important that those who are tempted to 18:7 In this fallen world it is certain that

important that those who are tempted to 18:7 In this fallen world it is certain that

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comes up. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money. Take that and give it to them for me and you.”

he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 ”Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! For of necessity there will be stumbling blocks, but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! 8 Therefore if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. It is better for you to go into life lame or crippled, than having two hands or two feet to be thrown into everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pull it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to go into life with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him among them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted, and become as little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself like this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me. 6 But whoever is a cause of stumbling to one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck and that

10 “Watch out that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man has come to save that which was lost.

12 ”What do you think? If a man has a hundred (Rom 14:13,15,19-21). It would seem from this verse that neither Jesus nor Peter had the money on hand for this tax. The total for both was the equivalent of about four days wages for a laborer. The Lord Jesus voluntarily lived His life in poverty (8:20).

eyes, but not in God’s eyes. This does not mean we should humble ourselves with the purpose of attaining greatness. This would be no humbling of self at all. 18:5 Compare 10:40-42; 25:31-46. 18:6 “A cause of stumbling” – the Greek here means to put an obstacle in the way of someone to cause him to fall. The translation of the NIV here “causes. . .to sin” seems misleading, by being too general. To teach another to sin is, of course, a terrible thing (the Jews regarded it as the worst of all sins), but to deal with a child (or anyone) in such a way that he (or she) is stumbled about the way of Christ is a very terrible sin indeed (compare 23:13; Acts 13:8). And the punishment for those who do so will also be terrible – unless they repent and find forgiveness through Christ (12:31). The Greek work translated “millstone” means a very large millstone, the kind pulled round and round by a donkey. Greeks and Romans actually inflicted this kind of punishment on the worst criminals. 18:7 In this fallen world it is certain that temptations to sin will come to everyone. But this does not mean that men are not responsible when they tempt others. See what the real source of woe to the world is. 18:8,9 See notes at 5:29,30. Jesus repeated important truths to impress them on His hearers. There are two words here about the punishment of hell not found in 5:29,30 – “everlasting” and “fire” (see also 3:10,12; 5:22; 7:19; 13:40,42,50; 25:41). The purpose of dealing with oneself drastically is to “enter life” – this means to receive eternal life now and to live in God’s presence forever. 18:10 It is all too easy to scorn and look down on the humble and weak. But God appoints His angels for special work in relation to people on earth, and one of them is to watch over God’s little ones. See also Ps 34:7; 91:11; Heb 1:14. 18:11 See Luke 19:10. 18:12-14 A parable repeated in Luke 15:47 with certain changes in wording. See notes

In this event see how God can control everything to meet His peoples’ needs. Someone had once dropped a coin into the lake (or, for all we know, God created one at this moment). God caused the fish to get the coin in its mouth and come to the very place where Peter would throw out his line (compare Jonah 1:17; 2:10).

To meet the needs of His people God can use many ways, including miraculous ones. See also 1 Kings 17:4,9. The whole world is at His disposal (Ps 24:1; 50:10,11). Let us trust Him and be free from anxiety (6:25-34). 18:1 This question revealed a big error in the thinking of the disciples – one still very common today. See 20:20,21; Mark 10:3537. Compare Jer 45:5. It is exceedingly important that those who are tempted to desire great things for themselves learn the lesson Jesus taught here. 18:2 Here was a living object lesson – a child simple, trusting, humble. Little children do not seek to be great. 18:3 Mark it down as absolutely certain – those who are ruled by pride and those who seek for their own greatness will never enter God’s kingdom, let alone be great in it (unless they repent and humble themselves). Compare 5:3,4; 20:25-28; Isa 57:15; 66:2; Prov 3:34; Luke 9:23; 18:13,14. The first condition for entering God’s kingdom is the denial of self – see 16:24-26. All this is the exact opposite of the way men generally think by nature. 18:4 See also 20:25-27. We can rise in God’s eyes only by abasing ourselves and being willing to accept a low place, not by grand aims to promote ourselves and struggles for high positions. If we promote ourselves we may be able to achieve success in men’s

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sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go into the mountains, and look for the one that has gone astray? 13 And if it so happens that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine which did not go astray. 14 Just so, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.

19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I among them.”

21 Then Peter came to him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

15 “Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, alone, between you and him. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not listen, take with you one or two more, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses to listen to the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not tell you, ‘up to seven times,’ but up to seventy times seven.

23 ”Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he began to settle them, someone was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But since he had no means to pay off the debt, his master commanded that he, his wife and children, and all

18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and

discipline, and gives a word about the kind of prayer made by an assembly that God will answer. There must be oneness of mind, purpose, motive, and trust – a thing often difficult to achieve. 18:20 The subject is still the local church. A church does not need to be large to have Christ there. Observe that Jesus promises He will be in many places at one time. Throughout the world a great many local churches meet in His name at the same time, and Jesus is with them all. Compare 28:20. This can be true only of God who alone can be in all places at once. Jesus was conscious that He shares God’s nature. See Phil 2:6; Luke 2:11. 18:21 Verse 15. Peter thought that seven times to forgive a brother was surely all that God could require. 18:22 This is the same as saying there is really no limit to the number of times God requires us to forgive others. The following parable gives a good reason for this: no matter how often God’s children forgive others it is nothing compared to the number of times God has forgiven them. 18:23-35 Here is one of the great passages on forgiveness in the Bible. We can learn some very important lessons from it. 18:23 Note on kingdom of heaven at 4:17. God too keeps accounts concerning people and will settle those accounts. He does so because it is just and right to do so. 18:24 “Talent” – originally meant a balance, then a measure of weight, and finally a sum of money in gold or silver equal to that weight. Our sin against God is compared to an enormous debt (see 6:12). The debt for this one man was the equivalent of some millions of dollars or a few crores of rupees. 18:25 The amount the servant owed his master would be utterly impossible for him to pay, either in money or in services. In the same way, it is completely impossible for any of us to pay our debt to God. Shall we try to pay with good works? They are

there. We are not to vainly imagine we are better than those who leave the way and fall into sin and look down on them (v 10). There are two possible views about these sheep – they could represent unsaved men (compare Isa 53:6), or else believers in Christ who wander away (Ps 119:176).

Notice the following facts: the sheep here are all owned – they signify God’s special property. That is, they are either saved people already, or those whom God has chosen to be saved (John 6:37; 10:16; 17:6; Eph 1:4). The wandering sheep will not be left to wander forever. Christ goes after them. Wandering “sheep” cause great activity in heaven. God’s great heart cannot rest as long as there is a single one of His still wandering away. Those brought back are a cause of great joy to God. For other references to sheep and their shepherd see Ps 23; Isa 40:11; Jer 31:10; Ezek 34:11-16; John 10:1-29. 18:15 “Between you and him” means not to tell others until it is clear that reconciliation is impossible. Gossip is not the way to bring peace. The object is to win the brother back to fellowship, not to show everyone how bad he is. 18:16 Deut 19:15. This means keep trying to get him to accept the truth. 18:17 “Church” here means the local group of believers. “Heathen” means one who does not worship the one true God, and “tax collector” here signifies one working for the enemies of his people (5:46). This verse means that if a member of a local church will not repent of wrong doing, he should be put out of the fellowship. The idea is to bring him to repentance by losing that which should be of great value to him – the fellowship of God’s people. Compare 1 Cor 5:1-5; 6:1-7; 2 Cor 2:6,7. 18:18 Here we see that all the disciples possessed the same authority to bind and loose as Peter was given in 16:19. 18:19 This promise is in the context of church

57 MATTHEW 19:8

that he had, be sold and payment made.

35 “My heavenly Father will also deal with you in the same way, if each one of you, from your hearts, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

26 ”Therefore the servant fell down and worshipped him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, and let him go, and forgave him the debt.

And it happened that when Jesus had finished saying these words he left Galilee, and came into the region of Judea beyond Jordan. 2 And great crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came to him, testing him, and saying to him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for every cause?”

28 “But that same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. And he seized him and grabbed him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe.’ 29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 30 And he was not willing, but went and threw him into prison until he paid the debt.

4 And he answered and said to them, “Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, For this cause a man will leave father and mother, and be united to his wife, and the two will be one flesh? 6 So they are no more two, but one flesh. Therefore let not man separate what God has joined together.”

31 “So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sad, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after calling him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you asked. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry and handed him over to the torturers until he paid all that was owed to him.

7 They said to him, “Then why did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives. But from the beginning it was not so. like filthy rags (Isa 64:6). What men regard as works of merit are worse than worthless in the eyes of the true God. A lifetime of good deeds would not blot out a single sin. Shall we give Him our money? One soul is worth more than the whole world (16:26). Silver and gold cannot purchase our forgiveness (Ps 49:7,8; 1 Pet 1:18).

pains God’s people. 18:32 “Wicked” – 25:26; Jam 2:14; etc. 18:33-35 God requires His children to be forgiving as He is forgiving – 5:7; 6:14,15; Eph 4:32; etc. This is a rule of the kingdom of God. If it is not obeyed there will be severe penalties to suffer somewhere, sometime. Perhaps this is the principal lesson the Lord taught here (v 35). Observe that forgiveness must be “from your heart”, and not merely saying words.

We have absolutely nothing with which to pay our debt to God – nothing. The selling of people to pay debts was a way of the ancient world. See Lev 25:39; 2 Kings 4:1. But no selling of ourselves, or all who belong to us, could ever purchase forgiveness from God. 18:26 In his desperation he was promising an impossible thing. And men will give God many such promises when they want something from Him – promises which they can never keep. 18:27 There was only one way for such a debt to be erased. That was the way of free grace. In His compassion God completely forgives and cancels the repentant and believing sinner’s debt toward Him. See Luke 24:46,47; Acts 13:38,39; Rom 3:23-26; Col 2:13; Titus 3:3-7. 18:28-30 A hundred silver coins (denarii) was the equivalent of a hundred days’ wages for a laborer, a very small amount compared to the other debt in this parable. This contrast between the two debts is meant to teach us that our sin against God, our “debt”, is far worse than anyone’s sin against us. This servant showed himself to be hard and ruthless. Grace shown him had not changed his heart. 18:31 A Christian treating fellow Christians in such an unmerciful manner shocks and

God will punish an unforgiving person. The “tormentors” may refer to the sufferings and troubles of this life that will come to God’s children if, perchance, they do not forgive others. Or, if the wicked servant is regarded as an unsaved man, they may refer to the pains of hell in the hereafter. The parable cannot mean that a saved person may lose his salvation if he does not forgive others. Saved people learn to forgive others (6:14,15), and they will not be lost (John 6:39,40; 10:28; Rom 5:9; Phil 1:6). 19:2 See 4:23; 9:3. 19:3 “Pharisees” – note at 3:7. They often tried to trap Jesus – 22:15,18. 19:4 Gen 1:27. 19:5 Gen 2:24. 19:6 Eph 5:28-33. 19:7 Deut 24:1-4. The Pharisees were trying to show that Jesus disagreed with the law of Moses and so condemn Him. But they misinterpreted Moses. Moses did not “command” divorce. 19:8 Because their hearts were hard they did not want God’s best, and they were permitted to behave in ways less than the best. Sometimes God gives men their desire when they insist on it, even though it

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9 And I tell you, Whoever divorces his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, and marries another, is committing adultery. And whoever marries her who is divorced is committing adultery.”

to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

15 And he laid his hands on them, and went away from there.

10 His disciples said to him, “If this is the case between a man and a wife, it is not good to marry.”

16 And, suddenly, someone came and said to him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do, so that I may get eternal life?”

11 But he said to them, “All men cannot receive this statement, only those to whom it has been given. 12 For there are some eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are some eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it.”

17 And he said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to him, “Which?” Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not give false witness, 19 Honour your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”

13 Then little children were brought to him, so that he would put his hands on them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them.

20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

14 But Jesus said, “Permit little children to come

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be is not good for them (Ps 106:14,15). 19:9 See notes on divorce at 5:31,32. 19:10 Apparently they thought that the provision for easy divorce was the only thing that made marriage tolerable! Their low view of marriage needed correcting. 19:11 Those who are not Christ’s disciples cannot be expected to behave in this matter as if they were. Christ’s principles are the best and they are only for His people. Others will suffer the consequences of not being His disciples. 19:12 “Made themselves eunuchs” – surely very few have literally done this, but if it is taken in the sense of abstaining from marriage, then no small number have done so.

one exceptionally good deed. Note on eternal life at John 3:16. 19:17 Jesus was not denying His own goodness. He was saying that if the man regarded Him as a mere human teacher he should not call Him good. All men are sinners (Rom 3:23), and Jesus called even His own disciples “evil” (7:11). This youth’s understanding needed to be enlightened to realize that God alone is good, and that Jesus is good only because He is God incarnate and not a mere man (John 1:1,14,18). In other words, if Jesus is truly good He is God, and the youth needed to see this.

Then Jesus pointed him to God’s commandments as a way to life. See Lev 18:5. Notes at Lev 18:5; Gal 3:12. Jesus is not teaching salvation by works. This would contradict His own and the Bible’s plain teaching in other places (John 3:16; 5:24; 6:47; 14:6; Gal 3:10-12; Eph 2:8,9; Titus 3:3-7). He knew that neither this youth nor any man ever fully kept God’s commandments. He has already said that none is good, and if men are not good they will be unable to keep God’s good commandments. The young man much needed to understand this. One purpose of the law was to teach men their sinfulness (notes at Ex 19:21-25; Rom 3:20; 7:7; Gal 3:24). Jesus now shows this man that he had not really kept God’s commandments, even though he said he had (v 20). 19:18,19 Ex 20:13-16; Lev 19:18. This last commandment should have opened the man’s eyes to his sin, but it did not. 19:20 He had no doubt lived a moral life and kept the outward forms of the ten commandments. He is an example of an ethical man not corrupted by the more gross sins. But he had not loved his neighbor as himself. 19:21 The man said he had always loved his neighbor as himself. Yet he had kept his great wealth for his own use. Jesus is saying, “If you have love for your neighbor

“For the kingdom of heaven” does not mean abstaining from marriage in order to gain the kingdom, but to serve without hindrance in the kingdom (1 Cor 7:7,8,26,3235). But this abstinence from marriage must be voluntary – not forced on anyone by any authority. Compare 1 Tim 4:1-3. 19:13 In spite of 18:2-6 the disciples may not yet have realized how much He loved children and wanted to bless them. 19:14,15 See 18:2-4. Jesus always had time for the weak and lowly. Children are welcome to come into His presence at any time and He delights to have them there. He laid hands on them and blessed them, but He did not baptize them. This passage does not teach infant baptism. Indeed, it has nothing whatever to do with baptism. 19:16-29 Compare Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30. Matthew says this man was young (v 22); Luke says he was a ruler (Luke 18:18); all three Gospels say he was very rich. He had everything that many people desire – youth, position, authority, and wealth. But he was dissatisfied. Compare Eccl 2:1-11,17. 19:16 This man had mistaken views about the way of salvation. He thought one could earn it by doing good deeds, or perhaps by

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perfect, go, sell what you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.”

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27 Then answered Peter and said to him, “Look, we have given up everything and followed you. Therefore what will we have?”

22 But when the young man heard this word, he went away sad, for he had great possessions.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And I tell you again, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, you who have followed me, in the renewal when the Son of man sits on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit everlasting life. 30 But many who are first will be

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them,

you must prove it by your actions. Words are not enough.” Does Jesus here demand that we all sell all we have and give it away? The answer is “yes”, if a love of money and possessions is the sin that keeps us from following Him. And He demands that all disciples renounce all things in their hearts and give their hearts to Him (Luke 14:33).

and passing riches of this world? 19:23,24 The difficulty lies in man’s sinful nature which selfishly clings to wealth and possessions and puts them above God. 19:25 They knew that the desire for riches and possessions was almost universal. And they doubtless knew that in the Old Testament wealth was often a sign of God’s blessing (compare Gen 24:35; Job 42:10). 19:26 Here is a general principle which covers not just the case of the rich, but all men. Salvation is not merely difficult to men, it is utterly impossible to achieve by anything they can do (John 3:3-8; 6:44; Acts 13:38,39; Rom 5:6; 8:3; Jer 13:23). But God can do what men cannot do. And He saves men by grace alone (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8,9). 19:27 See 4:18-22. The question seems to mean “If worldly wealth is ruled out what remains as a reward?” Could he not imagine anything better than riches? The question does not show a spiritual mind, and Jesus in the parable of 20:1-16 rebukes it. 19:28 “Renewal” – see Acts 3:21; Rom 8:19-22; Isaiah chapter 11. “Throne” – 25:31; Luke 1:32,33; Dan 7:14; Isa 9:6,7; Ps 2:6-9. Twelve thrones speak of their authority with Him – Luke 22:28-30; Rev 3:21; 20:4. Does not the word “Israel” in this verse mean the literal nation of Israel? Compare Acts 1:6,7; Rom 11:25-29; Rev 7:4. 19:29 Heartily following Christ is to move in a new spiritual realm. To disciples many people become like mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers and children. Many homes and fields are opened to them. Disciples enter into privileges and spiritual relationships a hundred times more blessed, more meaningful than they could ever have apart from Christ (compare 12:48,49; John 17:20-23; 1 Cor 3:21-23; 12:12-27). And their inheritance will be an even higher kind of life – eternal life (v 16). 19:30 20:16; Mark 10:31; Luke 13:30. Many who hold high positions and are highly regarded in this world (and even in Christian circles) will find in the next world that they are at the very bottom, and those scorned and put down will be exalted to the highest place. This is a word of comfort to the lowly

There is another commandment which men should fulfill (22:37; Deut 6:5). This man failed to keep that one too. If he had loved God as he should have, he would gladly have given away everything for His sake. But the truth is, he did not truly love either God or his neighbor. He loved himself and his possessions.

“Poor” – see the concern of Jesus for the poor. Compare 11:5; Luke 4:18; 6:20; 11:41; 14:13. Note on “treasure in heaven” at 6:20,21. 19:22 He was sad because he had failed the test and knew that he had failed. He wanted both eternal life and all he could selfishly enjoy in this life too, and found that Jesus would not accept this principle. Jesus will not permit selfishness to be the reigning principle in the lives of His disciples. They cannot serve both God and money (6:24). And we will all be tested on this point. In fact, we are continually being tested about what we will do with the money and possessions God has given us, whether they be much or little.

We should understand the answer of Jesus to this man who came to him asking for eternal life. Why did he not say to him “Believe in me and you will have eternal life”? (John 3:16; etc). In a way He was saying just that. He was showing that true faith in Him is a powerful force that breaks people free from the things of this world and causes them to value Jesus far above everything else and to receive Him as the Lord of their lives. See note at Acts 22:10. And He was showing that men need to repent of their lack of love for God and man and their clinging to other things. See notes at Matt 3:2; 4:17. If we are not willing to give all we have for Christ and eternal life, we show that we value what we have more than Him and that. And why should God give us something we value less than the pathetic

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last, and the last will be first.

group up to the first.’

9 “And when those who were hired about five o’clock came, each of them received a silver coin. 10 But when the first group came, they supposed that they would receive more, but each of them too received a silver coin. 11 And when they received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘This last group worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and heat of the day.’

”For the kingdom of heaven is l ike a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a silver coin for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about nine in the morning, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will give you whatever is right.’ And they went.

13 ”But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am not doing you any wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a silver coin? 14 Take yours and go your way. I choose to give to this last group the same as I gave you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I choose with what I have? Is your eye evil, because I am good?’

5 ”He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon, and did the same. 6 And about five in the afternoon he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day long?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and you will get what is right.’

16 “So the last will be first, and the first last, for many are called, but few chosen.”

8 ”So when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the labourers and give them their wages, beginning with the last

17 And going up to Jerusalem Jesus took the twelve disciples aside on the way and said to them, 18 “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the and those who lightly regard themselves, and a warning to lovers of power and position. 20:1,2 Note on the kingdom of heaven at 4:17. This teaching is connected with the thoughts in the preceding chapter. See 19:27 – where Peter appears almost as a laborer trying to bargain for wages. In 19:30 Jesus teaches that a wrong attitude can cause the first to be last. In this parable He shows what should be the attitude of disciples ward God in the matter of service and rewards. The landowner signifies God. The vineyard signifies His work in the world. God is always looking for workers for His vineyard. Compare 9:36-38; 21:28. The word “agreed” suggests bargaining on their part.

is God’s grace. He will give a full reward for faithful work done for even a little while. 20:10 On the basis of justice they had no right to expect more. They had agreed to one denarius (v 2). This parable does not teach that God always gives the same reward to all of His servants. That would be contrary to His teaching in places like 1 Cor 3:10-15. But when it pleases Him He may give equal rewards for service well done, whether it be for a long time or a brief time. But for a full reward work must be done in the right way and from a right motive. 20:11,12 They showed the bad spirit that Jesus is teaching His disciples not to have. They grumbled against an act of kindness and goodness. The landlord was guilty of no injustice. 20:13,14 The Lord will not be happy with complaining disciples who are envious of His goodness to others. 20:15 This is a principal point of the parable. What God has is God’s, and He may do with it as He pleases. He is perfectly free to show grace and kindness to whom He will. Those who trust Him, and are willing to labor for Him according to the word “I will give you whatever is right” (v 4), will find that God’s heart is full of grace and goodness. They who have a bargaining spirit with God, or a grasping spirit, or a selfish, envious spirit, will find that they cannot change God’s mind.

“Silver coin” – in Greek “denarius” – this was the usual daily wage paid to laborers in those days. 20:3 The third hour was 9 AM. It is a sad fact that even though there is much work in God’s kingdom to do, many are doing nothing. 20:4 There was no bargaining; they made no demands. They trusted the landowner and went to work. This is the attitude all Christ’s disciples should have. 20:6 The eleventh hour was 5 PM. There was only an hour before the day’s work would be over. 20:7 They were willing to work but had lacked opportunity. There are some laborers for God whom He calls late in their lives and who are able to work only a brief time. 20:8 God will reward those who labor for Him – 5:12; 10:41,42; 16:27; 1 Cor 3:8,14; 2 John 8; Rev 11:18; 22:12. 20:9 They worked only an hour but received a full day’s wage. This revealed the kindness of the landowner. They had not earned a full day’s wage but just as those who worked all day, they needed one. Such

“Is your eye evil” – probably means “are you envious?” 20:16 Those who entered the vineyard last became, it seems, first in the landowner’s favor and esteem, and vice versa. Let us never forget that no matter how we work for God we are still “unprofitable servants” (Luke 17:10), and really deserve nothing. 20:17-19 Verse 28; 16:21; 17:23; Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-33. Once again Jesus speaks of the chief reason He came to earth.

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Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes. And they will condemn him to death, 19 and hand him over to the Gentiles to mock and to beat with a whip and to crucify. And the third day he will rise again.”

not be so among you. But whoever wants to be great among you, must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave, 28 just as the Son of man came to serve, not to be served, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s children came with her sons to him, worshipping him, and asking him for something. 21 And he said to her, ”What do you want?”

