BEHIND THE BOOK Connecting to the Bible (Observation) PASSAGE: MARK 10:32-34 (READ VARIOUS TRANSLATIONS) DATE: AUGUST 17, 2016 RESOURCES: THE NEW INTERNATIONAL COMMENTARY ON THE NEW TESTAMENT THE PILLAR NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY NIV APPLICATION COMMENTARY NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY MARK: 9-16: TIM CHESTER MARK 1-8: TIM CHESTER THE KING S CROSS: TIM KELLER Introduction: 9:30 is the last reference to Jesus in Galilee until after his resurrection (14:28; 16:7). Galilee has been the center of Jesus ministry. But now he is headed to Jerusalem. Mark details Jesus passion predictions 3 times: 8:27; 9:33-34; 10:32. This is the last prediction and is the most explicit. These three prophesies tell us 3 things about Jesus death: a) He will suffer; b) he will be killed; c) he will be resurrected after three days. Although Mark doesn t focus on Jesus teaching, Mark has been very specific about what Jesus says concerning his passion (10:32-34) a) The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes b) They will condemn him 1
c) They will deliver him over to the Gentiles d) They will mock him e) They will spit on him f) They will flog him g) They will kill him h) After three days he will rise Skeptics often say Jesus death was an unplanned accident. Perhaps Jesus pressed the people too much and they rebelled against him. Perhaps they saw he was not going to deliver them from the Romans and tired of him. Mark s use of the term Son of man was used to connect Jesus to Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. Seven centuries before his incarnation, Isaiah predicted his death in the most explicit terms (Isaiah 52:13-43:12). Of course, you and I know the cross was prophesied as early as Genesis 3:15. And 1 Peter 1:20 and Revelation 13:8 speak to Jesus as slain before the foundation of the world. In Mark, Jesus has already publicly prophesied his death (8:31-33) and publicly rebuked Peter for rejecting the cross. Jesus said in John 12:27 - Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. In Luke 13:33-33 - he said to them, Go and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem. Three times in the Synoptics (Matt, Mark & Luke) Jesus prophesied his death. This passage is paralleled in Matt 20:17-19 & Luke 18:31-34. First: Prophetic Scripture 32 Jesus is on the road and he is going up to Jerusalem. Up is the proper word for the journey since Jerusalem is only 20 miles from Jericho but is also 3,500 feet higher in elevation. Accompanied by a large crowd Jesus was going toward Jerusalem via Jericho. Mark notes that Jesus was walking at the front of the crowd. He is not walking toward Jerusalem as though he did not want to go there. He is leading the crowd and the disciples toward his death. Here he is the Master who goes before his disciples, whose responsibility it is to follow him. Eduard Schweizer 2
This amazed the disciples and made the crowd fearful. Everyone understood that in Jerusalem a showdown was inevitable between Jesus, the Jewish religious leadership and the Romans. These were not novel reactions (JE). The disciples had the same reaction to Jesus 2 nd passion prediction (9:32) and they had just been astonished (9:24). The words we are going up to Jerusalem (33) had serious implications for the disciples. This is another moment of truth when they realize that their fate is enmeshed in Jesus fate. The bell tolls not only for Jesus but for them too (JE). To remind them that everything about to take place was prophesied and planned, Jesus took the twelve aside to remind them about what was to happen to him (32). The second passion prediction is the simplest and least detailed. In this third passion prediction, Jesus is more specific than in the previous two disclosures. In the first prediction (8:31) the Sanhedrin is responsible for Jesus death. In the second prediction, the Gentiles are responsible. In the third prediction, the chief priests, scribes and Gentiles are responsible for Jesus death. IMP: Are the passion predictions vaticinia ex eventu, i.e., retrojections later inserted by Mark? No. What evidence leans toward Jesus actually predicting his death? a) The early church was very particular to distinguish its teaching from that of Jesus (Acts 15:28; 1 Cor 7:25). b) Given the opposition to Jesus, there is little question that he could predict his future, even on human terms. Paul predicted his own death (Acts 20:22-23). c) Jesus statements are not specifically harmonious with the actual passion narrative. In other words, neither Jesus nor the Gospel writers artificially harmonized their statements to reflect each other. d) The differences in the various passion predictions argue for originality among the Gospel authors. Luke 18:31b-33 writes that Jesus specifically connected his death, burial and resurrection with the Old Testament prophesies. See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise. Mark uses the term Son of man to do the same but does not extrapolate as Luke does. The writer of Hebrews echoed Jesus interpretation of the Old Testament prophesies about a suffering Savior. He wrote: 3
Hebrews 10:1-14 - For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book. 8 When he said above, You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, Behold, I have come to do your will. He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Even though crucifixion was unknown to Israel when Psalm 22 was written, it graphically describes Jesus death, even directly quoting him My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Ps 22:1; Matt 27:46). Psalm 22:6-8 - But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him! Psalm 22:16-18 - For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet 17 I can count all my bones they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. If they [the Jews] knew Psalm 2, they would have understood the rage of His enemies against Him because it s there. If they knew Zachariah 13 they would have understood that He would be deserted by His friends. If they knew Zachariah 11 verse 12, they would have known that He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. If they understood the implications of Numbers 21 in the lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness, they would have been able to see perhaps in some fashion that the Son of Man would eventually be lifted up, the picture of the cross. If they would have understood Psalm 34:20, they would have known that none of His bones would be broken on the cross. 4
