DOCSLIB.ORG

Small Group Study

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Small Group Study Silverdale Baptist Church Follow Me ~ Why The Cross? ~ Mark 15:1-39~ 03/27-28/21 Big Idea Jesus endured the cross for us so we could be in heaven with Him. Getting Started Two weeks ago, we studied Mark 12:38-44, the story of the widow's mite. What was the main idea of that story? How did the widow worship? How much did she hold back? Last week we studied Mark 14:1-11. What was the main idea of that story? How did Mary worship? How much did Mary hold back? Both the widow and Mary gave everything they had. For both ladies, it was an extravagant gift. They were all in, nothing held back, nothing in reserve. This week we will look at the ultimate gift of God, Who held nothing back, in His love for us. “For God so loved the world that that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Learn Note: We believe it would be beneficial for your small group to hear the entire crucifixion account in Mark 15 read at one time. However, since Mark's version is thirty-nine verses long, it would be good to assign the reading ahead of time. We recommend selecting one or more people with good reading voices and giving them a few days to become familiar with the passage. If you choose to use several readers, we suggest the following breakdown: Mark 15:1-5, 6-15, 16-26, 27- 32, 33-39 Context: Jesus was arrested in Mark 14 in the garden called Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives. After His arrest, the Temple guards took Jesus to Annas, a former High Priest and father-in-law of the current High Priest, Caiaphas (John 18). After questioning Jesus, Annas sent Him to Caiaphas. There Jesus was questioned, condemned by false witnesses, spit upon, and viciously beaten. Early the following day, the Sanhedrin (the chief priests, scribes, and elders) officially met and found Jesus guilty of blasphemy. Mark 15:1 picks up the story as the Sanhedrin leaders bring Jesus before Pilate and demand His execution. | HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ MARK 15:1-39 Ask for volunteers to recap the main idea of each paragraph. What is the main idea in 15:1-5? (Pilate interrogates Jesus.) What is the main idea in 15:6-15? (Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the crowd shouts, "Crucify Him!" Pilate has Jesus scourged or beaten with whips.) What is the main idea of 15:16-20? (The Roman soldiers mocked and beat Jesus, put a crown of thorns on His head, and lead Him away to be crucified.) What is the main idea in 15:21-26? (The Romans crucified Jesus at the Place of the Skull.) What is the main idea in 15:27-32? (The crowds mocked Jesus) What is the main idea in 15:33-39? ( Jesus died.) 1. The cross shows us the ugliness of our sin. – Pastor Tony |HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21. What do you learn about Christ in this verse? What do you learn about us? |HAVE A VOLUNTEER RE-READ MARK 15:34. Why would God forsake or turn His back on Jesus? In a sense, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit turned their back on Jesus as Jesus became sin for us. For the first and only time in eternity, the God-head was separated. Jesus was abandoned on the cross. One old preacher said of the moment, "It was such a horrible sight, the sun refused to shine, and the son hung between heaven and earth in darkness.” “Sin will take you farther than you want to go. It will keep you longer than you want to stay. It will cost you more than you want to pay.” 2. The cross demonstrates the incredible love of God. – Pastor Tony |HAVE VOLUNTEERS READ JOHN 3:16, JOHN 15:13, AND ROMANS 5:8. What is the key repeated word in these verses? What do you learn about love? How did God express His love for us? “…Jesus cried from the cross, “It is finished!” Because everything that was necessary, to wipe away the ugliness of your sin and bring you forgiveness happened through Jesus’ death.” – Pastor Tony 3. The cross opens wide our access into God’s presence. Pastor Tony |Have a volunteer read Mark 15:37-38 and Hebrews 10:19-22. What happened at the temple when Jesus died? How does Hebrews 10 reflect what happened in Mark 15:37-38? What You Receive in God’s Presence • You Receive Joy (Ps. 16:11) • You Receive Help (Heb. 4:16) • You Are Refreshed (Acts 3:19-20) • You Receive Eternal Life (Rev. 20:3-4) Apply God made Him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (from 2 Cor 5:21, John 3:16, Romans 5:8) What do you learn about God from this study? What do you learn about us? What will you do with what you have learned today? Who will you tell about the cross? What difference does Jesus's death on the cross make in your life? Have you surrendered your life to Christ? If not, why not now? Pray If you have someone in your group who wants to give their life to Christ, you might want to lead them in prayer. They may want to pray on their own. If so, let them. Sometimes people feel like they don’t know what to do or say. If you sense that is the case, lead them in a simple prayer of surrender. You might have them pray something like this, “Jesus, thank You for loving me and dying for me. I surrender my life to You. Amen” If someone in your group gives their life to Christ – CELEBRATE! Father, would You give us the opportunity this week to tell someone about Jesus’s work on the cross? Amen Dig Deeper | Mark 15:1-39 15:1 This verse is often seen as a third Jewish trial in which the whole Sanhedrin legalized their verdict in the morning (cp. Lk 22:66–71). Decisions reached at night were not binding. Being handed … over is repeatedly emphasized in this chapter (vv. 1, 10, 15) and throughout Mark. Pilate was a Roman official among the Jews during AD 26–36. Pilate resided at Caesarea Maritima but found it expedient to stay in Jerusalem during Passover and other major Jewish festivals because of the large number of pilgrims flooding the city and the potential for unrest. 15:2 Pilate focused on whether Jesus claimed to be King of the Jews. Clearly the Sanhedrin’s condemnation based on blasphemy (14:64) had turned into charges of sedition and treason. This is the first use of this title in Mark’s Gospel, but Pilate repeatedly used it (15:2, 9, 12, 26; cp. v. 32). The words recall the quest of the wise men at Jesus’s birth (Mt 2:2). Jesus’s reply, you say so, can be understood as either noncommittal or as an acknowledgement, but not as a denial. 15:3–5 Pilate’s question involves a double negative. It is matched by Mark’s double negative that Jesus did not answer. Pilate was amazed at Jesus’s silence because he could free him if his answers were satisfactory. 15:6 Mark is silent about Pilate’s attempt to extricate himself from the situation by sending Jesus to Herod Antipas (cp. Lk 23:5–12), the same Herod as in Mk 6:14–29. Here, in 15:6–15, Pilate tried another maneuver involving a custom to release for the people a prisoner. This custom is not documented outside the NT and was apparently done only at the Passover festival (Jn 18:39). 15:7 The rebels who were in prison with Barabbas probably included the two criminals who were crucified with Jesus. Mark gave no other details about the rebellion, which may indicate that his readers were familiar with it and thus did not need him to spell it out. 15:8–9 The crowd, coached by Jesus’s enemies, asked Pilate to follow his custom of releasing a prisoner. Pilate instinctively offered them the King of the Jews (vv. 2, 9, 12, 26). Thus Pilate unknowingly confessed Jesus’s true status. 15:10 Pilate recognized that envy was why the chief priests wanted Jesus dead. 15:11–12 Again the chief priests (vv. 1, 3, 10) manipulated the course of events. Stirred up suggests they incited the crowd to riot. Ironically, the crowd chose Barabbas (“son of the father”) over Jesus, the true Son of the Father. 15:13–14 This is Mark’s first reference to crucifixion. None of Jesus’s death predictions specifically mentioned crucifixion, though he had hinted at it (8:34). R.T. France points out that it was the usual provincial penalty for political rebellion. 15:15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd at the cost of justice, Pilate handed Jesus over. Being flogged means Jesus was whipped with leather cords that had pieces of bone or metal tied in them that would rip the flesh off one’s back.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Naked Runaway and the Enrobed Reporter of Mark 14 and 16: What Is the Author Doing with What He Is Saying?
