Mark 12:1-12
On the _time_, see on Matthew 21:23-46. The two accounts agree closely, Matthew alone inserts the parable of the two Sons. Comp, also Luke 20:1-8.... [ Continue Reading ]
On the _time_, see on Matthew 21:23-46. The two accounts agree closely, Matthew alone inserts the parable of the two Sons. Comp, also Luke 20:1-8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:13-17. FIRST ASSAULT. The question concerning tribute to Cesar. See on Matthew 22:15-22; comp. Luke 20:20-26. The parable of the wedding garment precedes in Matthew's account. The narrative of Mark is graphic, but presents no new details. TO CATCH HIM BY SPEECH (Mark 12:13), lit., ‘by word... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:18-27. SECOND ASSAULT. The question concerning the resurrection. See on Matthew 22:23-33; comp. Luke 20:27-40. The latter Evangelist is fuller, especially in Mark 12:34-36. The description of the successive marriages is graphic, though not more so than Luke's. The most prominent peculiarity... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:28. KNOWING THAT HE HAD ANSWERED THEM WELL. This scribe no doubt rejoiced in the defeat of the Sadducees, but was also really pleased with our Lord's answers. They accorded with his intellectual convictions, perhaps with his moral tendencies, and he probably desired further instruction. WH... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:28-34. THIRD ASSAULT. See notes on Matthew 22:34-40. Luke (Luke 20:39) merely hints at this.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:29-31. Mark quotes Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Leviticus 19:18, more fully than Matthew. Notice the briefer readings adopted in the foot-notes. WITH ALL THY STRENGTH. This probably refers to moral energy; but it is not necessary to discriminate accurately, as is suggested by the variations of the d... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:32. WELL, MASTER, THOU SAIDST WITH TRUTH. Without doubt the scribe spoke candidly, though Matthew states that his question was put, ‘tempting'(or ‘trying,' _i.e._, putting to proof) our Lord. He may have been chosen by the Pharisees as their unconscious tool, because of his candor. Besides o... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:33. WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING. The scribe substitutes ‘understanding' for ‘mind,' which seems to express the same thought less abstractly. Mark preserves the answer in full. IS MUCH MORE THAN. Better, ‘more acceptable to God, and more useful to the worshipper.' ALL WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:34. DISCREETLY. Understandingly, intelligently, wisely; more than ‘discreetly,' in the more modem sense. THOU ART NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Intellectually on the right road, nearer to the kingdom than a mere formalist could be, recognizing the spirituality of the law, perhaps consci... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:35. ANSWERED. The whole controversy (which we have joined as one section) is regarded as one; and this is our Lord's reply to their assaults. AS HE WAS TEACHING IN THE TEMPLE. Of course on the same day. Matthew brings out the triumph over the Pharisees. Mark the impression on the people, i... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:35-37. THE VICTORIOUS QUESTION OF OUR LORD. The central question of Christianity. See on Matthew 22:41-46; comp. Luke 20:41-44. __... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:36. DAVID HIMSELF SAID IN THE HOLY GHOST. Luke: ‘in the book of Psalms.' The influence of the Holy Spirit upon David in penning the Psalms, is assumed. This passage (Psalms 110:1) is more frequently referred to in the New Testament than any other.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:37. AND WHENCE. From what source shall we seek an explanation of the fact that He is his Son. Or perhaps simply: ‘how can He be his Son.' AND THE GREAT MULTITUDE. This multitude was made up of ‘the common people,' since the upper classes were withdrawing, but that is not the prominent idea... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:38. The phrase ‘unto them' is to be omitted. The discourse was both to the multitude (Mark 12:39) and to his disciples (comp. Matt and Luke). IN HIS TEACHING; implying that much more was said. BEWARE, be on your guard against. THE SCRIBES. Matthew: ‘the scribes and the Pharisees.' See... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:38-40. THE DENUNCIATORY DISCOURSE. Matthew, writing for Jewish Christians, gives a full report; but early Gentile readers only heeded this brief outline.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:40. AND FOR A PRETENCE. The sense is: They devour widows' houses, and that too while they are praying at great length. Ecclesiastical officials may repeat this crime, by attaching to themselves the defenceless classes here represented by ‘widows' with the design of obtaining control of their... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:41. AND HE SAT DOWN OVER AGAINST THE TREASURY. He did not leave at once, after promising the desolation of the temple (Matthew 23:38), but remained quietly sitting in the court of the women, opposite ‘the Treasury.' This was the name given to thirteen brazen chests, called by the Rabbins ‘tr... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:41-44. _The Widow's Mites._ Comp. Luke 21:1-4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:42. AND ONE POOR WIDOW. ‘One' in contrast with the ‘many' just spoken of, not without a suggestion of her loneliness. Possibly this widow was ‘poor,' because her house had been ‘devoured' (Mark 12:40). TWO MITES. The ‘mite' (lepton) was the smallest Jewish copper coin. The Greek name means... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:43. AND HE CALLED UNTO HIM. Peculiar to Mark. Our Lord directed their special attention to this act of the widow. MORE THAN ALL THEY THAT ARE CASTING INTO THE TREASURY. Not more than a specific number, but than the many who had given and were still giving. The reason follows.... [ Continue Reading ]
Mark 12:44. FOR. The worth of a gift is to be determined not by its intrinsic value, but _by what it costs_ the giver. The measure of that cost is what is _left,_ not what is given. HER WHOLE LIVING (or ‘life'). All at her disposal for her present subsistence. She could not have owned much else, s... [ Continue Reading ]