Mark 12
Summary. This chapter mainly concentrates on who the Lord Jesus is and His will to save all, even those who crucified Him. The Lord tried to open people’s hearts because their eyes had witnessed what many longed to see, yet their hearts remained darkened. When they talk about Him and His work, it does not make them stop and think about who the Lord Jesus really is on this earth, but they only believe that He came to take their power away from them. The power of this world is nothing, but that is what all humans’ eyes look for: to have power on this earth. The Lord Jesus came to point the way to the other world, but they did not hear or understand. The chapter presents a few events as the Lord Jesus interacts with the leaders of the people. 1) The Lord Jesus tells the parable of the tenants to address their question about His authority. The parable is given to think about who the Lord Jesus really is. Yet they sought to arrest Him because they perceived He spoke against them, the leaders of the people. But what the Lord spoke did not reach their hearts because jealousy from their hearts covered their ears. They have seen and heard the Holy Word coming out from the Lord Jesus’ mouth, but their jealous hearts have covered it all. That is why all they could think about was how to destroy Him. Even when the Lord talked about the Father, their ears were covered; they did not want to understand. 2) The leaders sent some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians to test the Lord Jesus about people’s duty. They wanted to point out that the Lord Jesus opposes paying taxes and is stirring people against the governing authority. 3) The Sadducees questioned the Lord Jesus about the resurrection, and one of the scribes inquired about the most important commandment of God. They wanted to know His standpoint because they called Him a teacher; however, this display indicated a lack of respect toward the Lord. As a human position, they put Him as a teacher; therefore, He was above them, but they came up with many questions only to trap Him in His answers, not to learn from Him. This was a wicked way of the students; they themselves had called Him teacher, but had no respect for the Lord. 4) The Lord Jesus teaches about who Christ is. 5) The Lord Jesus teaches against corrupt leaders. Mainly, the Lord tells them to look at the leaders with watchful eyes: are they walking as the Law has been written, or are they walking beside it? People need to open their eyes to see what is right and what is wrong. He tells them not to take what they see but to always look first at what the Law tells them. At that time, they did not have the Bible, but they had the Law. 6) The Lord Jesus teaches about offering to the Lord. We should give from what we have most valued, not from the leftovers.
[1]
And He began to speak to them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a winepress, and built a tower, and rented it out to farmers, and journeyed to a distant land.
[2]
And at the season he sent to the farmers a servant, that he might receive from the farmers of the fruits of the vineyard.
[3]
And having taken him, they beat him, and sent him away empty.
[4]
And again he sent to them another servant; and him they wounded in the head, and treated shamefully.
[5]
And he sent another, and him they killed; also many others, indeed beating some, then killing some.
[6]
He had yet one, a beloved son; he sent him last to them, saying, They will reverence my son.
[7]
But those farmers said to themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.
[8]
And they took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
[9]
What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.
[10]
Have you not even read this scripture:
The stone which those building rejected,
This has become the head corner;
This has become the head corner;
[12]
And they sought to lay hold of Him ; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that He spoke the parable against them. And having left Him , they went away.
Comments Mark 12:1-12
For Mark 12:1-12 ,see Comments Matthew 21:33-46 and Comments Luke 20:9-19. Analyzing these passages of Scripture, we can say that the Lord Jesus has spoken this parable more than once to different groups of people. Each time the Lord Jesus shares the same parable, He presents it differently, pointing out a different emphasis. Each Gospel has its own purpose; the same parable, but different people listening. The time of day, from morning until evening, don’t forget as well, people approaching in one area, the Lord says the parable. When the Lord goes further, another group approaches, and the Lord still tells the same parable, explaining it. That is why each Gospel differs only in certain spots, but the whole story is the same. Each Gospel presents the parable once, but they do not necessarily render the same instance, time, or place.
Comparison Analysis Mark 12:1, Matthew 21:33, Luke 20:9. The Lord Jesus continues to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. He gives them the parable of the tenants (see Comments Matthew 21:33). There in Matthew, we mentioned only two types of people, but we also need to mention the Gentiles. Some of the Gentiles are chosen ones; the Lord will use some of them for a purpose. Note that in this parable, it doesn’t talk about the saved ones, but only about the chosen ones who do work for the Lord.