    JETS 54.3 (September 2011) 527–45 THE NAKED RUNAWAY AND THE ENROBED REPORTER OF MARK 14 AND 16: WHAT IS THE AUTHOR DOING WITH WHAT HE IS SAYING? !"#!$!% &'#'()**!* There is no question that Mark 14:51–52 is a major crux of Mark’s Gos- pel—the account of a “young man” +eeing naked from the scene as Jesus was arrested. 1 These verses are “a total enigma,” concluded Morna Hooker. A “bizarre episode,” said Eugene Boring. Francis Moloney called it a “strange passage.” “Confusing” and “unclear,” labeled Robert Stein. “[M]akes no sense as an actual incident,” claimed Robin Scroggs and Kent Gro,. “Whimsical,” declared John Knox. 2 This degree of interpretive chaos has resulted in an inordinate amount of speculation, inversely proportional to the evangelist’s reticence, as many a scholar and preacher has exercised upon this crux his or her own expository creativity. The reason for these hermeneutical acrobat- ics is obvious: if 14:51–52 is erased from the account—which apparently is what Matthew and Luke did in their respective Gospels (Matt 26:56–57; Luke 22:54)—what is left actually makes for a seamless reading of a coherent story. 3 But, as far as scholarship can tell us, those two verses remain in the canonical version and -nal form of the Gospel of Mark; and so, preachers have to make some sense of this perplexing text situated in this locus in Mark’s passion. Hence, the proliferation of explanations, particularly dealing with the identity of the “young man” (νεανίσκος) in 14:51–52, who “appears out of nowhere at the wrong place in the story, at the wrong place in the text, like a clown at a funeral, this τις [a certain] young man, this unnamed literary follower following the departure of all followers.” 4 Howard Jackson concludes that, “freed of the shackles of narrative coherence and contextual integrity, many * Abraham Kuruvilla is associate professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary, 3909 Swiss Ave., Dallas, TX 75204.
    [Show full text]
  • Cruciformed ! Mark's Story of Jesus and His Disciples
    CRUCIFORMED ! MARK’S STORY OF JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES A literary study of the narrative of Mark’s Gospel with insights and conversation starters in twenty sessions A resource for the Book of Faith initiative within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America THE REV. DR. MARK I. WEGENER RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA [email protected] Copyright © 2015 This page is intentionally left blank so you can photocopy the pages back-to- back without losing the sequence. CRUCIFORMED ! MARK’S STORY OF JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES From all inductions, the gospel according to Mark is the first to call the story of Jesus a St. Mark is the earliest of the four gospels in “gospel.” At that time “gospel” or “evangel” the New Testament. Most likely it was written was almost a technical term for an official around 70 CE, shortly before or after the announcement that a new emperor was arriv- Roman armies captured Jerusalem and de- ing, or that a city or territory was to receive stroyed the temple. special treatment, such as a reduction in taxes. Of course, no one knows exactly who wrote Perhaps the political connotation of “gospel” this document. Traditionally the name of is why the accounts of Matthew, Luke and John Mark, a companion of both the apostles John do not explicitly refer to themselves as Paul and Peter, has been associated with it. “gospels.” But the evidence that this person is the actual author is slim at a best. Third, Mark provided the pattern which was later used by the authors of Matthew and And exactly where it was written and for Luke.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Should Christians Obey the Government? Mark 12:13-17
    1 Should Christians Obey The Government? Mark 12:13-17 Introduction: 1) It is one of those questions that Christians have discussed and debated for 2000 years. Regardless of one’s political loyalties and commitments, the questions come up again and again and must be faced by every believer: should I as a Christian, a devoted follower of Jesus Christ my King, obey the government? In this context Mark Dever raises an even bigger question, “Does Christianity have a vision for the state and society as a whole?” Is a biblical vision one like “the Moral Majority,” the social gospel”, or the Amish? 2) This question, of course, is much easier to answer when you live in a democracy and/or the winds of governmental laws and policies are blowing in your direction. But…what if you live in a totalitarian context? What if you are subjected to a cruel and tyrannical dictatorship? Or, even within a free democracy, what do you do when asked to violate scripture or conscience? What then? 3) We are in the midst of a series of controversies between Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Mark 11:20-13:37 is one long and crucial day in the life of Jesus and His disciples. There are 5 confrontations all-together: 1) The question of His authority by the Sanhedrin 11:27-33. 2) The question of paying taxes by the Pharisees and Herodians 12:13-17. 3) The question of the resurrection by the Sadducees 12:18-27. 4) The question of the greatest commandment by the scribes 12:28-34.
