Chapter Fourteen THE REJECTION OF THE SERVANT CONTINUED (11:1 15:47) Religious Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus and Mary Anoints Jesus with Oil (14:1-9)

Transcription

1 Chapter Fourteen THE REJECTION OF THE SERVANT CONTINUED (11:1 15:47) Religious Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus and Mary Anoints Jesus with Oil (14:1-9) 14:1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. 14:2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 14:4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 14:6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. 14:8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 14:9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. Mark 14:1 begins by noting that there was a gathering of Jewish leaders two days before the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread who sought how they might take him by craft. As has been done throughout this study of the Gospel of Mark, it is important to look at the companion passages of any account in the Scriptures to gain the full impact and import of the text. In harmonizing the three Gospel stories for this portion of our study in Mark, we learn also from Matthew 26:1-6 that the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people had assembled together...unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. In other words, the high priest was leading the way in seeking the death of Jesus. John 11:47-49 mentions that Caiaphas had previously led the council of chief priests and Pharisees who gathered together to determine, What do we? For this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation, Caiaphas counseled, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Now these religious leaders were looking for means to capture Jesus stealthly. Chapter Fourteen The Gospel of Mark 207

2 Mark 14:2 notes that they said it was best not to kill Jesus on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. Luke 22:2 adds that they feared the people. These leaders were jealous of the popularity of Jesus and were afraid to Him on the feast day when everyone was in Jerusalem. Since Jesus had called these leaders hypocrites...serpents...vipers in Matthew 23, these snakes would have been in danger of being toppled from their great positions of authority by the very people they controlled if they openly tried to do away with Jesus at this time. While these religious snakes were trying to figure out how to put Jesus to death, Mark 14:3 says that Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper where He sat at meat and was anointed by a woman with an expensive ointment. Matthew 26:7 and Mark 14:3 just refer to her as a woman, but she is identified in John 12:1-3 as Mary, the sister of Lazarus. She is not to be confused with another anointing of Jesus in Luke 7:36-40 by a woman in the city which was a sinner. Some believe that the woman of Luke 7 is Mary Magdalene, since she is introduced by name in the very next chapter in Luke 8:2, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils. Also noted at the anointing of Jesus in Luke 7:36-40 is that the dinner was given by a Pharisee called Simon, who may be Simon the leper at the supper of Mark 14:3 and Matthew 26:6! In all likelihood this leprous Simon was the beneficiary of Christ s healing ministry and he threw a dinner of appreciation that John 12:1-2 notes was also attended by Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mark 14:3 notes that the anointing of Jesus by Mary took place two days before the feast of the passover in the town of Bethany, which is where Mark 11:1 shows that Jesus first went when He came to Jerusalem. John 11:18 notes that the town of Bethany was fifteen furlongs from Jerusalem, and Mark 11:1 says it was near the mount of Olives. Today there is a U-shaped road that leads from the town of Bethany located on the top of the Mount of Olives that winds down and around through the Kidron Valley (which is where II Samuel 15:23 and II Chronicles 30:14 note there is a brook in the valley called Cedron in John 18:1). As the road winds up from the valley floor, it goes past the sealed Eastern Gate located in the wall around the city of Jerusalem. That gate is where Mark 11:1 shows that Jesus made His Triumphal Entry into the city. John 12:1 says that Bethany was the town where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead (the resurrection of Lazarus appears only in the Gospel of John). Since John 11:5 notes that Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus, He chose them to perform the great miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead that John 11:46-53 notes caused the religious leaders fits and from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. At the supper noted in Mark 14:3-9, the companion passage of John 12:2-3 says, Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus. Since Luke noted that Mary loved sitting at the feet of Jesus to hear Him speak, she decided to honor Him with the costly ointment, perhaps realizing she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying (Mark 14:8). Mark 14:3 says that Mary broke an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious and then poured it on his head. 208 The Study of the Gospel of Mark