Mark 12:2, Matthew 21:34, Luke 20:10a. The Lord sends His servants to the people when they sin, to tell them to repent and bring them back to the Lord. The Lord wants to make their own hearts rebuke them for their sins against the Lord, so their hearts will make them repent and turn back to the Lord. If you read the Old Testament, you will see that the Lord always sent His prophets and servants to the people when they walked astray, to bring them to repentance. And in the New Testament, we see that the Father sent John the Baptist to bring people to repentance. And ultimately, He sent the Lord Jesus, His beloved Son, to save all human souls (see Comments Matthew 21:34).
Mark 12:3-6, Matthew 21:35-37, Luke 20:10b-13. All Gospels show the same thing: the love of the Father towards humans. He sent His servants, and the Bible tells us how they, the tenants, treated them, but the Lord has not given up. He is willing to save the humans, and after all, He sends His Son. Why do humans not want to think about the love of God? Selfishness is in them from the beginning; you can do good to humans, but they are never willing by themselves to accept it. The Lord sent the Holy Spirit to guide humans to His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, but they still don’t believe and reject Him in the same way. They reject not just the One the Father has sent, but they reject the Father Himself; this is clear here. When the punishment comes, they have no argument. They did nothing good, even though the Holy Spirit has guided them; how many have come and believed? This is the conclusion of humans: not to respond to the call of the Holy Spirit. You can pour all the goodness down on humans, but they never appreciate it. As the Bible tells us in many places, all things have their own time to come. When the end time comes, the human voice will not be heard; just be aware of the evil thoughts humans build themselves; nobody pursues them to think evil. See Comments Matthew 21:35-37.
Mark 12:7-8, Matthew 21:38-39, Luke 20:14-15a. See Comments Matthew 21:38-39.
Mark 12:9, Matthew 21:40-41, Luke 20:15b-16. See Comments Matthew 21:40-41.
Mark 12:10-11, Matthew 21:42, Luke 20:17. See Comments Matthew 21:42. Mark 12:12.The meaning of this verse is clear.
Comparison Analysis Mark 12:1, Matthew 21:33, Luke 20:9. The Lord Jesus continues to speak to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders in parables. He gives them the parable of the tenants (see Comments Matthew 21:33). There in Matthew, we mentioned only two types of people, but we also need to mention the Gentiles. Some of the Gentiles are chosen ones; the Lord will use some of them for a purpose. Note that in this parable, it doesn’t talk about the saved ones, but only about the chosen ones who do work for the Lord.
Mark 12:2, Matthew 21:34, Luke 20:10a. The Lord sends His servants to the people when they sin, to tell them to repent and bring them back to the Lord. The Lord wants to make their own hearts rebuke them for their sins against the Lord, so their hearts will make them repent and turn back to the Lord. If you read the Old Testament, you will see that the Lord always sent His prophets and servants to the people when they walked astray, to bring them to repentance. And in the New Testament, we see that the Father sent John the Baptist to bring people to repentance. And ultimately, He sent the Lord Jesus, His beloved Son, to save all human souls (see Comments Matthew 21:34).
Mark 12:3-6, Matthew 21:35-37, Luke 20:10b-13. All Gospels show the same thing: the love of the Father towards humans. He sent His servants, and the Bible tells us how they, the tenants, treated them, but the Lord has not given up. He is willing to save the humans, and after all, He sends His Son. Why do humans not want to think about the love of God? Selfishness is in them from the beginning; you can do good to humans, but they are never willing by themselves to accept it. The Lord sent the Holy Spirit to guide humans to His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, but they still don’t believe and reject Him in the same way. They reject not just the One the Father has sent, but they reject the Father Himself; this is clear here. When the punishment comes, they have no argument. They did nothing good, even though the Holy Spirit has guided them; how many have come and believed? This is the conclusion of humans: not to respond to the call of the Holy Spirit. You can pour all the goodness down on humans, but they never appreciate it. As the Bible tells us in many places, all things have their own time to come. When the end time comes, the human voice will not be heard; just be aware of the evil thoughts humans build themselves; nobody pursues them to think evil. See Comments Matthew 21:35-37.
Mark 12:7-8, Matthew 21:38-39, Luke 20:14-15a. See Comments Matthew 21:38-39.
