Mark 12
Summary. This chapter mainly concentrates on who Christ is and His will to save all, even those who will crucify Him. The Lord tried to open their hearts because their eyes had seen something many people wanted to see, but their hearts were darkened. When they talk about Him and His work, it does not make them stop and think about who Jesus really is on this earth, but they only believe that He will come and 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. Jesus came to point the way to the other world, but they do not hear and understand. The chapter presents a few events as Jesus interacts with the leaders of the people. 1) Jesus gives the parable of the tenants addressing their authority question. The parable is given to think about who Jesus really is, yet they seek to arrest Him because they perceive He spoke against them, the leaders of the people. But what the Lord has spoken did not reach their hearts because jealousy from their heart covered their ears. They have seen, they have heard the Holy Word coming out form Jesus’ mouth, but their jealous heart has covered it all, that is why all they can think about is how to destroy Him; even when the Lord talks about the Father, their ears are covered, they did not want to understand. 2) The leaders send some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians to test the Lord about people’s duty; they want to point out that Jesus is against paying taxes and stirs people against governing authority. 3) Sadducees ask about the resurrection, and one of the scribes asks about the most important commandment of God. Because they call Him teacher, they want to know His standpoint, but this shows their disrespect towards the Lord. In a human position, they put Him as a teacher, He is above them, but they come with all sorts of questions only to trap Him in His answers, not for learning from the Lord; this is a wicked way of students; they themselves have called Him teacher but have no respect towards the Lord. 4) Jesus teaches them about who Christ is. 5) 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 walk beside it? People need to open their eyes to know what is wrong and what is not wrong. He tells them, do not take what you see, but always look first at what the Law tells you; in that time, they did not have the Bible, but they have the Law. 6) Jesus teaches about offering to the Lord; it is important to give from the most value we have, not from the leftover.
1
And He began to speak to them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and dug a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country.
2
And at the season he sent to the tenants a servant, that he might receive from the tenants of the fruits of the vineyard.
3
And they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
4
And again he sent to them another servant; and him they wounded in the head, and handled shamefully.
5
And he sent another; and him they killed: and many others; beating some, and 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 tenants said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
8
And they took him, and 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 tenants, and will give the vineyard to others.
10
Have you not read even this scripture:The stone which the builders rejected,
The same was made the head of the corner;
The same was made the head of the corner;
11
This was from the Lord ,
And it is marvelous in our eyes?
And it is marvelous in our eyes?
12
And they sought to lay hold on Him ; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that He spoke the parable against them: and they left Him , and 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 portions of Scriptures, we can say that the Lord has spoken this parable more than once to different groups of people. Each time the Lord tells the parable, same parable, but different way of pointing out, the emphasizing is different; each Gospel has its own purpose, 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 it, when the Lord goes further, another group approaching, still saying the same parable, explaining, that is why each Gospel has differences only in some certain spots, but the whole story is the same. Each Gospel puts the parable once but renders not necessarily the same instance happening.
Comparison Analysis
Mark 12:1, Matthew 21:33, Luke 20:9. Jesus continues to speak to the chief priests and scribes and elders in parables and gives them the parable of the tenants (See Comments Matthew 21:33). 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 this parable does not talk about the saved ones but only about the chosen ones for doing 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, to make their own hearts rebuke them that they have sinned against the Lord; and the heart will make them repent and turn back to the Lord. If you think back to the Old Testament, 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 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 have shown the same thing, the love of the Father towards humans. He sent His servants, and the Bible has told 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 never are willing by themselves to accept it. The Lord sent the Holy Spirit to guide the humans to Him, but they still don’t believe and reject Him in the same way; they reject not just the One the Father sent, they reject the Father Himself; this is clear here. When the punishment comes, they have no argument; they did nothing good; even they have been guided by the Holy Spirit, how many have come and believed? That is the conclusion about humans; they do not respond to the call of the Holy Spirit, you can pour all the good down to humans, but they never appreciate it. As the Bible has told 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 evil thought which humans are building by 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.