3 Only John 12:2-3 says that Mary wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Mark 14:4-5 then says there were some that had indignation within themselves and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made...they murmured against her. Matthew 26: 8 says, when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? Only John 12:4-5 says that Judas Iscariot, Simon s son, verbalized the question, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? As will be seen in John 12:6, Judas Iscariot didn t really care about the poor, but it is interesting to note here that there are a number of men named Simon in the Scriptures besides the father of Judas Iscariot: * Simon the son of Jona - John 1:42, but the text also notes that Jesus changed his name to Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. In the list of Apostles in Mark 3:16-19, he was surnamed by Jesus to Peter. * Simon the Canaanite - Matthew 10:4, called Simon Zelotes in Acts 1:13. * Simon Matthew 13:55, one of Jesus brethren (half brother). * Pharisee...Simon Luke 7:36-40, who invited Jesus to supper. * Simon the leper Mark 14:3, Jesus lodged at his house in Bethany. * Simon a Cyrenian...the father of Alexander and Rufus Mark 15:21, helped carry the cross of Jesus on the way to His crucifixion. * Simon...which used sorcery...of Samaria - Acts 8:5-9, who tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter and John. * Simon the tanner...in Joppa Acts 9:43, with whom Peter lodged in Acts 9:43. The fact is that the Lord Jesus is worthy of the expenditure of our precious and treasured resources, and while Jesus sat at meat, Mary interrupted the meal by ceremonially anointing His head (Mark) and feet (John) with extremely expensive ointment of spikenard. This costly perfume is seen in Song of Solomon 1:12, While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof (see also Song of Solomon 4:12-13). John 12:3 adds that the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Mark 14:5 says that the perfume was worth three hundred pence, which some commentators say was in the price range of $500 then and $25,000 today, indicating that this family may have been wealthy. As previously noted, we see in Mark 14:6-8 that Jesus defended the woman s (Mary) actions in saying they were very generous and prophetical, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Matthew 26:12 says, For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial, and John 12:7, Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. Mark 14:9 then shows that Jesus memorialized her devotion when He said the record of her extravagance would go down in history, Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. Chapter Fourteen The Gospel of Mark 209

4 Let s look at The Characteristics of Extreme Devotion to Christ from Mary: 1. Mary s devotion was COSTLY (Mark 14:3; Matthew 26:7). It would seem reasonable to believe that Mary had saved her own resources for quite some time to have such an expensive gift at her disposal. If not, then she had been the beneficiary of someone else s generosity, possibly through inheritance. Nonetheless, in terms of today s economy, her gift was extreme, to say the least, not to mention that it was quite impractical. Mary s life and monetary value system had been radically changed through her personal knowledge of Christ. Have you ever been accused of being a fool or wasteful because of your personal and financial investment in the Gospel? When I left Eastman Kodak Company to go into the ministry in 1973, this is exactly what some people considered me to be. 2. Mary s devotion was CARELESS (Mark 14:3). Mary could have dabbed a bit of the ointment on Jesus head and feet, but notice she brake the alabaster box. She had no intention of keeping any of the perfume for herself. She intentionally destroyed the container, which being made of alabaster, was likely very beautiful. Have you ever done anything crazy or careless for Jesus? Have you ever gone overboard in giving or doing something in the name of Jesus? Have you ever done anything like this for yourself? Few would question the extravagance when a person is the object of such generosity. But God?. 3. Mary s devotion was COMPASSIONATE (Mark 14:8; John 12:3). Jesus had spoken of His impending death on several occasions. The disciples seemingly ignored these prophetical statements for it brought insecurity. It is reasonable to assume that there were those who took Jesus seriously when He spoke of His own death. Not knowing exactly what the future held, Mary seized the opportunity to anoint the Lord Jesus. She may have thought that she would never have the chance to do this again. She had the resources, she understood that life would not always be the same; she knew that Jesus would depart; she had the opportunity; she acted upon it! She chose to ignore her own problems and focus on Jesus life and death. 4. Mary s devotion was CONSPICUOUS (John 12:3) Since John tells us that the house was filled with the order of the ointment, we see that Mary s devotion could not be hid - it wasn t intended to be hidden! What she did was obnoxious. Our devotion is infectious. Whether it is appreciated or not, it is recognized. First Corinthians 8:3 says, If any man love God, the same is known of him. Devotion is not to be secretive. Although our relationship with Christ is very personal, it is also to be pervasive! 210 The Study of the Gospel of Mark