Mark 12:9, Matthew 21:40-41, Luke 20:15b-16. See Comments Matthew 21:40-41.
Mark 12:10-11, Matthew 21:42, Luke 20:17. See Comments Matthew 21:42. Mark 12:12.The meaning of this verse is clear.
[13]
And they send to Him some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might catch Him in speech.
[14]
And having come, they say to Him , Teacher , we know that Thou are true, and Thou are not caring for anyone; for Thou does not regard the appearance of men, but in truth teach the way of God . Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Should we give, or should we not give?
[15]
But knowing their hypocrisy, He said to them, Why do you test Me ? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.
[16]
And they brought it. And He says to them, Whose is this image and the inscription? And they said to Him , Caesar’s.
[17]
And Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God . And they marveled at Him .
Comments Mark 12:13-17
For Mark 12:13-17, see Comments Matthew 22:15-22, and Comments Luke 20:19-26. The Lord Jesus spoke the parable of paying taxes to Caesar at different times and to different groups of people, as we can see from these passages of Scripture. The Lord asked to see the denarius more than once because it comes in different sizes and has pictures with different meanings. Each Gospel gives us an account of what the Holy Spirit gave to the writers, and each Gospel has its own purpose. When it comes to money, questions never end; therefore, pay attention to the answer the Lord has given to them.
“Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.” Think of what the eyes have seen when you look at money. Money belongs to the world, but the Lord Jesus did not pay them money. The Lord did not come to earth to apply for the job to be a teacher. People have lifted Him up and put Him as a teacher; if you apply for the job and get it, then you need to pay taxes as a teacher. The greedy eyes will never stop searching and asking Him to pay money. As time passes, this question will come up more often to make the Lord pay money. These verses clearly tell us to watch out for greed. Here, it is clear how humans are: greed covers their eyes. But pay attention to the answer the Lord has given to them.
Q: Did their question arise from good intentions, or were they searching for what the Lord Jesus contributes to humans? A: This question is just to know whether everything comes first for pleasing humans, which, in fact, goes against God’s teaching: first God, then humans. People contributed money to the Lord Jesus as well; the Bible tells us in many places about those who brought what they had to help the Lord’s ministry. And this is their point: they want the portion of it as well. If people bring something to the Lord Jesus to help people, He must distribute portions for the government’s tax requirements. But have those things ever come to the Lord’s possession? The Lord Jesus never used those for His own purpose. The Lord worked for His own living. All the things people brought for the Lord Jesus, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples distributed them back to the people. Nothing ever came for the Lord’s pleasure Himself, and this was their point of asking for payment. Humans find ways to take even from those who do not have; the rule and order will enforce payment, and everyone feels guilty for not paying. If they come to tell you it is a duty and you don’t do your duty, that will convince people to feel guilty.
Q: Were they, in fact, implying with their question that the Lord Jesus should pay taxes as well? A: Yes, they were trying to imply that He should pay taxes on what He received from people.
Mark 12:13-14a, Matthew 22:15-16, Luke 20:19-26. See Comments Matthew 22:16.
“And they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians.” They sent more to hear more because the idea was to catch the Lord in His talk. Send only once, you don’t catch the talk. As time went by, different ones were sent to ask, just to see the answer. It was a way to catch consistency in His answers; it would not be only one time to check out His answers.
Q: Why did they send people on multiple occasions to question the Lord? A: The purpose was to compare the Lord’s answers each time. That was the way they tried to criticize the Lord; by the Lord’s answer, they wanted to find mistakes. And that is why the Lord has been asked the same questions many times. However, in the Bible, it is mentioned only once because the answer will be the same every time; that is why it is written only once.
Mark 12:14b-17, Matthew 22:17-22, Luke 20:20-26. See Comments Matthew 22:21-22.
“And they marveled at Him.” The purpose of this question about paying taxes was to find fault with the Lord Jesus. Their intention was only to find a mistake in Him in order to stop His work. His answer did not capture their hearts; as the Bible says, “they marveled at Him.” They marveled, but not enough for them, so that that marveling feeling will capture their hearts to think by themselves of who He is, whom they are trying to test. In this place, it shows that it is their own fault to be condemned. The Lord Jesus has given them a straight answer, and they marveled; that was all they felt, but did not think of the Lord who He is, that He is the beloved Son of God.