    [Show full text]
  • Mark 12:1-12 ‘Murder in the Vineyard’
    Mark 12:1-12 ‘murder in the vineyard’ We’re turning this morning to Mark 12. It’s one of be sent by God (you can read all about it in those chapters that we dip into from time to time – Deuteronomy 18). there are bits of it that are very well known. We’re all That said, their motives were not pure – and their familiar with the saying in verse 17: ‘Give to Caesar minds were closed to the real facts. Basically, they what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” were out to get him. They wanted to nail something The other obvious one is in verses 29-31 where Jesus on to him! focuses on the two great commandments – these So that’s the situation as we find it right here … and were culled from the heart of the Old Testament … in it’s in that context that Jesus told them this parable, a fact, Jewish people recite the first part every day, it’s story with a very clear punchline. Jesus showed them called the Shema. It’s all about loving the Lord and where their sins were leading them … and it certainly giving him first place in our affections. wasn’t heavenward. The bottom line is, if you receive Jesus deals with 4 big questions in the chapter – the God’s blessing but reject his Son, you must face God’s first is the Question of authority, and that goes down judgment. to verse 12; the second is the Question of The story here is meant to impact upon their hearts responsibility, and that’s in verses 13-17; the third is a and lives – in it, Jesus described something of the question about eternity, and that’s in verses 18-27; hope of God for his people – the divine aspiration, as the fourth is the Question of priority, and that’s in it were; he also showed the kindness of God for his verses 18-34.
    [Show full text]
  • Reading the Gospels for Lent
    Reading the Gospels for Lent 2/26 John 1:1-14; Luke 1 Birth of John the Baptist 2/27 Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38 Jesus’ birth 2/28 Matthew 2; Luke 2:39-52 Epiphany 2/29 Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-12; Luke 3:1-20; John 1:15-28 John the Baptist 3/2 Matthew 3:13-4:11; Mark 1:9-13; Luke 3:20-4:13; John 1:29-34 Baptism & Temptation 3/3 Matthew 4:12-25; Mark 1:14-45; Luke 4:14-5:16; John 1:35-51 Calling Disciples 3/4 John chapters 2-4 First miracles 3/5 Matthew 9:1-17; Mark 2:1-22; Luke 5:17-39; John 5 Dining with tax collectors 3/6 Matthew 12:1-21; Mark 2:23-3:19; Luke 6:1-19 Healing on the Sabbath 3/7 Matthew chapters 5-7; Luke 6:20-49 7 11:1-13 Sermon on the Mount 3/9 Matthew 8:1-13; & chapter 11; Luke chapter 7 Healing centurion’s servant 3/10 Matthew 13; Luke 8:1-12; Mark 4:1-34 Kingdom parables 3/11 Matthew 8:15-34 & 9:18-26; Mark 4:35-5:43; Luke 8:22-56 Calming sea; Legion; Jairus 3/12 Matthew 9:27-10:42; Mark 6:1-13; Luke 9:1-6 Sending out the Twelve 3/13 Matthew 14; Mark 6:14-56; Luke 9:7-17; John 6:1-24 Feeding 5000 3/14 John 6:25-71 3/16 Matthew 15 & Mark 7 Canaanite woman 3/17 Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27 “Who do people say I am?” 3/18 Matthew 17; Mark 9:1-23; Luke 9:28-45 Transfiguration 3/19 Matthew 18; Mark 9:33-50 Luke 9:46-10:54 Who is the greatest? 3/20 John chapters 7 & 8 Jesus teaches in Jerusalem 3/21 John chapters 9 & 10 Good Shepherd 3/23 Luke chapters 12 & 13 3/24 Luke chapters 14 & 15 3/25 Luke 16:1-17:10 3/26 John 11 & Luke 17:11-18:14 3/27 Matthew 19:1-20:16; Mark 10:1-31; Luke 18:15-30 Divorce & other teachings 3/28
    [Show full text]
  • Mark 14:1-11 a Sacrifice of Extravagant Love
    1 A Sacrifice Of Extravagant Love Mark 14:1-11 Introduction: 1) Let me ask you a question that I hope you will be brutally honest in answering: “have you in your life as a follower of King Jesus ever made a sacrifice of extravagant love?” Can you recall a time when you did something that really cost you? You actually went without something you really wanted because of a sacrifice of extravagant love for Jesus? I believe I did. Once. Yes, to my shame, once. 2) The sad fact is we are good at giving Jesus our leftovers and hand-me-downs. I served a church once that’s student building was filled with old, worn, ratty couches. Sweet folks in our church had bought new couches for their homes and so they donated their old, worn couches to the church and in the process got a tax break and felt good that they had done something noble. But, had they really? In the spirit of full discourse, I must confess one of the couches in the youth center had been given by me. It was no longer worthy of being in my house but it was good enough for Jesus. 3) In Mark 14:1-11 we seek something all together different, something truly remarkable, an indisputable sacrifice of extravagant love by a woman Mark allows to remain anonymous. And we also see the tale of 2 lives that could not stand in greater contrast when it comes to true and unreserved devotion to our Lord: an 2 unnamed woman who gave her very best and a man named Judas who betrayed the Son of God.