5 Mary did this in the middle of the meal. She did it in the presence of several guests. She was in someone else s home, and she humbled herself by using her hair to wipe the feet of Jesus. There was no attempt to remain anonymous! 5. Mary s devotion was CONTROVERSIAL (Matthew 26:8-9; Mark 14:4-5). Mark says, There were some that had indignation within themselves. They were angry and called it a waste. They saw how this could have been used in a more responsible way, so they murmured against her. There are three spirits that seem to walk hand in hand: 1) Critical spirit - Why was this waste of the ointment made? (14:4) 2) Carnal spirit - For it might have been sold... (14:5) 3) Counterfeit spirit - It was Judas that spoke up in John 12:4, which should betray him, (as will be seen in Mark 14:10-11). 6. Mary s devotion was COMMENDED (Matthew 26:10, 13; Mark 14:6). Matthew 26:10 says, When Jesus understood it... This act of devotion could only be understood from a Divine perspective. In Mark 14:6, Jesus said, She hath wrought a good work on me. In Mark 14:8, Jesus said, She is come aforehand... Jesus said Mary had foresight in seizing the opportunity while she had it because she believed Him when He spoke of His death. Jesus said that this act of personal devotion was so significant that it would go down in history and be spoken of as long as the Gospel was preached and wherever it was preached! 7. Mary s devotion was COMPLETE (Mark 14:3, 8). Simply put, she gave it all. The breaking of the alabaster box again signified her intentions - Jesus deserved it all. She held nothing back. Jesus said in Mark 14:8, She hath done what she could. That is all that God asks of us. Determine what you can do. God will only require production out of that which you have. The following are four good Bible reasons to do what we can: 1) REASON, Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 2) RECOMPENSE, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 3) REJOICE, Philippians 2:16, Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Chapter Fourteen The Gospel of Mark 211

6 4) REWARD, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Most people will devote their lives to things that are meaningful to them, such as runners who do marathons and must train many hours to be able to run 26.2 miles. All professional baseball players spent hours practicing to make the big leagues. One game that Bobby Bonner (FBBC missionary to Zambia) played in was with the Red Wings in Rochester and is on record as the longest playing professional game lasting 32 innings! Carmelite monks will spend their entire lives in silence, prayers, and fastings! Years ago, I was able to lead my Tae Kwon Do instructor, Ray Cuneen, to the Lord just a few months before he died. Before he went home to be with the Lord, he did what he could in witnessing to all his friends and acquaintances, many of whom received the Lord. He did not know his life was going to end so suddenly shortly after getting saved, but he gave his all to the Lord, who is worthy of the expenditure of our time, talent and treasure! The Betrayal of Christ by Judas (14:10-21 with 14:43-50) 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. 14:12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? 14:13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14:14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 14:15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready. 14:16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 14:17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. 14:18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? 14:20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. This portion of Scripture is seen also in Matthew 26:14-16, Luke 22:1-6, 47-54, and John 13:1-30, but before these events take place in John, Chapter 12:20-50 gives some more conversations that Jesus had before the coming Passover, beginning with a few disciples in vs after they requested Him to see some of the Greeks who came to the Passover, And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be 212 The Study of the Gospel of Mark

7 glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. This was followed by a prayer to His Father in John 12:27-28, Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. (God the Father had already spoken like this from heaven at the baptism of Jesus in Mark 1:11 and on the Mount of Transfiguration in Mark 9:7). In John 12:31-33 Jesus then said, Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die. With this in mind, you will notice that Luke 22:1-2 gives no information about the anointing of Jesus by Mary as the other Gospels had done while the leaders sought how they might kill him (Luke 22:2). Instead Luke 22:3 says, Then entered Satan into Judas Iscariot...And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. Long before this event, John 6:70 notes that Jesus said one of His apostles is a devil, meaning Judas was already under Satan s influence. Since John 13:26-27 says Satan did not enter Judas until after the sop was dipped at the Passover meal, his reactions to Mary s wasted ointment showed his heart was already depraved because he was a thief (John 12:6). The commendation of Mary by Jesus in Mark 14:6-9 helped to send Judas scurrying off to the chief priests to strike his bargain with them. John 13:2 shows that it was after the Passover meal that the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot...to betray him. The thoughts were put there first, and when Judas acted upon them, then entered Satan into Judas in John 13:27 and Luke 22:3. This, of course, was to bring to fruition the betrayal that the religious leaders had been looking for ever since the great miracle of Lazarus s resurrection in John 11, where v.57 shows that they had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him. Jesus spoke of His death on several occasions. Mary believed, responded, and was commended for her foresight, and Judas began to get the picture. Judas dream of any earthly kingdom of pomp and glory faded quickly. It wasn t going to happen, and his quest for fame and fortune would not be realized. He then decided to get what he could amidst a hasty exit. The love by which Jesus gradually drew the hearts of the other disciples to Himself was as chafing bonds to the selfishness of Judas. Short Profile of Judas Iscariot: The first scriptural reference to Judas is his election to the apostleship in the list of Apostles in Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:19, and Luke 6:16, which also refers to him as the traitor. He is not to be confused with the apostle called Judas the brother of James in Luke 6:16, who is the Lebbaeus of Matthew 10:3 and Thaddeus of Mark 3:18. John 6:71; 12:4; 13:2, 26. All show that Judas was the son of Simon. Chapter Fourteen The Gospel of Mark 213