Q: Did their question arise from good intentions, or were they searching for what the Lord Jesus contributes to humans? A: This question is just to know whether everything comes first for pleasing humans, which, in fact, goes against God’s teaching: first God, then humans. People contributed money to the Lord Jesus as well; the Bible tells us in many places about those who brought what they had to help the Lord’s ministry. And this is their point: they want the portion of it as well. If people bring something to the Lord Jesus to help people, He must distribute portions for the government’s tax requirements. But have those things ever come to the Lord’s possession? The Lord Jesus never used those for His own purpose. The Lord worked for His own living. All the things people brought for the Lord Jesus, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples distributed them back to the people. Nothing ever came for the Lord’s pleasure Himself, and this was their point of asking for payment. Humans find ways to take even from those who do not have; the rule and order will enforce payment, and everyone feels guilty for not paying. If they come to tell you it is a duty and you don’t do your duty, that will convince people to feel guilty.
Q: Were they, in fact, implying with their question that the Lord Jesus should pay taxes as well? A: Yes, they were trying to imply that He should pay taxes on what He received from people.
Mark 12:13-14a, Matthew 22:15-16, Luke 20:19-26. See Comments Matthew 22:16.
“And they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians.” They sent more to hear more because the idea was to catch the Lord in His talk. Send only once, you don’t catch the talk. As time went by, different ones were sent to ask, just to see the answer. It was a way to catch consistency in His answers; it would not be only one time to check out His answers.
Q: Why did they send people on multiple occasions to question the Lord? A: The purpose was to compare the Lord’s answers each time. That was the way they tried to criticize the Lord; by the Lord’s answer, they wanted to find mistakes. And that is why the Lord has been asked the same questions many times. However, in the Bible, it is mentioned only once because the answer will be the same every time; that is why it is written only once.
Mark 12:14b-17, Matthew 22:17-22, Luke 20:20-26. See Comments Matthew 22:21-22.
“And they marveled at Him.” The purpose of this question about paying taxes was to find fault with the Lord Jesus. Their intention was only to find a mistake in Him in order to stop His work. His answer did not capture their hearts; as the Bible says, “they marveled at Him.” They marveled, but not enough for them, so that that marveling feeling will capture their hearts to think by themselves of who He is, whom they are trying to test. In this place, it shows that it is their own fault to be condemned. The Lord Jesus has given them a straight answer, and they marveled; that was all they felt, but did not think of the Lord who He is, that He is the beloved Son of God.
[19]
Teacher , Moses wrote to us that, If someone’s brother should die, and leave a wife behind, and leave no child, that his brother should take the wife, and raise up seed for his brother.
[20]
There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed;
[21]
and the second took her, and died, leaving no seed; and the third likewise;
[22]
and the seven left no seed. Last of all the woman also died.
[23]
In the resurrection whose wife will she be of them? For the seven had her as wife.
[24]
Jesus said to them, Do you not because of this err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God ?
[25]
For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are like angels in the heavens.
[26]
But concerning the dead, that they rise; have you not read in the book of Moses, on the Bush , how God spoke to him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
[27]
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you err greatly.
Comments Mark 12:18-27
For Mark 12:18-27, see Comments Matthew 22:23-32 and Luke 20:27-40.
Mark 12:24. “Jesus said to them, Do you not because of this err...” They don’t know that, by head knowledge alone, without heart knowledge, they will never understand the Scripture. Those who use the head to control the heart will never have the deep knowledge, according to the teaching of the Scripture. The Bible contains many warnings for people like this.
Mark 12:27. “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Luke 20:38 adds, “For all live to Him.” The Lord Jesus tells us that no one who is in front of the Lord is dead. Don’t forget that the Lord is the Living God and all are alive in front of Him. That is why, when the Bible refers to the Lord, it always calls Him the God of the living, because no one who can come to be in front of Him dies; they are all living spirits.
