Mark 12 - Introduction

The Widow's Two Mites Mark Twelve

God described Israel as His personal vineyard. In Isaiah 5:7 He said, "For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant." There is not the least doubt that Jesus spoke this parable against the Jews that rejected all of God's efforts to help them and they would soon kill His beloved Son. God had built a hedge around His people. He had blessed and protected them. Yet they continued in rebellion against His love and mercy. God sent His servants, the prophets; Israel treated them worse and worse. Stephen asked, "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?" (Acts 7:52)

The Pharisees and Herodians tried to trap Jesus with questions about paying tax. He turned them away with the powerful statement, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (Mark 12:17) The Sadducees likewise took their turn in trying to trap Jesus. They asked Him a question about marriage and they too got a surprise answer. Jesus said, "For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven." (Mark 12:25) A scribe asked Jesus about the greatest commandment. The answer is familiar to all Christians, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." As the chapter closed Jesus raised some questions about His relationship with David and did some amazing teaching about giving.