8 Judas is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Judah, which means praise (see Genesis 29:25). Luke 22:3 says Judas was surnamed Iscariot, which some say means a man of murder or hireling. In Hebrew, it is pronounced Ish Kerioth, which means a man of Kerioth. The city of Kerioth is mentioned in Joshua 15:25 as part of the original land grant for the tribe of Judah, but it came under the jurisdiction of the Moabites. Jeremiah 48 shows it came under judgment because of idolatry and hatred of Israel. It is interesting to note what Jeremiah 48:29-42 says of this place, We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart he hath magnified himself against the LORD. After the discourse on the Bread of Life, Jesus said to His disciples, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve (John 6:70-71). As noted in John 12:6, Judas had been appointed treasurer of the disciples and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. However, Judas disregarded the warnings of Jesus concerning greed and hypocrisy and appropriated the treasury funds to his own use. That is why John 12:3-6 says Judas objected sternly to Mary s waste of precious ointment and said it should be sold and given to the poor, but he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief. In other words, he was stealing the money that had been given to him for its proper distribution to the poor! John 13:10 notes that when Jesus referred to the disciples at the Last Supper, He said, Ye are clean but not all. Then in John 13:18 Jesus referred to the prophecy of Psalm 41:9 about mine own familiar friend who, eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. In Psalm 109 Judas is the object of scorn for his actions. In John 13:26 Jesus indicates His betrayer, not by name, but by a sign, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. Except for John, the other disciples all asked Jesus, Is it I? (Mark 14:19; Matthew 26:22). Only John asks, Who is it? in John 13:25, for he knew that it couldn t possibly be him. Judas was the only one who asked, Master, Is it I? and Jesus answered, Thou hast said (Matthew 26:25). The term Master is the same title Judas called Jesus when he came to betray him in Matthew 26:49, Hail, master. Mark 14:45 shows it was said twice. John 13:27 answers the question about who would betray Him when Jesus gave the sign and dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Judas betrayed Christ with a kiss in Mark 14:43, which, according to Mark 14:44, had been preplanned, And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. Perhaps this token came after Judas saw that Mary was commended for kissing the feet of Jesus and probably disgusted Judas. Matthew 26:48 says Judas told the chief priests to hold him fast after he kissed Jesus, which seems harsher than Judas s command to lead him away safely in Mark 14:44. After this betrayal, Mark, Luke and John are silent about Judas, but Matthew 27:3-10 and Acts 1:16-20 note his great remorse and subsequent suicide. 214 The Study of the Gospel of Mark