Q: How does the Lord’s answer relate to the resurrection of the body? A: The Lord’s answer here does not yet relate to the resurrection of the body; it relates to the living souls waiting. At the second coming of the Holy Son, all those who have died in the Lord will be raised up at that time. And the Lord will give them a new heavenly body, and that is why, as believers, you should not cremate your body. You come from the ground, so let your body return to the ground. At the return of the Lord Jesus, all those souls who have died in the name of the Lord will return, but not in their earthly flesh body, to receive judgment in front of the Father. The flesh of sin is not there; this flesh is full of sin, and it can’t be in front of the Father. But if you have been baptized in the name of His Son, you can be in front of the Father in your new heavenly body. The heavenly body resembles our earthly body, but is not the same; it looks alike but not the same.
Mark 12:26-27. Q: Does the Lord Jesus truly address the question of rising from the dead in this passage? A: Those who have already died but come in front of God, are they raised or not? This answer here talks about resurrection, but as for the resurrection in the body, there is only One who has been risen in the body of flesh. There is only One who can be resurrected in an earthly body, and that is the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus’ body never decayed; all other humans’ bodies decay after death. Therefore, all other humans who died in the Lord are resurrected into a body, but not in the body of the earth. In that time, there will be a different kind of body, a heavenly body.
Q: Should Christians choose cremation? A: Not cremating it demonstrates respect for the Lord. The things that the Lord has created cannot be destroyed completely. If the Lord God Almighty used dirt to create humans, the dirt should go back to dirt, and that is why we should not cremate our dead bodies.
Mark 12:24. “Jesus said to them, Do you not because of this err...” They don’t know that, by head knowledge alone, without heart knowledge, they will never understand the Scripture. Those who use the head to control the heart will never have the deep knowledge, according to the teaching of the Scripture. The Bible contains many warnings for people like this.
Mark 12:27. “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Luke 20:38 adds, “For all live to Him.” The Lord Jesus tells us that no one who is in front of the Lord is dead. Don’t forget that the Lord is the Living God and all are alive in front of Him. That is why, when the Bible refers to the Lord, it always calls Him the God of the living, because no one who can come to be in front of Him dies; they are all living spirits.
Q: How does the Lord’s answer relate to the resurrection of the body? A: The Lord’s answer here does not yet relate to the resurrection of the body; it relates to the living souls waiting. At the second coming of the Holy Son, all those who have died in the Lord will be raised up at that time. And the Lord will give them a new heavenly body, and that is why, as believers, you should not cremate your body. You come from the ground, so let your body return to the ground. At the return of the Lord Jesus, all those souls who have died in the name of the Lord will return, but not in their earthly flesh body, to receive judgment in front of the Father. The flesh of sin is not there; this flesh is full of sin, and it can’t be in front of the Father. But if you have been baptized in the name of His Son, you can be in front of the Father in your new heavenly body. The heavenly body resembles our earthly body, but is not the same; it looks alike but not the same.
Mark 12:26-27. Q: Does the Lord Jesus truly address the question of rising from the dead in this passage? A: Those who have already died but come in front of God, are they raised or not? This answer here talks about resurrection, but as for the resurrection in the body, there is only One who has been risen in the body of flesh. There is only One who can be resurrected in an earthly body, and that is the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus’ body never decayed; all other humans’ bodies decay after death. Therefore, all other humans who died in the Lord are resurrected into a body, but not in the body of the earth. In that time, there will be a different kind of body, a heavenly body.
Q: Should Christians choose cremation? A: Not cremating it demonstrates respect for the Lord. The things that the Lord has created cannot be destroyed completely. If the Lord God Almighty used dirt to create humans, the dirt should go back to dirt, and that is why we should not cremate our dead bodies.
[28]
And one of the scribes having come up, having heard them debating together, having seen that He answered them well, he asked Him , Which commandment is the first of all?
[30]
and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.
[31]
The second this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is not another commandment greater than these.
[32]
And the scribe said to Him , Of a truth, Teacher , Thou have spoken well that He is One ; and there is none other but He ;
[33]
and to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love the neighbor as oneself, is more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.
[34]
And Jesus having seen that he answered wisely, said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God . And no one no longer dared to question Him .
Comments Mark 12:28-34
For Mark 12:28-34, see Comments Matthew 22:35-40.
Passage Analysis
Mark 12:28. In this verse, we learn that “one of the scribes” approached with a question, and in Matthew 22:35, we find that “one of them, a lawyer, questioned, tempting Him.”
