Mark 15 and 16

1. Read Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12. Then read Mark 15. Note the prophetic verses in Isaiah 53 that are fulfilled in Mark 15.
2. 16:1-8 Who came to the tomb early on the first day of the week? What did they see? What were they told to do? Whom did they tell?
3. 16:9-11 After Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and to the two men, whom did they tell?
4. 16:12-16 After rebuking the Eleven for their unbelief, what did Jesus tell them to do?
5. 16:17-20 What was the purpose of the signs that would follow them?
6. 16:19 To where did Jesus ascend?

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.

Mark 11 and 12 Class Comments

1. 11:1-10 What kind of preparation did people make for Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem? Seeing they mentioned David’s kingdom, what might they have been expecting from Jesus after His entry into Jerusalem? Comments: They spread their clothes and leafy branches on the road. Some went before him, announcing His coming. They might have expected Him to sit on David’s throne, overcoming the oppressive Romans on their behalf. His own apostles seemed to expect this of him even after His resurrection (Acts 1:6).
2. 11:11-24 How does the cursing of the fig tree relate to the cleansing of the temple? Comments: We had varied answers for this. 1) Both the fig tree and the money changers showed disrespect for God, and Jesus got rid of them both.  2) The money changers were as deceptive as the fig tree. 3) In both cases, Jesus showed His authority.
3. 11:25-26 Do the verses about forgiveness relate to the previous incidents? If so, how? Comments: One common thread is the subject of prayer. In verse 17, Jesus declared that His house, the temple, was meant to be a house for prayer, not monetary gain. In verse 22, Jesus taught that we must pray without doubting. In verse 25, He taught that when we pray we must also have an attitude of forgiveness. Even with faith, the Father will not grant our request for forgiveness if we are unwilling to forgive others.
4. 11:27-33 What are the answers to the Pharisees’ questions? Comments: Jesus’ answers to them were the same as their answers to His question. If they couldn’t answer, neither would he. Of course, we know the answers to be that 1) He did these things by His own authority; 2) His authority came from His Father.
5. 12:1-12 Who or what are represented in this parable by 1) the vineyard; 2) the owner; 3) the vinedressers (tenants); 4) the servants; and 5) the son. Comments: 1) The vineyard was the people (or land) of Israel; 2) the owner was God; 3) the tenants were Jewish religious leaders; 4) the servants were the Old Testament prophets; 5) the son was Jesus Christ.
6. 12:13-17 What device did the Pharisees and Herodians try to use before they asked their question? Comments: Flattery. Jesus called them hypocrites for their use of it.
7. 12:18-27 What failing did the Sadducees demonstrate by asking Jesus the question about the resurrection? Comments: They didn’t know the scriptures nor the power of God. They could recite the Levirate law, but they didn’t know the significance of God’s declaration to Moses at the burning bush.
8. 12:28-34 In what way was the scribe who asked the question “not far from the kingdom of God”? Comments: He knew the right answer to the question (in his head), but he hadn’t made the commitment to do it (in his heart). Uncharacteristic of a scribe, he wisely recognized the value of love above burnt offerings and ritual sacrifices.
9. 12:35-40 How did Jesus’ warning about the scribes (38-40) relate to their teaching about the identity of Christ (35)? Comments: The Christ, or Messiah, that they expected would, as the Son of David, be an earthly king on an earthly throne who perhaps would share his power with them. In reality, He was David’s Lord, and thereby greater than David. The scribes couldn’t recognize that Christ was standing before them in the person of Jesus. He warned the people that the scribes would be condemned for their arrogance and hypocrisy.
10. 12:41-44 What lesson can we learn from the widow and her giving? Comments: To give not of what we have in abundance (left over), but sacrificially. Giving means giving up something, to give up things we think we need. The poor widow gave up her security.

