2 Thessalonians 2

Note: There may be as many theories about the meaning of the first 12 verses of this chapter as there are commentators. These questions are designed to reveal what the text says within the context of the Thessalonians’ situation and as a continuation of what Paul had written in 1 Thessalonians. As we answered them in class, we also tried to answer not with our opinions, which are colored by our viewpoints about the second coming of Christ – but simply by what Paul expresses in this letter. (We did allow ourselves a little time for conjecture and discussion after we answered all the questions.)

1. 2:1 What two related things does Paul now address?
   Class Answers: 1) The coming of Christ; 2) Our gathering together with him.
2. 2:2 What might the Thessalonians be told that might alarm or shake them? By what three means would that alarm be communicated?
   Class Answers: That the day of the Lord is at hand (sometimes translated “is already here”). 1) by spirit (or prophecy); 2) by word (report); 3) by epistle (letter). CB Comment: Some things never change; there will always be those who spread rumors as if they are the truth.
3. 2:3 What two things must happen before that day comes?
   Class Answers: 1) The falling away (or rebellion); 2) the revelation of the man of sin (or the lawless one). Note the use of the word the in both phrases – this is speaking of a specific rebellion, a specific man of lawlessness.
4. 2:3-4 List the descriptions of the “man of lawlessness,” or “man of sin.”
   Class Answers: 1) Son of perdition (destined for destruction); 2) Opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God (every so-called god) or worshipped (objects of worship). 3) He sits in the temple (or sanctuary) of God, setting himself forth as God (declaring himself as God). CB Comment: The phrase “son of perdition” is also used to describe Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
5. 2:5-6 What should the Thessalonians remember? What do they know?
   Class Answers: They should remember that Paul told them these things. (Note the departure from the pronoun “we.”) They knew that which restrains, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. (NRSV: …when his time comes.)
   Morris’s comment on this: “The Thessalonians knew; we do not.)
6. 2:7 What was already at work? For how long?
   Class Answers: The mystery of lawlessness (NIV: secret power of lawlessness). Until the one that restrains is taken away (NRSV: the one who restrains it is removed).
7. 2:8 What will happen to the lawless one?
   Class Answers: The Lord will slay him with the breath of his mouth and bring him to naught by the manifestation of his coming (will annihilate him by the manifestation of his coming). CB Comment: What’s important in this passage is the absolute sovereignty of God. When our Lord comes, anyone who would claim or appear to be all-powerful will be shown for what he is at the first appearance of the real Lord and Christ – like the self-important mayor of a small town diminished by the appearance of the President of the United States.
8. 2:9-10 According to what will the coming of the lawless one be? What will accompany his coming?
   Class Answers: His coming will be the working of Satan, accompanied by power, signs, and lying wonders (Morris: imitations of Christ on earth), all deceit of unrighteousness (every kind of wicked deception).
9. 2:10-12 Why does God send a strong delusion?
   v. 10 – Because they did not receive a love of the truth (they refused to love the truth). If they want to believe a lie, God will allow it. See also John 14:6; Ephesians 4:21.
   v. 11 – So they would believe a lie (what is false).
   v. 12 – They didn’t believe the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness (NIV: delighted in wickedness).
   Morris: They not only didn’t love it, they didn’t believe it.
10. 2:13 How did God choose to save the Thessalonians?
    Class Answers: By sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, from the beginning (as first fruits). Again, Paul says “We are bound to give thanks” as he wrote in 1:3.
11. 2:14 How did God call them? For what purpose?
    Class Answers: Through “our” gospel (proclamation of good news), in order to obtain (or share in) the glory of Christ.
12. 2:15 What two things does Paul exhort them to do?
    Class Answers: 1) Stand fast (stand firm); 2) Hold the traditions they were taught either by word of mouth or by “our” letter.
13. 2:16 What have the Son and the Father done for us?
    Class Answers: They have loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope through grace.
14. 2:17 What was Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians?
    Class Answers: That Christ and God would comfort their hearts and establish (strengthen) them in every good work and word. CB Comment: It is not for Christians to be still and wait for Christ’s coming; it is for us to work, to study, to teach.