29 And as they were leaving Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30 And, suddenly, two blind men sitting by the way side, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, son of David.”

She said to him, “Grant that these, my two sons, may sit in your kingdom, the one at your right hand, and the other at the left.”

31 And the crowd rebuked them so that they would keep quiet, but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, son of David.”

22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am going to drink, and be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized ?” They said to him, “We are able.”

32 And Jesus stood still and called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”

33 They said to him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”

23 And he said to them, “Indeed you will drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. But to sit at my right hand and at my left, is not mine to give, but it will be given to those for whom it is prepared by my Father.”

34 So Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

24 And when the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 But it shall

And when they drew near Jerusalem, and arrived at Bethphage, at the mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it.

20:19 For the first time He foretells that it would be the Gentiles who would actually put Him to death and that the method would be crucifixion. On crucifixion see 27:22. 20:20,21 Zebedee’s sons – James and John – joined their mother in this request. See Mark 10:35-37. None of them had yet learned the lesson Jesus taught in 18:4; 20:16; etc. Nor, it seems, had they realized that Jesus was not then going to establish a visible kingdom on earth. 20:22 See 26:39,42. Drinking His cup means to share in His rejection and sufferings. They said they could drink His cup, but little did they then realize what they were saying. 20:23 Later they drank from His cup. James was imprisoned and put to death by Herod (Acts 12:1,2). Still later John was punished by banishment to Patmos (Rev 1:9). Indeed all the apostles suffered for their witness for Christ (Acts 5:18,40,41; etc). God’s way is suffering then glory (Rom 8:17; etc). 20:24 Did not they themselves want the chief places in the kingdom? Compare Rom 2:1. 20:25-27 Verse 16; 18:4. Some lessons need to be taught again and again, even to the best of men. It is not those who selfishly strive for greatness whom God counts great, but the humble, the lowly servant of all. See Jer 45:5. There are two kinds of mentality. The “master” outlook and the “service” outlook. We must reject the one and cultivate the other, and write on our hearts this lesson Jesus taught. The disciples at that time were all for self-promotion. Jesus was for selfsacrifice. We know who was greatest.

20:28 “Came to serve” – for other reasons why Jesus came to earth see note at 5:17. The Son of man (Jesus) was a willing, glad servant to God and to men – Isa 42:1; Luke 12:37; 22:27; John 13:13-16; Rom 15:8; 2 Cor 8:9; Phil 2:7. “Ransom” – the noun means that which is given to buy back from bondage. The verb means to pay a price to deliver something or someone. It is similar in meaning to the word “redeem.” Compare Ex 21:30; Lev 25:50; Prov 13:8; Job 33:24; Hos 13:14. Men are in bondage to sin and Satan (John 8:34,44; Acts 26:18; Rom 6:16-18; Eph 2:1-3). The price to buy them back was the life of the Son of God. This is the great work He came to do (Rom 3:23-25; 1 Cor 6:20; Gal 3:13; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:19). What do the words a ransom “for many” mean? He died for all (1 Tim 2:6), but only those who believe and receive Him are actually delivered from bondage. 20:29 “Jericho” – a town in the Jordan valley just north of the Dead Sea. 20:30 Note on Son of David at 1:1. 20:32 Cries for mercy from the poor and helpless always reach the ears of the Lord Jesus (8:3; Ps 34:6; Rom 10:12,13). This verse indicates His desire to serve and to help those who call to Him. 20:34 See 9:36; 14:14. 21:1 The mount of Olives is to the east of Jerusalem. From its top one can look down on the city. 21:2,3 Here is an example of Christ’s knowledge of what was going on in another

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Untie them, and bring them to me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them’, and he will send them at once.”

12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and drove out all those who sold and bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers, and the seats of those who sold doves, 13 and said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”

4 All this was done so that there might be a fulfilment of what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 Tell the daughter of Zion, Look! Your King is coming to you,

14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were very displeased, 16 and said to him, “Do you hear what they are saying?”

meek, and sitting on a donkey

and a colt the foal of a donkey.

6 And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and had him sit on them. 8 And a very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road. Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went ahead and that followed, cried out, saying, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, Out of the mouth of little children and nursing infants you have provided praise?”

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there. 18 Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he was hungry. 19 And when he saw a fig tree along the way, he went to it, and found nothing on it except leaves, and said to it, “May no more fruit grow on you forever.” And immediately the fig tree withered away. place (see also John 1:47-50). 21:4,5 Zech 9:9. The King rides into His royal city. This was an entrance suitable to the meek and lowly one (11:29), but not what men in general would count suitable. “Daughter of Zion” means Jerusalem. Note on “daughter” at Isa 1:8; 23:12. 21:6,7 Christians have the privilege of serving a king who knows all that is going on and who gives them the clearest instructions. All they need to do is obey. 21:8 Compare 2 Kings 9:13. 21:9 Hosanna comes from Hebrew and was a prayer meaning “save.” But it became a way of expressing praise, indicating that the one who could save was present. Note on Son of David at 1:1. Some were willing to accept Jesus as Messiah, God’s appointed king (Ps 118:25,26). 21:10,11 Jesus had spent very little time in Jerusalem and had little public ministry there. The leaders knew Him but many of the people did not. 21:12 Mark 11:11,15-18; Luke 19:45-47; John 2:12-16. Jesus was gentle and humble in heart (11:29), but bold as a lion when God’s honor was involved and mighty in strength to fight evil (Rev 5:5). Mark’s Gospel makes it clear that this event occurred the day after Jesus entered Jerusalem. 21:13 “Thieves” – Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11. Evidently in the very compound devoted to the worship of the one true and holy God, they were cheating the people who came to worship. Their greed and crookedness aroused the anger of God’s holy Son. What makes a person angry is an indication of his character. Compare v 15. They were not the last of those who try to enrich themselves

10 And when he came into Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and saying, “Who is this?”

11 And the crowd said, “This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”

under the cloak of religion (compare John 12:4-6; 1 Tim 6:5; Jude 11). And Christ is as angry about this now as He was then. 21:15 Note on priests at Ex 28:1. They were not indignant because of the evil going on in the temple compound, but when great good was done there, and great glory to God resulted from it, they were angry. Such is man’s fallen nature. Of course the thing that provoked them was others calling Jesus the Son of David – the Messiah of Israel. They did not want to accept this or hear it. 21:16 “Have you never read?” – 12:3,5; 19:4; 21:42; 22:31. They claimed to be experts in interpreting the Old Testament, but were ignorant of many important matters. Such people are still with us. Jesus here quoted Ps 8:2. 21:17 Bethany was a small town over the crest of the Mount of Olives to the east, about 3 kilometers from Jerusalem. 21:18 See 4:2. Jesus had both a human nature and divine nature. 21:19 It was the nature of fig trees that fruit appeared with full leaf, and sometimes before full leaf. If it had leaves it should have had fruit, even though it was early in the year for fig trees to have either leaves or fruit (Mark 11:13). The time was April, the full leaf and fruit bearing season was June. This tree was deceiving. It promised what it did not have. In some ways it was a picture of the nation of Israel or of the city of Jerusalem. Compare Luke 13:6-9. It is also a picture of any person, any church which professes much but produces little or nothing. What is the use of great foliage if there is no fruit?

Sometimes in the Bible trees symbolize

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20 And when the disciples saw this, they were amazed and said, “How quickly the fig tree withered away!”

And he answered and said, ‘I will go, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 Which of these two did the will of his father?”

21 Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith, and do not doubt, you will do not only what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be moved, and thrown into the sea’, it will be done. 22 And everything that you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you with the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. And when you saw this, you did not repent afterwards, so that you might believe him.

23 And when he came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him while he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?”

33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around it, dug a place for a winepress in it, built a tower, rented it out to vine growers, and went to a far country. 34 And when fruit season drew near, he sent his servants to the vine growers to get his share of the fruit. 35 And the vine growers took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.

24 And Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you one thing. If you tell me this, I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?”

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven’, he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men’, we are afraid of the people, for everyone holds John to be a prophet.” 27 And they answered Jesus and said, “We cannot tell.”

36 ”Again, he sent other servants, more than the first time. And they did the same thing to them.

37 “But last of all he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 28 But what do you think? A certain man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he repented and went. 30 And he came to the second son and said the same thing.

38 ”But when the vine growers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and take over his inheritance.’ 39 And they caught him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

40 ”Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine growers?” nations or individuals (3:10; 7:16-20; Ps 1:3; 37:35; 52:8; 92:12; Jer 11:16,17; Ezek 17:22-24). It is not stated here in Matthew that this fig tree represents Israel, but it may be so. Israel certainly had plenty of “leaves” but little or no “fruit.” Compare v 43; Isa 5:1-4. 21:21,22 Observe that the lesson Jesus taught His disciples from this incident of the fig tree was not a lesson about judgment on Israel, but of the power of faith. Prayer without faith may lack power, but believing prayer will accomplish wonders – 17:20; Mark 11:23,24; Luke 17:6; Jam 1:6; 5:16. 21:23 They meant that Jesus’ activities were not authorized by the religious leaders of the nation and that therefore He had no right to do as He was doing. 21:24-27 Jesus knew these men were cowardly and dishonest. They did not want the truth, but were determined to oppose and defeat Him. So He put them on the horns of a dilemma. And He had nothing more to say to them when they revealed their character by their answer. 21:28-32 This little parable was spoken to the Jewish religious leaders and its meaning is clear. It also is a help in understanding the incident of the fig tree in vs 18,19. The

first son signifies the “tax collectors and prostitutes” of v 32. They made no pretense of being God’s servants, but openly disobeyed Him and did as they pleased, but later they repented and did God’s will. The second son signifies the religious leaders. They made great claims of obedience to God, but actually were not obedient, and did not repent of their inner disobedience and hypocrisy. 21:33-40 This parable was also addressed to the Jewish religious leaders, and is very clear in meaning. Jesus was speaking of God’s kingdom (v 43). The landowner (v 33) signifies God. The vineyard is the nation of Israel. See Ps 80:8-11; Isa 5:1-4; Jer 12:10. “Hedge” suggests separation from other nations (see Ex 19:4-6; Lev 20:24; 1 Kings 8:53). “Tower” (or “watchtower”) suggests the earnest desire to protect the nation against enemies. “Winepress” signifies the intention to have a crop. “Vine growers” means the leaders of the nation.

“Went to a far country” – after planting Israel in Canaan by miraculous activity God seemed to withdraw to some extent behind the scenes. Those sent to enquire about fruit (v 34) were the prophets (Jer 7:25; 25:4; 26:5). In vs 35,36 we have a brief

MATTHEW 21:41 64

41 They said to him, “He will bring those evil men to a bad end, and will rent out his vineyard to other vine growers who will give him the fruit in its season.”

marriage for his son. 3 And he sent out his servants to call those who had been invited to the wedding, but they would not come.

4 “Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited: Now I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened animals have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the marriage.’

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43 Therefore I tell you, The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing its fruit. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken, but the one on whom it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

5 “But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest took his servants, mistreated them and killed them.

7 ”But when the king heard of it, he was angry, and he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ’The wedding feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and invite everyone you find to the marriage.’

45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees heard his parables, they saw that he spoke about them. 46 But when they looked for a way to seize him, they were afraid of the crowd, because they took him for a prophet.

And answering Jesus again spoke to them in parables, and said, 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a

10 ”So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together everyone they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall history of the way Israel treated the prophets God sent to them. See also 5:12; 23:30-37; Acts 7:52; Heb 11:36-38. The “son” of v 37 signifies the Lord Jesus. Verses 38,39 give a prediction of what the Jewish leaders would do to the Lord Jesus. Jesus wanted these leaders to apply the parable (v 40), to condemn themselves by their own words. 21:41 Little did they know they were foretelling their own punishment. 21:42-44 The Lord Jesus here brings out the spiritual application of the parable. He is the rejected “stone” of Ps 118:22,23. God would remove His vineyard (the kingdom of God) from the control of the Jewish nation which rejected His son (John 1:11), and give it to others. These were peoples of other nations who would receive Christ. They soon became the vast majority of all those in the churches (which is, of course, true to this day). Verse 44 reveals the doom of those who will not receive the Lord Jesus as Messiah and Lord and Saviour. Compare Acts 4:11; Rom 9:32,33; 1 Pet 2:6-8. “Scriptures” (v 42) – the Old Testament (John 2:22; 10:35; 2 Tim 3:16). 21:46 They did not look for a way to repent and be saved from the threatened punishment revealed in this parable. They looked only for a way to silence the one who revealed their sin and unbelief. Learn from this what the fallen heart of man is like, and beware of falling into the same error. 22:1 “Them” – 21:23,45. 22:2 Note on kingdom of heaven at 4:17. Compare the following parable with Luke 14:15-24. This parable also is very clear in its teachings. The “king” is God the Father. The “son” is the Lord Jesus. The “wedding” suggests the great truth that the true Church is the bride of Christ (9:15; John 3:27-29; Rom 7:4; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25-32).

22:3 The “invited” signify the Jewish nation. They were God’s chosen people and received the first invitation (10:5,6; 15:24). They refused to accept God’s message (23:3739; John 1:11; 5:40). In Old Testament times God continually sent His servants (Jer 7:25; 25:4; 26:5). In New Testament times He did likewise – 23:34; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8.

See the message God’s servants have to deliver – everything was “prepared” and “ready.” God’s kingdom, the salvation He wants men to receive and enjoy, is altogether the work of God. It is prepared and ready in Christ. Men need not prepare anything but should come just as they are – 11:28; Isa 55:1-3; John 6:37; Rev 22:17. 22:5 This was the reaction of many in Israel in those days (it is the same all over the world today). God invited them to an eternal feast of good things in Christ. They ignored God’s invitation and occupied themselves with the things of this world. 22:6 Others in Israel (as in many places in the world today) were more violent in their reaction – see 21:35,36; Acts 4:3; 5:18,40; 7:58; 8:3; 12:1-3; 14:5,19; 17:5; 21:30; 23:2. This showed a hatred for the King, His Son, and His servants (John 15:18-24). 22:7 God’s anger will surely come on all those who mistreat and persecute His servants and reject His invitations (compare 2 Thess 1:6-8). It came on Israel, and these words were fulfilled in 70 AD. Compare Luke 19:41-44; 21:20-24. The army was the Roman army, but it was God’s army too because He used it for His purposes. Compare Isa 10:5,6; etc. 22:8,9 God will not have an empty house. If some refuse His invitation He will find others who will come. Here the Gentile nations are meant (8:10-12; etc). 22:10 “Both bad and good” means people of good reputation and bad, those morally

65 MATTHEW 22:28

was filled with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who was not wearing a wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

19 Show me the tax money.” And they brought a silver coin to him. 20 And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”

21 They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard these words, they were amazed and left him and went away.

23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and have offspring for his brother. 25 Now there were seven brothers with us. And the first, after marrying a wife, died, and having no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, up to the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman also died. 28 Therefore in the resurrection, of these seven whose wife will she be? For they all had her.” good and bad, keepers of the law and breakers of the law. Of course, in God’s eyes none are good (19:17). All are sinners (7:11; Rom 3:23), but some are worse sinners than others. However, all are invited to come to Christ and receive salvation. 22:11 The people who were there had come in directly from the streets. In the banquet hall they could not have had special wedding clothes on unless they had been provided by the king himself (compare 2 Kings 10:22). Therefore it seems clear that the man without wedding clothes had refused to accept the ones that the king had there for this purpose. These wedding clothes speak of the righteousness of Christ which God freely gives to all who receive Him as Lord and Saviour (compare Isa 61:10; Zech 3:1-5; Rom 1:17; 3:21-24; 10:10; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:7-9). 22:12 This man is a picture of those who seem to accept God’s invitation, but refuse His provision for righteousness. They ignorantly suppose their own righteousness is sufficient. There are many like this in the churches. When the king examined him he could not say a single word in his defense. He should have had on the proper garment and knew it. When such people stand before God they will be condemned, guilty and speechless. 22:13 To refuse or neglect God’s provision is a serious matter indeed, and will have terrible penalties. Compare Heb 2:3. On “gnashing of teeth” see 8:12; 13:42,50; 24:51; 25:30. What contrast here between this and the delights and rejoicing of the wedding feast. 22:14 The Gospel invitation goes out to a great many, but only a comparatively few show themselves to be actually the chosen of God, the elect (Mark 13:20; John 6:37; 15:19; 17:6; Eph 1:4; 2 Thess 2:13). 22:15-46 These verses record a series of questions. The first three were asked by

14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.” 15 Then the Pharisees went away and plotted how they could trap him in his talk. 16 And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God in truth. And you do not show favoritism to anyone, for you do not regard a man’s appearance. 17 So tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?

Jesus’ enemies to try to trap Him. The last question was asked by Jesus and silenced His enemies. The questions asked by His enemies reveal the character and interests of the three kinds of people who asked them. 22:15 See Luke 20:20. 22:16 Herodians were a worldly, politicallyminded group who supported the rights of the family of Herod to rule Israel. The Pharisees were usually opposed to them, but now sought their help to trap Jesus if possible (compare Luke 23:12). The words of the Herodians here reek with hypocrisy and flattery. 22:17 The Romans with Caesar as their emperor ruled Israel and demanded taxes from them. If Jesus said they should not pay taxes He could be charged with treason. If He said they should pay taxes He would be charged with being on the side of Rome against the people of Israel. 22:18 Jesus knew what was in men – 9:4; 12:25; Luke 6:8; 9:47; 11:17; John 2:24,25; 6:61,64; 13:11. 22:19 “Silver coin” – in Greek “denarius”, a Roman coin. On one side was the emperor’s portrait, on the other was his name. 22:21 If Caesar was ruling and minting the money in use, it was right to pay taxes to him for government administration. Compare Rom 13:1,6,7. People have duties to the state. But they should give to God their hearts, their worship, their offerings, their lives. The state has some claims on it citizens, God has far more. Both must be acknowledged. 22:22 The very wise answer of Jesus amazed His enemies. But since they did not want the truth they went away to plot further things against Him. 22:23 Note on Sadducees at 3:7. With their question they naively hoped to show that the doctrine of the resurrection was absurd, and that Jesus was foolish to believe it. Notes on resurrection at John 5:28,29. 22:24 See Deut 25:5,6.

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29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You blunder, not knowing the Scriptures, or the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they do not marry, and are not given in marriage, but are like the angels of God in heaven. 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

great commandment. 39 And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, “What do you think of Christ? Whose son is he?”

They said to him, “The son of David.”

43 He said to them, “How then does David by the Spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool? 45 If David called him Lord, how then is he his son?”

33 And when the crowd heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him, saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

46 And no one was able to answer him a word. And from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

37 Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and

Then Jesus spoke to the crowd and to his disciples, 2 saying, “The scribes and the

22:29 The two errors of the Sadducees are still very common, even among Christian leaders and ministers – ignorance of the teachings of the Bible and of the power of God. Anyone ignorant of these two things will certainly fall into serious error in their thinking, even though they may be highly intelligent and well educated in other matters. 22:30 Here Jesus affirms the truth of the resurrection. See also Luke 14:14; John 5:29; 11:25. But He says there will be a new order of things, a new kind of life for those who are raised from the dead. For them marriage will have no part. In this one matter they will be like the angels in heaven. This does not at all mean that in all other respects they become angels or like angels. 22:31,32 “God of Jacob” – Ex 3:6. Jesus could have used other Old Testament references which speak of the resurrection (Job 19:25,26; Ps 16:10,11; Dan 12:2; etc). But He quotes from the books of Moses because the Sadducees regarded them as having the greatest authority of any in the Bible. And He shows they had not even understood that portion of Scripture. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had all passed away. A person who is dead – body, soul, and spirit – can have no God, and God cannot be their God.

lawyer (expert in the law of Moses) wanted to test Jesus’ grasp of the law to see if He would commit Himself to one of these camps. 22:37-40 Jesus passed the test. He went right to the very heart of the law and showed that the basis of all the commands God gave was love. Verse 37 is from Deut 6:5 and verse 39 is Lev 19:18. See also Rom 13:8-10. 22:41-45 His opponents had asked Him questions. Now He would ask them some. The prevailing idea about the Messiah was that he would be a mere man who would ascend the throne of David and reign powerfully and gloriously over Israel. These questions of Jesus show that this idea was wrong. The Messiah was not to be a mere human descendant of David, but the Lord of David (the Hebrew word for Lord “Adonai” was often used in the Old Testament for God Himself). Here it means Jesus. See also Luke 1:43; 2:11; Acts 2:36; Phil 2:10,11; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 4:5. 22:42 “Christ” means the Messiah promised in the OT. See notes on Son of David at Matt 1:1. 22:43 Notice the words “by the Spirit.” Jesus here confirms the divine inspiration of psalm 110, as He did the whole Old Testament at other times (4:4; 5:18; 15:3,4; John 10:35). 22:44 See note at Ps 110:1. The Jews recognized that this psalm was about the Messiah. 22:45 They well knew that fathers do not call their sons “Lord.” But they could not explain why David did so. 22:46 It was becoming obvious to everyone that He could answer all their questions, but they could answer none of His. They had tried to trap Him but were trapped themselves (compare Ps 57:6). 23:1 The following denunciation of the religious leaders of that day was spoken somewhere openly in the temple compound. See 24:1. 23:2 “Pharisees” – 3:7. “Sit in Moses seat” means they were regarded as the successors

Jesus means that their spirits still live and await the resurrection, and that resurrection is needed if men are to be called fully living. And a person whose spirit has been separated from his body in death is not the full person God created and intended. This implies that God will unite an individual’s spirit and body in the resurrection, and continue to be the God of the full person. God is not the God of decayed corpses. 22:33 Verse 22; 7:28; etc. 22:35 “Lawyer” – an expert in the law of Moses. 22:36 This was a question sometimes debated by Jewish scholars of that day, and they were divided into various camps. This

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Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe it and do it, but do not do according to their works, for they say, but do not do. 4 For they tie up heavy burdens, hard to carry, and lay them on men’s shoulders. but they are not willing to lift one of their fingers to move them.

your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men. For you neither go in yourselves, nor allow those who are entering to go in.

5 ”But they do all their deeds to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge the borders of their cloaks, and love the places of honour at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

14 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a show make long prayers. Therefore you will receive the greater condemnation.