Comparison Analysis
Mark 12:1, Matthew 21:33, Luke 20:9. Jesus continues to speak to the chief priests and scribes and elders in parables and gives them the parable of the tenants (See Comments Matthew 21:33). 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 this parable does not talk about the saved ones but only about the chosen ones for doing 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, to make their own hearts rebuke them that they have sinned against the Lord; and the heart will make them repent and turn back to the Lord. If you think back to the Old Testament, 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 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 have shown the same thing, the love of the Father towards humans. He sent His servants, and the Bible has told 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 never are willing by themselves to accept it. The Lord sent the Holy Spirit to guide the humans to Him, but they still don’t believe and reject Him in the same way; they reject not just the One the Father sent, they reject the Father Himself; this is clear here. When the punishment comes, they have no argument; they did nothing good; even they have been guided by the Holy Spirit, how many have come and believed? That is the conclusion about humans; they do not respond to the call of the Holy Spirit, you can pour all the good down to humans, but they never appreciate it. As the Bible has told 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 evil thought which humans are building by 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.
13
And they send unto Him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might catch Him in talk.
14
And when they came, they say unto Him , Teacher , we know that Thou are true, and care not for any one; for Thou regard not the person of men, but of a truth teach the way of God : Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
15
Shall we give, or shall we not give? But He , knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, Why make you trial of 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 superscription? And they said unto Him , Caesar's.
17
And Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God 's. And they marveled greatly 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 parable of paying taxes to Caesar was spoken by the Lord at different times and different groups of people, as we can see from these portions of the Scriptures. The Lord asks to see the denarius more than once because they have different sizes with different pictures; they have images that have different meanings in different ways. Each Gospel gives us an account that the Holy Spirit gave to the writers; each Gospel has its own purpose. When it comes to money, questions never end; 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 did not pay money to them (the Lord did not come to apply the job to be a teacher, the people have lifted Him up and put Him to be a teacher; if you apply to get the job, then you need to pay taxes as a teacher). The greedy eyes will never stop searching, making Him pay the money. As time passes, this question will come more times, to pay money; it shows clearly how humans are, greedy covers the eyes. This verse tells clearly, watch out for greed, pay attention to the answer the Lord has given them.
Q: Did their question come with good intention or to search first what the Lord contributes towards humans? A: This question is just to know if everything first comes for pleasing humans, which in fact goes against God’s teaching; first God and then humans. People contribute money to the Lord as well. In the Bible, it tells in many places about those that bring what they have to help the Lord’s ministry; and this is the point, they want the portion of it as well; if the people give something for helping people, the Lord must distribute those portions also for government asking (as taxes). But are those things ever come to the Lord’s possession? The Lord never used those for His own purpose; the Lord works for His own living; all the things people bring for the Lord, the Lord distributes to the disciples, and the disciples distribute back to the people, nothing ever comes for the Lord’s pleasure Himself. This is the point of asking for payment. Humans find ways to take even from the one who does not have, the rule and order will come to enforce payment, and everyone feels guilty not to pay (if they come to tell you it is a duty and you don’t do your duty, that will convict people to feel guilty). Like nowadays, they ask for money and claim they use it for helping; but those who do the helpful work receive the wage higher than those who come to contribute.
Q: Are they, actually, trying to imply with their question that the Lord should pay taxes as well? A: Yes, they are trying to imply that He should pay taxes from what He receives from people.
Mark 12:13-14a, Matthew 22:15-16, Luke 20:19-26. See Comments Matthew 22:16.
“Certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians.” Send more, and you will hear more because the idea is to catch the Lord in His talk. Send one time you don’t catch the talk; as the time goes by, different ones will be sent to ask, just to see the answer; it is a way to catch something in His answer, it will not be only one time to check out.
