontent they were attempting to catch Him as. Overthrowing the Roman government had never been part of any of His teachings. Their line of questioning showed their ignorance.

22 “…the seven had her and left no offspring…”
Was the seventh person supposed to raise up offspring for the other six. Their whole premise was convoluted, but their true purpose wasn’t hidden from Jesus.

26 “But concerning the dead, that they rise…”
Jesus knew why they were asking such a weird question, and He answered them directly.

27 “…You are therefore greatly mistaken”
Slammed the door on their argument. Something this simple should not be missed by supposed teachers of the law. They were allowing their own ideas to contradict what God had said.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word. May it accomplish what He desires. Please feel free to comment or post questions. Thanks for reading!