*CB Comment – my personal observations, added while compiling these notes. – Cheryl Bryan

1 Thessalonians 4

1. 4:1-2 What are at three motivations mentioned in these verses for living in the right way? (Hint: Who does it please, who is urging it, and by whose authority were the instructions given?)
   Class Answers: 1) To please God; 2) Because Paul was urging them to do as they had been instructed; 3) Because these instructions were given through Jesus.
   Note: The word instructions here is a little weak, because it indicates authority, as a captain giving an order. According to Morris (page 116), the word is found in only two other places in the New Testament as commands to believers: 1 Timothy 1:5, and 1 Timothy 1:18. The ASV uses the word charge in all three instances.
2. 4:3-8 What does being “sanctified” have to do with living a pure life?
   Class Answers: God calls us to be holy, set apart, which is the meaning of sanctified. Living a pure life – controlling our bodies – is what sets us apart from the “Gentiles who do not know God.” See also Romans 1:20-25.
   Note: Again, I like what Morris has to say here: Page 118: “The strong warning is probably to be understood in light of the prevalence of low standards.” Page 119: “We come to Christ in all our sin, and we receive cleansing by his atoning death. Then day by day we become more and more what God would have us to be.”
3. 4:3-8 Which members of the godhead are involved here?
   Class Answers:
   1) God. Verse 1 – please God; v. 2 – the will of God; v. 5 – Gentiles who do not know God; v. 7 – God calls us in holiness; v. 8 – Rejecting God’s authority; v. 9 – taught by God.
   2) Jesus – v. 1 – urge you in the Lord Jesus; v. 2 – by the authority of the Lord Jesus
   3) Holy Spirit. v. 8 – God gives you his Holy Spirit. In the Greek, this is “his Spirit, the holy.”
   Note: The word godhead is not used in this passage. It is the term used in Colossians 2:9 (KJV and ASV) to translate the Greek word Theotes, which means “the state of being God” or “deity.”
4. 4:9-10 How were they taught by God to love one another? (See John 13:34; 15:9)
   Class Answers: It was taught by Jesus verbally (John 13:34) and by example (John 15:9). Also see 1 Thessalonians 3:12.
5. 4:11-12 What three things does Paul encourage them to do? For what purpose?
   Class Answers: 1) To aspire to live quietly. [Interesting paradox – to “be ambitious” to be quiet.] Morris (p. 131) – this does not denote inactivity, but tranquility in the midst of being busy with the Lord’s work. 2) To mind their own affairs; 3) To work with their own hands. [These are all connected: When we are quietly taking care of our own affairs, we don’t have time to be busybodies.]
   The purpose? For reputation’s sake, to set a good example, to take care of our own needs so we’re not a burden on others.
6. 4:13 Who are those who have fallen asleep? Who are those who have no hope?
   Class Answers: Christians who have died. Apparently, the Thessalonians were concerned about those who died before Jesus came again. Morris, p. 137: “When the apostle counsels the Thessalonians not to sorrow as the pagans do, he is not urging them to endure with a deep Stoic calm the buffetings of fortune that they cannot avoid….Rather, he is rejoicing in the complete victory that Christ has won. Those who have died have simply fallen asleep in Christ, and they will wake with him.”
   Those who have no hope are non-believers. See Ephesians 2:12.
7. 4:14 What does this verse imply about those who have fallen asleep?
   Class Answers: That they are with Jesus – or will be, when he comes again. See also Matthew 24:31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Morris, pg. 140: “What worried the Thessalonians was not whether their friends would rise, but whether they would have any share in the great events associated with the Parousia [second coming].”
8. 4:15-17 Read these verses, form a picture of the scene in your mind, then try to describe it in your own words.
   My Answer: When Jesus appears again, he will shout a command, an archangel will call, and a trumpet will sound. Those who died in Christ will rise and meet him in the air. Then those who are still alive will rise to meet them and him. Related passages: 1 Corinthians 15:52; Revelation 10:1; 18:1; 20:1; Acts 1:11. There is no mention of the wicked here. They are mentioned, though, in Acts 24:15 and in Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians.
   Note: There’s so much we can’t comprehend about this event. In response to all our questions, Morris (p. 142) writes: “There are many things we would like to know, but the Bible was not written to satisfy our curiosity. Rather, it is intended to help us in our Christian lives.” The important message here is “Be ready.”
9. 4:18 Where will Christians be when after the Lord returns? How long?
   Class Answers: With the Lord – forever.
   Note: As I understand it, what is referred to as “the rapture” is a quiet event. There’s nothing quiet in this description of Jesus’ Second Coming. I was also curious about the origin of the word “rapture,” since it doesn’t appear in any English translation I’ve read. According to Shogren, p. 188, the Greek word for taken or caught up in verse 17 was translated into Latin as rapiemur, a form of rapio, which in English is rapture. This same word, Harpazo, is used in Acts 8:39 for Philip.
   