Q: Why do they send people asking many times? A: The purpose is to compare each time the Lord’s answer; that is the way they try to criticize, by the Lord’s answer they want to find the mistake; that is why the Lord has been asked many times same questions, but in the Bible, it mentions only one time because every time the answer will be the same, that is why it is written only one time.
Mark 12:14b-17, Matthew 22:17-22, Luke 20:20-26. See Comments Matthew 22:21-22.
“And they marveled greatly at Him.” This question they come, about paying taxes, the purpose is to find fault in Jesus, their intention only is to find a mistake in Him to stop His work. His answer did not capture their hearts; as the Bible has said, they marveled at His answer, marveled but not enough for them that feeling to capture their hearts to think by themselves who is He that they are trying to test. This place clearly shows that it is their own fault to be condemned; the Lord has given them a straight answer, they marveled, that is all they feel, but do not think of the Lord who He is; He is the Son of God.
Q: Did their question come with good intention or to search first what the Lord contributes towards humans? A: This question is just to know if everything first comes for pleasing humans, which in fact goes against God’s teaching; first God and then humans. People contribute money to the Lord as well. In the Bible, it tells in many places about those that bring what they have to help the Lord’s ministry; and this is the point, they want the portion of it as well; if the people give something for helping people, the Lord must distribute those portions also for government asking (as taxes). But are those things ever come to the Lord’s possession? The Lord never used those for His own purpose; the Lord works for His own living; all the things people bring for the Lord, the Lord distributes to the disciples, and the disciples distribute back to the people, nothing ever comes for the Lord’s pleasure Himself. This is the point of asking for payment. Humans find ways to take even from the one who does not have, the rule and order will come to enforce payment, and everyone feels guilty not to pay (if they come to tell you it is a duty and you don’t do your duty, that will convict people to feel guilty). Like nowadays, they ask for money and claim they use it for helping; but those who do the helpful work receive the wage higher than those who come to contribute.
Q: Are they, actually, trying to imply with their question that the Lord should pay taxes as well? A: Yes, they are trying to imply that He should pay taxes from what He receives from people.
Mark 12:13-14a, Matthew 22:15-16, Luke 20:19-26. See Comments Matthew 22:16.
“Certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians.” Send more, and you will hear more because the idea is to catch the Lord in His talk. Send one time you don’t catch the talk; as the time goes by, different ones will be sent to ask, just to see the answer; it is a way to catch something in His answer, it will not be only one time to check out.
Q: Why do they send people asking many times? A: The purpose is to compare each time the Lord’s answer; that is the way they try to criticize, by the Lord’s answer they want to find the mistake; that is why the Lord has been asked many times same questions, but in the Bible, it mentions only one time because every time the answer will be the same, that is why it is written only one time.
Mark 12:14b-17, Matthew 22:17-22, Luke 20:20-26. See Comments Matthew 22:21-22.
“And they marveled greatly at Him.” This question they come, about paying taxes, the purpose is to find fault in Jesus, their intention only is to find a mistake in Him to stop His work. His answer did not capture their hearts; as the Bible has said, they marveled at His answer, marveled but not enough for them that feeling to capture their hearts to think by themselves who is He that they are trying to test. This place clearly shows that it is their own fault to be condemned; the Lord has given them a straight answer, they marveled, that is all they feel, but do not think of the Lord who He is; He is the Son of God.
18
And there come unto Him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked Him , saying,
19
Teacher , Moses wrote to us, If a man's brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.
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There were seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed;
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and the second took her, and died, leaving no seed behind him; and the third likewise:
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and the seven left no seed. Last of all the woman also died.
23
In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
24
Jesus said to them, Is it not for this cause that you err, that you know not the scriptures, nor the power of God ?
25
For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as angels in heaven.
26
But as touching the dead, that they are raised; have you not read in the book of Moses, in the place concerning 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 do greatly err.