Q: Is the same person asking the question here? A: It is the same person, just the way sometimes, in the past, if you are one of them, Pharisees or Sadducees or scribes, but not like them, the religious name will not be mentioned. Here, we are only informed that this person is a lawyer. Only one among them all has the question. He might be called one of them, but he is different than them. Among them, one is a lawyer, which means the thought has singled him out. Even nowadays, when you put people in a group, there is still at least one person who does not share the same ideas as the rest. He might be called like them, but he has his occupation; on the side, he is a lawyer. The scribes and Pharisees are not the same; just some ideas differ between them. So, they are separated, and in that time, it became a level of people. Think this way: humans classify humans as the same type because something in them has been classified as a group. This man was neither of those, Pharisee or scribe; he was just a lawyer.
Mark 12:29-31, Matthew 22:37-40. See Comments Matthew 22:39-40.
Mark 12:32-33. Q: Did this lawyer challenge the Lord in this situation? A: Pay attention to the word “Teacher.” The person has recognized the Lord as “Teacher” and that he himself is below the Lord. It is not a challenge but testing: if you are a teacher, tell me what it is. That is not a challenge but a test; if you are a teacher, prove to me that you know the answer. Even nowadays, people still do that and come and test the Lord.
Mark 12:34. Notice here in verse 34 that the Lord does not condemn this man.
“And no one no longer dared to question Him.” Now here is the proof to people’s eyes, and their ears have heard what the Lord has said. The Lord has been lifted up in front of them. He is a Teacher, the authority has been given to Him. They have given Him that authority, but they do not recognize it. They talk with the mouth but not with the heart; they just say with their mouths.
Passage Analysis
Mark 12:28. In this verse, we learn that “one of the scribes” approached with a question, and in Matthew 22:35, we find that “one of them, a lawyer, questioned, tempting Him.”
Q: Is the same person asking the question here? A: It is the same person, just the way sometimes, in the past, if you are one of them, Pharisees or Sadducees or scribes, but not like them, the religious name will not be mentioned. Here, we are only informed that this person is a lawyer. Only one among them all has the question. He might be called one of them, but he is different than them. Among them, one is a lawyer, which means the thought has singled him out. Even nowadays, when you put people in a group, there is still at least one person who does not share the same ideas as the rest. He might be called like them, but he has his occupation; on the side, he is a lawyer. The scribes and Pharisees are not the same; just some ideas differ between them. So, they are separated, and in that time, it became a level of people. Think this way: humans classify humans as the same type because something in them has been classified as a group. This man was neither of those, Pharisee or scribe; he was just a lawyer.
Mark 12:29-31, Matthew 22:37-40. See Comments Matthew 22:39-40.
Mark 12:32-33. Q: Did this lawyer challenge the Lord in this situation? A: Pay attention to the word “Teacher.” The person has recognized the Lord as “Teacher” and that he himself is below the Lord. It is not a challenge but testing: if you are a teacher, tell me what it is. That is not a challenge but a test; if you are a teacher, prove to me that you know the answer. Even nowadays, people still do that and come and test the Lord.
Mark 12:34. Notice here in verse 34 that the Lord does not condemn this man.
“And no one no longer dared to question Him.” Now here is the proof to people’s eyes, and their ears have heard what the Lord has said. The Lord has been lifted up in front of them. He is a Teacher, the authority has been given to Him. They have given Him that authority, but they do not recognize it. They talk with the mouth but not with the heart; they just say with their mouths.
[35]
And answering Jesus said, teaching in the temple, How do the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?
[36]
David himself said by the Holy Spirit ,
The Lord said to my Lord ,
Sit onMy right hand,
UntilI make your enemies the footstool of your feet.
Sit on
Until
[37]
David himself calls Him Lord ; and from where is He his son? And the great multitude heard Him gladly.
Comments Mark 12:35-37
For Mark 12:35-37, see Comments Matthew 22:41-45, and Comments Luke 20:41-44.
Mark 12:36. This verse intends to make people think about the two “Lord” words to whom they may be addressed: to your Lord or the Lord Himself. Consider the truth of the matter and think once more: who is the first Lord? The first Lord is the Father, the second Lord is the Son. The Father tells the Son, “Sit on My right hand, Until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.” It is a promise between the Father and the Son. People have been arguing about the meaning of these words.
