Concise Bible Commentary:
Mark
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Explanation: In Mark 1:35-39, Jesus leaves the home of Simon and Andrew in the early morning to pray. Jesus awoke while it was still dark and selected a secluded place. When the disciples realised that Jesus had gone, they searched for him, found him and said that the crowds wanted to see him. Jesus responded by telling the disciples that it was time to move to other places and preach elsewhere. This section concludes by stating that Jesus travelled around Galilee preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.
Application: The gospel accounts mostly focus on the public life and ministry of Jesus, and this is what most are familiar with. Who was Jesus among the people and among the crowds? However, this small account provides an insight into the private life of Jesus. Who was Jesus in secret and how did Jesus spend his time? The answer to this question is simple and clear. In private and when none were watching, Jesus loved to pray and would spend many hours praying to the Father.
Several practical points can be taken from the prayer life of Jesus. First, Jesus devoted many hours to prayer (and so should we). Second, Jesus awoke early in the morning and started the day with prayer (and so should we). Third, Jesus purposefully chose secluded and quiet places to pray (and so should we). The will of God will be much clearer and the power of God much stronger if we learn to pray as Jesus prayed (sustained, sincere and secret). In addition, it seems that Jesus left the house of Peter and Andrew and began praying when it was dark and the disciples found Jesus when it was light. This means that Jesus prayed from darkness to light and this is in keeping with the mission of Jesus. Jesus came to bring humanity from darkness to light and Jesus came to be the light of the world by chasing out the darkness. Prayer can do the same for us. We can pray in dark and desperate moments and the power of prayer can move us into the light. Like Jesus, may we learn to pray (in all things and in every way) for the glory of God in Christ.
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Explanation: In Mark 2:1-12, Jesus asserts his authority over sin by healing a paralysed man. While teaching in Capernaum, a busy crowd gathered around Jesus to hear him. The crowd was so large that no space was available to reach Jesus directly, which caused four individuals carrying a paralysed man on a stretcher to take a bold step. They made a hole in the roof above where Jesus was teaching and then lowered the stretcher down to Jesus. Jesus, seeing their faith and using their faith as an example to others, forgave the sins of the paralysed man. However, before moving on to heal the man, Jesus perceived that the teachers of the Law were unhappy with what Jesus had said because only God has the authority to forgive sin. Jesus responded by asking a rhetorical question. Is it easier to forgive this man’s sins or to heal his body? From a human perspective, the first is easier because it is not verifiable. Anybody can pronounce forgiveness from God and there is no way to disprove the claim. A physical healing, on the other hand, can be seen and verified by all, and will immediately expose the person as a fraud if they lack the power to heal. Jesus therefore used what was visible and verifiable (the man’s physical healing) to prove what was unseen and unknown (the man’s forgiveness and the authority of Jesus to forgive sin). In consequence, the man was healed and the claims of Jesus were vindicated.
Application: Several important points emerge from the healing and forgiving of the paralysed man in Capernaum. First, Christianity offers forgiveness at the beginning whereas other religions promise forgiveness at the end. This is because salvation in Christianity is based on what Christ has done (hence why it is received through faith at the beginning) rather than on what a person must do. It may be the case that Jesus forgave the sins of the paralysed man to purposefully emphasise this. The man was physically unable to do many of the things people claim as requirements for salvation (water baptism, obedience to the commandments, abandoning certain sins), therefore proving that salvation is not by works. Second, the paralysed man was healed through the faith of those who brought him to Jesus. This shows that vicarious faith (faith exercised on behalf of others) is effective and can channel the power of God.
We must be careful not to swap the certainty of salvation (what Christ has done) for the uncertainty of salvation (what we must do). This (the certainty of our salvation in Christ) is the distinguishing mark between true religion and false religion and between true Christianity and false Christian sects. As mentioned, the paralysed man was forgiven at the beginning (apart from works) and thereafter released into a new life as a follower of Jesus. The same is true for us. We must also be driven by a determination to bring others to Jesus for healing and forgiveness. As with the paralysed man, Jesus will do great things as we exercise bold faith in seeking the salvation of others. It should be further noted that a changed life on the outside (whether exhibited through a physical healing or a reformed life) is strong evidence to others that Jesus is at work on the inside. These twin witnesses (the outer and the inner) should be the outworking of our salvation in Christ as our life becomes a witness to the power and authority of Jesus.