15 ”Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around sea and land to make one convert, and when he has become one, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

8 “But you must not be called Rabbi, for one is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call any man on the earth your ‘father,’ for one is your Father, who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers, for one is your Teacher, the Christ.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You fools and blind! For

11 “But he that is greatest among you shall be

of Moses as teachers of God’s law. 23:3 Insofar as they truly taught the law of God given through Moses the people of Israel were obligated to obey them, even though they did not themselves obey the law. Compare 2:17-24. Practicing what one preaches must be the constant aim of every Christian leader (1 Tim 4:12; 1 Pet 5:3). 23:4 For sinful men (and all men are sinful) the law of Moses was a burden hard to be carried. See Acts 15:10; Gal 5:1. Israel’s religious leaders made it even harder to bear by interpreting it very strictly and adding a great number of rules and regulations. How different is the way of the Lord Jesus – 11:28-30! 23:5 See 6:1-5,16. “Phylacteries” – these were tiny boxes in which they kept verses of Scripture. They wore them on their forehead or arm (compare Ex 13:9; Deut 6:8).

teaching come from Christ alone, and not exalt themselves. 23:9 Jesus is not speaking of ordinary family relationships. We all have fathers and may call them such. But He is speaking of religious matters and is warning against the error of allowing a human being to usurp the place only God should have. There is always a tendency among people, even religious people, to make too much of men, too little of God. 23:11 See 20:25-28. 23:12 1 Sam 2:8; Ps 18:27; Prov 3:34; Isa 57:15; Ezek 21:26; Luke 1:52; 14:11; Jam 4:6. 23:13 “Woe” indicates terrible punishment when God brings them to account before His throne. The Lord pronounced this first woe against them because they tried to keep people from believing in Him, and He knew He was the only way into God’s kingdom (Luke 11:52; John 9:22; 12:42. Compare Acts 13:8-11). This terrible sin is still common today. It will cause those guilty of it to sink to the lowest depths of hell.

“Enlarge the borders” – or “tassels” or “fringes” (Num 15:38,39; Deut 22:12). These hypocrites thought that if they made these more conspicuous men would regard them as more pious. They missed the real purpose of phylacteries and tassels. God ordered their use as an aid to remembering to obey God’s Word, not so that men could impress others. 23:6,7 Here is another common error among religious leaders in general (including Christian leaders). Many love to be regarded highly, to have the places of honor, and to be called “reverend” or “doctor” or “bishop” or “father” or “master.” Let us all beware of this. Let us remember the teaching of the Lord Jesus in vs 11,12; 18:4; 20:25-28; etc. Denying self, not exalting self, must be our practice (16:24; Luke 9:23). 23:8 Rabbi means a respected religious teacher. The one teacher all Christians have is Christ (v 10). He appoints human teachers to teach His people (1 Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11; 1 Tim 2:7; Heb 5:12), but they should recognize that their authority and

See a very similar saying of Jesus at Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47. Their sin was cheating the helpless and then trying to cover up their crimes with religious activities. Compare Isa 1:10-17. 23:14 “For a show” – this is the whole purpose of some people’s religion, and all it amounts to. 23:15 They did not try to turn men to God, but to themselves, and to make converts to their own group. This is an empty and foolish thing which men do for their own glory. It has no part in true Christianity. Compare Acts 20:30; 2 Cor 4:5. The Pharisees had great zeal, but it was misdirected and its results were disastrous. Their “converts” became worse than themselves. See what Jesus calls both teachers and converts – sons of hell. Compare John 8:44. 23:16 “Blind” – on spiritual blindness see

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which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18 And, you say, whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it.

them also may be clean.

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Just so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

29 ”Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the righteous, 30 and say, ‘If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets. 31 Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are the children of those who killed the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. 33 You snakes, you brood of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of hell?

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithes of mint and anise and cummin, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faith. These you should have practiced, without neglecting the other. 24 Blind guides! You strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside of

34 “Therefore, now I am sending prophets, and wise men, and scribes to you, and some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will beat with whips in your synagogues and persecute

vs 17,19,24; 15:14; John 12:40; 2 Cor 3:14; 4:4; 2 Pet 1:9; 1 John 2:11. “Swears” – see 5:33-35. Here in vs 1622 Jesus shows how the Pharisees in their spiritual blindness turned everything upside down and made much of the small, and little of the great. 23:23 “Tithes” – Gen 28:22; Lev 27:30; Num 18:21; Deut 14:22; Mal 3:8. Again we see the Pharisees emphasis on very small matters and their utter neglect of the really important matters – Isa 1:17; Micah 6:8; etc. 23:24 The gnat was the smallest of the animals regarded by the Jews as “unclean”, the camel was one of the largest. See Lev 11:4,20-25. Pharisees strained their drinking water through a cloth to keep from swallowing a tiny “unclean” animal. In spiritual matters they paid much attention to tiny details but gulped down huge errors. In all this they were typical of many religious people. 23:25,26 Here is another example of how the Pharisees were careful about small things and neglected the great. They emphasized the ceremonial and formal matters of religion (the outside of the “cup” and “dish”), and neglected the vastly more important inner state of the mind and heart. Evidently they could not see that before God the outer things of religion are of no use whatever to the person who is corrupt in his heart. Greed, self-indulgence, and inner uncleanness cannot be erased by ceremonial washings or observances of religious rules and regulations. Compare Isa 1:11-18; etc. 23:27,28 Again Jesus points out the terrible error of emphasizing the outer things and neglecting the inner. He also revealed their purpose – they wanted to appear righteous

to men (v 5), but they did not care what God saw in their hearts. All their religious activity was to impress men and gain their greedy ends. The result was that those men who were so anxious to avoid any “uncleanness” from without, were full of uncleanness within. And they made others unclean. See note at Luke 11:44. May God give us all the good sense to recognize this evil and avoid it. 23:29-32 Hypocrites and those who are ignorant of themselves may think they are better than others and that they are not the sinners their ancestors were. It is always a large error for anyone to think he or she is better than others (Luke 18:9; Rom 2:1; 3:9,23). The Pharisees should have known from the Old Testament that all are sinners and that people of one generation are likely to do as their fathers did. Each generation adds to the sins of previous ones, and the mass of guilt in any nation continually increases. At last one generation “fills up the measure” of sin, and God will not permit them to go any further, and judgment falls (Gen 15:16; 2 Kings 17:7-23; 2 Chron 36:15-19). So it was with the Jews of Christ’s day. They condemned their ancestors for murdering the prophets, but they themselves were plotting to murder the greatest prophet of all, the Son of God Himself. 23:33 See 3:7; 12:34; Ps 140:3; Rom 3:13. 23:34 Jesus means the apostles, evangelists, and teachers He would send to preach and teach His gospel. Compare Luke 11:49. The Jewish leaders would treat them as their ancestors had treated the prophets of the Old Testament (10:17,23; 24:9; John 15:20,21; Acts 5:17,18,33,40; 7:57-60; 14:19).

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from city to city, 35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berachiah, whom you killed between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

And Jesus went outside, and was going away from the temple, and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, there will not be left here one stone on another, that will not be thrown down.”

37 ”Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets, and stone those who are sent to you, how often I would have gathered your children together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not have it ! 38 Now your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, You will not see me from now on until you say,

3 And while he was sitting on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the

23:35,36 Abel was the first man ever murdered (Gen 4:8; Heb 11:4). There is no record of the murder of the Zechariah of Zech 1:1. Still he may be the one Jesus referred to here. Or Jesus may have referred to Zechariah the son of Jehoiada whose murder is recorded in 2 Chron 24:21,22. It is possible that this Zechariah also had an ancestor named Berachiah.

measure ourselves by the following:

Hypocrites like to tell others what to do, but will not do those things themselves (vs 2,3).

They do not care how heavy the burdens they put on others – they lack compassion (v 4).

In religion their sole object is to get a reputation among men (v 5) – pleasing God is not in their thoughts.

“Son of” may mean descendent of (1:1). The murder of Zechariah occurred some centuries before the Pharisees lived. Yet Jesus charged them with it. In other words, they were one with their ancestors in those acts of wickedness. Their hearts and thoughts and attitudes were no better. They were the last generation of many which had persecuted God’s servants, and they were the worst of all. And they would pay the penalty for it (Luke 13:34,35; 19:41; 21:20-24. See note at Ps 79:8). 23:37 “How often” – it was Jehovah, the God revealed in the Old Testament, who had longed to protect and bless and nourish the people of Jerusalem (Ps 102:12,13; 126:1; 132:13-17; Isa 37:32; 40:9-11; 49:14-16). Here Jesus says it was He Himself who had longed to do it. In other words, He knew He was the incarnation of Jehovah. He did not desire the punishment of Jerusalem. He was willing and, indeed, he was longing for Jerusalem’s salvation. The lack of willingness was on their part. Compare John 5:40. 23:38 These words were spoken just before Jesus left the temple (24:1), and “house” probably means the temple. As happened once before, God was abandoning the Jews of Jerusalem to themselves (Ezek 10:4, 18,19; 11:22,23). Once again they had rejected Him and once again would have to suffer the consequences. As far as we know Jesus did not enter the temple again. 23:39 Ps 118:26. When Jesus entered Jerusalem a crowd of His followers said these very words (21:9). But the majority, including the leaders of the nation, refused to say them and rejected their Messiah. Jesus here speaks of His second coming. Then Israel will receive Him. See Zech 12:10-14; Rom 11:26-29.

They like any outward display that causes others to think they are pious (v 5).

They love for others to honor them (vs 6,7). The purpose of their religious activities is to make converts for themselves, and they hope to make a name for themselves for zeal and success in the ministry (vs 14,15).

They are spiritually blind, but think they are quite capable of teaching others (five times Jesus called them blind – vs 16, 17, 19, 24, 26. They substitute small things for great, and think highly of themselves for zealously following the small (vs 16-24).

They care little for justice and mercy for others, or being faithful themselves (v 23).

Their emphasis is on outer things, not the inner things of the heart, and if they appear all right to men, they do not care how filthy they are inside and in secret (vs 25-28).

They are ignorant of their own nature and boast in a goodness they think they have but do not have (vs 29-32).

Hypocrisy is not a small, insignificant or laughable sin. It is cruel and murderous, totally opposed to God and the true people of God (vs 33,34). The fate of hypocrites is clearly revealed in vs 32, 36, 38. Let us flee from any temptation to hypocrisy as we would from a deadly danger – which it is. 24:2 Mark 13:2; Luke 21:6. This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD. The Roman general Titus and his army utterly destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. 24:3 Observe that the disciples asked three questions. In the words which follow the Lord Jesus answered all three. In Luke 21:7 questions about Christ’s second coming and the end of the age are omitted (Mark 13:4 also omits them). In Luke 21:8-28 Jesus answered the question about the destruction of Jerusalem and said little about the end of this age. But in Matthew (it seems to this writer) we have His answers to the questions about the end of the age and His second

Note on hypocrisy Matthew chapter 23 reveals very clearly the nature of religious hypocrisy. Let us

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end of the world?”

for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and will deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end will be saved. 14 ”And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and plagues and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 ”Then they will hand you over to suffering, and will kill you. And you will be hated by all nations

15 ”Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea

coming. In some respects the events of 70 AD are a picture of the situation as it will be at the end of this age. 24:4 If Christians had heeded this warning there would not have been so many led astray throughout this age. Jesus knew how easily even the best of men can be deceived and how carefully they need to guard against it. Compare 7:10; Rom 16:18; 1 Cor 6:9; Gal 3:1; Eph 5:6; Col 2:4; 2 Thess 2:3; Jam 1:22; 1 John 1:8; Rev 12:9; 20:8. It was more important for the disciples (and for us) that they be not deceived than that they should know what would happen at the end of this age. 24:5 This was true before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and throughout this age. It will be true especially before Christ’s second coming (vs 23-25).

24:12 Wickedness both outside the church and within it will have a chilling effect on Christians. At the end few will still be zealous in their love for God and man, most will go the way of the churches of Ephesus and Laodicea (Rev 2:4; 3:15). We must always remember that when love is gone all is gone (1 Cor 13:1-3). 24:13 See 10:22. This does not say “because” some endure to the end they will be saved. Salvation is not earned, is not a reward for enduring. Those who endure do so because God’s salvation is at work in them; and those whom He has made new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) He will enable to hold on to their faith to the end. See John 10:28; 17:11-15; Rom 5:35,9,10; 8:29,30; Phil 1:6; Heb 10:35-39. 24:14 Note on God’s kingdom at 4:17. Jesus preached the “good news” of the kingdom (4:23; 9:35). It is good news because it sets forth the reign of God among men and calls people to willingly submit to God and enter His kingdom. The preaching and teaching of the kingdom was prominent throughout the ministry of the apostles (Acts 8:12; 20:25; 28:23,31; Rom 14:17; 1 Cor 4:20; 6:9; Gal 5:21; Eph 5:5; Col 1:12,13; 4:11; 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Thess 1:5; 2 Tim 4:1; Jam 2:5; 2 Pet 1:11; Rev 1:6,9). This work is not yet finished but is going on throughout the earth. There are still some places, some tribes where the gospel has not gone. When every “nation” has heard it, the end of the age will come. In the Bible the words translated “nations” usually means simply non-Jewish peoples whoever and wherever they may be. 24:15 When Christ spoke these words to His disciples the “holy place” could mean only the temple in Jerusalem. On “abomination of desolation” see Dan 9:27; 11:31; 12:11. Some think this was completely fulfilled in 70 AD when the Romans destroyed the temple. However, the abomination of desolation Jesus speaks of here is connected with the end of this age and His second coming. A comparison of v 14 with vs 29-31 makes this clear. The abominable desolation at the hands of the Romans was only a picture, a shadow of what is yet to happen at the end. Compare 2 Thess 2:3-12. 24:16-21 In 70 AD Christians fled from

“Christ” – or “Messiah” (also v 23). 24:6-8 This was true before Jerusalem fell, and true ever since. Perhaps Jesus meant that there would be more of such things as the age came near its end. Christ’s disciples should not be alarmed when such things happen, as though they were to be unexpected and strange. 24:8 Notice the phrase “the beginning of birth pains.” The new age to come will be ushered in by many pains and sorrows in this present age (compare Rom 8:22). And wars, famines, and earthquakes will be only the beginning of those pains that will come at the age’s end. 24:9 See 10:17,22; 23:34; John 15:1821; 16:2,33. The Lord Jesus never promised His disciples that they would have an easy time in life. Nor did His disciples promise this to other believers (Acts 14:22; 1 Thess 3:3; 1 Pet 4:12). The world which crucified Christ will not love those who live as He did and teach what He taught. 24:10 Trouble, better than anything else, reveals what people are. It strengthens and purifies those who have faith. It reveals that others who merely profess to have faith really do not. If they ever really love God they will not start hating God’s true people, no matter what trouble comes. 24:11 Acts 20:30; Rom 16:17,18; 2 Cor 11:13-15; 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 4:3; 2 Pet 2:1; 1 John 2:18; 4:1. There will be dangers from without, even greater danger from within the church.

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flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house, 18 and let him who is in the field not return to take his clothes. 19 And woe to those who are with child, and to those who nurse infants in those days! 20 But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on the Sabbath.

if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.

27 “For just as the lightning comes from the east, and shines as far as the west, so the coming of the Son of man will also be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

21 ”For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be afterwards. 22 And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the chosen those days will be shortened.

29 ”Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in the sky. And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There,’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the chosen. 25 Now I have told you beforehand. 26 Therefore

Jerusalem and escaped into the mountains across the Jordan river. But the tribulation to come at the end of this age will be greater and more terrible than that one, great as that was (Dan 12:1; Rev 7:14; 13:15-17). Verses 17,18 suggest the suddenness of the coming trouble. In 70 AD Titus besieged Jerusalem for many months. The reference to the “Sabbath” in v 20 is another indication that the land of Israel will be the focal point of the coming great tribulation. The distance Jewish leaders allowed people to travel on the Sabbath was less than a kilometer. In that future time in Israel all transportation may possibly be shut down on Sabbaths. 24:21 This time of tribulation is still to come, as vs 29-31 make perfectly clear. We should not confuse it with the distresses and tribulations believers throughout this age have had to face (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 1 Thess 3:3,4), though it will be similar in nature. “Tribulation” – the Greek word means “affliction,” “distress,” “pressure.” It is suffering due to the pressure of circumstances. 24:22 Satan and evil men will not have time to do all they would like to do. Observe that God can regulate times and activities on earth for the sake of His special people, the “chosen.” 24:24 2 Thess 2:9-11; Rev 13:13; 16:14; 19:20. Signs and miracles alone do not prove that those who do them are sent by God. If they do not preach the truth in accordance with the Bible there is no truth in them, and their signs and wonders are deceiving (7:22,23; Acts 8:9-11; 13:6). The “chosen” are enlightened to see the truth of Christ (notes on enlightenment at 11:27; 2 Cor 4:6; Eph 1:18). They will not be deceived by false Christs. 24:26,27 On Christ’s second coming see 25:31; 26:64; Luke 12:40; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess 4:16 - 5:4; 2 Thess 1:6-10; Heb 9:28; Rev 1:7; 19:11-16. 24:28 This comes after His warning about

false prophets and false Christs (vs 24-26). So it could signify that they are like scavengers who fall on a nation, or a society, or a church, at its death. Or it could indicate the nations of earth, sent by God in judgment, falling on another nation. Compare Isa 46:11; Ezek 39:4. Or it might mean the destruction of earth’s armies at the return of Christ (Rev 19:17,18). 24:29 The following verses prove that the “great tribulation” Jesus spoke of in v 21 was not that of 70 AD, but one coming at the end of this age. These signs will occur immediately after the tribulation but before the great and terrible “day of the Lord” – that time when God arises to punish the earth for its wickedness.

It is a mistake to confuse the great tribulation (which is caused by Satan and evil men) with the time when God pours out His wrath on the world. In our interpretation of prophecy it is important to understand this. Compare this verse with Acts 2:19,20 and Rev 6:12-14. See note on the “day of the Lord” at 1 Thess 5:2; etc. Something very striking is going to happen to the sun, moon, and stars before Christ’s second coming. It will happen after the great tribulation and before the day of the Lord. 24:30 Rev 1:7; Zech 12:10-14. “Clouds” – 26:64; Dan 7:13; 1 Thess 4:17; Rev 1:7. Christ’s second coming will be quite unlike His first coming. Then He laid aside His glory and came in meekness and seeming helplessness – Phil 2:5-8. 24:31 Compare Matt 13:30,41-43. “Angels” – Gen 16:7.

“Trumpet” – 1 Cor 15:52; 1 Thess 4:16; Rev 11:15. Paul taught that the catching up of Christ’s church to meet Christ in the air will be at the “last” trumpet.

“Chosen” – John 6:37; 17:2,6; Rom 8:33; Eph 1:4; Col 3:13; 2 Tim 2:10; Titus 1:1; 1 Pet 1:2. “Chosen” or “elect” is a name for believers now in this Church age (in the Old Testament the whole nation of Israel was

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32 ”Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch is still tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So in the same way, when you see all these things, know that he is near, right at the doors.

40 ”Then two will be in the field. The one will be taken away, and the other left behind. 41 Two people will be grinding at the mill. The one will be taken, and the other left. 42 So watch, for you do not know what hour your Lord comes.

34 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

43 ”But understand this: If the owner of the house had known what time of the night the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.

36 “But as for that day and hour, no man knows, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But just as it was in the days of Noah, so the coming of the Son of man will also be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah went into the ark, 39 and did not know what would happen until the flood came, and took them all away, so the coming of the Son of man will also be.

45 ”Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has made ruler over his household, to give them food at the proper time? 46 When his master comes, blessed is that servant whom he finds doing so. 47 Truly I say to you, he will make him ruler over all his goods.

48 ”But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is putting off his coming,’ 49 and begins to “elect”, chosen of God – Isa 45:4; 65:9).

of His coming? Rather we should say, since Jesus is God incarnate (John 1:1,14), He could choose not to know something if He wished. (In the same way, though He was all-powerful He could choose not to do things by His own power.) In any case, is it wise to insist that the Son of God is not free to limit His knowledge of a particular thing if He chooses to do so? Compare Gen 18:20,21. 24:37 “Noah” – Genesis chapter 6. 24:38,39 Jesus here emphasizes the suddenness of the disaster that overtook the people of Noah’s day, and the ignorance of the people then. They were abandoned to their own way of life, did not know what God was going to do, and did not want to know (compare 2 Pet 2:5). 24:40,41 Verse 31. 24:42 Verse 36; 25:13; Mark 13:37; Phil 3:20; 1 Thess 5:1-6; Titus 2:13; Heb 9:28; 2 Pet 3:12,13; Rev 3:3. 24:44 In verse 42 Jesus says “watch.” Here he says “be ready.” These are two duties of His disciples regarding His coming. Actually they are more or less the same. See note at 25:13. “Watching” does not mean to be like spectators at some public event. We cannot know the exact time, so we are to be on the lookout and keep ourselves spiritually prepared at all times – 25:10; 1 Thess 5:6-8; 1 John 2:28. 24:45 See 25:21,23. Jesus refers to pastors and teachers in the churches. They are to give spiritual food to God’s people (John 21:15-17). This is far more important than trying to figure out the times and dates God has set (Acts 1:7). To feed God’s people well much wisdom and faithfulness are required – 1 Cor 4:2; 2 Tim 2:2; Jam 1:5,6. 24:47 See 25:21,23; Luke 19:17,19; Rom 8:17; 1 Cor 3:21-23; Rev 21:7. This will take place at Christ’s second coming. 24:48-51 There are those who profess to be servants of God, who are pastors and teachers in churches, yet who are “wicked” and like hypocrites. Their doom is certain

Observe that Jesus mentions “winds” and “heavens” in this gathering of the elect, but says nothing of “earth.” Does this suggest that these elect are somewhere above the earth? Not necessarily – compare Nehemiah 1:9; Deut 30:4; Isa 13:5. It seems this was not an uncommon way of speaking then when referring to an event on earth. And compare Mark 13:27, where the word “earth” is used. On “the four winds” see Dan 7:2; 8:8; 11:4. 24:32,33 “All these things” – a fig tree may sometimes symbolize Israel (Jeremiah chapter 24; Joel 1:6,7; Hos 9:10. See also 21:19; Luke 13:6). But here the fig tree does not signify one thing or one event. It refers to “all these things” which Jesus foretold in this chapter.

“At the doors” – see Luke 21:28,31. 24:34 The Greek word here translated “generation” may also be translated “race”, and (it seems to the author of these notes) might well be so translated here. If so, it would mean that the race of Israel, the Jewish people, would not be destroyed. The generation living when Jesus spoke these words did pass away before all these things came to pass. No such things as described in vs 27-29 happened in the generation of the apostles. But some think that “generation” here means the generation living when the signs at the end of the age begin to take place. And this interpretation is certainly not impossible. 24:35 Compare with 5:18. Jesus knew that both the law God gave, and His own words were the very words of God and would endure for all time. 24:36 The general time just before Christ’s coming can be known by the events Jesus foretold, the signs He tells us to watch for (v 33; Luke 21:28,31). But the exact time of His coming no one can predict. If Jesus is God (who knows everything) how could it be that He would not know the day and hour

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beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come in a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with hypocrites. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

bridegroom is coming! Go out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

8 ”And the foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

9 “But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil, and buy for yourselves.’

“Then the kingdom of heaven will resemble ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps, but did not take any oil with them. 4 But the wise took oil in their containers with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom delayed, they all got drowsy and fell asleep.

10 “And while they were going away to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage. And the door was shut. 11 Afterwards the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord! Open to us.’