If they understood Psalm 22 verse 18, they would have known that His clothes would be gambled for. If they understood Psalm 69:21 they would have known that He was being given vinegar to drink by witless people who were fulfilling a specific prophecy. If they knew Psalm 22:1 they would have understood the cry, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? If they understood Psalm 22 and verse 31, they would have known the cry, It is finished, for it is in that Psalm. Zachariah 12:10 talks about the spear thrust into His side. Psalm 16 talks about His resurrection. And Psalm 110 even talks about His ascension into heaven. John MacArthur - http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/41-53/a-preview-of-messianic- Suffering (accessed 8-15-16). It is for all of these reasons that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). After his resurrection Jesus would review with the disciples the Old Testament prophecies concerning himself (Luke 24:26-27, 32,44-47). Luke 24:27 - And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. It was only after the resurrection that the disciples fully understood the Old Testament Scriptures: Luke 24:45 - Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures This aspect of God s eternal plan cannot be overemphasized. God is in sovereign control of all things. This is one of the most comforting Christian doctrines. Everything is Father-filtered. Jesus death was not an accident but planned by God. This explains the reality of a great and good God and the existence of evil. Jesus death was a) planned by God; b) carried out by evil people c) salvific. Acts 2:22-23 - Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 5
Second: Jesus Omniscience 33-34 In addition to the Old Testament s affirmation of Jesus servant sacrifice, Jesus knew and prophesied his passion. His omniscience: a) Knew people s hearts John 2:24-25 b) The location of a coin in a fish s mouth John 21:5-6 c) The woman at the well had 5 husbands John 4:18 d) The location of the colt for his triumphal entry Luke 19:30-34 e) The man and his location for the last supper Luke 22:10 f) That Jerusalem would be destroyed Luke 21:20 The disciples knew Jesus was going to celebrate Passover with them in Jerusalem. They did not know he would be the Passover Lamb. The idea of a suffering Messiah, of a dying Savior was a foreign concept to Jewish thinking. Mark 9:30-32 - They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise. 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. The Jews thought: a) A time of global tribulation would occur b) Elijah or an Elijah-like prophet would appear to announce the Messiah s intervention c) The Messiah would appear and establish his kingdom on earth d) The nations would join together to fight the Messiah e) The Messiah would destroy his enemies f) Jerusalem would be restored to great glory g) Dispersed Jews would return to Jerusalem h) Israel and Jerusalem in particular would become the center of the world i) The Messiah s kingdom would introduce eternal peace and righteousness Instead, Jesus served his people as a suffering Savior. He a) Disloyalty. Judas betrayed him and the disciples forsook him. b) Rejection by Israel. c) Injustice by the Romans. d) Ridicule by Jews and Romans. e) Bodily injury 6
Conclusion: Centuries before it occurred, the OT prophesied Jesus suffering. We too, suffer alongside Jesus, demonstrating the worth of Christianity to a watching world. Colossians 1:24-26 - Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. Jesus sufferings have important and practical ramifications for our daily living. The passion prediction announces not only Jesus impending fate; it is also an exemplar of the life of service to which he calls the disciples (JE) For your consideration: 1 - Read Mark 10:32-34 and summarize Jesus passion in your own words. What reasons give credence to the validity of Jesus statements before his passion. See page 3 of the notes. 2 How is Jesus going up to Jerusalem when Judea is south of Galilee? Jerusalem is 3,500 feet higher in elevation than Jericho. 3 What does the term Son of man mean and why does Mark use it? To connect Jesus with the Old Testament and show him as the delivered promise. 4 Why are the disciples amazed and fearful about Jesus going to Jerusalem? They knew a showdown with the authorities was inevitable and they might endure the same fate as Jesus. 5 Why was it important for Mark to show that everything that happened to Jesus was not an accident? He wanted his readers to know that God is in charge and that Jesus death was planned by God and not an accident accomplished by Jesus enemies. 6 After his resurrection, how did Jesus convince the disciples he was the foretold Messiah? He used the OT to show how the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible Moses) and the prophets pointed to him. 7 Contrast what happened to Jesus with what the Jews expected the Messiah to do. See pages 6 of the notes. 8 What are the implications of Jesus cross for our discipleship? If we are faithful to Jesus, we too will suffer. Behind the Book is only one aspect of Heritage s teaching ministry which seeks to employ our church s mission statement: Connecting to God, Growing with Others and Impacting the world. On Wednesday evenings we connect to Sunday morning s Bible passage and discover what it 7
says through in-depth Bible study. Sunday morning in corporate worship (9:30am) we grow from the passage by learning what it means for our daily living. In Community Groups (10:45am) we practically apply the text, being impacted by it and learning to impact the world with it. CGI provides a balanced approach to life and Bible study; an upward look (Connect), an inward look (Grow) and an outward look (Impact) ensuring that our mission fulfils our vision to be a God-centered, Great Commission congregation. It s a well-known and beneficial way to approach the Bible Connect/Observation, Grow/Interpretation, Impact/Application. It s also a Trinitarian approach to Scripture: Connecting to the Father, Growing in Christ and Impacting the world by the Spirit, so that the way we study the Bible daily reminds us about who our God is and how he is unique among all religions of the world. 8