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Explanation: In Mark 2:13-17, Jesus is criticised for eating with tax collectors and sinners at the home of Levi. This situation arose because Jesus had instructed Levi (a tax collector living in Capernaum) to leave his occupation and become a follower of Jesus. Levi accepted and hosted a special dinner that was attended by Jesus, the disciples of Jesus and many of Levi’s friends who were tax collectors and so-called sinners. The Pharisees were onlookers. Three reasons combine to explain the controversy at Levi’s house and why the Pharisees judged Jesus to be acting inappropriately. First, tax collectors collected taxes for the enemies and occupiers of the Jews. This was the Romans during the lifetime of Jesus. They were therefore seen as traitors to their own race and nation. Second, tax collectors received an income by collecting more tax than was necessary. In other words, they were not paid by their employers and had to earn their income through excess and extortion. Third, tax collectors were shunned and excluded from Jewish society. In response, they paid little attention to the Law of Moses and associated with other sinners and outcasts. Jesus, knowing these prejudices and the criticisms that awaited, nevertheless extended his fellowship to this group of people (and to Levi in particular) by sitting and eating with them. When criticised, Jesus responded with a parable (the healthy do not need a doctor) and by affirming his mission (to call sinners to repentance). In short, the Pharisees had failed to understand the mission of Jesus (to save sinners) because they had failed to understand the heart of God (to extend forgiveness).
Application: The Pharisees failed to understand the movement and heart of God, that sinners and outcasts were responding to a Jewish Rabbi who was seeking their repentance and salvation. This was the meaning of Jesus stating that the healthy do not need a doctor. Only the sick require medical attention, which means that the mission of Jesus would be of little value to the Pharisees if they believed themselves to be healthy, righteous and without sin. Put simply, like the tax collectors and sinners who gathered around Jesus, forgiveness is for those who know that they need it.
Like the Pharisees, we must never allow our prejudices to blind us to what God is doing in the lives of those He is calling to salvation. We must also be careful not to exclude ourselves from salvation by wrongly thinking that others do not deserve it. Sin is universal and all are equally undeserving apart from the grace of God in Christ. In addition, Matthew and Luke relate that Levi was also called Matthew. The name ‘Matthew’ means ‘Gift of God’ and aptly pictures what Jesus purposed for Levi. Before Jesus, Levi took from others as a tax collector. After Jesus, Levi gave to others as an apostle and minister of Jesus. This service of giving eventually culminated in the writing of the Gospel of Matthew, which has been a treasured possession of Christians and a powerful witness to Jesus for nearly two thousand years.
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Explanation: In Mark 4:1-9 and 4:13-20, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a farmer scattering seeds. Some seeds land on the walkways and are eaten by the birds. Some seeds land on the rocky ground and are burnt by the sun. Some seeds land among the weeds and are choked by the plants. Some seeds land on the good soil and produce a harvest. By way of interpretation, the seeds represent the Kingdom of God (God’s will and purposes for humanity in Christ), and the farmer represents God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and all who are helping God to share the message of His Kingdom. The different types of environments or surfaces represent varying responses to the Kingdom of God. The seeds on the walkways (a hard surface) are those who flippantly dismiss or reject God because of Satan. The seeds on the rocky ground (a surface covered in a thin layer of soil) are those who respond with excitement but quickly fall away when confronted with external pressures and persecutions. The seeds among the thorns (ground infested with weeds and poisonous plants) are those who are distracted by the things of this world (the pleasures and necessities of life). The seeds on the good soil (ground that is deep and clean) are those who respond with faith, obedience and commitment. Jesus concludes this parable by stating that those who are receptive should hear and respond accordingly.