Mark 9 and 10 Class Comments

1. 9:2-13 After the Transfiguration, why did Peter make the suggestion he made? What may have been one of the reasons they kept quiet about His resurrection? Comments: Because he didn’t know what else to say; they were all afraid. The disciples didn’t understand what was going on. Moses and Elijah represented the Hebrews’ Law and Prophets. They disappeared from the scene, and God announced that the disciples were to listen only to His Son.
2. 9:14-29 What was happening as Jesus approached the crowd? What word did the man use that might indicate his lack of faith? (Notice how Jesus repeats it back to him.) Comments: A crowd was gathered around His disciples, who were disputing with the scribes. [Because, in this account, a man interrupted with his question, the scribes never answered Jesus’ question about the nature of the dispute.] Some in the class thought the word was “can”; others thought it was “if.” Both words indicate the man’s lack of conviction that Jesus was able to heal his son. Jesus uses both “if” and “can” when He refers to the man’s faith.
3. 9:30-32 Why did Jesus not want anyone to know where He was? Comments: Because He was busy teaching His disciples about His betrayal and death.
4. 9:33-42 What are the three things Jesus mentioned that are done “in My name”? What does that mean? Comments: 1) Receiving a little child (v. 37); 2) Working a miracle (v. 39); 3) Giving a cup of water (v. 41). Various answers given in class for its meaning; 1) By My authority; 2) On my behalf; 3) For My sake; and 4) Because you belong to Me.
5. 9:43-50 Does Jesus intend for us to cut off offensive hands and feet and pluck out offensive eyes? What teaching technique was He using? How does He describe hell? Comments: Not literally. He is using hyperbole (exaggeration) to make the point. Hell is described as a fire that is never quenched, where their worm (maggot) does not die. Gahenna, translated as Hell, was a place outside the city of Jerusalem where trash was thrown and burned. In the Old Testament, Isaiah 66:24 mentions “their worm.” The class also discussed what “seasoned with fire” in verse 49 meant. We concluded that it has to do with  self-sacrifice. Leviticus 2:13 and Ezekiel 43:24 speak of offering salt with sacrifices. It was also noted that having this “salt” – a spirit of self-sacrifice – within us also creates peace among us.
6. 10:1-12 How serious is divorce and re-marriage? Comments: A one-word answer: “Very.” Divorce and re-marriage constitute adultery, which breaks one of the Ten Commandments and goes against the original design for marriage: two becoming one. Breaking this unit causes tremendous pain to everyone involved. The corresponding passage in Matthew allows for an exception of sexual immorality, but in such cases, divorce is not required.
7. 10:13-16 With what kind of attitude should we receive the kingdom of God? Comments: As a little child, when means that we receive it openly, without question. We also receive it as a gift, given to us with no obligation to give anything in return. Our service to God is a result of our gratitude for the gift.
8. 10:17-22 What did the young man assume about obtaining eternal life before he asked Jesus the question? Comments: That he must do certain things, keep certain commandments. He also assumed that he had done everything he needed to do. Note that among Jesus’ instructions to him was to take up the cross, which to the people of that day indicated a full self-sacrifice, or death.
9. 10:23-31 What did Jesus mean when he taught that those who have left their houses and families will receive a hundredfold in this life? Comments: Their Christian family will become huge. Physical possessions are much less important than what they would gain in spiritual blessings. This is also a warning against pride, against  relying on physical possessions to give us value.
10. 10:32-34 Describe the emotions of the disciples and followers as they followed Jesus into Jerusalem. To whom did He reveal the details? Comments: The disciples were amazed; the followers were afraid. (This answer varied with translations. The NKJV doesn’t distinguish  between those who were amazed and those who were afraid.) It was only to the Twelve that He revealed the details of what was going to happen.
11. 10:35-45 According to their question, what view of the kingdom did James and John appear to have? What were the cup and baptism that Jesus referred to? Comments: They pictured a throne of glory and power, which they hoped to share. The cup and baptism Jesus spoke of seems to indicate some type of persecution they would experience.  Note that in the corresponding passage in Matthew, it’s their mother who asks. Also, James and John may have been remembering Matthew 19:28, where Jesus promises the Twelve that they would sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Note Revelation 5:5-6 and its emphasis on victory through sacrifice. The power of the Lion is seen in the Lamb that was slain.
12. 10:46-52 Why would the crowd tell Bartimaeus to keep quiet? What was his response to them? Comments: A variety of reasons: Don’t bother him. It’s degrading to beg. Because the sight of beggars was common, their hearts were hardened against him. They thought he was crazy. His status was too low to deserve talking to this celebrity. He was too loud. He only wanted attention.  His response was to cry all the more.

Mark 9 and 10

1. 9:2-13    After the Transfiguration, why did Peter make the suggestion he made? What may have been one of the reasons they kept quiet about His resurrection?
   
2. 9:14-29    What was happening as Jesus approached the crowd? What word did the man use that might indicate his lack of faith? (Notice how Jesus repeats it back to him.)
   
3. 9:30-32    Why did Jesus not want anyone to know where He was?
   
4. 9:33-42    What are the three things Jesus mentioned that are done “in My name”? What does that mean?
   
5. 9:43-50    Does Jesus intend for us to cut off offensive hands and feet and pluck out offensive eyes? What teaching technique was He using? How does He describe hell?
   