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, Is it not for this cause that you err ....” They don’t know by the heart knowledge, and without the heart knowledge, they will never understand the Scripture; those are the people, which the Lord has many places of warning; the ones who use the head to control the heart will never have the deep knowledge according to the teaching of the Scripture.
Mark 12:27. “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living,” and in Luke 20:38, it adds, “for all live to Him”; no one is dead in front of the Lord. So, do not forget He is the Living God, and all are alive in front of Him; that is why when they refer to the Lord, always refer as the God of the living, because no one dies that can come and be in front of Him, they are living spirits.
Q: How is this answer here related to the resurrection of the body? A: This is not a resurrection of the body yet; they are alive souls waiting. At the second coming of the Holy Son, all bodies that have died in the Lord will be raised up that time, and the Lord will give them a new heavenly body, that is why as believers, you should not cremate your body; you come from the ground, let your body return to the ground. At the return of the Lord, those souls that died in the name of the Lord will return back, but not in this 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 like it but not the same.
Mark 12:26-27. Q: Does the Lord here really answer the question about raising from the dead?A: Those who died already but come in front of God, are they raised or not? This here talks about the resurrection, but resurrection in the body there is only one that raised in the body; it will be the only one that can be resurrected in the earthly body; that is Jesus. The Lord’s body never decayed; the rest of all humans have decayed; all others are resurrected in the 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 a Christian cremate? A: To not cremate it is for respect to the Lord; the things that the Lord has created cannot be destroyed completely; if He used the dirt to create humans, the dirt should go back to dirt; that is why we shouldn’t cremate.
Mark 12:24. “Jesus said to them, Is it not for this cause that you err ....” They don’t know by the heart knowledge, and without the heart knowledge, they will never understand the Scripture; those are the people, which the Lord has many places of warning; the ones who use the head to control the heart will never have the deep knowledge according to the teaching of the Scripture.
Mark 12:27. “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living,” and in Luke 20:38, it adds, “for all live to Him”; no one is dead in front of the Lord. So, do not forget He is the Living God, and all are alive in front of Him; that is why when they refer to the Lord, always refer as the God of the living, because no one dies that can come and be in front of Him, they are living spirits.
Q: How is this answer here related to the resurrection of the body? A: This is not a resurrection of the body yet; they are alive souls waiting. At the second coming of the Holy Son, all bodies that have died in the Lord will be raised up that time, and the Lord will give them a new heavenly body, that is why as believers, you should not cremate your body; you come from the ground, let your body return to the ground. At the return of the Lord, those souls that died in the name of the Lord will return back, but not in this 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 like it but not the same.
Mark 12:26-27. Q: Does the Lord here really answer the question about raising from the dead?A: Those who died already but come in front of God, are they raised or not? This here talks about the resurrection, but resurrection in the body there is only one that raised in the body; it will be the only one that can be resurrected in the earthly body; that is Jesus. The Lord’s body never decayed; the rest of all humans have decayed; all others are resurrected in the 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 a Christian cremate? A: To not cremate it is for respect to the Lord; the things that the Lord has created cannot be destroyed completely; if He used the dirt to create humans, the dirt should go back to dirt; that is why we shouldn’t cremate.
28
And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that He had answered them well, asked Him , What commandment is the first of all?
29
Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God , the Lord is One :
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 is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
32
And the scribe said unto Him , Of a truth, Teacher , Thou hast well said 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 his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
34
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God . And no man after that dared ask Him any question.
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 are told that “one of the scribes” came with the question, and in Matthew 22:35, we are told that “one of them, a lawyer,” came with the question.