12 “But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Watch therefore, for you do not know either the day or the hour when the Son of man

6 “And at midnight there was a cry: ‘Look, the

(2 Pet 2:1-3; Jude 4,12-15).

as they should have been. In church history there have certainly been some very “drowsy” times. 25:6 At the time of the end there will be warnings and signs of Christ’s near coming, and those will alert the church. 25:8 They tried to light their lamps. Apparently the dry wick caught a flame but could not hold it. Without God’s Spirit no one will have the inward grace and the light on his pathway that the genuine believer and true child of God has. Outward profession can never make up for inward lack. 25:9 No person ever has too much of the Spirit of God. And no one can lend God’s Spirit to others, or the experience of the light the Spirit gives on the way. It is a personal experience which must come from God. Each person must go to God and “buy” (compare Isa 55:1-3; Prov 23:23; Luke 11:13; Rev 3:18). This is figurative language. The Spirit of God is not for sale. No money can purchase an interest in Him (compare Acts 8:18-21). The purchase of this “oil” does not cost money – it costs ourselves (10:39; 16:24-26; Luke 9:23; 14:26,33). This is one reason why comparatively few people do this “buying.” 25:10 Christ will arrive just as He said He would. Then there will be a great “feast” for His believers – Rev 19:9. But the door of opportunity will be shut for those who heard the truth but did not act on it. Compare Luke 13:24,25; Gen 7:13,16; 2 Cor 6:1,2; Heb 3:7-11. 25:11 Compare Prov 1:28-32. 25:12 “I don’t know you” – this is evidence that the foolish virgins represent unsaved people in the church. Compare 7:23. Contrast John 10:14; 1 Cor 8:3; 2 Tim 2:19. 25:13 See 24:42,44. This is the one great application Christ makes of this parable – which does not mean there are not other lessons to be learned from it. “Watch” means to be spiritually prepared. In the parable all ten virgins went to sleep and were unconscious for a while, but five of them were still prepared for the announcement of the bridegroom’s coming. It is God’s Spirit in the heart who makes Christians prepared. Without Him all following of any religion, and

“Gnashing of teeth” – 8:12. 25:1 “Then” – at the end of this age, as chapter 24 shows. Note on kingdom of heaven at 4:17. The picture here is true to the customs of that day. The ten virgins were waiting for the bridegroom to come to the bride’s house to conduct her to the wedding feast in the bridegroom’s house. The bridegroom signifies the Lord Jesus. The bride, of course, is the true church made up of a great many individuals (see 9:15; Rev 19:6-8).

Who, then, are these ten virgins? Perhaps they are leaders in the church who are responsible for preparing the bride for the Bridegroom (the “servants” of 24:45-49. Compare Paul’s statement in 2 Cor 11:2). Or perhaps these “virgins” may represent individuals in the outward professing church who think they are members of the true church and have hopes of sharing in Christ’s kingdom. In this case, the wise and foolish would be a contrast between true and false Christians, those born again by God’s Spirit (John 3:3-8), and those who are Christians in name only. In the Bible the word “virgin” used figuratively does not always signify the true people of God. See Isa 23:12; 47:1; Jer 46:11. 25:2 What is meant by wise and foolish can be seen in 7:24-27. See also the contrasts between the wise and the foolish in Proverbs (1:7; 10:8,14; 12:15; 13:16; 14:1, 8,16; 16:22). 25:3,4 It seems from this that those foolish ones never had oil. In the Bible oil can signify the Holy Spirit (note at Ex 27:20). Among those who say they are Christians the wise have the Holy Spirit, the foolish do not. In many ways the ten were very similar – all are called “virgins,” all had lamps, all knew something of the truth, all thought they would be ready to meet the bridegroom, all went out to meet him. But the foolish ones were without the one essential thing – oil. Compare Rom 8:9; Jude 19. There are many who are outwardly Christian, inwardly not. They are like trees without fruit, clouds without rain. 25:5 Observe that they all “fell asleep” – even the wise have not always been as alert

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comes.

things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man planning on a journey to a far country who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. 15 And he gave five talents to one, two to another, and one to another, to each one according to his own ability. And immediately he went on his journey.

22 ”Also the one who received two talents came and said, ’Master, you entrusted two talents to me. Look, besides those I have gained another two talents.’

23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’

16 ”Then the one who received the five talents went and traded with them and made another five talents. 17 And in the same way the one who received two, also gained another two. 18 But the one who received one went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

24 “Then the one who received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew you, that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter. 25 And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have yours.’

19 ”After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And so the one who received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. Look, besides those I have gained five more talents.’

26 “His master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I have not scattered? 27 Therefore you should have put my money with the bankers, and then when I returned I would have received my own with

21“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few

all effort to be good, and all trying to meet Christ the Bridegroom will be in vain. It is foolish in the extreme to try to make a Christian life without the one absolute essential for the Christian life – Christ’s Spirit. Notes on the Holy Spirit at 3:11,16; John 14:16,17; etc. 25:14 The “man” signifies Christ. His journey was to heaven. The “property” He entrusts to His servants are the things of His kingdom (21:43), His work on earth and the resources to accomplish that work. 25:15 “Talents” – see note on the meaning of talent at 18:24. Here talents signify abilities, spiritual gifts and resources. Some of God’s people have more of these than others (Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:4-11). But one main point of the parable is that equal faithfulness, even though abilities differ, will bring equal rewards. A talent was first a unit of weight (about 34 kilograms). Afterwards it became a unit of value amounting to 34 kilos of gold or silver – worth a great deal of money in any age. 25:16-18 There are vast differences in the ways men use what God gives them. Compare Luke 19:13-21. In the case of these servants it was all a question of obedience or disobedience, faithfulness or unfaithfulness. 25:19 “After a long time” – by such words was Christ not suggesting that His coming would not be in the immediate future? However that may be, He will return as certainly as the man in the parable returned.

16:10; 1 Cor 4:2. The reward for it will be great indeed – positions of trust and responsibility and honor in the future manifestation of God’s kingdom, and a share in the joy of the Lord Jesus. 25:23 Compare v 21. The whole basis of the master’s approval was faithfulness in what was given, regardless of the amount given. It is not the business of those with little ability or resources or opportunities to envy those with much. They must serve the Lord heartily with what they have. 25:24 He thought he knew the master, but surely he did not. In these words he actually slandered him to his face. People may think they know God, yet have all sorts of false ideas about Him. 25:25 “I was afraid” – if he had truly been afraid of his master he would have been afraid of offending him by disobedience, afraid of wasting time and opportunities. Notes on the fear of the Lord at Gen 20:11; Ps 34:11-14; 111:10; Prov 1:7. The Christian who does nothing is not afraid of the Lord; more than likely he is afraid of work. 25:26 The master calls him “wicked” because he did not obey his master (disobedience is wickedness), and “lazy” because he did not work for him. He had a sinful, slothful spirit and did not overcome it. See note on this at Prov 6:6-11; 15:19; 22:13; 24:30-34. Here the master was not saying that he was like this servant thought him to be. He was saying “Was this your estimate of my character? Did you really think I am like that? Then you should have been careful to act accordingly.” 25:27 If the man honestly thought he was incapable of doing anything profitable with the money, he should have put it in the hands of those who were capable.

“Accounts” – Rom 14:12; 2 Cor 5:10; Heb 4:13. 25:20 What will we be able to say when we stand before the Lord? 25:21 The manner of our service on earth for God will have results that will reach into the ages to come. Notice again the emphasis on faithfulness – 24:45; Luke

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interest.’

kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. 36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’

28 “Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 For to every one who has will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from him who does not have will be taken away even what he has. 30 And throw the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you ? Or thirsty, and gave you something to drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger, and took you in? Or naked, and clothed you ? 39 Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came to you?’

31”When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory, 32 and all nations will be gathered in his presence. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats. 33 And he will put the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left.

40 “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, anything you did for one of the least of these my brethren, you did for me.’

34 ”Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the

41 ”And then he will say to those at the left

25:28 Faithfulness was further rewarded. The “ten-talent” man had proved he knew how to behave when something was entrusted to him. 25:29 Compare 13:12. 25:30 The wicked, lazy servant is here called “unprofitable.” Compare Luke 13:6,7; John 15:1-6; Heb 6:7,8. If we are worthless in the Lord’s work, wicked and lazy, we should not vainly imagine that He will accept us and reward us. He will never say “well done” to those who have not done well. See the doom of the “unprofitable.” Compare 3:10,12; 8:12; etc. 25:31 “Son of man” – 8:20. “Glory” – 16:27; 19:28; 24:30; John 1:14; 12:41; 17:5; Rev 1:16. “Throne” – 19:28; Luke 1:32. It seems there is a difference between what Jesus here calls “His throne” and the throne of God the Father where Jesus now sits – Rev 3:21. 25:32 “All nations” – this phrase, if taken literally, will include both Israel and the other nations of the world. This separation must mean separating individuals from one other. No nation as a whole has fulfilled the picture Christ gives in vs 34-36. Some individuals in every nation have done so, but not any people in general. Not all individuals in any country, at any time, have been Christ’s “sheep” (see John 10:1-16,27,28). This is the only place in the New Testament where goats are a symbol of unbelievers. 25:34 “Blessed” – notes at Gen 12:1-3; Num 6:22-27; Ps 1:1; 119:1; Matt 5:3-10; etc. “Inherit” – 5:5; Acts 20:32; 26:18; Rom 8:17; 1 Cor 6:9,10; 15:50; Gal 5:21; Eph 1:11,14; Heb 6:12; Rev 21:7. Notes on God’s kingdom at 4:17. How was the kingdom prepared before the foundation of the world? Since it is for men, and men were not in existence before the foundation of the world, the preparation was in the mind, purpose, and plan of God. 25:35,36 We might expect the Lord to say “Inherit the kingdom because you believed in Me,” for salvation is by grace through faith, and not by works (Eph 2:8-10; Titus

3:3-7). True, but God’s judgment of men is always said to be about works (16:27; Rom 2:6; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 22:12). He will judge us at last not merely by what we have said, or intended, or taught to others, but by what we have actually done or not done. Works prove the reality of faith, and faith without works is dead (Jam 2:14-19,26). The good works of God’s children are not the cause of their being saved, but they are the evidence that they are saved.

Six works are here listed, but they only represent good works in general and do not exhaust all the possibilities. Compare this list with what some think are wonderful works in 7:22. The works Christ here approves are not striking or glamorous, or much noticed by men. This passage follows directly the parable of the talents and shows something of what Jesus meant by using the talents. 25:37-39 “The righteous” – those who are righteous by faith and give evidence of it by works (5:6,20; Rom 2:7-11; 3:21-24; 5:1; 8:1-4). They know they have performed acts of kindness to others, but they do not have a high view of their own works. They well know they could have done much more and could have done better the things they did do. And they are not much conscious that every act they did for others was actually done for Christ, thinking they only did what they ought to do for fellow men. They were not trying to pile up merit, but helped simply because they had God’s love in their hearts. Their helping others was not disguised selfishness (see 1 John 3:17,18). 25:40 Who are these “brethren”? Evidently Jesus was referring to the “sheep” of v 32. See also Rom 8:29; Heb 2:11,12. We are told to do good to all men but especially to believers in Christ (Gal 6:10). What we do to them is what we do to Christ, for He and they are united (John 17:20-23; Acts 9:15). If we really believed this, would we be slow to perform acts of kindness and helpfulness to others? 25:41 “Depart” – from the source of all blessedness and joy. Compare 7:23;

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hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you did not give me food. I was thirsty, and you did not give me anything to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you did not take me in. I was naked, and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.’

days the feast of the Passover arrives, and the Son of man is to be handed over to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together to seize Jesus by trickery, and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not on the feast day, or there may be a riot among the people.”

44 “Then they too will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not serve you?’

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very valuable fragrant oil and poured it on his head, as he sat at the table. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they were indignant and said, “Why this waste? 9 For this oil might have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.”

45 “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, since you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 ”And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.”

10 But aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why trouble the woman? For she has done a good deed 26

And it happened that when Jesus had finished speaking all these words, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two

2 Thess 1:9. The “cursed” are those who do not believe in Christ, and prove they do not by failing to do good works for His people (Gal 3:10-13; Heb 6:8; 2 Pet 2:14). God’s curse will be on them forever.

God are eternal. On eternal life see John 3:16,36; 5:24; 6:47; etc. 26:2 “Passover” – a very important feast of the Jews – Lev 23:5; Exodus chapter 12. God chose the time of the Passover for the death of His Son for sinners. And the time was very appropriate to signify the meaning of His death. The Passover lamb was a sacrifice to protect the children of Israel from judgment in Egypt. Jesus was the lamb of God, a sacrifice which takes away the sins of the world and so provides a way of escape from God’s judgment against sin (John 1:29; 1 Cor 5:7). 26:3,4 They behaved like this because of their ignorance of God, their hatred of the truth, because the Lord Jesus exposed their sinfulness, and because the wicked will always be opposed to the righteous (Ps 37:12; John 3:19,20; 7:7; 8:40; 15:18-21; 1 John 3:12). 26:5 At the time of the Passover great crowds flocked to Jerusalem from all over Israel. Jesus’ enemies knew that many of those people admired Jesus. They feared trouble if they killed Him at that time. 26:6 Simon was probably a man healed at some time by Jesus. Notice where Jesus the King from heaven (2:2; 27:11) spent time when He came to Jerusalem, the city of the great King (5:35). He chose the home of a humble man who had been an outcast, not some mansion, palace or fine hotel. Would that all who profess to be His followers were of the same mind (Phil 2:5-7). 26:7 See John 12:2. 26:8,9 It seems that the source of such a remark was the traitor Judas Iscariot (John 12:4-6). Apparently other disciples agreed with him. The perfume was very costly. Mark 14:5 says (in Greek) that it was worth 300 Denarii. One Denarius was the accepted daily wage of a laborer (Matt 20:2). 26:10 The act of this woman was “good,” because it was a pure expression of love. Those who have a fervent love for God are

“Fire” – 3:10,12; etc. Hell was not prepared for men but for Satan and his angels. But if men insist on following Satan and refusing God’s truth and God’s way, they will share the punishment of Satan. And they will deserve to share it – otherwise God would not send them to that place. Since sinners deserve such punishment, we should understand that sin is a much more terrible thing than men usually think it is. Note on the devil at 4:1. 25:42,43 The emphasis in their judgment is not on the evil works they did (though those too will be judged – Rom 2:6,8,9), but on the good works they did not do. In other words, they reveal their lack of faith and salvation by what they neglect to do. The things they leave out of their lives show they have no love for Christ or His people. God’s work of salvation in the heart of a any person impels him or her to do good works. Sins of omission are just as revealing as sins of commission, and just as worthy of judgment and punishment. Compare Num 32:23; Judges 5:23. 25:44,45 In vain men will try to defend themselves. Their professed ignorance will not be acceptable as an excuse. The one relevant fact is this: needy, suffering people of Christ were in their neighborhood and they did not lift a finger to help them. And Christ takes this as neglect of Himself. From this we see again how Christ loved the poor, the weak, the needy. Compare 11:5; 19:21; Luke 4:18; 6:20; 12:33. When His people who are poor suffer, He suffers with them – Acts 9:5; Isa 63:9. 25:46 There will be no altering of one’s state after the judgment. Compare Luke 16:26; 2 Thess 1:9. Both the punishment of unbelievers and the life of believers with

77 MATTHEW 26:28

to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. 12 For when she poured this oil on my body, she did it for my burial. 13 Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in remembrance of her.”

and prepared the Passover.

20 Now when evening came, he sat down with the Twelve. 21 And as they ate, he said, “Truly I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

22 And they became exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to him, “Lord, is it I?”

14 Then one of the Twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, 15 and said, “What will you give me? I myself will hand him over to you.” And they agreed with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he looked for an opportunity to betray him.

23 And he answered and said, “The one who is dipping his hand with me in the bowl, he will betray me. 24 The Son of man is going just as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

25 Then Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, “Teacher, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.”

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat. This is my body.”

18 And he said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ’The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’”

27 And he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed

19 And the disciples did as Jesus ordered them,

willing to pour out all they have at His feet. They do not worry about what it costs them or what others may say about it. 26:11,12 If the disciples wanted to show their love and concern for the poor, there would always be opportunity. But the Lord Jesus was soon going to die, and it seems the woman knew that. It was the custom in those days to anoint the dead with spices and perfumes before burial (Luke 23:55 – 24:1; John 19:39,40). 26:13 Her act is recorded for all time in God’s word. So much the Lord delights in the love shown by His people. 26:14,15 Only one motive for this act of base treachery is recorded in the Bible. Judas wanted money. John 12:6 reveals one thing he was willing to do to get it. His love of money, which he did not conquer, and perhaps did not even resist, in spite of the teaching of Jesus about it (6:19-21,24; Luke 6:20; 12:15-21; 14:33), completely ruined his character, helped to make him like a demon (John 6:70,71), and at last moved him to sell the Son of God. So see 1 Tim 6:8-10. Thirty silver coins was the usual value of a slave. See Ex 21:32; Zech 11:12. 26:16 Judas was not overcome by a sudden temptation. He was deliberate and calculating in his betrayal of Jesus. 26:17 Note at Lev 23:5,6. The Passover was considered the first day of the seven day observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 26:18 All the time Jesus knew just when and how and why He would die (16:21; 20:28; John 7:30; 10:17,18; 12:23). 26:21 From the beginning Jesus knew this also (John 6:64). 26:22 Each of them knew something of his own sinfulness and weakness, but probably none (except Judas) thought he could betray Christ and so commit the worst of sins. Compare vs 33-35. They were sad at

the very thought that anyone called a disciple would or could do such a thing. 26:24 Judas in betraying Jesus was fulfilling the Scriptures (John 13:18; Ps 41:9). But Judas was free and responsible for his acts. God’s foreknowledge did not interfere with His freedom to act. It is true of all who permanently refuse, reject or betray Christ that it would be better if they had not been born. 26:25 It does not say that Judas was sorrowful (as the other disciples were – v 22). To keep up the pretense that he was like them, he asked the same question they asked even though he knew the answer. 26:26 “My body” – Jesus did not mean that the bread became His body. This was quite impossible since He was there before them in His body. He meant that the bread was a symbol of His body. See notes at John 6:5358. His body was soon to be crucified. The result of this event was eternal life and spiritual food to all who receive Him as Lord and Saviour. A literal eating of His flesh could not give spiritual life and food to anyone. The Bible is full of symbolism and figurative language, and we must recognize this or fall into many errors. See 16:6-12; John 6:35,53-58; etc. 26:27,28 “Gave thanks” – 14:19. The wine in the cup symbolized the blood of the Lord Jesus soon to be shed on the cross. This shedding of His blood meant agony and sorrow to Him, but He gave thanks because He knew it was the way God the Father had appointed to save men and glorify Him.

The wine did not become His literal blood when they drank it. His literal blood still flowed in His veins and drinking it could bring no good to anyone. For salvation from sin men do not need anything physical. What they need is spiritual life in the inner person (John 1:12,13; 3:3-8). This comes by trusting in the Lord Jesus and believing

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for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, from now on I will not drink of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, yet I will not deny you.” And all the disciples said the same.

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will stumble because of me this night. For it is written,

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy-hearted. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Wait here and watch with me.”

I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.

32 “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

39 And he went a little farther, and prostrated himself and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.”

33 Peter answered and said to him, “Even though everyone stumbles because of you, I will never stumble.”

40 And he came to the disciples, and found them asleep, and said to Peter, “What, could you not watch with me for one hour? 41 Watch and pray, so that you do not enter into temptation.

34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

His blood was shed to take away our sins (John 3:16,36; 6:47,63; Rom 3:22-25; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:18,19; 1 John 1:7).

ground unfulfilled? And when will we see that our own opinions are completely worthless in matters He has already revealed? 26:36 Gethsemane was a garden a short distance outside the walls of Jerusalem at the foot of the mount of Olives. 26:37 The two sons of Zebedee were James and John (4:21). 26:38 Here was a burden of sorrow so great it was pressing the life out of Him. What was the reason for such sorrow? He, the utterly Holy One, was about to bear the sin of the world on the cross, and to experience the punishment of that sin, and be forsaken by God the Father (27:46; John 1:29; 2 Cor 5:21). He wanted these disciples to watch with Him. Did His human nature long for companionship in this hour of suffering? Certainly He wanted witnesses of this event. 26:39 Prostrating Himself indicated great agitation, a sense of crisis, an agonizing desire for help. Compare Heb 5:7. The “cup” was a symbol of the terrible experiences which lay before Him. He was about to “become sin” (v 38), to drink the cup of God’s wrath against human sin. This He had come to do (John 12:27; 18:11). But now that the moment had come the prospect was so dreadful, so appalling that His holy nature shrank from it. And He prayed that He might not have to drink that cup, if God could find another way to accomplish His purposes for men. But it was not possible, and even with His soul in agony (Luke 22:44) Jesus accepted the will of God the Father.

“New covenant” – by His blood the Lord Jesus established this covenant. It is “new” in contrast to the old one God made at Sinai with Israel. See notes at Ex 19:5,6. On the new covenant see Hebrews chapter 8; Jer 31:31-34; 2 Cor 3:6-18. The old covenant was one of law and works. The new covenant is a one of grace. In it God promises forgiveness to all who trust in the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:46,47; Acts 13:38,39).

“Many” – this means the many who receive the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior. He died for all, but only those who trust in Him receive the benefits of His death.

“Forgiveness of sins” – see 6:12; 9:5-7; 12:31; 18:23-35; Eph 1:7. 26:29 “Kingdom” – 4:17. 26:30 Psalm 118 was often sung at the time of the Passover in Israel. 26:31 Verse 56; Zech 13:7. 26:32 See 16:21; John 10:17,18. Before His death He said He would rise from the dead. After His death He rose. This is the greatest possible evidence that He is the Son of God – Rom 1:4. 26:33,34 Here is boastful self-confidence, or possibly the thought that he loved Jesus enough to overcome any temptation to deny Him, or ignorance still of the depths of his sinfulness and weakness, or perhaps all of these. Compare 1 Cor 10:12. Ignorance of ourselves, trusting in our own nature and strength can mean many a grievous fall. 26:35 Peter was not alone in his selfconfidence. They all still had much to experience before they were able to depend on God’s strength and renounce their own. Observe Peter’s unbelief of Jesus words, his flat denial that Jesus knew what He was talking about. This is another glimpse of the unbelieving folly which Christ’s disciples sometimes displayed. When will we learn that not one word of the Lord Jesus will fall to the

He here utters a prayer that all men should learn to pray. God’s way, God’s will is always best, and those who best accept it will be the most blessed, even though for a time it may mean suffering and loss. 26:40 Verse 38. The Lord Jesus was fighting the greatest battle of His life, and, as usual, found no help from men. Compare Ps 22:11. 26:41 The disciples were about to enter into a time of great trial. Sleeping was not the way to prepare for it. The flesh will always

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The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup may not pass from me, unless I drink it, your will be done.”