6. 10:1-12    How serious is divorce and re-marriage?
   
7. 10:13-16    With what kind of attitude should we receive the kingdom of God?
   
8. 10:17-22    What did the young man assume about obtaining eternal life before he asked Jesus the question?
   
9. 10:23-31 What did Jesus mean when he taught that those who have left their houses and families will receive a hundredfold in this life?
   
10. 10:32-34    Describe the emotions of the disciples and followers as they followed Jesus into Jerusalem. To whom did He reveal the details?
    
11. 10:35-45    According to their question, what view of the kingdom did James and John appear to have? What were the cup and baptism that Jesus referred to?
    
12. 10:46-52    Why would the crowd tell Bartimaeus to keep quiet? What was his response to them?
    

Mark 7 and 8 Class Comments

1. 7:1-13    In the scribes’ and Pharisees’ minds, what was the benefit of keeping their traditions? What was at least one tradition that resulted in neglect of family responsibilities? Comments: They believed that by keeping certain external laws, they were pleasing God, even if their hearts weren’t right. Traditions are a source of comfort – the reason so many enjoy keeping family traditions. It helps you know where you’ve come from. In naming possessions as “Corban” (dedicating them to God while still retaining their use), they neglected one of the Ten Commandments, which was to honor their parents. “Corban” couldn’t be used to help their parents.
2. 7:14-23    Does verse 15 mean that there can be no harm from eating with unwashed hands? Comments: Jesus is talking about the heart being defiled, not the physical body. Unwashed hands can lead to the spread of disease, but the Pharisees and scribes were religious leaders, not doctors. Yet they seemed to be more concerned about physical than spiritual defilement. Complaining, gossiping, and negative talk harm both ourselves and those who listen to us.
3. 7:24-30    After debating with Jewish leaders about their traditions, where did Jesus go? Can you estimate by the map how far he traveled? Was it primarily a Jewish or Gentile region? [See Appendix 1, Geographical Notes.] Comments: Tyre was about 35 miles away, and Sidon a further 20 miles. When Jesus went back to the Sea of Galilee, He made a circuitous route, going southeast from Sidon down into Decapolis (region of 10 cities). Tyre and Sidon were primarily Gentile. He went up there, not wishing to be discovered, but the SyroPhoenician woman found Him anyway.
4. 7:31-37    What did Jesus do before he spoke the words that healed the man who was deaf and had a speech impediment? Comments: He 1) took the man aside, 2) put his fingers in the man’s ears, 3) spat [on his finger?], 4) touched the man’s tongue, 5) look up into heaven, and 6) sighed. Again, He instructed witnesses not to tell anyone, but “the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.” They were all astonished.
5. 8:1-10    What were the only circumstances under which the crowd would leave? Comments: My original thought on this was that He had to send them away before they would go (verses 3,9), that physical food was not on their minds. Other comments were that they had to eat before they could leave, and Jesus provided that. Also, they stayed for healing, and maybe because they didn’t want to miss anything!
6. 8:13-21    With what tone of voice do you hear Jesus saying the words recorded in verses 17 through 21? What did the disciples not understand? Comments: He chided them, with the tone of voice that might say, “Just how dumb are you"? As their Savior, He was sad and exasperated. He was thinking about the bad influence of the Pharisees, and they were thinking about physical bread. Even though they had been eager to follow Jesus, they still had a cultural tradition of keeping the physical laws required by the Mosaic law, especially as it was taught by the religious leaders of the day..
7. 8:22-26    What is unique about the healing of the blind man of Bethsaida? Comments: It appears to happen gradually, unlike the deaf man in 7:31-37, who was immediately healed. One suggestion was that maybe the man’s faith needed to be increased gradually, since it was his friends that brought him to Jesus. Did the word steadfastly used in the American Standard Version have any bearing on this? Other translations translate it “looked intently,” “looked up,” and “his eyes were opened.” According to Strong’s Dictionary, the transliterated Greek word is diablepō, which means “to look through, penetrate by vision, to look fixedly, stare straight before one, to see clearly.”
8. 8:27-33    What connection might there be between verses 29 (Peter’s confession) and his rebuke (verse 32)? Comments: Peter was confused – and maybe also a little over-confident. How could someone he had just confessed as the Messiah be subject to the humiliation Jesus described? The side note in the Women’s Study Bible suggests that the reason Jesus cautioned His disciples not to tell anyone exactly who He was is because they still didn’t understand His mission..
9. 8:34-9:1    What does it mean to take up your cross? How do the verses that follow explain what it means? Comments: To take up a cross is to deny oneself, to be willing to give our lives, to not be ashamed of the gospel. To the people living at that time, the cross meant death. To take up your cross was to be on the road to crucifixion.
   