Luke 23 and 24

1. 23:1-7 What were the accusations against Jesus?
   Comments: v. 2: Perverting the nation, forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that he is a king. v. 5: Stirring up the people. In John 18:33-38, Jesus explains his kingship to Pilate. Their accusation that he forbid his disciples to pay taxes was clearly a lie, made clear to the chief priests and scribes in Luke 20:21-26. Other note: Pilate is looking for a way out, so when he hears Jesus is a Galilean, he quickly sends him to Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee.
2. 23:8-12 What was Herod’s attitude toward Jesus?
   Comments: At first, Herod was curious and wanted to see a miracle (a “trick”). But when Jesus wouldn’t respond, and the chief priests and scribes accused Jesus, Herod treated him with contempt and mocked him. Jesus had no respect for Herod. In Luke 13:32, he calls Herod a “fox.” Other notes about Herod: He became Tetrarch of Galilee and Perea in 4 B.C., upon the death of Herod the Great (Luke 3:1). He was also the one who beheaded John the Baptist (Luke 3:19-20).
3. 23:13-25 Why did Pilate release Barabbas instead of Jesus?
   Comments: To appease the mob. Also see John 19:12, where the crowd tells Pilate, “If you release him you’re no friend of Caesar.” Hendricksen states the following possible reasons Pilate wanted to release Jesus: 1) A sense of justice; 2) Jesus was more noble than his accusers; 3) Hatred for the Jews; 4) Superstitious fear (John 19:7-8); 5) A combination of the previous reasons.
4. 23:26-43 What concern did Jesus have for the women of Jerusalem? For those who crucified Him? For the malefactors?
   Comments: vv. 27-31: He was concerned that the women of Jerusalem would suffer in the fall of Jerusalem; v. 34: He asked God to forgive those who crucified them, because “they know not what they do.” vv. 39-43: He forgave the thief that was penitent and asked to be with Jesus in his kingdom. Note: Sometimes we forgive people with the consolation that someday God will “get them.” Jesus asks for God’s forgiveness for his crucifiers. Also, in the case of the thieves, he didn’t offer forgiveness unconditionally; he didn’t promise paradise to the the unrepentant thief.
5. 23:44-49 What was happening around Jesus when He died?
   Comments: v. 44 – darkness for 3 hours; v. 45 – the sun was darkened, the veil of the temple was torn in two; v. 47 – the centurion declared Jesus a righteous man; v. 48 – the crowd beat their breasts and returned home. [When they saw the crucifixion, they began to realize what they had done. They had just killed a godly man – maybe even the Messiah! In the words of Lenski, the commentator: “They came to witness a show; they left with feelings of woe.”] v. 49 – his female disciples and other acquaintances stood at a distance, watching.
6. 23:50-56 How did some of the disciples serve Him, even in death?
   Comments: vv. 50-54: Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate, asked for Jesus’ body and laid it in a new tomb. (as prophesied in Isaiah 53:9).
7. 24:1-12 What did the women find at the tomb?
   Comments: The stone was rolled away, and the body was gone. Two men dressed in shining garments stood by, declaring that Jesus was risen from the dead, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” Did their wanting to dress Jesus for his burial show their lack of faith that he would rise again? The consensus of the class was that his resurrection was beyond their experience; they were simply following custom and honoring the body of the one they loved.
8. 24:13-35 What did Jesus have to explain to the two men on the road to Emmaus?
   Comments: The Scriptures that prophesied about him and how what had happened to this “Prophet” was the fulfillment of those scriptures. They didn’t seem to realize this “prophet” was also the Messiah. He prefaced his teaching with “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!”
9. 24:36-43 What kind of resurrection body did Jesus have?
   Comments: v. 30 He ate; v. 36 – He appeared our of nowhere. They were in a room that was shut (John 20:19). They could touch him.
10. 24:44-49 The preaching of repentance and remission of sins was to begin where? How long were the apostles to stay there?
    Comments: Jerusalem, until they were endued with power from on high.
11. 24:50-53 What was the attitude of the disciples after Jesus left them?
    Comments:  They were no longer sad. They were joyful, continuing in the temple, praising and blessing God. They undoubtedly had a lot to talk about as they realized the significance of all that Jesus had taught them.