9 Zechariah 11:12-14 prophesied of the price of betrayal at thirty pieces of silver, as well as the betrayal money that was given back by Judas to buy a potter s field. In Matthew 27:9 the prophesy about buying the potter s field for thirty pieces of silver was said to be found in Jeremy the prophet, but the only time anything like that is mentioned in Jeremiah is in Chapter 32:7-9 when the prophet was told to buy a field, for the right of redemption is thine to buy it, and he bought it for seventeen shekels of silver. Notice that the seventeen shekels of silver to purchase the land in Jeremiah 32:7-9 was the price for redemption, and similar to the thirty pieces of silver for all those held captive by Satan who repent of their sin! The following is how the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot came about in Mark 14: The Betrayal Planned (14:10-11), And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. Judas Covetousness - Matthew 26:14-15 says that after Judas went unto the chief priests, he said to them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? That pretty much sums up the attitude of the world consumer, What will ye give me? There are basically two kinds of people in this world - givers and takers. Luke 22:4 says that Judas went his way after Satan had entered him. He was very concerned about what he wanted and probably often used the words I, my, me, mine! Mark 14:11 says that the chief priests promised to give him money, and Matthew 26:15 says they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. Judas Callousness - Luke 22:4 says that Judas communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. Mark 14:11 says these chief priests...were glad when Judas came, since they were already looking for a way to get rid of Jesus! Consider the thought from Mark 14:10 that Judas was a hit man as he sought how he might conveniently betray him. Matthew 26:16 says he looked for an opportunity to betray him. It had to be the right time. Judas Craftiness - We already saw from Matthew 26:15-16 that Judas said for the chief priests to give me, and I will deliver, then sought opportunity. Luke 22:6 shows that Judas and the priests understood the timing had to be just right in the absence of the multitude. John 13:30 says that Judas left the Last Supper at night to go to the chief priests, and Jesus responded in v.31, when he (Judas) was gone out... Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 2. The Betrayal Predicted at the Last Supper (14:12-21) At this point in Mark 14:12-17, we are down to the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, which according to John 12:1 was six days since Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. A lot has happened in those six days: * 1st Day - The Triumphal Entry of Mark 11:1-11. * 2nd Day - The Cursing of the Fig Tree in Mark 11:12-14; The Casting out at the Temple in Mark 11: Chapter Fourteen The Gospel of Mark 215

10 * 3rd Day - The Withered Fig Tree and Teaching on Faith, Prayer and Forgiveness in Mark 11:20-26; Questioning of the Scribes about Jesus Authority in Mark 11:27-33; Parable of the Vineyard against Israel s leaders in Mark 12:1-12; Challenge of the Pharisees, Herodians, Sadduccees, Scribes in Mark 12:13-34; Jesus Pronounced Judgment against the Pharisees but commended the widow in Mark 12:35-44; Jesus taught about the coming destruction of the Temple and His return after His Death, Resurrection and Church Age in Mark 13:1-37. * 4th Day-6th Day - Chief priests seek to find a way to kill Jesus in Mark 14:1-2; Supper in Bethany where Mary anointed Jesus in Mark 14:3-9; Judas leaves to make plans to betray Jesus in Mark 14:10 At this point in Mark 14:12-21, it was time for Jesus to fulfill in type the lamb killed at the original Passover seen in Exodus 12:1-13. Mark 14:12 says the first day of unleavened bread was when they killed the passover, and Jesus disciples asked Him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? Mark 14:13 notes that two of his disciples were sent on an errand to prepare for the Passover, and Luke 22:8 shows that Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. Mark 14:13-15 then notes that Jesus said to the disciples, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. There is no indication for whom the goodman of that house is who provided the guestchamber, but notice Matthew 26:18 says that Jesus told the disciples to say to this man, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. This sounds like Jesus had a prior discussion with him. Mark 14:16 says that when everything occurred, as he had said unto them... they made ready the passover. What follows is the event known today as, The Last Supper. Notice that Mark 14:17 says it was in the evening he (Jesus) cometh with the twelve. According to Exodus 12:6, the Passover was to be killed in the evening. Thus, Jesus was setting the stage for His own sacri-ficial death as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), and since the Jewish day begins at sunset, a new day would soon be upon them, for Genesis 1 shows that each day of creation followed the sequence of the evening and the morning. Mark begins the Last Supper predicting the coming betrayal of Jesus. Just as Moses wrestled with the Egyptian Pharaoh (who was one of several pictures of Satan in the Bible) before the Passover, Jesus wrestled with another type of Satan in Judas Iscariot in Mark 14: This was prophesied by Jesus in Mark 14:18, as they sat and did eat...one of you which eateth with me shall betray me. The disciples were stunned at this announcement of betrayal, and then proceeded to ask the Lord, Is it I? Then in Mark 14:20, Jesus answered the question, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish, and John 13:26 says it would be, He it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. 216 The Study of the Gospel of Mark