Mark 7 and 8

1. 7:1-13 In the scribes’ and Pharisees’ minds, what was the benefit of keeping their traditions? What was at least one tradition that resulted in neglect of family responsibilities?
2. 7:14-23 Does verse 15 mean that there can be no harm from eating with unwashed hands?
3. 7:24-30 After debating with Jewish leaders about their traditions, where did Jesus go? Can you estimate by the map how far he traveled? Was it primarily a Jewish or Gentile region? [See Appendix 1, Geographical Notes.]
4. 7:31-37 What did Jesus do before he spoke the words that healed the man who was deaf and had a speech impediment?
5. 8:1-10 What were the only circumstances under which the crowd would leave?
6. 8:13-21 With what tone of voice do you hear Jesus saying the words recorded in verses 17 through 21? What did the disciples not understand?
7. 8:22-26 What is unique about the healing of the blind man of Bethsaida?
8. 8:27-33 What connection might there be between verses 29 (Peter’s confession) and his rebuke (verse 32)?
9. 8:34-9:1 What does it mean to take up your cross? How do the verses that follow explain what it means?

Mark 5 and 6 Class Comments

1. 5:1-20 In this incident, what do both the demons and Jesus do that you might not expect of them? Comments: The demons worshipped Jesus through the man. (See James 2:19.) Jesus 1) negotiated with the demons and granted their wish, 2) put them into something else, in this case, swine.
2. 5:21-24, 35-43 What is the significance of Jesus’ command to the girl? What other orders did He give? Comments: 1) In verse 41, he doesn’t tell her to “wake up,” or “arise from the dead.” He tells her to stand up, like she was already alive. When He told the mourners she wasn’t dead, but just sleeping, had He already raised her ? 2) It was instantaneous. The moment He touched her hand, she was fully awake, mobile, and hungry.
   
   Other orders?  1) He told the ruler not to be afraid, but to believe; 2) He told those following Him to stay behind, except for Peter, James and John; 3) He told everyone to leave the room (except for the parents and the three apostles); 4) He commanded them not to tell anyone; 5) He told them to give the girl something to eat. [It just occurred to me that the reason Jesus told the crowd that she was just sleeping was so they wouldn’t know that He had actually raised her from the dead.]
3. 5:25-34 Why was the woman with the issue of blood healed? Comments: Because of her faith. She not only had faith, she acted on her faith, by touching the hem of His garment.
4. 6:1-6 What was stronger than the evidence Jesus’ hometown people saw with their own eyes? What was Jesus’ reaction? Comments: Prejudice. They were too familiar with Him as a child growing among them. They saw only what they were pre-disposed to see.
5. 6:7-13 When Jesus sent out the Twelve, what were they to take with them? Comments: A staff, sandals, and only one tunic (no changes of clothing). They were to rely on God’s providence and the generosity of their neighbors. (Also see 1 Corinthians 9:14.)
6. 6:14-29 What was Herod’s attitude toward John before John’s death? What about after his death? (Also see Matthew 14:1-12.) Comments: He feared John, because he was a just and holy man; in Matthew it says he also feared the multitude. But apparently he had a greater fear of Herodias and her daughter Salome. Afterwards he thought that Jesus might be John risen from the dead. Coming back to haunt him, perhaps? (Burton Coffman’s comment on Mark 6:17 provides background on the Herods in the New Testament. A particularly critical sentence: The Herods’ names in the New Testament recur “like a sour note in a symphony.”
7. 6:30-44 What had Jesus’ planned to do when He and the apostles sailed to the other side of the lake? What was His attitude when His plans were changed? Comments: He had planned to rest a while with the apostles. When people followed Him, He had compassion on them because of their need for leadership, for teaching, because they were ignorant of God’s will. Jesus’ compassion always led to action.
8. 6:45-52 At least two miracles are recorded in this passage. How are they different from other miracles that Jesus did, which usually involved healing people? Comments: 1) He walked on water; 2) The wind ceased when He entered the boat. Neither of these miracles had anything to do with people. And both seemed to happen in the natural course of events. The ability to walk on water and calm the sea was just a part of who Jesus was.
9. 6:53-56 Identify words in this section that indicate how desperate the crowds were for healing. Comments: Ran – wherever – begged – began to carry on beds.