Luke 15 and 16

1. 15:1-7 The shepherd looking for the lost sheep is a picture of whom? Who else might it be?
   Comments: Christ – and God. They love all their sheep. Note on verse 7: “…ninety-nine persons who need no repentance.” The Pharisees only thought they were righteous, needing no repentance, (Luke 5:31; 18:9). Hendriksen’s observations: Jesus was being consistent with his instructions (14:12-14); the publicans and sinners were following his instruction (14:35).
2. 15:8-10 What was the value of the coin to the woman? How useful was it while it was lost?
   Comments: The loss of it (worth a day’s wage in monetary terms) made her obsessive about finding it and needing to share her joy when finding it. The value? Priceless. Its use as long as it was lost? Nothing. Hendriksen: We can have four attitudes toward the lost: 1) hatred; 2) indifference; 3) welcoming; and 4) seeking.
3. 15:11-21 List some differences between the son who left home and the son who came back.
   Comments: The son who left was demanding (v. 12); wasteful (v. 13); extravagant (v. 14); rebellious (v. 13); hungry (v. 16). When he came back he was realistic (v. 17); repentant and humble – he had sinned against heaven (v. 19); willing to act (v. 20). The father described his son as dead, then alive; lost, then found (v. 32).
4. 15:20-32 The father in this parable is a picture of whom?
   Comments: God – who loves all his children equally (vv. 24 and 31) – the picture of forgiving love and divine mercy.
5. 15:25-32 How is the older son’s attitude a lesson for us?
   Comments: The older son was self-centered and jealous. Lessons for us? 1) We don’t begrudge the work we do nor do we expect a special reward. 2) We rejoice with those who rejoice. 3) We rejoice that one lost is found. 4) We are forgiving, trust in the repentance of others.
6. 16:1-8 For what did the rich man commend the steward?
   Comments: His shrewdness – not for his crookedness. As the steward made provision for his monetary future, so must we for our spiritual wellbeing. The master does not represent Jesus. Note: 100 measures of oil is equivalent to 800-900 gallons; 100 cor of wheat equivalent to 1000 bushels.
7. 16:9-12 What is Jesus’ example of “very little” in verse 10?
   Comments: Use money for good things to bless people; use your money for good works (v. 9). What is “very little” or “least” is material wealth (v. 10).
8. 16:13-18 Why did the Pharisees scoff at Jesus?
   Comments: Because they didn’t appreciate what he said about money. How could Jesus talk? He had no money! Note: Verse 13 repeats what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:24)
9. 16:19-23 How were the roles of the rich man and Lazarus reversed?
   Comments: The rich man received good things in this life, but was tormented after death; Lazarus was tormented in this life, comforted in the next (v. 25). The rich man became the beggar (v. 27). He had not made friends by mammon (16:9).
10. 16:24-31 What is more important than even someone being raised from the dead?
    Comments: Heeding what has been written. To illustrate what the actual response of his brothers may have been, note the response to the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11. The chief priests wanted to kill Lazarus, to remove the evidence of the miracle (John 12:9-11).