Q: Is here in Mark the same person asking the question? 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 name will be crossed sometimes (lawyer). Only one among them has the question; he might be called one of them, but he is different from them; among them, one is a lawyer, the thought has separated him out. Even nowadays, you put people in a group together; they are still one or more who do not have the same idea as the rest. He might be called the same as them, but he has his occupation; he is a lawyer as an occupation on the side. The scribes and Pharisees are not the same; just some ideas differ in them; so, they are separated out, 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 here? A: Pay attention to the word Teacher, the person has recognized the Lord as Teacher, and that himself is below the Lord, it is not a challenge but testing; if you are teacher, tell me what it is, that is not a challenge but testing; if you are teacher prove to me 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 did not condemn this man. "And no man after that dared ask Him any question." Now is the proof to people's eyes, the 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 did not recognize it; talk with the mouth but not with the heart, just say by mouth.
Passage Analysis
Mark 12:28. In this verse, we are told that “one of the scribes” came with the question, and in Matthew 22:35, we are told that “one of them, a lawyer,” came with the question.
Q: Is here in Mark the same person asking the question? 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 name will be crossed sometimes (lawyer). Only one among them has the question; he might be called one of them, but he is different from them; among them, one is a lawyer, the thought has separated him out. Even nowadays, you put people in a group together; they are still one or more who do not have the same idea as the rest. He might be called the same as them, but he has his occupation; he is a lawyer as an occupation on the side. The scribes and Pharisees are not the same; just some ideas differ in them; so, they are separated out, 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 here? A: Pay attention to the word Teacher, the person has recognized the Lord as Teacher, and that himself is below the Lord, it is not a challenge but testing; if you are teacher, tell me what it is, that is not a challenge but testing; if you are teacher prove to me 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 did not condemn this man. "And no man after that dared ask Him any question." Now is the proof to people's eyes, the 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 did not recognize it; talk with the mouth but not with the heart, just say by mouth.
35
And Jesus answered and said, as He taught in the temple, How say the scribes that the Christ is the son of David?
36
David himself said in the Holy Spirit , The Lord said unto my Lord ,
Sit you onMy right hand,
UntilI make your enemies the footstool of your feet.
Sit you on
Until
37
David himself calls Him Lord ; and from where is He his son? And the common people 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 may they be addressed? Your Lord or the Lord Himself, now come to the truth of it; think again, the first Lord is who? The first “Lord” is the Father; the second “Lord” is the Son. The Father told the Son, “sit at My right hand, and I will put all Your enemies under Your feet,” which is a promise between the Father and the Son; people have been arguing about this.
Mark 12:36. This verse intends to make people think about the two “Lord” words. To whom may they be addressed? Your Lord or the Lord Himself, now come to the truth of it; think again, the first Lord is who? The first “Lord” is the Father; the second “Lord” is the Son. The Father told the Son, “sit at My right hand, and I will put all Your enemies under Your feet,” which is a promise between the Father and the Son; people have been arguing about this.
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
they that devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.
Comments Mark 12:38-40
For Mark 12:38-40 see also Comments Matthew 23:1, 2, 5-7.
Mark 12:38-39. Q: Who are these scribes? A: In this place, when the Lord has mentioned in the Bible the scribes, nowadays you can compare with the leaders, but not the pastors of the church, but the leaders that put themselves to be as leaders for the purpose of self-proclaiming; those that step above people and make themselves to be known, but in their personal life nothing has glorified the Lord, in the place where no one sees. 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. Too many do things behind in the dark; even the dark has to turn away not to look. As the Bible has told, when the end time is coming (near), the ones whom people have lifted up will be put down to the ground, the ones that are first shall be last, here is the place the Bible has told. So, you, yourself, watch out; don’t judge by what you hear they do; use this verse to justify the action of people. We may see many glorifying the Lord, but we don’t know anyone’s heart, only the Lord knows; not by the action they are doing, someone may act perfectly in glorifying, but someone may not look right in action, 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 heart, only the Lord.
These verses tell about the ones that come telling that the way you do is wrong, and you have to change. They use their knowledge to justify and convince people that what they are doing is wrong, and the right way is their way to be followed. So, you participate in a group and contribute to making 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, 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 Bible to be your way, not people’s way to be right.