52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place. For all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that now I cannot pray to my Father and he will immediately give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, that say it must happen like this?”

43 And he came again and found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45 Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking rest? Look, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us go. Look, the one who is betraying me is near.”

55 At that same time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out as against a thief with swords and clubs to take me? Daily I sat with you teaching in the temple, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has happened, so that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him, and ran away.

47 And while he was still speaking, suddenly Judas, one of the Twelve, came. And with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, coming from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who betrayed him had given them a signal, saying, “The one I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.” 49 And immediately he came up to Jesus, and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

57 And those who seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed him, at a distance, to the courtyard of the high priest, went in and sat with the servants, to see the outcome.

50 And Jesus said to him,“Friend, why have you come?” Then they came, put their hands on Jesus, and held him. 51 And, suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out a hand,

59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and the whole Council, were looking for false testimony against Jesus, to put him to death, 60 but did not

fail us in time of temptation. It is like a traitor in our own bosom. For our spirits to win the battle against temptation we need these two things very much – watchfulness and prayer (Eph 6:10,11,18). 26:42-44 Verse 39. Three times Jesus prayed the same thing and then stopped. Compare 2 Cor 12:7,8. It is not wise for us to go on requesting God for something He denies three times. 26:45,46 Jesus was fully prepared to face any pain or suffering that might come to Him, ready to die in the place of sinners. And this preparation was a knowledge and acceptance of God’s will. So He made no attempt to escape from danger, or to satisfy the natural longing of His human nature to avoid pain and suffering and death. Knowledge and acceptance of God’s will are the greatest preparation for anything anyone ever has to face. And how is God’s will known? By studying His Word and by giving ourselves completely to Him as the Lord Jesus did (Rom 12:1,2; Col 3:16). 26:47-49 The Jewish leaders were afraid of the people, and did not want to try to take Jesus in daylight surrounded by the crowds who eagerly heard Him. So they bribed Judas and hired mercenaries that they might capture Him in secret and at night. The mercenaries would not have known where Jesus might be, and might not have been able to recognize Him in the dark. So Judas, who knew Jesus’ habits, led them and gave them a sign. No sign could have been more hypocritical, none could have shown more clearly Judas’ fundamental depravity, insincerity, and amorality.

“Rabbi” is a Hebrew word meaning “My teacher.” But Judas had never learned to behave like that from Jesus. In fact, it seems he learned very little of anything from Him. This is because he did not have a spiritual mind, one receptive to the truth. 26:50 Notice the word “friend” (Ps 41:9). Some men hated Jesus, but He hated no one. 26:51 John 18:10. 26:52 See 5:9,10,39. 26:53 A Roman legion was between three and six thousand men. All the armies of heaven would have come to the defense of Jesus if He had so prayed – not that He needed angels (John 10:17,18; 18:6). 26:54 “Scriptures” – the Old Testament (John 2:22; 10:35; 2 Tim 3:16). He was referring to those which set forth His suffering and death. For example, see Isaiah chapter 53. 26:56 See 5:17; Luke 24:25,26,44-46. “The disciples. . .ran away” – vs 31,35. 26:57 “Priest” – Ex 28:1. The Romans ruled Israel, and the Jews had no king of their own, so the leader and judge of the people was the high priest. 26:58 It was probably fear which keep him at a distance. 26:59 “Council” – the Jewish court, the Sanhedrin – 5:22. This shows the depraved character of the leaders of Israel. They wanted to achieve their own ends and cared nothing for truth and justice. See the command of the law they professed to love and uphold – Ex 20:16; 23:1,7. Compare 1 Kings 21:1-16. The leaders of Israel were guilty of the same sin as one of the greatest enemies of Israel. 26:60 This shows the perfection of Jesus’

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find any; even though many false witnesses came forward, they did not find any. Finally two false witnesses came forward, 61 and said, “This fellow said, ’I am able to destroy the temple of God and build it in three days.’”

“You were also with Jesus of Galilee.”

70 But he denied it in front of them all, saying, “I don’t know what you’re saying.”

71 And when he had gone out on the porch, another servant girl saw him, and said to those who were there, “This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.”

62 And the high priest got up and said to him, “Do you give no answer? What is this that they testify against you?”

72 And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.”

63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest responded and said to him, “I put you under oath by the living God: Tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

73 And after a while, those who were standing near by came up to him and said to Peter, “You also are certainly one of them, for your accent gives you away.”

64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it. Moreover, I tell you that hereafter you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of authority, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out, and wept bitterly.

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What need do we have of any more witnesses? See, now you have heard his blasphemy. 66 What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is worthy of death.”

When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people consulted together against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And when they had bound him, they led him away and handed him over to Pontius Pilate the governor.

67 Then they spit in his face, and beat him with fists. And others slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who is the one who hit you?”

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him, saying,

3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw

none of them. They were basing their judgment on their interpretation of Lev 24:16. 26:67 See here the hate of fallen human nature against the holy God (John 3:19; 7:7; 15:18,24; Rom 1:30). It is the hate of error against truth, evil against goodness, unrighteousness against justice, sin against holiness. And we should not think that by nature we are better than they (Rom 3:9,19; Eph 2:3). Their spitting on Him fulfilled Isa 50:6. 26:68 They said this after they had blindfolded Him (Mark 14:65). The people regarded Him as a prophet (21:11,46). The leaders were mocking the idea. 26:69-75 These verses are a fulfillment of Jesus’ words in v 34. The Bible reveals people as they were and does not hide the sins and failures of God’s servants. See Gen 9:21; 12:13; 27:18-26; Ex 32:2-4; Num 20:12; 2 Sam 11:1. 26:73 Peter was a Galilean, and their way of speaking was different from that of people of Jerusalem. 26:75 His own behavior cut Peter to the heart and overwhelmed him with a sense of failure and grief, which led to repentance. Compare 27:3-5; 2 Cor 7:10. 27:1 See 26:66. 27:2 Israel was ruled by Rome, the most powerful empire of that day. Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea where Jerusalem was situated. They took Jesus to Pilate because they did not have the authority to put anyone to death (John 18:31). 27:3 1 Tim 6:10. Judas did not repent and trust in God’s mercy, as v 5 makes clear. He

life. Even His bitter enemies could find nothing with which to accuse Him. See also 27:19; Luke 23:4; John 19:6; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 7:26; 1 Pet 2:22. 26:63 Isa 53:7; 1 Pet 2:23. What was going on was plain to everyone, and there was no need for Jesus to say anything. He here set an example of how we should behave when falsely accused (5:11; 1 Pet 2:21). The high priest was not looking for the truth. He thought that Jesus was a mere man, and that if He said He was the Son of God they could have grounds to accuse Him.

“Christ”–or “Messiah”. See note at 1:1. “Son of God” – 3:16,17; 11:27; John 3:16; 5:18-23. 26:64 “You have said it” – in the idiom of those days this was a definite “yes.” He would not defend Himself against false charges, but gave a clear answer to a question about His nature and office. He then connected His name for Himself (“Son of man” – 8:20) with a passage in the Old Testament about the Messiah, the anointed of God (Dan 7:13,14. See notes there). 26:65 The high priest knew exactly what Jesus meant. Tearing his clothes was a sign of the alarm he felt – or pretended to feel. In spite of all the evidence of Jesus’ life, teachings, and miracles, he refused to believe He was more than a mere man. So in his eyes, when Jesus said He was the Son of God, He was guilty of blasphemy. See also John 5:17,18; 8:58; 10:31-33. 26:66 According to the law of Moses there were many offenses that deserved death. See note at Ex 21:36. Jesus was guilty of

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that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse and brought the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to that.”

the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

And Jesus said to him, “You say it.” 12 And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?”

5 And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he left, went away and hanged himself.

6 And the chief priests picked up the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them in the treasury, because it is the price of blood.”

14 And he did not answer him a word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

15 Now at that feast the governor used to release to the people a prisoner, chosen by them. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas? Or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed him over out of envy.

7 And they consulted together, and bought the potter’s field with them, to bury foreigners in. 8 So that field has been called, “The field of blood” to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

And they took the thirty pieces of silver,

the price of the one whose value was

19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him, saying, ”Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I have suffered greatly in a dream because of him.”

estimated, whose price was set by the children

of Israel, 10 And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord ordered me. 11 And Jesus stood before the governor, and

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor responded and

added one more sin to his many other sins. His sorrow was only the worldly kind of sorrow, the kind that works death – 2 Cor 7:10. 27:4 Judas knew, as everyone else knew, that Jesus was innocent of any wrong doing (26:60). In the Bible there are other examples of wicked men who confessed they had sinned – see Ex 9:27; 1 Sam 26:21. Confession without forsaking sin is useless (Prov 28:13). Here the Jewish leaders showed themselves more hardened, merciless, and depraved than even Judas himself. 27:5 Suicide is self murder, and the Jews rightly regarded it as a terrible sin. People have no more right to kill themselves than to kill others. 27:6 They called it blood money because they paid it so they could take Jesus and put Him to death. They knew this was no fit offering for God. See how they were concerned to keep up outward forms even at the time they were determined to murder God’s holy Son. Compare 23:23,24. Now if we reject Him what good are all our religious beliefs, customs and rituals? 27:7-10 This was in fulfillment of Jer 32:69 and Zech 11:12,13. Jeremiah wrote of buying a field, Zechariah wrote of thirty pieces of silver and a potter (perhaps the words he spoke were originally spoken by Jeremiah but not recorded in his prophecy). Compare Acts 20:35 (a saying not recorded in the Gospels), and Jude 14 (not recorded in Genesis). But see how God works even in the minds and actions of ungodly, unbelieving men to fulfill His word. Compare John 11:49-53; Acts 2:22,23. 27:11 Another accusation the Jewish leaders brought against Jesus was that He was trying to set Himself up as a literal King

in Israel in opposition to Rome. See Luke 23:2,14; John 19:12. “You say it” – in the idiom of the language this meant a definite “yes.” But though Jesus answered “yes,” He did not mean He had been trying for political power on earth – John 18:36,37. 27:12-14 See 26:63; 1 Pet 2:23. Pilate had tried many cases, but probably had seen few, if any, accused persons who did not deny the charges against them, or at least make some sort of excuse. 27:15 He did this each year at the time of the Passover. 27:16 Barabbas was guilty of rebellion and murder (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19). 27:17 Pilate said this hoping they would ask for the release of Jesus. He knew how to weigh evidence and he soon realized that Jesus was innocent and wished to have Him off his hands (Luke 23:4,7,16,22; John 19:12). 27:18 See how deadly a sin envy is. Compare Acts 7:9; 13:45; 17:5. Let us beware of envy. It could lead us into opposition to God, and cause us to commit even terrible crimes (Prov 14:30; 27:4; Rom 13:13; 1 Cor 3:3; 2 Cor 12:20; Gal 5:26; Jam 3:14,16). 27:19 Once again the innocence of Jesus is stated – this time from an unexpected source. But it did not prevent Pilate from having Jesus crucified. 27:20 Crowds are often easily swayed by strong and unscrupulous leaders. God warns us about being swept along in a crowd to do evil ((Ex 23:2). When the crowd is bent on doing wrong, it requires great strength of character to stand against it and do what is right. 27:21 They preferred a murderer to the holy Son of God (Acts 3:13,14). Let us not think

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said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, ”Barabbas!”

reed in his right hand. And they knelt in front of him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him, and took the reed and beat him on the head. 31 And after mocking him, they removed the robe from him, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!”

23 And the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let him be crucified!”

32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon, and made him carry Jesus’ cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, 34 they gave him wine vinegar mixed with gall to drink. And when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. 35 And they crucified him, and divided his garments, casting lots, so that there might be a fulfilment of what was spoken by the prophet,

24 When Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

25 Then all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us, and on our children.”

26 Then he released Barabbas to them, and when he had Jesus beaten with a whip, he handed him over to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s palace, and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 And when they had woven a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and put a

They divided my garments among them,

and cast lots for my clothing.

36 And sitting down they watched him there. 37 And they placed over his head this written accusation against him,

THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

we are better by nature than those people. Instead let us learn what our fallen nature is like (Jer 17:9; Rom 3:9,19,23). 27:22 Pilate’s question is one all should ponder. What we do with Christ will determine our eternal destiny. If we receive Him, believe Him and love Him we will live with Him in heaven forever. If we do not, our portion will be in the lake of fire (25:41,46). To reject Him is to take the side of His enemies who crucified Him.

the law of God, and his own conscience. The flogging alone was sometimes enough to kill a man. In his depraved weakness Pilate gave Jesus up both to that and to crucifixion. 27:27-31 Pilate was also responsible for this. They were his soldiers. One accusation against Jesus was that He was making Himself a king (v 11). The mocking of the soldiers was related to this. The scarlet (or purple) robe was the color of royalty. The reed was a mocking symbol of a king’s scepter. And kings have crowns, so they gave Jesus one. Jesus is the King of heaven, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16). Man’s fallen nature would try to deny Him that and make a cruel mockery of it all. Let us learn what Rom 8:7 means. 27:30 See 26:67. 27:32 At first Jesus bore His cross (John 19:17). Was He unable to continue because of physical weakness caused by the beating He endured? 27:33 Golgotha is the Hebrew name for Calvary and means the same (“a skull”). The place was outside the walls of Jerusalem. 27:34 Ps 69:21. The idea was to stupefy those about to be executed and relieve their pains to some extent. Jesus chose to face the full force of sufferings for the sins of mankind. 27:35 Verse 28. This fulfilled the prophecy of Ps 22:18. “They” means the Roman soldiers. 27:36 Their job was to see that He died and that no one rescued Him before then. 27:37 This was Pilate’s work (John 19:19). He was mocking the Jews who had rejected Jesus as their king, but he wrote more truth than he believed or imagined. It was the custom when crucifying people to put the accusations against them on a board over

Crucifixion was a Roman form of execution. A horizontal beam of wood was fastened to a vertical beam. Then the feet of a person sentenced to death were nailed to the vertical beam, his hands to the horizontal beam, and the cross was lifted up and placed in the ground. It was a very cruel and barbarous form of execution. Jesus’ worst enemies could not state a single evil act He had done (see also 26:59,60). All they could do was rage and shout against Him. 27:24 This attempt to escape responsibility was useless. Pilate was there to administer justice. But in his sinful weakness he was willing to abandon a just man to a cruel death to pacify the Jews. In doing so he shared their guilt. There is never a way that we can wash our hands of the responsibility God puts on us. And sin and guilt can be washed away only in the blood of the One Pilate gave up to crucifixion (26:28). 27:25 “Blood” means the responsibility for His death. They were willing to be guilty of the murder of Jesus and to make their descendants guilty as well. So great was their unreasonable hatred of Him. Men abandoned to sin would kill God if they could – indeed they did when He, incarnated in the Lord Jesus, put Himself in their hands. 27:26 Pilate violated the laws of his country,

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38 At that time two thieves were crucified with him, one at the right hand, and another at the left. 39 And those who passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself. If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. 49 The rest said, “Let him alone. Let’s see whether Elijah will come to save him.”

50 Jesus, when he had cried out again with a loud voice, gave up his spirit.

51 And immediately the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks split, 52 and the tombs opened up, and the bodies of many of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and came out of the tombs after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many.

41 In the same way the chief priests also, with the scribes and elders, mocking him said, 42 “He saved others. Himself he cannot save. If he is the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43 “He trusted in God. Let him deliver him now, if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

54 Now the centurion and those who were with him guarding Jesus, seeing the earthquake and the things that happened, were very frightened and said, ”This really was the Son of God.”

44 Also the thieves who were crucified with him, in the same way heaped insults on him.

45 Now from noon there was darkness over all the land up to three in the afternoon.

55 And many women were there, watching at a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, performing service for him. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.

46 And about three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” That is to say, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

57 When it was evening there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to

47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 And immediately one of them ran, took a sponge,

their heads. 27:38 Isa 53:12. 27:39-43 Ps 22:6-18 reveals the inner experience of the Lord Jesus at this time. 27:40 Again they twist His words (26:61). 27:42 The Lord Jesus could not save Himself, only because He would not. Compare 26:53. His very purpose in coming to earth was to give Himself to suffering and death as a sacrifice for the sins of the world (20:28). If He had listened to the taunt of the Jews and come down from the cross, no one would ever have been saved from sin, no one would have been able to enter God’s holy heaven. 27:43 Jesus’ trusting in God did not mean deliverance from the cross. It meant something much greater – deliverance from the tomb and the bonds of death (28:6; Acts 3:15). 27:44 One of these robbers later changed his mind (Luke 23:39-43). 27:45 “From noon. . .to three” – this was a striking sign from God. It signified the realm of spiritual darkness Jesus entered as a just suffering for sinners. See Matt 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; Luke 22:53; Eph 5:8; Col 1:13; 2 Pet 2:4,17; Jude 13. Only Jesus knows what it cost Him, the Light of the world (John 8:12), to be plunged into darkness. 27:46 “Forsaken me” – Ps 22:1. See note there. In this also Jesus was bearing the punishment sinners deserve (7:23; 25:41; 2 Thess 1:9). God the Father forsook Him. The light of God’s face, the joy of His presence were gone. It was the Lord’s will to crush Him (Isa 53:10), and He, made sin for us (2 Cor 5:21), experienced God’s

anger against sin. 27:47 They did not understand His words. “Elijah” – 1 Kings 17:1. 27:48 Ps 69:21. 27:50 John 19:30 tells us what He said. The Lord Jesus voluntarily gave up His spirit – no one was able to take it from Him (John 10:17,18). 27:51 Another marvelous sign from God. For the significance of this veil see the note at Ex 26:31-33. Can we doubt that God Himself tore this veil in two pieces? The tearing of the veil meant that the way into God’s presence was opened by the sacrifice of Christ – Heb 9:3,8; 10:19-22. About this time of day a priest would have been burning incense in the holy place in the temple. 27:52,53 This is the only reference to this event in the New Testament. We do not know what happened to these saints after this. Fallen asleep (v 52) is a way of speaking of death often used in the Bible (notes at John 11:11,14; Acts 7:60).

“Holy city” – Jerusalem. 27:54 The Roman soldiers confessed this, but the Jewish religious leaders denied it even after these events. Thus they showed themselves more hardened, more determined in their opposition to God’s truth than the rough soldiers of a foreign power. 27:56 See 10:2; Mark 15:40; Luke 8:2. 27:57-61 “Arimathea” – a village about 30 kilometers from Jerusalem. Joseph is an example of a rich man who did enter the Kingdom of God. Compare 19:22-24. Joseph openly and boldly made known his connection with the Lord Jesus at a time when Jesus’ closest disciples were confused

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Pilate, and requested the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be handed over to him. 59 And taking the body Joseph wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and put it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out of the rock. And he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 And Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

make it as secure as you can.”

66 So they went and made the tomb secure, putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard.

After the Sabbath, as dawn was breaking on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And, suddenly, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his garment as white as snow. 4 And from fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.

62 Now the next day, the one following the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember that when he was still alive that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise again. 64 Therefore, give an order that the tomb be made secure until the third day, or his disciples may come at night and steal him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last error will be worse than the first.”

5 And the angel responded and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that your are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the

65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go

and fearful (John 20:19). Jesus’ burial in a rich man’s tomb fulfilled Isa 53:9. 27:62 This was the Preparation Day for the Passover. 27:63-66 These religious leaders brazenly called Jesus a “deceiver,” though they had no evidence whatever for that, and much evidence to the contrary. Hate blinds men to the truth, and drives them to oppose it. In this case their hate was used by God to make the evidence of Christ’s resurrection more clear and certain. For, because of them, the tomb where He lay was sealed and guarded. God is able to turn all the malice of men and the tricks of Satan to His own good purpose and to the blessing of His own people. See note at Gen 50:20. It is a striking fact that the enemies of Jesus remembered Jesus’ words that He would rise again, but His own disciples did not! 28:1 This was the third day after Jesus was crucified (Acts 10:40; 1 Cor 15:4).

28:6 The Lord Jesus said He would rise from the dead, and He did so in spite of the attempts of His enemies to prevent it. Even for a person to predict that he will rise from the dead is an extraordinary thing, unheard of in the literature of the world. Actually rising again is a marvel without compare. Observe carefully the words of the angel. The total person of the Lord Jesus rose and came out of the tomb – His body, soul and spirit. The body which had died and been placed in the tomb was no longer there, and the women could see this for themselves.

By rising from the dead the Lord Jesus proved that He was the Son of God from heaven (Rom 1:4), and that He was no deceiver (27:63). He proved Himself the conqueror of death and the giver of eternal life as He had said He was (John 5:21-29; 11:25,26). For some other truth that can be learned from Christ’s resurrection see 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Do we have any evidence that should cause us to doubt this word of God’s angel “He has risen?” None whatever. All the evidence points to the fact that He did rise from the dead.

“Sabbath” – Ex 20:8-11. “The other Mary” – the mother of James and Joseph (27:56). 28:2 “An angel of the Lord” – note at 1:20. The angel rolled the stone away from the door of the tomb, not so Jesus could get out, but so Jesus’ disciples could get in and see that it was empty (v 6). Note on angels at Gen 16:7. 28:3 Ezek 1:13,14; Dan 10:6; Rev 15:6; 18:1. 28:4 Dan 8:17; Luke 1:12; 2:9. If men are so alarmed in the presence of an angel, what will they do when they stand before God Himself (Rev 20:11,12)? 28:5 The greatest day in human history had dawned. It was a time for joy, not fear. But he did not tell the guards not to fear, only the women who were seeking for Jesus. Christ’s disciples need not fear many things that other men fear. And what is a source of great joy to them may be a cause of dread to others (16:21; 27:23; 20:19; John 10:17,18).

First, and most importantly, we have His own word for it (16:21; 17:23; 20:19; John 10:17,18; Luke 24:45).

Second, a large number of people saw Him after His resurrection, and these eye witnesses were willing to suffer and die for saying He had risen (as the book of Acts makes very clear. See also 2 Cor 11:2327). The eleven original apostles were with the Lord Jesus for forty days. They saw Him, had conversations with Him, and heard Him teach. There was no possibility of being deceived in this matter. They knew beyond any shadow of doubt that Jesus who had been crucified, who had suffered death and been buried in the tomb, was risen and alive and with them.

Third, God worked with them in great power establishing the truth they proclaimed (Heb 2:3,4. See Acts 5:12-16; 9:40,41;

85 MATTHEW 28:18

place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and now he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him. See, I have told you.”

reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 And when they had met with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Say that his disciples came at night, and stole him away while we were sleeping. 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him, and make your situation safe.”

8 And they hurried away from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to take word to his disciples. 9 And as they were going to tell his disciples, suddenly Jesus met them, saying, “Greetings.” And they came to him and clasped his feet and worshipped him.

15 So they took the money, and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spreading among the Jews to this very day.

10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brethren that they should go to Galilee, and that they will see me there.”