John 20 and 21

1. 20:1-10 From this passage, how would you answer someone who said that either the body was stolen, or that Jesus never really died? (Corresponding passages in the other gospels are Matthew 27:57 – 28:10; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12.) Comments: 1) The men and women who came to the grave were amazed that Jesus’ body was gone. If anyone had stolen it, it would have been those who went on to preach His resurrection, i.e. Peter and John. 2) He had been buried with 100 pounds of spices and wrapped in linen cloths. If he had just swooned and woken up in the tomb, he would have had to tear open the weighted grave clothes and push away the heavy stone. 3) There was a guard at the tomb. 4) If the body had been stolen, the thieves would have either taken the wrappings or unwrapped the body. It’s not likely they would have carefully laid the wrapping back in place.
2. 20:11-18 What were Jesus’ instructions to Mary, once she recognized Him? Comments: 1) Do not cling to me. We weren’t sure whether this was a physical or emotional clinging or how it connected with his ascension. 2) Go tell my brethren and tell them I’m ascending to your Father and My Father and your God and My God.
3. 20:19-23 What blessings did Jesus give the disciples when He appeared to them? Comments: v. 19 – “Peace be with you.” v. 21 – “Peace to you.” v. 22 – He breathed on them, imparting the Holy Spirit, much like God breathed life into the first man, and made him a living spirit (Genesis 2:7). This is ultimately fulfilled in Acts 2, when the apostles received the Holy Spirit and began to speak in languages they’d never studied. Note: Jesus also gave them responsibilities with the blessings: v. 21 “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
4. 20:24-31 What caused Thomas to believe? What is the source of our faith? Comments: Thomas saw the risen Lord for himself. We believe without seeing (verse 29). Verse 31 – These things are written, so that we might believe, which ties in with Romans 10:17: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
5. 21:1-6 Where did Jesus appear to some of the disciples? List the disciples. Comments: At the Sea of Tiberius, on the shore. Present there were Simon Peter, Nathanael, Thomas (the Twin), the sons of Zebedee (James and John), and two other disciples, unnamed.
6. 21:7-14 How did the disciple whom Jesus loved know it was Jesus on the shore? Comments: We can’t be sure, but he identified Him as Jesus after the man on the shore told them their fishing would be successful if they merely cast the nets on the other side of the boat. The catch was so abundant it had to be Jesus that had caused it. Note: Notice how – typical of their personalities -- John had the first insight, but it was Peter who took action.
7. 21:15-19 Is there any significance in Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved Him? What responsibility did Jesus give to Peter? Comments: It was the same number of times that Peter had denied him. He also gave Peter a responsibility, stated three different times in slightly different combinations of the same words: “Feed my lambs; tend my sheep; feed my sheep.” He also told Peter that his death would glorify Christ.
8. 21:20-25 In this account, what were Jesus’ last words to Peter? Comments: Simply, “Follow me.” Our concern should not be to judge the salvation, or even guess the future, of other disciples. Our duty is simply to “follow Him.”

John 11 and 12

1. 11:1-16 Why did Jesus delay in going to take care of Lazarus? Class Comments: V. 4 - So that God – and the Son of God – would be glorified. V. 14 – So that the disciples would believe. Jesus was in Perea at this time – 25-30 miles from Bethany. Even if he had left immediately, Lazarus would have died before he got there. A trip to Jerusalem also meant Jesus would be going to his death. He would go to Jerusalem when the time was right, when “his hour was come.”
2. 11:17-37 What declaration did both Mary and Martha make when they spoke to Jesus? Why did Jesus weep? Class Comments: “If you had been here, my brother would not have died (verses 21, 32). Jesus saw Mary and the Jews weeping and had compassion on them, like we would have compassion on our children when they’re hurting. Jesus came to take away the sting of death.
3. 11:38-44 Seventh Sign. According to verse 40, what was dependent on the disciples’ belief? Class Comments: Seeing the glory of God. (See also verse 4.) Those who saw God glorified in the resurrection of Lazarus were those who chose to believe.
4. 11:45-57 What were the mixed reactions to this miracle? What are some of the different motivations for the Pharisees’ desire to kill Jesus? Class Comments: v. 45 – Some believed in Him; v. 46 – Others went and told the Pharisees. Different motivations? 1) Everyone will believe in him (Envy); 2) The Romans will take away our place and our nation (Fear of losing power and/or security).
5. 12:1-8 How much did the ointment that Mary used cost in terms of wages? With what and on what did she apply the ointment? Class Comments: A pound (Roman 12 ounces), worth 300 denarii, or a year’s wages. She anointed Jesus’ feet with her hair.  12 ounces of oil would be a cup-and-a-half of liquid – a lot of oil. The room must have been filled with fragrance.
6. 12:9-11 Why did the Jews come to Bethany? What affect did this have on the chief priests?  Class Comments: To see Jesus – and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Rather than seeing Lazarus’s resurrection as a cause to believe, the chief priests now saw Lazarus as a threat to their position, and they plotted to kill him as well as Jesus.
7. 12:12-19 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, describe the different reactions of 1) the great multitude; 2) Jesus’ disciples; and 3) the Pharisees. Class Comments: 1) The multitude went out to meet Jesus, to praise him as the King of Israel, who comes in the name of the Lord . 2) The disciples didn’t understand what was happening, until after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection; 3) The Pharisees were filled with envy and fear: “See? The world has gone after him!”
8. 12:20-26 Who wanted to speak with Jesus? Summarize Jesus’ reply to the request. Class Comments: Certain Greeks who had come to the feast(Gentile proselytes). When Andrew and Philip pass on their message, Jesus replies, “The hour has come….” Before this, Jesus would say, “My hour is not yet come” (2:4; 7:6; 7:30; 8:20). Is it a coincidence that Jesus declares this after the Gentiles seek him, knowing that in Him the Jews and Gentiles would become one family? He states a principle: A seed can produce only when it dies. This would be true not only of his crucifixion and resurrection but of all those who are buried in baptism and rise to a new life. In verse 26, he also states that if anyone (Jew or Gentile) would serve Him, they must follow Him. Where He is, they will be also. His Father will honor anyone who serves Him.
9. 12:27-36 According to verses 30-32, what will result from Jesus’ death on the cross? Class Comments: 1) The world will be judged; the ruler of the world will be cast out. See Revelation 12:7-11, which uses the same words: “The great dragon [Satan – the Accuser] was cast out….” When Christ overcame death, he took away the power of death that Satan had over us. 2) Jesus will draw all people to Him (including Gentiles).
10. 12:37-41 How are two of Isaiah’s prophesies (53:1 and 6:10) fulfilled in this passage? Class Comments: Verse 37 – They did not believe in him. Their hearts were hardened, just as Isaiah had prophesied.
11. 12:42-50 Relate Jesus being the light to the condemnation of those who do not receive His words. In other words, how would rejecting the light condemn us? Class Comments: When we reject the light, we reject Jesus. And when we reject Jesus, we reject God. Without Jesus, we walk in darkness. Rejecting light means we remain in darkness. Also see 1 John 1:7.