Mark 12:36. This verse intends to make people think about the two “Lord” words to whom they may be addressed: to your Lord or the Lord Himself. Consider the truth of the matter and think once more: who is the first Lord? The first Lord is the Father, the second Lord is the Son. The Father tells the Son, “Sit on My right hand, Until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.” It is a promise between the Father and the Son. People have been arguing about the meaning of these words.
[38]
And in His teaching, He said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and to have salutations in the marketplaces,
[39]
and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts:
[40]
those devouring widows’ houses, and as a pretext praying long; these will receive greater judgment.
Comments Mark 12:38-40
For Mark 12:38-40, see also Comments Matthew 23:1-7
Mark 12:38-39. Q: Who are these scribes? A: In this place, when the Lord mentions the scribes in the Bible, nowadays you can compare them with leaders, but not with the pastors of the church; rather, leaders who put themselves forward as leaders for the purpose of self-proclaiming. Specifically, those who step above people and make themselves known, but in their personal life, in a place where no one sees, nothing glorifies the Lord. But, for those people who do things in the dark place, even the Lord Himself has to turn back to them, because those people will make someone else fall from faith as well. There are too many these days that do things behind in the dark, and even the dark has to turn away and not look. As the Bible tells us, when the end time is coming near, the ones whom people lift up will be put down to the ground, and the ones that are first shall be last; here is the place where the Bible says it. You, yourself, watch out. Don’t judge by what you hear they do, use this verse to justify the actions of people. We may see many glorifying the Lord, but we don’t know anyone’s heart; only the Lord knows it, not by the actions they are doing. Someone may act perfectly in glorifying, but someone may not look right in action, but the Lord wants the heart that glorifies, not the action alone; as this verse tells, they dress properly and pray long, but no one knows their hearts, only the Lord.
These verses tell us about the ones that come saying that the way you do is wrong and you must change. They use their knowledge to justify and convince people that what they are doing is wrong and the right way to follow is in their way. For example, you go and participate in a group and contribute to make the group grow, but grow in what? Always remember: grow in the knowledge of the Word or grow in the knowledge of the world; use that as an indicator. Stay away from them, from those who do not grow in the Word. Don’t even eat at the same table with them because how they behave will convince you that their way is right. Use the Bible to be your right way, not people’s way to be the right way.
Mark 12:40. “Those devouring … greater judgment.” The widows are weak at that point when they lose their husbands. You go to these widows and tell them that the way to comfort the dead is to do certain things. But, the only way to comfort the dead is the Word of God, for what you give on this earth, money or things, that does not comfort the dead. We heard about the idea that you give more money and things to make the dead be in a better place, but money cannot buy a better place in heaven; only the Word of God would lead the dead to a place of rest in heaven if they lived their life on earth by the Word.
Mark 12:38-39. Q: Who are these scribes? A: In this place, when the Lord mentions the scribes in the Bible, nowadays you can compare them with leaders, but not with the pastors of the church; rather, leaders who put themselves forward as leaders for the purpose of self-proclaiming. Specifically, those who step above people and make themselves known, but in their personal life, in a place where no one sees, nothing glorifies the Lord. But, for those people who do things in the dark place, even the Lord Himself has to turn back to them, because those people will make someone else fall from faith as well. There are too many these days that do things behind in the dark, and even the dark has to turn away and not look. As the Bible tells us, when the end time is coming near, the ones whom people lift up will be put down to the ground, and the ones that are first shall be last; here is the place where the Bible says it. You, yourself, watch out. Don’t judge by what you hear they do, use this verse to justify the actions of people. We may see many glorifying the Lord, but we don’t know anyone’s heart; only the Lord knows it, not by the actions they are doing. Someone may act perfectly in glorifying, but someone may not look right in action, but the Lord wants the heart that glorifies, not the action alone; as this verse tells, they dress properly and pray long, but no one knows their hearts, only the Lord.