Mark 12:40. “They that devour … greater condemnation.”; The widows are weak at that point when they lose their husband. So, you go to these widows and tell them the way to comfort the dead they must do certain things. But, only one way is to comfort the dead, the Word; 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 to make the dead be in a better place, but money cannot buy a better place in heaven; only the Word will lead the dead to the place of rest if they lived by the Word.
Mark 12:38-39. Q: Who are these scribes? A: In this place, when the Lord has mentioned in the Bible the scribes, nowadays you can compare with the leaders, but not the pastors of the church, but the leaders that put themselves to be as leaders for the purpose of self-proclaiming; those that step above people and make themselves to be known, but in their personal life nothing has glorified the Lord, in the place where no one sees. 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. Too many do things behind in the dark; even the dark has to turn away not to look. As the Bible has told, when the end time is coming (near), the ones whom people have lifted up will be put down to the ground, the ones that are first shall be last, here is the place the Bible has told. So, you, yourself, watch out; don’t judge by what you hear they do; use this verse to justify the action of people. We may see many glorifying the Lord, but we don’t know anyone’s heart, only the Lord knows; not by the action they are doing, someone may act perfectly in glorifying, but someone may not look right in action, 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 heart, only the Lord.
These verses tell about the ones that come telling that the way you do is wrong, and you have to change. They use their knowledge to justify and convince people that what they are doing is wrong, and the right way is their way to be followed. So, you participate in a group and contribute to making 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, 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 Bible to be your way, not people’s way to be right.
Mark 12:40. “They that devour … greater condemnation.”; The widows are weak at that point when they lose their husband. So, you go to these widows and tell them the way to comfort the dead they must do certain things. But, only one way is to comfort the dead, the Word; 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 to make the dead be in a better place, but money cannot buy a better place in heaven; only the Word will lead the dead to the place of rest if they lived by the Word.
41
And He sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42
And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two small coins, which make a penny.
43
And He called unto Him His disciples, and said to them, Truly I say to you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury:
44
for they all did cast in of their abundance; but she of her poverty did cast in all that she had, even all 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 those rich people when put the money they will put so people will see. Even nowadays, it is the same; there are many ways people use to show about their giving (people can guess by the size of the things they give). In this place in the Bible, the rich come, and you notice the amount by the size; small size or big size, that is the way to tell you are rich, or you are poor; if you want people to think you are rich, then the size of your offering has to be big as well.
Mark 12:42-44. In these verses, it tells, you put it from the leftover, which is not that important for you; but this widow puts small coins, but it is her life. Put it shortly, you give the Lord the leftover, or you give to the Lord from the most of value you have; it can be small, but that small amount, after all, is more valuable than a big amount. In these verses, it tells us, 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, that is the heart of giving that the Lord likes to see, give from the heart, not for the eyes of humans.
Mark 12:41.In this place, we can notice those rich people when put the money they will put so people will see. Even nowadays, it is the same; there are many ways people use to show about their giving (people can guess by the size of the things they give). In this place in the Bible, the rich come, and you notice the amount by the size; small size or big size, that is the way to tell you are rich, or you are poor; if you want people to think you are rich, then the size of your offering has to be big as well.
Mark 12:42-44. In these verses, it tells, you put it from the leftover, which is not that important for you; but this widow puts small coins, but it is her life. Put it shortly, you give the Lord the leftover, or you give to the Lord from the most of value you have; it can be small, but that small amount, after all, is more valuable than a big amount. In these verses, it tells us, 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, that is the heart of giving that the Lord likes to see, give from the heart, not for the eyes of humans.
Life and Faith Applications. 1) “And Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” If it is a requirement for the place where you are in, do so; if that is by human telling, abide by what it says, but what they do with that 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 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 for people walking among people on earth. So, 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 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 need to the Lord. If we have someone that we think about, there is only one we can bring to, 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 think of the question you put to the Lord, you challenge the Lord can He do it? When you come to the Lord, you say things, don’t let your mouth move before you think carefully about 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.