John 1 and 2 Comments

Personal Note: While preparing these lessons, I came across notes I took back in 1999 in a class taught by the late and much loved brother in Christ, Dr. Dowell Flatt, professor at Freed-Hardeman University. Many of the added notes come from that class. – Cheryl

1. 1:1-5 What do you discover about the Word in this passage? Who is He? Comments: He was 1) there at the beginning; 2) was with God; 3) was God; 4) necessary for creation; 5) life; 6) the light of men. Note: He was equal with God in 1) transcending time; 2) fellowship; 3) nature. Whereas the other gospels begin with either the birth of baptism of Christ, John begins with theology. His purpose is that men might believe. He is the Christ, the Word who became flesh (John 1:14).
2. 1:6-9 Who was the man sent from God? What was his purpose? Comments: John the Baptist. He came to bear witness of the light – that all might believe, or trust.
3. 1:10-13 What is the contrast between those who were “His own” and “children of God”? Comments: “His own” refers to those of his physical family, the Jews. Children of God are those who believe on him. They are born of God.
4. 1:14-18 Because of the character of the Word, what can we also know about God the Father? (See verses 14 and 17.) Comments: We see God through Jesus. If Jesus is full of grace and truth, so is God the Father. He “dwelt among us,” or, he “pitched His tent with us.” Note: To the Greeks, the gods were distant; to the Jews, God was close only to priests and prophets. But through Christ, He is close to each one of us.
5. 1:19-28 How did John identify himself in verse 23? How did he answer the Pharisees’ question about baptism? (Also see verse 31.) Comments: As the voice of one crying in the wilderness. John answered that he was baptizing with water, but One is coming whose sandal straps he wasn’t worthy to loose. Verse 31 states that that One would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Note: Loosing sandal straps might be just the thing a servant would do for his master. John says he wasn’t worthy to do even that for the Christ.
6. 1:29-34 With what two expressions does John identify Jesus in verses 29 and 34? Comments: 1) Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world; 2) Son of God.
7. 1:35-42 By what names is Jesus known in this passage? What progression in thinking do you see in Andrew, according to how he refers to Jesus? Comments: 1) Lamb of God; 2) Rabbi; 3) Messiah – Christ – Anointed One. In verse 38, Andrew calls him “Rabbi,” or “Teacher.” in verse 41, he calls Jesus the Messiah. Note: In the Jewish culture, a rabbi was more respected than even an earthly father, who merely brings us into this world. A rabbi takes us into the next world. In Judaism were three anointed offices: prophet, priest, and king. Jesus was all three.
8. 1:43-51 More identities of Jesus! By what names and/or descriptions is he known in this passage? Comments: 1) v. 45 - Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Joseph; 2) v. 47 - Rabbi, Son of God, King of Israel; 3) v. 51 – Son of Man. Note: “Son of Man” was Jesus’ favorite reference to himself. The term appears 13 times in John; 83 times in the other gospels.
9. 2:1-8 First Sign. When this wedding took place, how many days had passed since John identified Jesus as the Lamb of God (1:29)? Comments: Day 1 – John questions by the Pharisees. Day 2 – John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God. Day 3 – John’s disciples begin following Jesus. Day 4 – Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael. Class answers varied from 1 to 3. It’s hard to know exactly what “On the third day” refers to. It could be part of this sequence, the third day since He left for Galilee, or even the third day of the wedding feast, which typically lasted 7 days.
10. 2:9-11 What were the quantity (v. 6) and quality of the wine Jesus produced from water? Comments: Each water pot held two or three firkins (KJV), which would be from 18 to 24 gallons each. The NJKV translates it “20 or 30 gallons” each – a total of 120 to 180 gallons. The quality was better than what the host had served.
11. 2:12-17 When was another time Jesus cleansed the temple? (See Mark 11:12-17.) Comments: In Mark, the incident was during the last week of his life. Note: It could refer to the same incident, since the writer of the gospel was more concerned about theology than either geography or chronology. There are some differences, though. For instance, no scourge or whip is mentioned in the other accounts (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 20:45-46).
12. 2:18-24 What sign would demonstrate that Jesus had the authority to cleanse the temple? Why didn’t Jesus “entrust” (NIV) himself to the crowd? Comments: The resurrection from the dead. He didn’t entrust Himself to those who believed because of the signs, because He didn’t need anyone to testify of Him. He knew what they were made of.

