Mark 13 and 14 Class Comments

1. 13:1-3 How do these verses differ from the details in Matthew 24:1-3? Comments: In verse 1, Mark says one disciple showed  him the buildings, while Matthew says it was His “disciples.” In verse 3, Mark names Peter, James, John, and Andrew as the disciples who ask the questions about when the destruction would happen. Mark also lists only two questions to Matthew’s three, though they both ask “when?” and “what will be the signs?”
2. 13:4-13 In this section, what instructions did Jesus give His disciples for the hard times that were to come? (I see at least five.) Comments: v. 5 – Take heed that no one deceives you into believing they are the Christ; v. 7 – Do not be troubled when you hear of wars and rumors of wars; v. 9 – Watch out for yourselves when you are arrested and beaten; v. 11 – Do not worry about what you will say, because the Holy Spirit will give you the words; v. 11 – Speak whatever He tells you to speak.
3. 13:14-23 What was the primary purpose for the instructions Jesus gave His disciples for when they would see the abomination of desolation? Comments: To help them escape destruction. When you see the Roman armies coming, get out of Jerusalem!
4. 13:24-27 In sequence, what three things would happen in those days, after the tribulation? Comments: v. 24 – The heavenly powers would be shaken; v. 26 – The Son of Man would come with power; v. 27 – He will send His angels and gather his elect from all over the earth.
5. 13:28-31 How does the parable of the fig tree answer the disciples’ question in verse 4? Comments: Just as you can see the signs of summer coming by the leaves on a fig tree, so you will see these things about to happen by the signs I have given you.
6. 13:32-36 What were Jesus’ instructions to the disciples in this passage? Comments: v. 33 – Take heed, watch and pray, for you don’t know what the time is; v. 35 – Watch, for you don’t know when the master’s coming; v. 37 – Watch! (There will be no warning for the second coming.)
7. 14:1-2 Why did the chief priests and scribes need to seize Jesus “by stealth”? Comments: Other versions read “trickery” or “craft.” They didn’t want to upset the crowds of people gathered for the approaching Passover.
8. 14:3-9 Why did some of the disciples criticize the woman for what she was doing? Why might they have been surprised by Jesus’ rebuke? Comments: They thought she was wasting money that could help those in need. Jesus was usually concerned about the poor. But Jesus knew the heart of the woman. She understood what the disciples didn’t seem to understand – that Jesus would soon be crucified. 
9. 14:10-11 How did Judas fulfill the wishes of the chief priests and scribes? Comments: Judas told them he could deliver Jesus to the chief priests, because he knew Jesus’ habits and where they could find him alone – and under the cover of night, away from the crowds.
10. 14:12-26 What did Jesus mean when He said the bread was His body and the cup was His blood? How would He drink it “new” in the kingdom of God? Comments: Under the new covenant, the bread would represent His broken body; the contents of the cup would represent His blood. The next time Jesus drank it, it would be in communion with His disciples as they partook of the Lord’s Supper.
11. 14:27-31 Jesus made two prophecies in verses 27 and 28. To which one did they all respond? Comments: v. 27 – You will all be made to stumble because of Me this night; v. 28 – After I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee. They seem to ignore his second prophecy and focus on themselves, starting with Peter’s emphatic “I will not be made to stumble!”
12. 14:32-52 Is there a connection between verses 36 and 49? If so, what does it say about the eternal purpose of God? Comments: v. 36 – Jesus prays that the cup will be taken from him; v. 49 – Jesus says the Scriptures must be fulfilled. God’s eternal purpose was the salvation of men’s souls through His Son, and the Old Testament scriptures all point to that moment. God’s Plan was God’s Will.
13. 14:53-65 Those who abused Jesus told him in verse 65 to “Prophesy!” What had he just done in verse 62? Comments: In verse 62 Jesus had just prophesied of His coming in the clouds, most probably speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, which they would experience. But they didn’t hear it as a prophecy; they heard it as blasphemy.
14. 14:66-72 To whom did Peter deny Jesus? How adamant was he? Comments: v. 68 – The high priest’s servant girl; v. 70 – those standing by the servant girl; v. 71 – some standing near him a little later. He swore and cursed to show how adamant he was.