    [Show full text]
  • Meeting Jesus Through the Gospel of Mark
    Living for Jesus by making, maturing and mobilising disciples for His Glory SUNDAY MEETINGS 8:30am 10:30am and 6:30pm MEETING THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF MARK JESUSSERMON SERIES Study Booklet Part 2 Scan this QR code with your smart phone for more on this series. From the pastor Welcome to our second study booklet for 2013. These booklets are a key feature of life at Lakeshore not only in helping us study God’s Word together but keeping us up to date and praying for church life. We will be continuing our study of the Gospel of Mark this term. The series is called ‘Meeting Jesus.’ I hope that as we read through Mark that you’ll be freshly introduced to Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Please pray that others will join us to ‘meet’ Jesus for the first time and turn to Him as their Lord and Saviour. About this study booklet The studies in this booklet link into the sermon series at church. The dates of the talks are listed with the introduction and each study is to follow the talk of the same title. This approach enables group time to be spent digging deeper into the Bible and also to discuss issues or questions raised by the talk. This also, importantly, enables the Growth Group to have a strong focus on application, sharing, accountability and prayer. We aim to provide a copy of this study booklet to every regular attendee at Lakeshore whether you’ve been with us for only a few weeks or for several years.
    [Show full text]
  • Mark 14:1-11 We're Continuing Our Study Through Mark's Gospel. We've
    Wasteful or Beautiful? Mark 14:1-11 We’re continuing our study through Mark’s Gospel. We’ve been looking at this all-important ​ question, “Who is this Jesus?” If you’re here and you’re not a Christian, we’re really glad you’re ​ here. You’re always welcome here. And I can think of no better study for you to be in than this ​ ​ one! We believe that Jesus Himself is the main argument for why you should become a Christian. Pray ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Who are some good role models for young ladies? We have three girls, so it’s especially important question for us (ages 12-15). And we have many young ladies in this church. I read a parenting article that listed the best 7 female role models today: 1. Jennifer Lawrence 2. Hillary Clinton 3. Miranda Cosgrove 4. Ellen DeGeneres 5. Oprah Winfrey 6. Emma Watson 7. Abby Douglas These are popular ladies in American culture. They’re popular because of their power, their ​ ​ influence, their physical beauty, and/or their ability to perform/act. You can read other articles ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ with different pop icons, and you will find similar qualities exalted. ​ ​ What comes to your mind when you hear these answers? Well, I have no desire to put down these ladies, or any other lady in American culture that appears on such lists. My reaction is this: Most American young girls know these ladies. ​ But most American girls don’t know the ladies in Mark’s Gospel, and that’s a tragedy. ​ ​ Once again in Mark’s Gospel, it’s an amazing lady that gives us a pattern to follow.
    [Show full text]
  • Mark 12:1-44
    a Grace Notes course The Gospel of Mark an expositional Bible study by Dr. Daniel Hill, Pastor Southwood Bible Church Tulsa, Oklahoma Lesson 12 Mark 12:1-44 Grace Notes 1705 Aggie Lane, Austin, Texas 78757 Email: [email protected] The Gospel of Mark Lesson 12: Mark 12:1-44 Lesson Instructions Lesson 12: Mark 12:1-44................................................................................................... 12-4 Lesson 12 Quiz..................................................................................................................12-20 Instructions for Completing the Lessons There are sixteen (16) lessons in the MARK course curriculum, one lesson for each chapter.. There will be questions in the Quiz for each lesson on the topics that are named here. Begin each study session with prayer. It is the Holy Spirit who makes spiritual things discernable to Christians, so it is essential to be in fellowship with the Lord during Bible study. Instructions Read the introduction to the study of Mark. Study the Mark chapter for this lesson, by reading the verses and studying the notes. Be sure to read any other Bible passages that are called out in the notes. Before taking the Quiz, Review all of the notes in the Mark lesson. Go to the Quiz page and follow the instructions to complete all the questions on the quiz. The quiz is “open book”. You may refer to all the notes and to the Bible when you take the test. But you should not get help from another person. When you have completed the Quiz, be sure to SAVE your file. If your quiz file is lost, and that can happen at Grace Notes as well, you will want to be able to reproduce your work.