11 Jesus then goes on to say in Mark 14:21, The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. It is from the Psalms that we find verses that specifically predict one of Christ s inner circle would betray him. Psalm 55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. Psalm 55: 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. Psalm 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. 3. The Betrayal Prophesied by the Savior (14:18) When Jesus spoke of His betrayal in Mark 14:18, the disciples questioned their own loyalty, and their answers show that each of them thought that he had the potential to do such a deed. In I Corinthians 10:12, we are given warning, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. A thorough study of the Gospels reveals that Jesus gave Judas several opportunities to repent. In fact the Scriptures indicate in John 13:25-27 that while John the Apostle was close to Jesus at the meal, lying on Jesus breast, Judas was also close enough for the sop to be handed to him after Jesus dipped it. Sitting that close was a token of special honor. 4. The Betrayal Perpetrated (14:43-50) We will look at the culmination of this betrayal in Mark 14:43-50 following our study of the Last Supper in Mark 14:22-26 and the time Christ spent in the Garden of Gethsemane in Mark 14:27-42 before Judas came to betray Him. The Institution of the Lord s Supper (14:22-26) 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 14:23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Chapter Fourteen The Gospel of Mark 217

12 Mark doesn t spend a lot of time on the Last Supper, which today is also called, The Lord s Supper, but we can glean much more information from the companion passages of Matthew 26:21-20, Luke 22:14-38 and John 13:2-17:26 The Lord s Supper is celebrated in several different ways among Christians. The full impact, meaning, and understanding is commonly lost, but it can be recaptured by studying the texts that have significant bearing on its meaning with regard to Israel s Feasts and Holy Days. This was touched on a bit in notes for Mark Chapter 11 when Christ first came to Jerusalem the week before Passover. All ye shall be offended because of me this night (14:27-31) 14:27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 14:28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 14:29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 14:30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 14:31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. This warning was just hours before Christ would be betrayed and followed by the events that brought about His crucifixion. Jesus and His disciples enjoyed an intimate evening together as He taught and reinforced many of the lessons that He knew they would be forced to implement almost immediately. When they headed to the Mount of Olives where Luke 22:39 notes he was wont to go (meaning normally did ), Mark 14:27 notes that He warned them they would be offended at what took place there and said, for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. This was a prophecy about Jesus and disciples in Zechariah 13:7, Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. Note the question and answer seen previously in Zechariah 13:6, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. This was obviously a prophecy about the crucifixion. However, Peter took exception to Jesus saying all would be offended, and replied in Mark 14:29, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. In this study of Mark, we have seen that Peter seemed to be the spokesman for the group, and it was not unusual for him to speak up and assume the authority to represent all, but Jesus quickly corrected him here in v.30,...this day, even in this night...thou shalt deny me thrice. Then v.31 shows that Peter objected more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise, and like a grand choir, v.31 also shows that all the disciples joined the chorus, Likewise also said they all! 218 The Study of the Gospel of Mark

13 We have to give Peter credit for his zeal, but Matthew 26:56-58, Mark 14:50, 66-72; Luke 22:54-62, and John 18:15-16; show that Christ s prediction was absolutely correct, especially after Jesus already said to him in Luke 22:31, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. Later in Mark 14:38 Jesus also told the disciples when they were sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane, The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Peter s heart was right, but Luke 22:32 says that he would have to be converted before his faith fail not. When we get to that event in the study of Mark, we see that all the disciples were indeed offended; all of them ran; all of them in one way or another denied Him within the next few hours. However, we see in John 18:15 that another disciple (probably John) followed Jesus after He was apprehended who was known unto the high priest and he went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. Then John 18:16 says that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest...spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. This is where Peter s first denial of Jesus came about, for v.17 says, Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. Many believe the other disciple was probably John because he was the one writing the Gospel where the story is found, and we know from John 13:23 that he had a special place in Jesus heart. He may have fled with the others in the Garden at first, but then he followed Jesus, as Peter had done, but John did not deny the Lord. The Garden of Gethsemane (14:32-42) 14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 14:39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 14:42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. Chapter Fourteen The Gospel of Mark 219