16 Then the eleven disciples went away to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus

11 While the women were going, some of the guard appeared, coming into the city. And they

20:9,10; 28:7-10; etc). Fourth, millions of individuals in the world today have had their lives changed by the Lord Jesus, and testify that He is real and true and living.

28:11-15 Here is another example of hatred toward the truth leading men further away from truth. That the story invented by these Jews was utterly false soon became clear to those in Jerusalem and to people around the world. And the behavior of the disciples afterwards was not that of deceivers who stole the body of Jesus and hid it somewhere – they willingly suffered and died for their teaching that Jesus had risen from the dead. 28:13 What strange instructions! If they were asleep how could they know what happened to the body of Jesus? Surely no law court in the world would accept such testimony. 28:16 Verse 10. 28:17 “Worshipped Him” – see 2:11; 4:10; 14:33. “Doubted” – it does not say what they doubted, but it is clear from the Gospels of Luke and John that the appearance of Jesus after His resurrection was not altogether the same as before, and sometimes He was not immediately recognizable (Luke 24:16,31, 36-43; John 20:15; 21:5). Jesus removed their doubts by coming near and speaking to them. But even to mention these doubts shows the honesty of the Gospel writers. If Jesus had not risen, but they were trying to convince people He had, would they have spoken of doubts and inability to recognize Him? 28:18 “All power” – the Greek word also means authority. See John 3:35; 17:2; 5:22,23; Acts 2:32,33.36; Phil 2:9-11. The Lord Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16). Blessed are all those who receive Him as such and trust in Him (Ps 2:6-12). He is directing events on earth and fulfilling His purposes. This authority was “given” to Him. By whom? By God the Father who has a higher place in the administration of the universe than the Son (John 10:29; 14:28; 1 Cor 15:22-28).

For a fuller account of Jesus’ appearances to these eye witnesses than we have in Matthew see Luke chapter 24, John chapters 20 and 21, and Acts 1:3-9. 28:7 Verses 10,16. The order of events after Christ’s resurrection is not clear. No Gospel records all of them, and each writer gives the account in the way God led him. It seems that the Lord Jesus appeared on at least eleven different occasions between His resurrection and ascension to heaven.

The order was probably like this: He appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9; John 20:14); then to women returning from the tomb without Mary Magdalene (Matt 28:9,10); then to Peter (Luke 24:34); then to two disciples on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:34); then to a group of disciples in Jerusalem when Thomas was absent (John 20:19); then to the same disciples again when Thomas was present (John 20:26-29); then to seven disciples at the lake of Galilee (John 21:1); then to a group of disciples on a mountain in Galilee (Matt 28:16); then to more than five hundred at one time (1 Cor 15:6); then to James (1 Cor 15:7); finally to the eleven apostles on the mount of Olives (Luke 24:50,51; Acts 1:9-12).

Other unrecorded appearances there must have been, for He appeared to the apostles over a period of forty days (Acts 1:3), but these appearances are not recorded. 28:8 Ps 2:11. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is a source of joy forever to those who really believe it (Luke 24:52; John 20:20). 28:9 John 20:17. 28:10 The blessed truth of the resurrection should remove our fear and send us out to speak of it. “My brethren” means the disciples (12:48,49; Heb 2:11,12). They did not immediately set out for Galilee (they were very slow to believe in Christ’s resurrection – Mark 16:11,13,14). So He appeared to them in Jerusalem (John 20:19-29).

Notice the all-inclusive words Jesus used in the last three verses of this Gospel–“all power” (v 18), “all nations” (v 19), “all things” (v 20), “always” (v 20). His disciples can go to all people groups, make disciples everywhere, and teach everything He commanded them because He has all

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came and spoke to them, saying,

the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you. And see, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

“All power is given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of

power and authority both in heaven and earth and will be with them always and everywhere, empowering them and using His authority and power on their behalf. 28:19 Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47-49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8. In verses 19 and 20 Jesus commanded the apostles to do three things: Make disciples, baptize, and teach those who become disciples to do as they themselves had been commanded.

etc). Baptism also speaks of these two things. Compare Rom 6:3-6.

Since Jesus here declared that He wants disciples to be baptized, any believer today who wants to please Him should be baptized.

“Name” – the Lord Jesus now gives the final revelation of the name of God. “Name” is singular not plural, because Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not three gods but one God perfectly united in nature and attributes. To reveal God’s name is to reveal what God is like – John 17:6; Ex 34:5-7. God is a Trinity. See also 3:16,17; 11:27; John 1:1,14,18; 5:30; 10:30; 14:16,17; 2 Cor 13:14; Eph 4:4-6. 28:20 “Teaching them” – those who become disciples in every generation need to be taught to obey all that the Lord Jesus taught and commanded. By becoming disciples they have started on the path of obedience. But they will need to understand more truth and become fully obedient to it. Faith, discipleship, and obedience are all closely linked together and no one should try to separate them (see Matt 7:21; 1 John 2:3-6; note at Acts 22:10; etc). The apostles took the command of Jesus very seriously and worked mightily to do just what He told them to do. This is clear from the book of Acts and the letters they wrote.

“Make disciples” – this is the meaning of the Greek word. The word translated “teaching” in v 20 is a different word altogether. To make disciples means his followers are to make disciples for Christ, not for themselves (as some preachers like to do). Because Jesus has authority over all people (John 17:2), His servants would be able to do what He here commands. Making disciples for Christ means to preach the gospel and proclaim the truth of God’s Word (and live) in such a way that people trust in Jesus, begin to love Him above everything and everyone, and become willing to die to self and follow Him whatever the cost. If those in the ministry are not doing this they are not doing what Jesus ordered us to do. See notes on discipleship at Matt 10:1 and Luke 14:25-35. “All nations” – this is the great missionary commission and task for every generation of Christians, and to be obedient to Christ believers must place this very high indeed in their list of priorities.

“I am with you” – this means not only with the apostles who were present then, but with their successors throughout this age, as is plain from the concluding words. Each generation needs faithful men to carry on the work of love that the apostles began. And Christ Himself will be with all of them always. In the first chapter of Matthew we have the announcement of the coming of Emmanuel – God with us (1:23). Here in the last verse is the promise that Emmanuel will be with His people to the end of the age. See also 18:20.

“Baptizing them in” – the word “them” refers only to the disciples that are made. Jesus did not tell His servants to baptize anyone else. The Greek word translated “in” may also be translated “into”. See note on baptism at 3:6. Discipleship speaks of death to self and a new life in which Christ is the center and the chief object of love (Matt 10:37-39; Luke 9:23; 14:26,27;

The Gospel According to

MARK

Author:

Mark was a cousin of Barnabas and served Christ with Barnabas, Paul, and, according to tradition, especially with the apostle Peter. Compare 1 Peter 5:13. It is very probable that he learned many of the facts he records in this Gospel from Peter. Mark’s other name was John (Acts 12:12).

Date:

Some years after the death and resurrection of Christ. Some scholars believe that this Gospel was the first to be written, and it may be so, but we have no real proof for this.

Theme:

Mark presents Christ as the Son of God (1:1) who became the Servant of God and man, and did mighty works among men (compare Acts 10:38; Rom 15:8,9). Twice He said that true greatness is in service to others (9:35; 10:42-45), and demonstrated this in His own life and ministry. Mark emphasized the deeds of Christ more than His teachings. For example, he wrote of 18 miracles of Jesus, but records only 4 of His parables (Matthew records 14 parables, and Luke has 15), and he includes no long discourses such as the Sermon on the Mount.

Contents:

The preparation of God’s Servant .................................................................. 1:1-13 He calls others to God’s service ...................................................................... 1:14-20 He performs various miracles in Capernaum ..................................................... 1:21-34 He preaches and heals in surrounding villages ................................................. 1:35-45 He heals and forgives a paralyzed man ........................................................... 2:1-12 He calls Matthew and eats in his house ........................................................... 2:13-17 He answers some objections ......................................................................... 2:18-28 He heals a withered hand and is hated by the

Jewish leaders ....................................................................................... 3:1-6 He heals many ............................................................................................. 3:7-12 He chooses His disciples ................................................................................ 3:3-19 He is accused of doing miracles by Satan’s power ............................................. 3:20-30 The unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit ................................................... 3:29,30 He speaks of His mother, sisters and brothers ................................................. 3:31-35 He gives some parables about God’s kingdom .................................................. 4:1-34 He causes a storm to cease ........................................................................... 4:35-41 He heals a man possessed by a legion of demons ............................................. 5:1-20 He raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead

and heals the woman with an issue of blood .............................................. 5:21-43 He meets unbelief and rejection in Nazareth .................................................... 6:1-6 He sends out His disciples.............................................................................. 6:7-13 The death of John the Baptist ....................................................................... 6:14-29 He feeds the five thousand ........................................................................... 6:30-44 He walks on the sea ..................................................................................... 6:45-52 He heals many ............................................................................................. 6:53-56 He disputes with the Jewish leaders ............................................................... 7:1-16 He teaches about clean and unclean .............................................................. 7:17-23 He heals the daughter of the Syro-Phoenician woman ...................................... 7:24-30 He heals a deaf and dumb man ...................................................................... 7:31-37

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He feeds the four thousand .......................................................................... 8:1-10 He warns His disciples about false teaching ..................................................... 8:11-21 He heals a blind man ..................................................................................... 8:22-26 He reveals who He is and speaks of His death

and resurrection ..................................................................................... 8:27-33 He speaks of qualifications for discipleship ....................................................... 8:34-37 He is transfigured ........................................................................................ 9:1-8 He speaks of Elijah and John the Baptist ......................................................... 9:9-13 He drives a demon out of a boy ..................................................................... 9:14-29 He teaches what true greatness is ................................................................. 9:30-37 He warns about hell ..................................................................................... 9:42-50 He teaches about marriage and divorce .......................................................... 10:1-12 He blesses little children ................................................................................ 10:13-16 He talks with the rich young ruler ................................................................... 10:17-22 He promises rewards to faithful disciples ......................................................... 10:23-31 He speaks of His death and resurrection ......................................................... 10:32-34 He teaches again about true greatness .......................................................... 10:35-45 He heals a blind man in Jericho ...................................................................... 10:46-52 He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey............................................................... 11:1-10 He curses the barren fig tree......................................................................... 11:11-14 He drives the merchants from the temple ........................................................ 11:15-17 He teaches about the power of faith .............................................................. 11:22-26 He stands against the religious leaders ........................................................... 11:27-33 He gives the parable of the vineyard .............................................................. 12:1-12 He answers the questions of the religious leaders ............................................ 12:13-40 He teaches about giving ............................................................................... 12:41-44 He tells what will happen in the future

and speaks of His second coming .............................................................. 13:1-37 He is anointed by a woman ........................................................................... 14:1-9 He is betrayed by Judas ............................................................................... 14:10,11 He eats the last Passover with His disciples ..................................................... 14:12-31 The new covenant ....................................................................................... 14:22-25 He prays in Gethsemane ............................................................................... 14:32-42 He is arrested .............................................................................................. 14:43-52 He stands before the high priest of Israel ....................................................... 14:53-65 He is denied by Peter ................................................................................... 14:66-72 He stands before Pilate ................................................................................ 15:1-15 He is mocked by Roman soldiers ..................................................................... 15:16-20 He is crucified .............................................................................................. 15:21-41 He is buried ................................................................................................. 15:42-47 He rises from death ...................................................................................... 16:1-8 He appears to His believers

and instructs His disciples ........................................................................ 16:9-18 He ascends to heaven .................................................................................. 16:19,20

89 MARK 1:31

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 as it is written in the Prophets,

believe the gospel.”

16 Now as he walked by the lake of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

See, I send my messenger before

your face, who will prepare your way before you. 3 The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’

18 And immediately they left their nets, and followed him.

19 And when he had gone on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; and they were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers, and went after him.

4 John came baptizing in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And the whole land of Judea and the people of Jerusalem went out to him, and were all baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey.

21 And they went to Capernaum. And immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them like one having authority, and not like the scribes. 23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you. You are the Holy One of God.”

7 And he preached, saying, “After me one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen the strap of his sandals. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 And it took place in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And coming up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, saying, “You are my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him.”

26 And when the unclean spirit had thrown him into convulsions and cried out in a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new teaching is this? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

12 And immediately the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts. And the angels ministered to him.

28 And immediately his fame spread all around through the region of Galilee. 29 And as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, with James and John they entered the house of Simon and Andrew. 30 But Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and

1:1 The word “Gospel” is a translation of a Greek word which means “good news.” The disciples of the Lord Jesus and Jesus Himself called it good news because it was God’s message showing the way of salvation for men. On the meaning of the names “Jesus” and “Christ” see Matt 1:1.

1:16-20 Matt 4:18-22. 1:21 “Capernaum” – Matt 4:13. 1:22 Matt 7:28,29. 1:23 “Unclean spirit” – Matt 4:24. 1:24 The demons knew that Jesus was absolutely unique in His person and His power.

“Holy one of God” is used in the New Testament only here, at Luke 4:34 and John 6:69. But the perfect holiness of the Lord Jesus is emphasized everywhere. See Luke 1:35; John 8:46; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Peter 2:21-24. 1:25 Jesus had (and still has) complete power over all evil spirits (5:1-10; Luke 10:17). 1:27 What amazed the people was not the fact of a new teaching, but the fact that Jesus backed it up with the mighty works of God. See note at Matt 8:1. 1:29-34 Matt 8:14-17.

“The Son of God” – Matt 1:18; 3:16,17; John 1:18; 3:16; 5:18-23. 1:2,3 Mal 3:2; Isa 40:3; Matt 3:3; 11:10. 1:4 Matt 3:1-6; 9:5-7. 1:5-11 Matt 3:4-17. 1:12,13 See Matt 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13. In this very brief account of Jesus’ temptation Mark mentions one fact none of the other gospels does – the presence of wild animals. This suggests Jesus was in a solitary and dangerous place. 1:14 Matt 14:3. 1:15 Matt 3:2; 4:17.

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raised her up, and immediately the fever left her, and she served them.

the house. 2 And immediately many gathered together, so that there was no room to receive them, no, not even near the door. And he preached the Word to them. 3 And they came to him, bringing a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they took off that part of the roof where he was, and when they had broken through, they let down the cot on which the paralytic was lying.

32 And in the evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and drove out many demons. And he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.

35 And in the morning, a great while before daylight, he got up, went outside and left for a solitary place. And there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him followed him. 37 And when they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

6 But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why is this man speaking blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

38 And he said to them, “Let us go to the next towns, so that I may preach there also; because I have come for this.”

8 And when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were reasoning like this among themselves, immediately he said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your cot, and walk?’ 10 But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins: (he said to the paralytic) 11 I say to you, Get up, pick up your cot, and go to your house.”

39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout Galilee, and drove out demons.

40 And a leper came to him and begged him, kneeling before him and saying to him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing. Be clean.”

12 And immediately he got up, picked up the cot, and went out in the presence of them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

42 And as soon as he spoke, immediately, the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And he gave him a strict warning and immediately sent him away, 44 saying to him, “See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and as a testimony to them, offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded.”

13 And he went out again along the shore of the lake, and all the people came to him, and he taught them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

45 But he went out and began to talk about it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a city openly, but was outside in deserted places. And they came to him from every quarter.

15 And it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in his house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many, and they followed him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and sinners, they said to his disciples,

And after some days he again went into Capernaum, and it was heard that he was in

behave so. The crowds were getting so large, the opposition from religious leaders was getting so strong, that Jesus withdrew. He did not wish to bring on a crisis at this time. See John 7:30. 2:1-12 See notes at Matt 9:1-8. Mark shows how the faith of the paralytic’s friends revealed itself in great determination to overcome all obstacles. In this they are an example to us all. On persistence of faith see Matt 7:7,8; Luke 11:5-10; 18:1-8. 2:13,14 See Matt 9:9 where Levi is called Matthew. Levi was probably his original name and Matthew his new name as an apostle. Matthew is the Greek version of a Hebrew name meaning “Gift of the LORD” (Jehovah). 2:15-17 Matt 9:10-13.

1:34 Verse 25; 3:12; 5:43; Matt 8:4; 9:30; 12:16. 1:35 Jesus often prayed (Matt 14:23; 19:13; 26:36,39; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:29; 22:32; John chapter 17; Heb 5:7). Sometimes He sought a solitary place to pray. He prayed both as a man to God and as God’s unique Son. In other words both His divine and human natures were involved in His praying. Compare John chapter 17. 1:38 See Isa 61:1. This is one of several reasons why He came from heaven to earth. For other reasons see references at Matt 5:17. 1:39 Matt 4:23. 1:40-43 Matt 8:1-4. 1:45 Instead of obeying Jesus in gratitude for his healing, he did the opposite of what Jesus said. He was not the last person to

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“How is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

And again he went into the synagogue. And a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 And they watched him to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him.

17 When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

3 And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Stand up in the middle.”

18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast. And they came and said to him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?” But they kept silent.

5 And when he had looked around at them in anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored whole like the other.

19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then, in those days, they will fast. 21 Also no one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear is made worse. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the new wine will burst the wineskins, the wine will be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

6 And the Pharisees went out, and immediately plotted with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. 7 But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a great crowd from Galilee and from Judea 8 and from Jerusalem and from Idumea and beyond the Jordan followed him. And when they heard what great things he did, a great crowd of those from around Tyre and Sidon came to him.

9 And he told his disciples that a small boat should be ready for him, because of the crowd, so that they would not press against him. 10 For he had healed many, so that as many as had afflictions crowded around him to touch him. 11 And when the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him, and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly charged them that they must not make him known.

23 And it came about that he went through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and as they went, his disciples began to pick some heads of grain.

24 And the Pharisees said to him, “Look! Why are they doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need, and was hungry, he and those who were with him? 26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the Showbread, which is not lawful to eat, except by the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?”

13 And he went up into a mountain, and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 And he ordained twelve that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to heal diseases and to cast out demons.

27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”

16 And to Simon he gave the name Peter. 17 And there were James the son of Zebedee and

2:18-22 Matt 9:14-17. 2:23-28 Matt 12:1-8. 2:27 “Sabbath” – Ex 20:8-11. The Sabbath was given so that men might have one special day each week to rest from their labors, and to worship their Creator and Redeemer. Many of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day made their rules about the Sabbath more important than the needs of people. Jesus emphasized that human beings are more important than days and regulations. Compare Col 2:16. 2:28 “Son of man” – Matt 8:20. “Lord” – Matt 12:8. 3:1-6 Matt 12:9-14. 3:5 He was angry and grieved at those who were willing to trample people in the dust to uphold man-made rules; who in the

hardness of their hearts would forbid healing and saving of life on the Sabbath, but would plot to kill on the same Sabbath. Anger and grief are often what Jesus must feel at the attitudes and actions of many religious people today also. Observe that godly anger against sin and injustice is right. It is to share in God’s anger against such things (Num 25:3). Compare Ex 32:19,20; Eph 4:26. 3:6 Matt 12:14. “Herodians” – Matt 22:16. 3:8 Idumea was an area southwest of Judea.

“Tyre and Sidon” – Matt 11:21. 3:9 Matt 13:2. 3:11,12 See 1:24,25,34. 3:13-19 Notes at Matt 10:1-4. 3:17 “Thunder” – it seems their disposition

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John the brother of James (to them he gave the name Boanerges, that is, The Sons of Thunder), 18 and Andrew and Philip and Bartholomew and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus and Simon the Canaanite 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. And they went into a house. 20 And the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat bread. 21 And when his friends heard of it, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

And again he began to teach by the lakeside, and a huge crowd gathered before him, so that he went into a boat, and sat out on the lake, and the whole crowd was on land by the lake. 2 And he taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching said to them,

3 “Listen! Look, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he was sowing it happened that some seed fell by the wayside, and the birds of the air came and ate it up. 5 And some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun came up, it was scorched, and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8 And other seed fell on good ground, and springing up and growing it yielded a crop. Some seed produced thirty, and some sixty, and some a hundredfold.”

22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons he drives out demons.”

23 And he called them over, and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan rises up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. 27 No man can go into a strong man’s house, and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

9 And he said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

10 And when he was alone, those around him together with the Twelve asked him about the parable.

28 “Truly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may impiously utter, 29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.”

11 And he said to them, “To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to those outside all these things come in parables, 12 so that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; that they might not be converted and their sins be forgiven them.”

30 He said this because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

31 Then his brothers and his mother came, and, standing outside, sent word to him, calling him. 32 And the crowd sat around him, and they said to him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are outside, looking for you.”

13 And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? But how then will you understand all parables? 14 The sower sows the Word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside, where the Word is sown. But when they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the Word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And in the same way these are the ones who are sown on stony ground. When they hear the Word, they immediately receive it with joy. 17 But they have no root in themselves, and so last only for a time.

33 And he answered them, saying, “Who is my mother, or my brothers?”

34 And he looked around in a circle at those sitting about him, and said, “See my mother and my brothers. 35 For whoever does the will of God, that one is my brother and my sister and mother.”

tended to be a bit stormy. Compare Luke 9:54. 3:20 See 6:31. 3:21 “Friends” – the Greek word used here means “those beside him,” that is, those belonging to him. It could also indicate family or relatives.

behavior. They said He was under the control of Satan.

“Beelzebub” – note at Matt 10:25. Everyone should decide what to believe about Jesus. Jesus was either mad or demon-possessed or a deliberate deceiver, or else He came from God and spoke the truth and did the works of God. All the evidence says He came from God. 3:22-29 Matt 12:25-32. 3:30 Verse 22; John 7:20; 8:48,52; 10:20. 3:31-35 Matt 12:46-50. 4:1-20 Matt 13:1-23. Mark records slightly different words than Matthew to convey the same truth. In v 11 he uses the phrase “The kingdom of God” while Matthew has

“Out of his mind” – compare John 10:20. His zeal for God was so great, His desire to teach and help people so strong, that He sometimes seemed abnormal to ordinary people who had never experienced such things themselves. Compare John 2:13-17. For similar reasons some of His followers also in every century have been regarded as foolish or crazy. See Acts 26:24. 3:22 The Jewish religious leaders had another explanation of Jesus’ teaching and

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Afterwards, when trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, immediately they fall. 18 And these are the ones who are sown among thorns; they hear the Word, 19 and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things coming in, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 And these are the ones who are sown on good ground; they hear the Word and receive it and bring forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundredfold.”

when the grain shows itself ready, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

30 And he said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we illustrate it? 31 It is like mustard seed, which, when sown in the ground, is smaller than all the seeds that are in the ground. 32 But when it is sown, it grows up and becomes the largest of all garden plants, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”

21 And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not to be put on the lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed; nor has anything been kept secret that will not come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

33 And with many such parables he spoke the Word to them, as much as they were able to understand. 34 But he did not speak to them without a parable. But when they were alone, he explained everything to his disciples.

35 And the same day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

24 And he said to them, “Carefully consider what you hear. Whatever measure you use will be the one used for you; and to you who hear more will be given. 25 For to the one who has more will be given, and from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”

36 And when they had sent the crowd away, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. And there were also other boats with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already becoming full of water. 38 And he was in the back part of the boat, asleep on a cushion. And they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are perishing?”