Application: It is interesting to note that the farmer scatters the seeds in a somewhat reckless and chaotic manner. For instance, as well as landing on the good soil, seeds also land on the walkways, the rocky ground and among the thorns. In picturing the farmer in this way, Jesus subtly reveals the heart and purposes of God for humanity. Just as the farmer wants the seeds to be scattered everywhere (regardless of where they land), so too does God want everyone to be joined to his purposes in Christ (regardless of who they are). Sin is universal and indiscriminate, and so too is God’s love for humanity in Christ. It should also be noted that the seeds do not fail to grow because they are defective or undesirable. The seeds fail because the environments are hostile.
As well as describing different people, the several seeds and surfaces also describe different stages. For example, our receptivity to God and His purposes can be compared to the different places the seeds landed, and our responsibility is to use this parable to assess our spiritual condition and relationship with God. As God speaks, are we like a hard walkway, a rocky ground, a thorny terrain or deep soil? We should aim not only to be like the reckless farmer by scattering the seeds (the message of Jesus) everywhere, but also like the good soil by responding to the message with faith, obedience and commitment. It is also important to remember that both scripture and history show that, through faith in Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, God can turn any surface into deep soil that is receptive to His will and purposes. This is how God produces the fruitful harvest that Jesus describes as thirty, sixty or a hundred times what was sown.
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Explanation: In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus and the disciples travel across the Sea of Galilee and are caught in a fierce storm that threatens their lives. The disciples, in a state of panic and fear, wake Jesus from sleep to tell him about their situation, and Jesus responds by stilling the storm into a perfect calm. Jesus also criticises the disciples for being afraid and having no faith. The story ends with the disciples frightened that Jesus was able to command nature (the wind, the waves and the sea) through the power of his spoken word.
Application: Both the humanity and divinity of Jesus are outlined in the account of Jesus calming the storm. As human, Jesus was tired from a long day of teaching and needed to sleep (Mark 4:1-34). As God, Jesus was able to speak to the wind, the waves and the sea with authority (Psalm 89:9). There is also some indication that the storm was under the control of Satan. The disciples, for instance, some of whom were experienced and brave fishermen, knew the Sea of Galilee and the local weather patterns very well. However, the storm was filled with a malevolent fury that caused the disciples to panic and deeply fear for their lives. Adding to this, Jesus spoke directly to the storm as if it were a conscious agent and rebuked it as if it were sinning. It may be the case that Satan was attempting to frighten the disciples and possibly drown the Messiah, but was stopped when Jesus intervened as the God-Man (fully God and fully man). The ongoing struggle between Jesus and Satan will eventually culminate at the cross, where Jesus will ransom humanity from sin and the power of Satan.
As well as Jesus being the God-Man and exercising authority over Satan, this story also teaches a lesson about Christian discipleship. The boat can be seen as symbolising life with Jesus and the storm as symbolising the attacks of Satan and the discouragements of life. Jesus was asleep in the boat until the disciples woke him, and we too must call upon Jesus in our times of need. Sometimes Jesus will only act and reveal his power as we move towards him in faith. This is why Jesus linked the fear of the disciples with their little or no faith. Human wisdom told the disciples that they were going to drown and there was nothing they could do. Faith, in contrast, told them that Jesus was in the boat with them and there was nothing to fear. The disciples therefore chose fear over faith. Faith is trusting that Jesus is with us and for us (Jesus became human). Faith is trusting that Jesus is mighty to save and that Jesus has complete authority over all things (Jesus has always existed as God). The storms of life will come for Christians and non-Christians alike (Matthew 7:24-27), but Christians have the advantage of knowing and trusting in Jesus. May we choose faith over fear and may we sleep peacefully in Jesus as the attacks of Satan and the discouragements of life swirl around us like a fierce storm (Psalm 46:10). This story was also foreshadowed in Psalm 107:23-32.
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Explanation: In Mark 6:45-53, Jesus walks on the Sea of Galilee and meets with the disciples in the middle of the waters. After spending the day with the crowds and miraculously providing for their needs by multiplying bread and fish, Jesus sent the people home and instructed the disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee in a boat. Jesus then climbed a mountain to pray. During the night, Jesus saw that the disciples were struggling with an opposing wind and walked on the sea to meet them. The disciples initially responded with fear and confusion but were comforted when Jesus called out. The account ends with the disciples amazed at Jesus walking on the water and with all safely arriving at their destination.