Mark 15 and 16 Class Comments

1. Read Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12. Then read Mark 15. Note the prophetic verses in Isaiah 53 that are fulfilled in Mark 15.
   Comments: 
   Isaiah 53:4 and Mark 15:10 – He was unjustly condemned.
   Isaiah 53:5 and Mark 15:20 – They chastised Him.
   Isaiah 53:4-6; 52:14 and Mark 15:15,19 – His visage was marred; he was wounded.
   Isaiah 53:7 and Mark 15:5 – He opened not His mouth.
   Isaiah 53:8 and Mark 15:15 – He was taken from prison and from judgment.
   Isaiah 53:8 and Mark 15:25,37 – He was cut off from the living.
   Isaiah 53:9, 12 and Mark 15:27-28 – He was numbered with the transgressors.
   Isaiah 53:9 and Mark 15:43-46 – They made his grave with the rich.
   Isaiah 53:12 and Mark 15:37 – He poured out His soul unto death.
   
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? Comments: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James (the Less), and Salome (wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John). (These same women were mentioned in 15:39.) They saw the stone rolled away and a young man in a long white robe. They were told to see the place where He was laid and to go tell His disciples – and Peter. But out of fear, they told no one.
   
3. 16:9-11 After Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and to the two men, whom did they tell? Comments: Mary Magdalene told those who had been with Him (the apostles?), but they didn’t believe her. The two men also told the others, but they didn’t believe them, either. Thomas was not the only one who doubted before they actually saw Jesus in His risen body.
   
4. 16:12-16 After rebuking the Eleven for their unbelief, what did Jesus tell them to do? Comments: To go to all the world, preaching to every creature. There was some discussion about whether this instruction was to the apostles only, or to all of us, and also what “every creature” means. Matthew 28:18-20 mentions that they were to teach the disciples to do everything they had been told. And at the time Colossians 1:23 was written, Paul states that the gospel had been preached to “every creature under heaven.”
   
5. 16:17-20 What was the purpose of the signs that would follow them? Comments: To confirm the gospel they preached, to prove that all they preached was in Jesus’ name, by His authority, on His behalf, because they belonged to Him (according to our comments on Mark 9:33-42).
   
6. 16:19 To where did Jesus ascend? Comments: To be seated at the right hand of God. Note that in Acts 7:56, Stephen, just before his death, sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God, as if He has risen either in concern or in honor of His servant Stephen.