26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man scatters seed in the ground, 27 and night and day he sleeps and rises, and the seed sprouts and grows; how, he does not know. 28 For the earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29 But

39 And he got up and rebuked the wind, and

“The kingdom of heaven.” Evidently the two phrases often have the same meaning. On this kingdom see note at Matt 4:17. Mark adds the words “otherwise they might turn and be forgiven” to Matthew’s account in Matt 13:13 but omits verses 14,15. And Mark 4:13 is not found in Matthew. In v 19 Mark has words not found in Matt 13:22 – “The desires for other things.” Desires for the things of this earth, good or bad, may be just as powerful in choking the influences of God’s word in our lives as worry and wealth. Compare 1 John 2:16; Col 3:1,2. Luke gives other variations in his account of this parable (see Luke 8:4-15).

On a literal level, when good seed is planted in good soil there will be inevitable sprouting and growth. The fact that the sower does not understand the process does not affect it. Growth may be slow, but it is spontaneous, automatic. This in true also of the Kingdom of God working either in individual lives or in its working in the whole earth from beginning to the harvest. God’s Word is the living powerful seed sown in men’s minds and hearts. It will sprout and grow and produce a crop, though men may not understand how or be able to see it or control it. Compare 1 Cor 3:6,7; 1 Pet 1:23-25.

When there are differences in wording which of these three writers has given the accurate account? The answer is, all three. Jesus probably spoke more fully than any of them record, saying all that they have written down and even more. God’s Spirit led each of the three to choose words and phrases in keeping with the overall emphasis and purpose of his Gospel. This is true of all the variations in language used by the writers of the Gospels in reporting the words and works of Jesus. 4:21,22 These verses do not appear in Matthew chapter 13, but similar words are found in other places in that Gospel. See Matt 5:15; 10:26. 4:23 Matt 13:9. 4:24 Matt 7:2. 4:25 Matt 13:12; 25:29. 4:26-29 This parable is found only in Mark.

This is strong encouragement to preachers of the gospel, to teachers of God’s truth. They should have great confidence in the power of the Word and working of God. But the fact that there is spontaneous growth does not relieve those who hear God’s Word from responsibility – see vs 23,24.

“Harvest” – compare Matt 3:12; 13:30; Rev 14:14-16. 4:30-32 Matt 13:31,32. 4:33 Some things the disciples could not grasp. Compare John 16:12. Jesus used comparisons and illustrations to illuminate all His teachings. It is likely that He used many which are not recorded in the Bible. Compare John 20:30; 21:25. 4:34 Verses 13-20 is one example of the explanations Jesus gave. Matt 13:36-43 is another. 4:35-41 Matt 8:23-27.

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said to the lake, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

permission. And the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down a steep place into the lake (there were about two thousand of them), and were drowned in the lake. 14 And those who had been feeding the pigs ran off, and told this in the city and countryside. And they went out to see what had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the one who had been demon-possessed, the one who had the legion, sitting there clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

41 And they were very afraid, and said to one another, “What kind of a man is this, that even the wind and the lake obey him?”

And they came over to the other side of the lake, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when he came out of the boat, immediately, out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit met him. 3 The man had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, not even with chains. 4 Because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been pulled apart, and the shackles broken in pieces by him. And no one could tame him. 5 And night and day, he was always in the mountains and in the tombs crying out and cutting himself with stones.

16 And those who had seen it told them what had happened to the demon-possessed man, and also about the pigs. 17 And they began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

18 And when he got into the boat, the one who had been demon-possessed begged him that he might be with him. 19 However Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your own family, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he has had compassion on you.” 20 And he left and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

6 But when he saw Jesus at a distance, he ran and worshipped him, 7 and cried out with a loud voice, and said, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I plead with you by God not to torment me.”

21 And when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, many people gathered to him. And he was near the lake. 22 And, suddenly, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came to him, and seeing him, fell at his feet 23 and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Please come and place your hands on her, so that she may be healed and live.”

8 For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit.”

9 And he asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion, for we are many.”

10 And he begged him at length that he would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of pigs was there feeding near the mountains.

24 And Jesus went with him, and many people were following him and crowding him. 25 And a certain woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from

12 And all the demons begged him, saying, “Send us into the pigs, so that we can go into them.”

13 And immediately Jesus gave them

5:1-20 This is a fuller account of the event recorded in Matt 8:28-34. Matthew says there were two demon-possessed men. Mark singles out one of them for special notice, and so does not mention the other one. 5:2 Notes on demon possession at Matt 4:24. 5:3-5 This is a very vivid description of what demons can do to a person under their control. This man’s violent behavior and strength may be attributed to the fact that he was possessed by a great many demons (v 9). 5:7 It seems that demons always knew who Jesus was – 1:24,34. 5:9 A legion in the Roman army was between three and six thousand men. Yet in vs 2 and 8 it seems there was only one spirit. This is probably because there was one who was the leader, the “commanding officer” of the legion of demons in the man, and Jesus dealt principally with that one. 5:10 Compare Luke 8:31. 5:15 They realized that Jesus had displayed some wonderful power, but they did not understand who He was and what His

purpose was – and the sad fact is they did not want to understand (v 17). 5:19 “Tell them” – compare these instructions of Jesus with some others (1:44; 3:12). But circumstances in the region of the Gedarenes (v 1) were quite different from that in the land of Israel. The Gadarenes were not Jews, had no expectation of a Messiah, and Jesus was rarely there. There was no danger there of crowds hindering Him from accomplishing His mission. Now these words Jesus spoke to this man apply to all who have experienced the Lord’s working in their lives. 5:20 Decapolis is a Greek name meaning ten cities. The region of the Gedarenes was a part of the area called the Decapolis. 5:21 He returned to the western side of the lake of Galilee. 5:22-43 Here is a much expanded account of events found briefly in Matt 9:18-25. 5:25 Verse 42. She had been suffering all the lifetime of Jairus’ daughter. 5:26 Her disease was beyond the ability of

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many physicians, and had spent all that she had without getting any better, but got worse instead, 27 when she heard about Jesus, came in the crowd behind him and touched his cloak. 28 For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I will get well.” 29 And immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of that affliction.

put them all out, he took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying. 41 And he took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cumi,” that is, by translation, “Little girl, I say to you, get up.”

42 And immediately the child got up and walked, for she was twelve years of age. They were astonished, and their astonishment was great. 43 And he gave them strict orders that no one should know this, and said that something should be given her to eat.

30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that power had gone out of him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowds pressing around you, and you say, ‘Who touched me’?”

And he left there and came into his native place, and his disciples followed him. 2 And when the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and hearing him many were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? And what is this wisdom that has been given him, that even such mighty works are performed at his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they were offended at him.

32 And he looked around to see the one who had done this thing. 33 But the woman afraid and trembling, knowing what had happened inside her, came and fell down before him and told him all the truth.

34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed from your affliction.”

35 While he was still speaking, they came from the house of the ruler of the synagogue and said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour, except in his native place and among his own relatives and in his own house.”

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid, only believe.”

5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he placed his hands on a few sick folk and healed them. 6 And he marvelled at their unbelief. And he went around the villages teaching.

37 And he allowed no one to follow him, except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 And he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the commotion and those who were loudly weeping and wailing. 39 And when he had come in, he said to them, “Why are you making this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.”

7 And he called the Twelve and began to send them forth two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. 8 And he ordered them not to take anything for the journey, except a staff, no bag, no bread, no money in their belt, 9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

40 And they laughed at him. But when he had

10 And he said to them, “When you enter a

the doctors and medicines of that day. But her faith brought her to one greater than all doctors and human remedies. Compare Ex 15:26; Ps 103:3. 5:30 Luke 8:46. The power of God flows through the Lord Jesus to meet the needs of men who have faith in Him. He did not want the woman to hide her faith, but wished to openly commend her for it and pronounce a blessing on her (v 34). 5:34 Matt 9:22. One reason Jesus came into the world was to bring peace to troubled hearts – Luke 2:14; John 14:1,27; 20:19. 5:35 These men were willing to abandon hope and tried to get Jairus to do the same. They did not realize that death did not take a person beyond the reach of the Lord Jesus. It was as easy for Him to raise the dead as to heal the sick and dying. 5:36 Here are words for believers to write

across all the experiences of life. Fear unresisted can weaken or almost destroy faith; faith exercised can remove fear. 5:39,40 Matt 9:24. 5:41 Jesus spoke in Aramaic, a language similar to Hebrew commonly spoken in that area at that time. 5:43 See 1:44; 7:36; Matt 8:4. 6:1-5 Matt 13:54-58. Jesus’ home town was Nazareth. 6:5 Men’s unbelief makes it impossible for the Lord Jesus to do all the good to them that He desires to do. The lack is not in Him but in them. God has appointed the way of faith to receive His special blessings (9:23; Matt 9:22,29; 21:21,22; John 11:40). See note at Ps 78:41. 6:6 “Marvelled” – compare Matt 8:10 – the only other time when Jesus is said to have marveled. 6:7-11 Matt 10:1,9-14.

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house anywhere, stay there until you leave the place. 11 And whoever will not receive you, or listen to you, when you leave there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.”

of his oath, and because of those who were sitting with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded that his head be brought. And the man went, beheaded him in the prison, 28 brought his head on a dish, and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother.

12 And they went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they drove out many demons, and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

29 And when his disciples heard about it, they came and took his corpse, and placed it in a tomb. 30 And the apostles gathered around Jesus and told him everything, both what they had done and what they had taught.

14 And king Herod heard about him, for his name had become well-known. And he said, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead. Therefore these mighty powers are at work in him.”

31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not have time even to eat.

15 Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”

32 And they went away alone by boat to a deserted place. 33 And the people saw them leaving, and many recognized him, and ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them, and gathered around him. 34 And when Jesus came out of the boat, he saw many people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.

16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “It is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.”

17 For Herod himself had sent out men and seized John, and chained him up in prison, because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. 18 For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

19 Therefore Herodias held it against him, and wanted to kill him, but she could not, 20 because Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he did many things. And he was glad to hear him.

35 And when the day was almost over, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 Send them away, so they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy bread for themselves, for they have nothing to eat.”

21 And a day of opportunity came, when Herod gave a feast on his birthday for his nobles, military commanders and the leading citizens of Galilee. 22 And when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who were sitting with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”

37 He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred silver coins’ worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”

39 And he ordered them to have everyone sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 And they sat down in rows of hundreds and fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed the loaves and broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate, and were full.

23 And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask from me I will give to you, up to half of my kingdom.”

24 And she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”

25 And immediately she hurried in to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a dish.”

43 And they picked up twelve full baskets of pieces of bread and fish. 44 And it was about five thousand men who ate the loaves.

26 And the king was very sorry. But because

6:12 Observe that the preaching of repentance was a principal part of their message. See notes at Matt 3:2; 4:17. 6:13 Jam 5:14. 6:14-29 Matt 14:1-12. 6:15 “Elijah” – Mal 4:5; Matt 11:14; 17:10; John 1:19-23. 6:20 Herod was a weak man and did not

know what to do with this man whom he held in some awe and fear. 6:30 This looks back to vs 7-13. 6:31 See 3:20. 6:30-34 Matt 14:13-21. 6:34 Matt 9:36. 6:37 “Two hundred silver coins” – the Greek has “two hundred denarii.” One denarius

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45 And immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side to Bethsaida, while he sent the people away. 46 And when he had sent them away, he went off into a mountain to pray.

prophesied about you hypocrites, as it is written:

This people honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 But they worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the

47 And when evening came, the boat was out in the middle of the lake, and he alone on the land. 48 And he saw them straining hard at the oars, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he approached them, walking on the lake, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he spoke to them, and said to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

commandments of men.

8 “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men, such as the washing of pots and cups. And you do many other such things.”

9 And he said to them, “You are good at setting aside the commandment of God, so that you can keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honour your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever curses father or mother, must be put to death.’ 11 But you say that if a man tells his father or mother, ‘Anything of mine that might have been useful to you is Corban’ (that is, an offering to God ), it is all right.’ 12 And you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, 13 thus making the word of God without effect through your tradition, which you have handed down. And you do many such things.”

51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped. And in their hearts they were utterly amazed, beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they did not consider the miracle of the loaves, for their heart was hardened.

53 And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret, and drew up to the shore. 54 And when they came out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him, 55 ran throughout that whole surrounding region, and began to carry the sick on cots to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went, into villages, or cities, or countryside, they placed the sick in the marketplaces and begged him to let them touch even the hem of his cloak. And as many as touched him were made well.

14 And calling the whole crowd, he said to them, “Everyone listen to me and understand. 15 There is nothing that enters the man from outside that can defile him; but the things that defile the man are those that come from within him. 16 If any one has ears to hear, let him hear.”

17 And when he came away from the people into the house, his disciples asked him about the parable.

18 And he said to them, “Are you also so lacking in understanding? Do you not see that whatever enters into a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not come into his heart, but into the stomach, and is eliminated?” (By saying this he declared all foods clean.)

Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with “defiled,” that is, unwashed hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands in a certain way, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And many other things there be, which they have received to keep, such as the washing of cups, pots, bronze vessels, and tables.

20 And he said, “That which comes from within the man, that defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, come evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustfulness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile the man.”

5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not behave according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

24 And he got up from there and travelled to the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and went into a house, but did not want anyone to know it. But he could not escape notice. 25 For a woman whose

6 He answered and said to them, “Well has Isaiah

was a daily wage for a laborer (Matt 20:22). 6:45-56 Matt 14:22-36. 7:1-23 Matt 15:1-20. 7:19 “All foods clean” – see Acts 10:9-16. The Old Testament rules for clean and unclean foods were to teach spiritual lessons. The time had come to do away

with the literal rules and to learn the spiritual lessons. Notes at Leviticus chapter 11. 7:24-30 See Matt 15:21-28. Syrian Phoenicia was a strip of land lying along the Mediterranean Sea slightly to the north of Israel. At that time it was controlled by Syria. The Jews called the people there Canaanites.

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young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him and came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by race. And she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.

6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks and broke them, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. And they set them before the crowd. 7 And they had a few small fish. And he blessed them, and gave a command to distribute these to them. 8 So they ate and were satisfied. And they picked up seven basketfuls of the pieces of food that were left. 9 And about four thousand men had eaten. And he sent them away.

27 But Jesus said to her, “First, let the children be filled. For it is not proper to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

28 And she answered and said to him, “Yes, Lord. Yet the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 And he said to her, “Because of this statement go your way ; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”

10 And immediately he got into a boat with his disciples, and went to the region of Dalmanutha. 11 And the Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking a sign from heaven from him, testing him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

30 And when she arrived at her house, she found that the demon had left, and her daughter was lying on the bed.

31 And leaving the region of Tyre and Sidon, he came again to the lake of Galilee, through the middle of the region of Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a person who was deaf and who had a speech impediment, and they begged him to put his hand on him. 33 And he took him apart from the crowd, and putting his fingers into his ears, he spit and touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And immediately his ears were opened, and the ligament of his tongue was loosened, and he spoke clearly. 36 And he ordered them not to tell anyone, but the more firmly he ordered them, the more extensively they publicized it.

13 And he left them, got in the boat again and went away to the other side. 14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take along bread, and they did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them. 15 And he warned them, saying, “Be careful! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 And Jesus, knowing this, said to them, “Why are you reasoning because you have no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Is your heart still hardened? 18 You have eyes. Do you not see? And you have ears. Do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 And when I broke the seven loaves among four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?” And they said, “Seven.”

37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.”

In those days the crowd being very large, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples and said to them, 2 “I have compassion for the crowd, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them away fasting to their own homes, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come from a distance.”

21 And he said to them, “How is it that you do not understand?”

22 And he arrived at Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when he had spit on his eyes and put his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything. 24 And he looked up

4 And his disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread here in the wilderness to satisfy these people ?”

5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.”

to Jesus (Matt 8:17; Isa 63:9. Compare Rom 8:26). Ephphatha is a word in the Aramaic language (5:41). 7:36 See 1:44; 5:43; Matt 8:4. 8:1-10 Matt 15:32-39. 8:10 Magadan (Matt 15:39) was located in this region. 8:11-21 Matt 16:1-12. 8:22 Bethsaida was a town on the northern shore of the lake of Galilee. 8:24 There is no power in saliva to cure

7:29 Her reply was based on faith in the Lord Jesus (Matt 15:28). 7:31 Sidon was an important town about 40 kilometers north of Tyre. The reason why Jesus first went north and then southeast to Decapolis is not given, but knowing what He is like, we may surely think that it was to help and bless some person or persons.

“Decapolis” – 5:20. 7:33 See 8:23; John 9:6. 7:34 The infirmities of men were a distress

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and said, “I see men looking like trees, walking.”

And he said to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste of death, until they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

25 Then he put his hands on his eyes again, and made him look up. And he was restored, and saw everyone clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, “Do not go into the town, or tell this to anyone in the town.”

2 And after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up into a high mountain alone by themselves. And he was transfigured in front of them. 3 And his clothing became shining, as exceedingly white as snow, as no one on earth bleaching them could whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

27 And Jesus and his disciples went away to the towns of Cesarea Philippi, and on the road he questioned his disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

28 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But some say, ‘Elijah’, and others, ‘One of the prophets.’”

5 And Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. And let us make three tabernacles, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were very frightened.

29 And he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said to him, “You are the Christ.”

30 And he ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

7 And a cloud came and covered them with shadow. And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he spoke this word openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

8 And suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone, but only Jesus with themselves.

9 And as they came down from the mountain, he ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of man had risen from the dead. 10 And they kept this word to themselves, questioning one another what rising from the dead meant.

33 But turning around and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not thinking of the things of God, but of the things of men.”

34 And when he had called the people, along with his disciples, he said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Therefore, whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

11 And they asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must first come?”

12 And he answered and told them, “Elijah indeed comes first and restores all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.”

14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great crowd around them, and the scribes questioning them. 15 And immediately, when they

blindness, nor was it necessary for Jesus to touch the man to heal him (Matt 8:8,13). Perhaps by such actions (also in 7:33) Jesus was encouraging faith. 8:24,25 At first he could not see clearly. This is the only recorded time that Jesus healed anyone in stages. The reason for it is not given. Perhaps the man’s faith was deficient at first and grew by this method Jesus used. Perhaps He wanted others in need of healing who would read about this, or hear of it, not to be discouraged if they are not healed in a moment. Jesus may choose to heal them by degrees. In the spiritual realm also men often are given slowly developing spiritual sight. 8:27-38 Matt 16:13-27. 8:38 Compare Matt 10:32,33; Rom 1:16. Pride or the fear of man or a desire to win

the approval of others may make men ashamed of Christ and His Gospel. 9:1 Matt 16-28. 9:2-13 Matt 17:1-13. 9:6 Luke 9:33. When we don’t know what to say, it is usually better to say nothing. Yet from Peter’s unwise remark we learn that the disciples recognized Moses and Elijah (who had both died many centuries before). 9:12 The Lord points them to the Old Testament. See Isaiah chapter 53 and psalm 22. 9:14-32 This is a fuller account of Matt 17:14-23. Matthew does not mention this argument. Since these disciples were unable to heal the demon-possessed boy, the argument probably had to do with that, and possibly had to do with the power of Jesus to perform miracles (compare 3:22). 9:15 “Amazed” – possibly they were much

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saw him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to him, greeted him.

26 And the spirit cried out, threw him into severe convulsions, and came out of him. And he was like someone dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him to his feet. And so he got up.

16 And he asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?”

17 And one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought my son to you. He has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down. And he foams at the mouth and gnashes with his teeth. And he is wasting away. And I spoke to your disciples, so that they would drive it out, but they could not.”

28 And when Jesus came into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive him out?”

29 And he said to them, “This kind can go out by nothing except prayer and fasting.”

30 And they left there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know it. 31 For he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, “The Son of man is going to be delivered up into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And after he has been killed, he will rise the third day.”

19 He answered him and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I endure you? Bring him to me.”

20 And they brought him to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it threw him into convulsions. And he fell on the ground, and rolled around foaming at the mouth.

32 But they did not understood this statement, and were afraid to ask him.

21 And he asked his father, “How long has it been since this came to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often it has tried to destroy him by throwing him into the fire, and into the waters. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

33 And he came to Capernaum. And in the house he asked them, “What was it you were disputing about among yourselves on the way?”

34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had been disputing among themselves about who was the greatest.

23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

35 And he sat down and called the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all, and servant of all.”

24 And immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”

36 And he took a child and placed him among them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives not me but him who sent me.”

25 When Jesus saw that the people were running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and do not go into him again.”

38 And John answered him, saying, “Teacher,

surprised at His sudden appearance. 9:16 Jesus was not ignorant of the cause of the argument (Matt 9:4; John 1:47-49; 12:24,25; 21:17), but was encouraging the father of the boy to speak up. 9:17,18 Observe here some of the symptoms of some cases of demon possession. See also vs 20,22,26. 9:22 The man doubted the power of Jesus. Perhaps he thought that if Jesus’ representatives (the disciples) could not do anything neither could Jesus do anything. Men may falsely judge the power and authority of Christ by seeing the weakness of Christians. 9:23 Again we see the teaching of the Bible that faith opens the way for God to work, and unbelief hinders Him from working (6:5). Faith makes a channel for God’s power. It is a hand that grasps omnipotence. 9:24 The man was conscious of the weakness of his faith, of a mixture of belief and unbelief in his heart. And he cries to the Lord Jesus for help in this too (v 21). Jesus answered both his prayers. Do not all believers have the same struggle with unbelief this man had? Help will come from the same one who helped him (Heb 12:2).

9:25 This evil spirit was a demon which robbed the boy of his ability to hear and speak. This is the only time it is recorded that Jesus forbade an evil spirit to re-enter a person, though, for all we know, He may have done so at other times. That evil spirits sometime may do so seems clear from Matt 12:43-45. 9:29 It seems that some demons are more determined than others and that more earnest and persistent effort is required to drive them out. 9:30,31 This teaching was not yet for the whole world, but only for His disciples. Now it is at the heart of the message His disciples declare to all the world (Luke 24:45; 1 Cor 15:3,4). 9:32 Verse 10; 8:31-33. Though they were disciples they were still dull in spiritual matters – as many of Jesus’ disciples today are. Compare Paul’s wonderful prayer in Eph 1:17-19. 9:34 Luke 22:24. See Jer 45:5. 9:35 Matt 18:4; 20:26-28. 9:37 Matt 18:5; 10:40. 9:38 Among the disciples of Jesus there is always the danger of the spirit of narrowness and exclusiveness, the danger of

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we saw someone who does not follow us driving out demons in your name, and we told him to stop, because he does not follow us.”