14 Within the Mount of Olives was a place which was named Gethsemane (v.32) where Luke 22:39 says he was wont to go, or often went when He ministered in the area since Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:58 said, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Jesus knew what was coming upon Him in the next few hours in the Garden of Gethsemane, so Mark 14:32 notes that He told nine of His disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. However, vs show that He took His inner circle, Peter and James and John, to a separate place in the Garden where He began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy, and saith unto them (Peter, James and John), My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. Mark 14:35 then says he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, which Luke 22:41 says was about a stone s cast from where His inner three remained. Mark 14:36 says that Jesus prayed to see if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me; nevertheless not what I will, but what thou will. Calling God the Father Abba is a term of endearment like calling your own father Daddy, especially when you are facing great difficulties and are not sure you can handle them. The cup that Jesus wanted taken away in Mark 14:36 was seen earlier in Mark 10:38-39 as the wrath of God at the Crucifixion as Jesus paid for the sins of mankind with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19). This is one of those wonderful works noted in Psalm 40:5-8 that included the prophecy of Jesus offering Himself that Hebrews 10:5-10 explains further: Psalm 40:5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 220 The Study of the Gospel of Mark

15 In spite of His willingness, Jesus prayed in his humanness that the cup would be taken away, but Hebrews 12:2 says He is the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame Luke 22:42-43 adds that after Jesus prayed, there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. There were ministering angels after the Devil s temptation of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11. In the temptation of Matthew 4:6, Satan quoted Psalm 91:11-12, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Note what Hebrews 1:7 says of angels, He maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire (quoting Psalm 104:4). Hebrews 1:14 also says that angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. Since Jesus is THE HEIR of our salvation, the angels ministered to Him even though they knew they would have to let Him go to the cross alone to do God s will. In Mark 14:34 Jesus had told His inner circle of disciples to watch while He went off to pray, but when He returned, Mark 14:37-38 says He findeth them sleeping, so He went to Peter and said, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Note what James 1:12-14 says about enduring in times of temptation, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we watch and remain faithful to the Lord. Remember what Jesus told His disciples in reference to His Second Coming in Mark 13:33, Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. In Matthew 24:42-43 Jesus also warned them, if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. In other words, Christians are to be diligent and alert to the things of the world that would take their minds off serving the Lord, just as Jesus also told the disciples in Mark 13:34-37, For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. Since Jesus had specifically reprimanded Peter for sleeping in Mark 14:37, note what Peter later wrote in 1 Peter 4:7, But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. The Apostle Paul also wrote about being watchful and alert: * I Corinthians 16:13, Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong, * Colossians 4:2, Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving * I Thessalonians 5:6, Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch * II Timothy 4:5, But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. * Hebrews 13:17, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Chapter Fourteen The Gospel of Mark 221

16 After Jesus indicted His disciples for sleeping, Mark 14:39 says He again...went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. This may be when the events of Luke 22:44 happened - He was in an agony and prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Jesus knew the physical and spiritual battle He was in and was beseeching His Father at the throne of grace to find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:12). When He returned to His disciples the second time, Mark 14:40 says, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. Matthew 26:44 then adds, he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Note what Luke 22:45 also adds after Jesus was done praying, when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow. Since the disciples were only a short distance away, they must have heard Jesus crying out in an agony (Luke 22:44), so they fell asleep from sorrow of heart. Their hearts were heavy and sorrowful because they didn t know what to do because they were not exactly sure what was going to take place, although they knew He said He would be killed! We all have fears of the unknown, but Jesus knew exactly what would take place, and when He was finally done praying, Mark 14:41 says He came to His disciples and said, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. When it was time for Judas to make his appearance after Jesus was done praying in the Garden, Mark 14:42 notes what He said next to His disciples, Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. When we know that we are about to face difficult situations, the example of Jesus praying three times in such agony ought to be our example. In Psalm 55:17 David wrote that he prayed daily three times, Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Psalm 119:164 says we ought to praise the Lord more often, Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. However, I Thessalonians 5:17 says, Pray without ceasing. Prayer is more instant in all that is said and done throughout the day as a Christian grows in spiritual wisdom. Ephesians 6:10-18 says prayer is part of the spiritual armor Christians are to put on to fight against the wiles of the devil (deceitfulness) and the fiery darts of the wicked, always praying in the Spirit, and watching...with all perseverance. The Betrayal Perpetrated (14:43-53) 14:43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 14:44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 14:45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. 14:46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him. 222 The Study of the Gospel of Mark