Application: The Old Testament states that only God stretches out the heavens and walks on the sea (Job 9:8-11), which is a poetic description emphasising that God is the Almighty Creator and rules supreme over creation. That Jesus is God according to Mark 6:45-53 is seen from how Jesus walks where only God can walk. Two further considerations should be noted in support of this. First, Jesus responded to the fear of the disciples in Mark 6:45-53 by saying, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid”. The phrase “It is I” (Greek: Ego Eimi) matches the divine name given to Moses by God (Exodus 3:13-14). In Exodus 3:13-14, God revealed Himself to Moses by saying, “I Am Who I Am” (Greek: Ego Eimi Ho On). That Jesus is using the divine name as God is seen from the comment that Jesus intended to “pass by” the disciples as Jesus walked on the sea. This is peculiar given that the intention of Jesus was to meet with the disciples rather than to pass by. However, Exodus (Exodus 33:12-23) says that Moses was placed within or behind a rock when the glory of God “passed by”. Jesus is therefore reenacting or recalling the story of Moses as the disciples see the glory of Jesus (God) pass by them. See also how the confusion of the disciples in seeing Jesus walk on the sea matches the description of Job as God "passes" by in Job 9:10-11. Second, Mark states that the disciples were confused and amazed at Jesus walking on the sea because they had failed to understand the miracle of the loaves. Before Jesus had sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee, Jesus had miraculously fed a crowd of five thousand in the wilderness by multiplying bread and fish (Mark 6:30-44). In like manner, God had miraculously provided manna and quail (bread and meat) in the wilderness for the Israelites as they journeyed towards the promised land (Exodus 16:1-18). Mark’s point is that the disciples should have recognised this parallel and acknowledged Jesus as the God of Israel (the God who miraculously provides food in lonely and secluded places) before Jesus had (again) displayed his divinity by walking on the sea. Unfortunately, the disciples had failed to recognise the true significance of either miracle, hence their bewilderment in seeing Jesus walk on the water. In summary, after miraculously providing for the crowds in the wilderness (in fulfilment of Exodus 16:1-18), the glory of Jesus as God passed by the disciples (in fulfilment of Exodus 33:12-33) as Jesus exercised divine power (in fulfilment of Job 9:8-11) and used the divine name (in fulfilment of Exodus 3:13-14).
It is also important to recognise that the disciples ended up on the sea at night and during bad weather because they were being obedient to Jesus. This shows that sometimes life with Jesus is stormy, dark and dangerous because this world is such and Jesus intends for us to pass through it. In addition, Jesus will often bring us into places of vulnerability so that we can see him more clearly and know who he is. This means that obedience to Jesus (being out on the waters) is a prerequisite to seeing the glory of Jesus. Be assured (as you move forward in faith) that all things are under the all-powerful and majestic feet of Jesus and that Jesus can exercise divine authority in preserving and prospering you. This is the true message communicated from Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee.
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Explanation: In Mark 8:27-33, Jesus begins preparing his disciples for his death and resurrection by asking two questions. The first question concerned the crowds (Who do people say I am?) and the second the disciples (Who do you say I am?). The opinion of the crowds was that Jesus might be John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets, and the opinion of the disciples, expressed by Peter, was that Jesus is the Messiah. Agreeing with Peter, Jesus instructed the disciples to keep his identity hidden. In addition, Jesus informed the disciples that he would soon suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he would then die and rise again after three days. Peter, saddened and alarmed by what Jesus had said, responded by taking Jesus aside, and Jesus responded to Peter by addressing Peter as Satan, instructing Peter to get behind him and telling Peter that he is filled with human concerns rather than the concerns of God.
Application: Peter was both right and wrong in his response to Jesus. Peter was right in believing that Jesus is the Messiah but wrong in believing that no harm would come to the Messiah. In other words, Peter’s belief in the Messiah was right but Peter’s belief about the Messiah was wrong. According to the Old Testament, the Messiah will be four things. First, the Messiah will be a Prophet (he will receive revelation from God). Second, the Messiah will be a Priest (he will offer sacrifices to God). Third, the Messiah will be a King (he will rule on behalf of God). Fourth, the Messiah will be God (he will be the incarnation of God or God in human form). It seems that only the first (Prophet) and third (King) of these were believed and being emphasised during the lifetime of Jesus, hence Peter’s confusion and attempt to correct Jesus. According to Peter (and to many others), the Messiah will be a ruling and triumphant King who will conquer his enemies rather than be conquered by them (as Jesus was implying). Unknown to Peter (and to many others), however, the Messiah will also be a Priest and will atone for human sin through his death and resurrection.