    [Show full text]
  • The Things of Caesar: Mark-Ing the Plural (Mk 12:13–17)
    Page 1 of 9 Original Research The Things of Caesar: Mark-ing the Plural (Mk 12:13–17) Author: This article observes the rarely-discussed phenomenon that the Marcan paying-the-tax scene 1,2 Warren Carter refers to tax in the singular, whilst the concluding saying uses the plural ‘the things of Caesar Affiliations: and of God’. The article accounts for this phenomenon by means of developing traditions. 1Brite Divinity School, The section under the heading ‘Mark’s scene and saying about taxes (12:13–17)’ counters Texas Christian University, the common claim that scene and saying originated as a unit from the historical Jesus. It United States of America proposes that whilst the saying may have originated with Jesus, the scene as we have it did 2Department of New not. The section under the heading ‘Social memory, orality, and a multi-referential saying?’ Testament Studies, Faculty suggests some contexts that the saying about the things of Caesar addressed pre-Mark. And of Theology, University of under the section ‘Trauma and Mark’s scene’ it is argued that Mark created a unit comprising Pretoria, South Africa scene and saying to negotiate the ‘trauma’ of the 66–70 war. The unit evaluates freshly- Note: asserted Roman power as idolatrous and blasphemous whilst simultaneously authorising Prof. Dr Warren Carter is the continued involvement of Jesus-believers in imperial society. participating as a research associate in the project ‘Biblical Theology and Hermeneutics’, directed Introduction by Prof. Dr Andries G. Van Aarde, honorary professor Despite extensive discussion of the Synoptic paying-the-tax scene (Mk 12:13–17), little attention in the Faculty of Theology, has been paid to the incongruity between linguistic items in the singular – tax (κῆσον,1 Mk 12:14), University of Pretoria, denarius (δηνάριον) (Mk 12:15) – and Jesus’ final saying that employs the plural, ‘the things’ τά( ) South Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Emotion Love
    EMOTION LOVE Matt 21:10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” ================================ John 11: 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” 49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” ====================================== John 11: 54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. John 11: 55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him. =============================================== MARK 11:11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts.
    [Show full text]
  • FOUR QUESTIONS Mark 12:13-37 2/3/08 the Jewish Religious Leaders
    FOUR QUESTIONS Mark 12:13-37 2/3/08 The Jewish religious leaders are seeking to find some way to seize Jesus and destroy Him cf v. 12 Jesus has become a threat to their power and pretenses. So they gather together to try to trap or ensnare Him with His own words. 1. Should We Pay Taxes? 12:13-17 Hatred can sometimes bind diverse people together with a kind of diabolical superglue. Such is the case with the opponents of Jesus. 13a Even the Pharisees and the Herodians got together The Herodians supported the family of Herod as well as the Romans rule of their country. The Pharisees considered Herod to be an evil usurper of the throne of David. After all, Herod was not even a Jew. He was an Edomite. The Herodians were political liberals The Pharisees were political conservatives. Yet they were cemented together by their mutual hatred of Jesus. The Pharisees hated Jesus because He was disrupting their religious agenda. The Herodians hated Him because He threatened their political arrangements. They both wanted Him dead. 13b Their intent was to trap Him in a statement They were being hypocritical, or two-faced. 14-15a Their question No matter how Jesus answered, it would put Him in trouble with either the Jews or the Romans. If Jesus told them to pay, He would be seen as a compromiser and disloyal to His people. It would hurt His image with those who viewed Him as the Messianic deliverer. If Jesus said, “Don’t pay,” these religious leaders would charge Jesus before the Romans with promoting insurrection.
    [Show full text]