These verses tell us about the ones that come saying that the way you do is wrong and you must change. They use their knowledge to justify and convince people that what they are doing is wrong and the right way to follow is in their way. For example, you go and participate in a group and contribute to make the group grow, but grow in what? Always remember: grow in the knowledge of the Word or grow in the knowledge of the world; use that as an indicator. Stay away from them, from those who do not grow in the Word. Don’t even eat at the same table with them because how they behave will convince you that their way is right. Use the Bible to be your right way, not people’s way to be the right way.
Mark 12:40. “Those devouring … greater judgment.” The widows are weak at that point when they lose their husbands. You go to these widows and tell them that the way to comfort the dead is to do certain things. But, the only way to comfort the dead is the Word of God, for what you give on this earth, money or things, that does not comfort the dead. We heard about the idea that you give more money and things to make the dead be in a better place, but money cannot buy a better place in heaven; only the Word of God would lead the dead to a place of rest in heaven if they lived their life on earth by the Word.
[41]
And having sat down opposite the treasury, He saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury; and many rich cast in much.
[42]
And having come, one poor widow cast in two lepta, which is a kondrantes.
[43]
And having called His disciples, He says to them, Truly I say to you, This poor widow has cast in more than all of those casting into the treasury:
[44]
for all did cast in out of that which was abounding to them; but she out of her poverty did cast in all as much as she had, all of her living.
Comments Mark 12:41-44
For Mark 12:41-44, see also Comments Luke 21:1-4.
Mark 12:41. In this place, we can notice that when rich people put money in, they put it in so people would see it. In this place in the Bible, the rich came, and you could notice the amount by the size: small size or big size; that was the way to tell whether you were rich or poor. Even nowadays, it is the same; there are many ways people use to show off their giving. If you want people to think you are rich, then the size of your offering must be significant as well.
Mark 12:42-44. These verses tell us that some people put money from the leftovers, which was not that important for them, but this widow put in two small coins, which was her living. Put it shortly: you give to the Lord the leftover, or you give to the Lord from the most valuable you have. These verses are clear: you give from what you don’t need, or you give from what you need, but you are willing to give the things you need to the Lord, which is the heart of giving that the Lord likes to see; give from the heart, not for the eyes of humans. What you give to the Lord can be small, but that small amount, after all, is more valuable than a significant amount.
Mark 12:41. In this place, we can notice that when rich people put money in, they put it in so people would see it. In this place in the Bible, the rich came, and you could notice the amount by the size: small size or big size; that was the way to tell whether you were rich or poor. Even nowadays, it is the same; there are many ways people use to show off their giving. If you want people to think you are rich, then the size of your offering must be significant as well.
Mark 12:42-44. These verses tell us that some people put money from the leftovers, which was not that important for them, but this widow put in two small coins, which was her living. Put it shortly: you give to the Lord the leftover, or you give to the Lord from the most valuable you have. These verses are clear: you give from what you don’t need, or you give from what you need, but you are willing to give the things you need to the Lord, which is the heart of giving that the Lord likes to see; give from the heart, not for the eyes of humans. What you give to the Lord can be small, but that small amount, after all, is more valuable than a significant amount.
Life and Faith Applications. 1) “And Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God.” If that is a requirement for the place where you are, do so; if that is by human telling, abide by what it says, but what they do with the money they will be accountable to God. We as believers must do the duty as well, as long as that duty is not against the Living Word of God, otherwise, they will come and accuse us that our God teaches us not to do the duty for society. The Living Word is a rule for all believers, but the government rule is a rule for people walking among people on earth. You must do your duty towards the government as well. The Bible does not teach us to disobey the government as long as the government does not give orders that are against the Law of God, this is the point of division (the split between). 2) Duty towards God is first, then the duty to the society and human rules; we abide first by the Living Word as a believer. 3) For the dead all we can say is to ask the Lord’s mercy; you can’t do anymore further for the dead, but bring all the needs to the Lord. If we have someone that we think about, the only One we can bring to, is the Lord; we as humans cannot do anything anymore. 4) We should never test the Lord. Sometimes humans think that is not testing but asking, but better to think well of the question you put to the Lord, whether the question is challenging the Lord if He can do; when you come to the Lord you say things, don’t let your mouth move before you think carefully what you say. The Lord is merciful, but not forgiving that easy if you come testing for His patience on you. 5) Give offerings to the Lord from the heart, not for the eyes of humans to see.