The reason why Jesus as Priest (the first coming of Christ) must precede Jesus as King (the second coming of Christ) is because a perfect kingdom requires perfect people. Jesus therefore officiates as Priest (and atones for human sin and defeats the power of Satan) before he officiates as King (and establishes the Kingdom of God on earth in its fullness). This distinction is a helpful aid when thinking about the different roles of the Messiah and the two comings of Jesus. However, it should also be remembered (as noted) that the Priesthood and Kingship of Jesus overlap and are entwined. Peter’s problem was not that he failed to understand the Messiahship of Jesus (Prophet, Priest, King and God). Peter’s problem was that he got in front of Jesus (and attempted to correct Jesus) instead of asking for further clarification. This is why Jesus responded so forcefully to Peter (Peter was unknowingly trying to persuade Jesus to depart from the will of God, which is the work of Satan) and why Jesus told Peter to get behind. Like Peter, may we learn our place and be behind Jesus as Jesus leads us into the Kingdom of God by his priestly death and resurrection. It should also be noted that the confusion of the disciples about the death and resurrection of Jesus likely explains why Jesus instructed the disciples to keep his identity hidden. This instruction was replaced after Jesus had risen from the dead and when the disciples had a fuller understanding of what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah (Mark 9:2-13 & 16:14-20). Like the disciples, Jesus may likewise hold us back until we have a fuller and more correct understanding of who he is.
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Explanation: In Mark 9:30-37, Jesus uses a dispute between the disciples to teach about greatness within God’s Kingdom. After speaking about his death and resurrection and while walking with Jesus from place to place, the disciples had been arguing about who (out of them) will receive the highest place of respect and honour within the Kingdom of God next to Jesus. Jesus, after questioning the disciples, gave two responses. First, greatness within God’s Kingdom is about being the last and the servant of all. Second, Jesus took a child in his arms and said that greatness within God’s Kingdom is about receiving children and what they represent. With this, the dispute among the disciples temporarily ended (Mark 10:35-45).
Application: The first response of Jesus reveals the heart and posture of God. Within God’s Kingdom, God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) are the greatest. However, Jesus (the Son or the Second Person of God) became human to redeem humanity from sin and death, and Jesus did this through his atoning death on the cross. This means that the greatest within the Kingdom of God (the Son) became the least among humanity (the Saviour) by becoming a servant and a sacrifice for all. Jesus is therefore the fulfilment of "the first must be the very last, and the servant of all". The second response of Jesus continues and expands on this theme. Jesus says elsewhere that we must receive the Kingdom of God like a child (Mark 10:13-16). Children are entirely dependent on the goodwill of their parents and lack (for the most part) many of the moral failings that are common in adults. This makes children model citizens of God’s Kingdom. However, on this occasion, Jesus said that a person receives the Kingdom of God by receiving children. This was the purpose of Jesus placing a child within his arms and before the disciples. Children take without being able to give and require much time and attention, which means that those who care for children must live self-sacrificially. Within God’s Kingdom, this (serving others self-sacrificially) is the path to greatness and the path that Jesus walked.
Greatness within the Kingdom of God (in contrast to the world) is about climbing down rather than climbing up. Greatness to God (in contrast to humans) is about lowering yourself below rather than elevating yourself above. Jesus modelled this principle perfectly and no one has ascended higher (Almighty God) or descended lower (Human Saviour) then Jesus. As the people of Jesus, this should be the pattern of our lives too. In addition, we should aim to serve those who cannot repay or benefit us (those who are weak and vulnerable or like "little children", as Jesus said). God did this by serving humanity and this should be our aim in serving others in Christ (for the glory of God and not for human reward). This is the economy of heaven and how greatness is measured within the Kingdom of God.