And then he got up and went into the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. and the people gathered around him again. And, as his custom was, he taught them again. 2 And the Pharisees came to him and asked him, testing him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

39 But Jesus said, “Do not tell him to stop, for no one who does a miracle in my name, can soon say something bad about me. 40 For he who is not against us is for us. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. 42 And whoever is a cause of stumbling to one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him if a millstone were hanged around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

3 And he answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

4 And they said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.”

5 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6 But from the beginning of the creation ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let man not divide.”

43 “And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that will never be quenched, 44 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, than having two feet to be thrown into hell, into the fire that will never be quenched, 46 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out. It is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be thrown into hell fire, 48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be salted with salt.

10 And in the house his disciples asked him again about the same matter.

11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, is committing adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and gets married to another, she is committing adultery.”

13 And they brought young children to him, so that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

50 “Salt is good. But if the salt loses its saltiness, what will you season it with? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was very displeased, and said to them, “Permit the little children to come unto me, and do not stop them,

some thinking their group is the only true one and that only they have the right to do the work of God. This attitude that excludes others and counts them as unworthy is itself completely unworthy to be in any believer’s heart. Compare Num 11:2529; 1 Cor 1:10-13. 9:40 This is the other side of Matt 12:30. 9:41 Matt 10:40-42. 9:42-47 Matt 18:6-9; 5:29,30. 9:48 This is a quotation from Isa 66:24. Hell can be compared to a vast and terrible rubbish heap where fires continually burn and where worms living in the rubbish gnaw on the dead. There was such a rubbish heap outside the walls of Jerusalem in the valley of Gehenna. Gehenna is the very word translated “hell” in 12 places of the New Testament, all in Matthew and Mark, except once in Luke and once in James. Jesus gave an awful picture of the doom which awaits sinful human beings, and ignoring it is extremely foolish. See also Matt 5:22; Luke 16:23,24; Rev 20:14,15. All those who choose the rubbish and garbage of this world (Phil 3:8) and reject salvation through Christ, all those who make themselves vile and worthless will go to the rubbish heap of

the universe. This will be perfect divine justice at work.

How earnestly, then, should every human being “cut off” his sins and those influences which lead him to sin! 9:49 It is difficult to discern the meaning of this verse and its connection with the verses before and after it. Salt and fire are joined together to describe something of what men will undergo. Salt preserves, fire consumes. Some scholars think the meaning is that the eternal fires of hell will always be consuming those who will always be preserved from being completely consumed. If “everyone” means literally all men the verse could mean that the lost will be salted with fire in hell, the saved will be purified with fire now (Ps 66:12; Mal 3:2; 1 Pet 1:7). 9:50 Matt 5:13. Salt is here used as a symbol of discipleship to the Lord Jesus. Compare Luke 14:34 with its context. Peace is to be a mark of true disciples. Compare Matt 5:9. 10:1-16 See Matt 19:1-15. 10:1 See 2:13; 4:2; 6:6,34; Matt 4:23; Ps 24:4,5. The Lord Jesus still delights to teach people the truth.

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for to such as these the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I say to you, whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, will not enter it.”

have left everything and have followed you.”

29 And Jesus answered and said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions, and in the world to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

16 And he took them up in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

17 And when he was going out on the road, one came running and knelt in front of him and asked him, “Good teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

18 And Jesus said to him, “Why are you calling me good? God alone is good, no one else. 19 You know the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honour your father and mother.”

32 And they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going in front of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And again he took the Twelve aside, and began to tell them what was going to happen to him,

20 And he answered and said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my boyhood.”

33 “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be handed over to the chief priests, and to the scribes. And they will condemn him to death, and will hand him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and whip him and spit on him and kill him. And the third day he will rise again.”

21 Then Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow me.”

22 And he was sad at these words, and went away grieving, for he had great wealth.

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”

36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

37 They said to him, “Grant us that in your glory we may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left hand.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink of the cup that I drink of? And be submerged in the baptism that I am submerged in?”

26 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

39 And they said to him, “We can.” And Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink of the cup that I drink of, and be submerged in the baptism that I am submerged in. 40 But to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but will be

27 And Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible.”

28 Then Peter began to say to him, “Look, we

10:15 Matt 18:3. 10:17-31 See the notes at Matthew 19:16-30. 10:17 He came eagerly and reverently, but still went away sad (v 22). 10:21 Jesus now put a very severe test to this young man, but He did so because His divine love flooded His heart and He desired the man’s highest good. We may be sure that when the Lord asks us to do something hard and painful to us, it is because He loves us, and because we very much need to do that thing. 10:22 It is clear that this man put a higher value on what he had than on Christ and eternal life. Why should God give to anyone something they value so little? Compare Prov 4:7; Luke 14:33. 10:24 “Children” – Jesus called them children because in a spiritual sense His disciples, though full-grown men, were like

little children to Him. See Matt 10:42. 10:30 Persecutions too will follow those who follow Christ – Matt 24:9; Luke 11:29; 21:12; John 15:20; Acts 7:52; 1 Thess 3:4; 2 Tim 3:12. But they are not worthy to be compared to the glory they will receive – Rom 8:18; 2 Cor 4:17. 10:32-45 Matt 20:17-28. 10:32 There was something in His manner and His face which filled His disciples with alarm. 10:34 Compare Luke 9:51; Isa 50:7. 10:35 Their mother was with them, and both she and they made this request (Matt 20:20,21). 10:38 Like the word “cup,” baptism here is used figuratively, as a symbol. Jesus is not referring to water baptism, but being immersed in trials and sufferings. Compare Luke 12:50.

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given to those for whom it has been prepared.”

“What are you doing, untying the colt?” 6 And they told them just as Jesus had commanded, and they let them go.

41 And when the remaining ten disciples heard this, they began to be very displeased with James and John.

7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and threw their cloaks over it. And he sat on it. 8 And many spread their cloaks in the road. And others cut branches off the trees, and spread them in the road. 9 And those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, saying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

42 But Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that those who are counted as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it must not be so among you, but whoever wants to be great among you, shall be your servant, 44 and whoever of you wants to be first must be the slave of all. 45 For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

11 And Jesus came into Jerusalem and into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, since the hour was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.”

12 And the next day, after they had left Bethany, he became hungry. 13 And seeing at a distance a fig tree that had leaves, he went to find out if there was anything on it. And when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not yet the season for figs.

48 And many rebuked him so that he would keep silent, but he cried out even more, “Son of David, have mercy on me.”

14 And Jesus responded and said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples were listening.

49 And Jesus stood still and ordered him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart! Get up. He is calling you.” 50 And he, throwing aside his cloak, got up and came to Jesus.

15 And they came to Jerusalem, and Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and buying in the temple. And he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16 And he would not let anyone carry utensils through the temple.

51 And Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabbi, I want to receive my sight.”

52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus on the road.

17 And he taught them, saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a den of thieves.”

18 And the scribes and chief priests heard this and began looking for a way to destroy him, for they were afraid of him, because all the people were astonished at his teaching.

And when they came near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives he sent off two of his disciples, 2 and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you. And as soon as you get into it, you will find a colt tied up, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. 3 And if any one says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say that the Lord needs it. And immediately he will send it here.”

19 And when evening came, he went out of the city. 20 And in the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

21 And Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.”

4 And they went their way and found the colt tied by a door outside in the street and untied him. 5 And some of those who stood there said to them,

22 And Jesus in answer said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed, and thrown

10:46-52 Matt 20:29-34. Matthew says two blind men were healed at this time. Mark singles out one of them for special notice (compare 5:1,2). 10:51 The Hebrew word “Rabbi” means “my teacher” or “my guru.” 10:52 Again we see the power of faith in Christ (9:23; Matt 8:13; 9:22,29). 11:1-11 Matt 21:1-9. 11:10 God promised the kingdom to David and to his descendants forever. See 2 Sam

7:11-14; Matt 1:1; Luke 1:32,69. 11:11 “The Twelve” – the twelve apostles (3:16-19). 11:12-25 Matt 21:12-22. 11:18 These priests loved their position, authority, and honor, and they were afraid Jesus was going to change all that. 11:20 Matthew makes it clear that the previous day the fig tree withered to some extent. But now it was completely withered – “from the roots.”

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into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will take place, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever you ask for when you pray, believe that you will receive it, and you will have it.

killed. And so they dealt with many others, beating some, and killing some.

6 “So still having one son, his beloved one, last of all he sent him also to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

25 “And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive, so that your Father who is in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

7 “But those vine growers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 And they took him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9 “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those vine growers and give the vineyard to others. 10 And have you not read this Scripture? ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 11 This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes’?”

27 And they returned to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders came to him, 28 and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you the authority to do these things?”

12 And they looked for a way to seize him, but were afraid of the people. For they knew that he had spoken the parable against them. And they left him, and went away. 13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

29 And Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.”

31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From men’?” They were afraid of the people, for everyone held that John was, in fact, a prophet.

14 And when they came, they said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and do not care about anyone’s opinion, because you don’t look at anyone’s outward appearance, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Should we pay, or should we not pay?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a silver coin so I can see it.”

33 And they answered and said to Jesus, “We cannot tell.” And Jesus, answering, said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

16 And they brought it, and he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to him, “Caesar’s.”

And he began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard, set a hedge around it, dug out a place for a wine press, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to vine growers, and went to a far country. 2 And at harvest season he sent a servant to the vine growers so that he might receive his share of the produce of the vineyard from the vine growers. 3 And they seized him and beat him, and sent him away emptyhanded.

17 And Jesus, answering, said to them, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.” And they were amazed at him.

18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him, and asked him, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote this for us: If a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife, but leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and dying left no children. 21 And the second took

4 “And, again, he sent another servant to them. And they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away, shamefully treated. 5 And then he sent another servant. And him they

11:24 Again the Lord Jesus emphasizes the power of faith (2:5; 5:34; 6:5; 10:52; Matt 9:22). If we really believe that God has answered our prayer He will infallibly give what we asked. How is this faith possible? Not by trying to talk ourselves into thinking God has heard us when we believe He has not. True faith is our response to the Word of God, and a result of the Holy Spirit working in our heart. Compare Rom 8:26; 1 John 5:14,15. See Matt 9:22. 11:25 Notice the words “stand praying.” The

Bible does not say that one posture in prayer is better than another.

“Neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your sins” – compare Matt 6:14,15. 11:27-33 Matt 21:23-27. 12:1-12 Matt 21:33-46. 12:13-17 Matt 22:15-22. 12:15 See other references to hypocrisy at Matt 6:2,5,16; 7:5; 23:13,28; Luke 12:1; 19:15; 1 Tim 4:2; 1 Pet 2:1. 12:18-27 Matt 22:23-33.

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her as his wife, and died, and he also left no children. And the third also. 22 And the seven had her as a wife, and left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 23 Therefore in the resurrection, when they rise, among them whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.”

more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any question.

35 And Jesus, while he was teaching in the temple, responded to them and said, “How is it the scribes say that Christ is the son of David? 36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.’ 37 Therefore, David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the common people heard him gladly.

24 And Jesus, answering, said to them, “The reason you are in error is because you do not know either the Scriptures or the power of God. 25 For when they rise from the dead, they will not marry or be given in marriage, but will be like the angels who are in heaven. 26 And concerning the fact that the dead rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. So you are greatly deceived.”

38 And in his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes! They like going around in long robes, and greetings in the marketplaces, 39 and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts. 40 But they devour widows’ houses, and in pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

28 And one of the scribes came, and hearing them debating and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

41 And Jesus sat opposite the treasury, and watched how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich cast in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two copper coins, which amounted to a penny.

29 And Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is, ‘Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord, 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like it, namely this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

43 And he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who put money in the treasury. 44 For all of them put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in everything, all she had to live on.”

32 And the scribe said to him, “Excellent! Teacher, you have spoken the truth. There is one God, and there is no one else besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the soul and with all the strength one has, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what buildings are here !”

2 And Jesus in answering said to him, “You see these great buildings? There will not be one stone

12:28-37 Matt 22:34-46. 12:29 Deut 6:4. “Lord” – here refers to Jehovah – God’s name in the Old Testament. 12:33 See 1 Sam 15:22; Hos 6:6; Micah 6:6-8. 12:34 This man showed some spiritual understanding and some humility in confessing that the Lord Jesus had answered correctly. He was near God’s kingdom, but not yet in it. No doubt there are many in every generation in a similar state. Note on God’s kingdom at Matt 4:17. 12:35 “Son of David” – note at Matt 1:1. 12:36 Observe the words “by the Holy Spirit.” See Matt 22:43. 12:38,39 Compare Matt 23:5-7. 12:40 They were outwardly pious, but secretly greedy and merciless, preying on the weak and helpless. Compare Matt 23:25-28. (The whole of Matthew chapter 23 is a fearless exposure of the mind and ways of religious hypocrites.) 12:41 The treasury was in an outer court of the temple.

12:42 The Greek word for coins here signifies the smallest coins in use in the country. She gave two coins, not even keeping one for herself. She did not consider even a half of what she had a sufficient offering to God. 12:41-44 The Lord Jesus here teaches us some much needed lessons about giving to God. Now also He watches what we offer. Compare Heb 4:12,13. He is not impressed by the large offerings of the rich who keep far more for themselves than they give to God. In His eyes, the smallest possible gift to God may be far greater than large amounts. He regards the motive of the giver, and the cost and sacrifice involved in the giving. He sees not merely how much a person gives, but how much he keeps for himself. We may see here also that the Lord Jesus delights in the offerings given by poor believers. Compare 2 Cor 8:1-5,12. Notes and references on giving at 2 Cor 9:15. 13:1-37 Matt 24:1-51. 13:1,2 Even disciples of Jesus may too much admire the works of men and think they are

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left on another, that will not be thrown down.”

creation which God created until this time, and never will be again. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved, but for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened those days.

3 And while he was sitting on the mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew questioned him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled?”

21 “And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is Christ’ or, ‘look, he is there,’ do not believe it. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and miracles, to deceive even the chosen, if that were possible. 23 But watch out! See, I have told you everything beforehand.

5 And answering them Jesus began to say, “Watch out that no one deceives you, 6 for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am Christ, and will deceive many. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be troubled, for these things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and disturbances. These are the beginnings of birthpangs.

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars of heaven will be falling, and the powers that are in heaven will be shaken.

26 “And then they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send his angels and gather his chosen ones from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.

9 “But be on your guard, for they will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. And you will be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them.

28 “Now learn a parable from the fig tree. As soon as its branch becomes tender and produces leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So in the same way, when you see these things take place, know that he is near, even at the doors.

10 “And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

11 “But when they lead you away and hand you over, do not be anxious beforehand about what you will say, or meditate about it. But whatever is given you at that time, speak that, for it will not be you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

30 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away, until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 But no one knows of that day and that hour, no, not even the angels who are in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

12 “And brother will betray brother to death, and father his son. And children will revolt against parents, and will cause them to be put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all men for my name’s sake. But whoever endures to the end, he will be saved.

33 “Watch out, be alert and pray, for you do not know when the set time is. 34 For the Son of man is like a man in a far country who has left his house and has given authority to his servants and to each one his work, and has commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch.

14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it should not (let him who reads understand), then those who are in Judea should flee to the mountains. 15 And the one who is on the housetop should not go down to the house, or enter it to take anything out of his house. 16 And the one who is in the field should not turn back to pick up his cloak. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 And pray that your flight will not be in winter. 19 “For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the

35 “Therefore keep watch, for you do not know when the owner of the house will come, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning, 36 so that coming suddenly he will not find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you I say to everyone, Keep watch.”

The Feast of the Passover and Unleavened Bread was two days away, and the chief priests and the scribes looked for a way

valuable because of their beauty. In the end all of man’s grand works will come tumbling down. See Isa 2:6-22; Rev 18:9-24. 13:11 Matt 10:19,20. “Holy Spirit” – Matt 3:16; John 14:16,17; etc. 13:12,13 Matt 10:21,22. 13:14 Matt 24:15. “Where it should not” – means the

temple. Compare 2 Thess 2:4. 13:29 “Know that he is near” – this could also be translated “know that it is near.” 13:30 “This generation” – or “this race.” 13:32-37 This is an abridged version of Matt 24:36-51. The emphasis is on watching for the Lord’s second coming (vs 33,35,37). 14:1-72 Matt 26:1-75. 14:1 “Passover” – Ex 12:11; Lev 23:50.

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to seize him by deceit and put him to death. 2 But they said, “Not on the feast day, or there may be a riot among the people.”

to him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I ?”

20 And he answered and said to them, “It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping with me in the bowl. 21 The Son of man indeed is going just as it is written about him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would be good for that man if he had never been born.”

3 And while he was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, sitting at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of fragrant oil of spikenard. It was very valuable, but she broke the jar and poured it on his head. 4 And among them some were indignant, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred silver pieces and given to the poor.” And they complained against her.

22 And while they ate, Jesus took bread and blessed it. Then he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body.”

23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

6 And Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good deed to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want you can do good to them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burial. 9 Truly I say to you, in the whole world wherever this gospel is preached, what she has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Truly I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”

26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.

10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray him to them. 11 And when they heard this, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he looked for a way to betray him at an opportune time.

27 And Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will stumble because of me. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I have risen, I will go before you to Galilee.”

12 And on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

29 But Peter said to him, “Even though all stumble, still I will not.”

30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, this day, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

13 And he sent off two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 And say to the owner of the house where he enters, “The Teacher says, ‘Where is the guest room where I will eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared. Make preparations for us there.”

31 But he spoke even more strongly, “Even if I have to die with you, I will not at all deny you.” And they all said the same.

32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane. Then he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”

33 And he took Peter and James and John with him, and began to be very troubled and heavyhearted. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and keep watch.”

16 And his disciples went off, entered the city, and found things just as he had told them. And they prepared the Passover. 17 And in the evening he came with the Twelve.

18 And while they were sitting and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, one of you who is eating with me will betray me.”

35 And he went a little farther, and prostrated himself on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you.

19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say

ter reveal the total depravity of their character? To do evil reluctantly is one thing, to delight in it is another and far worse thing. 14:12 “Killed the Passover” – the lamb – Ex 12:3-11. See John 1:29. 14:13-15 Another example of Christ’s ability to see events in their detail which had not yet happened. 14:24 Matthew 26:28 gives the reason for this shedding of Christ’s blood. 14:27 Zech 13:7. 14:36 “Abba” is a word in the Aramaic

14:4 It was the disciples as a whole who said this (Matt 26:8), and Judas was the foremost in doing so (see also John 12:4,5. This may have been on a different occasion. See note at John 12:2). 14:5 “Three hundred silver pieces” – the Greek here has “three hundred denarii,” which was the equivalent of 300 days labor. 14:11 Base betrayal and an opportunity to kill the holiest and best person who ever lived delighted them. Could any word bet-

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Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”

servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

55 And the chief priests and all the council looked for some testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but did not find any. 56 For many gave false testimony against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 Then some men got up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made by hands, and in three days I will build another without hands.”

37 And he came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not keep watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, so that you will not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went off and prayed, and spoke the same words.

40 And when he returned, he found them sleeping again (for their eyes were heavy), and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time, and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough. The hour has come. Look, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up. Let us go. See, the one who betrays me is at hand.”

59 But not even then did their testimony agree. 60 And the high priest stood up among them and asked Jesus, saying, “Will you give no answer? What is it that these men testify against you?”

61 But he kept silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, saying to him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One ?”

62 And Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came. And with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, coming from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 And the one who betrayed him had arranged a signal with them, saying, Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Grab him and lead him away under guard.”

63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What need do we have of any further witnesses? 64 You have heard this blasphemy. What do you think?” And they all condemned him declaring him to be worthy of death.

45 And as soon as he came, he went up to him immediately and said, “Rabbi, rabbi!” and kissed him.

65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face and beat him with fists, and to say to him, “Prophesy.” And the officers struck him with the palms of their hands.

46 And they put their hands on him, and seized him. 47 And one of those standing near by drew a sword and struck a servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

66 And while Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by, 67 and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, “And you were also with Jesus of Nazareth.”

48 And Jesus responded and said to them, “Have you come out as against a thief, with swords and clubs to seize me? 49 I was with you daily, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

68 But he denied it, saying, “I don’t know what you are saying. I don’t understand it.” And he went out on the porch. And the rooster crowed.

50 Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.

69 And the servant girl, seeing him again, began to say to those who were standing near by, “This is one of them.”

51 And a certain young man wearing a linen cloth over his naked body, followed him. And the young men seized him. 52 And he ran away from them naked, leaving the linen cloth behind.

70 And he denied it again. And after a little while, those who were standing by said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your way of speaking is like that.”

53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled with him. 54 And Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest, and he sat down with the

71 But he began to curse and swear, saying, “I don’t know this man you are speaking about.”

72 And the second time the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus said to

language meaning “father.” It was possible for God the Father to save Christ from suffering and death, but it was not His will. To rescue Christ would be to forsake the plan of salvation He had devised for men and to abandon them to their doom. 14:51,52 Only Mark records this. It is likely that the young man was Mark himself. Otherwise it is very difficult to understand why he mentioned this event. 14:54 Matt 26:58 tells why Peter went into

the courtyard. 14:55 “Council” – the Sanhedrin – Matt 5:22. 14:58 This is a twisting of Jesus’ words found in John 2:19. Jesus did not say He would destroy the man-made temple. 14:69 The whole group in the courtyard became suspicious of Peter, and several of them questioned him or spoke to others there about him – the servant girl (twice), another girl (Matt 26:71), a man (Luke

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him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And thinking of it, he wept.

their knees, they worshipped him.

20 And when they had mocked him, they removed the purple robe from him, put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

And in the morning the chief priests immediately held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and they bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And answering he said to him, “It is as you say.”

21 And they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. He was passing by, coming from the countryside.

22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being translated, The Place of a Skull. 23 And they gave him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he did not take it.

3 And the chief priests accused him of many things, but he gave no answer.

4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, “Will you give no answer? See how many things they testify against you.”

24 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes, casting lots for them to determine what each one should take. 25 And it was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the accusation against him was written like this:

5 But Jesus still gave no answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

6 Now at that feast he used to release to them any one prisoner whom they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas. He was imprisoned with those who had rebelled with him, and who had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 And the crowd began to cry out and ask Pilate to do as he had always done for them.

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

27 And they crucified two thieves with him, the one at his right hand, and the other at his left. 28 And the Scripture which says, “And he was numbered with the transgressors” was fulfilled.

29 And those who passed by hurled abuse at him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Aha, you who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save yourself and come down from the cross.” 31 In the same way the chief priests also, together with the scribes, mocking him, said among themselves, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let Christ the King of Israel now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe.” And those who were crucified with him insulted him.

9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?” 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed him over out of envy.

11 But the chief priests stirred up the people, so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.

12 And Pilate answered and said again to them, “What do you want me to do to the one whom you call the King of the Jews?”

13 And they cried out again, “Crucify him!” 14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” And they cried out all the more, “Crucify him!”

33 And when it was twelve noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.

34 And at three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” This is, being translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

15 And so Pilate, wanting to satisfy the people, released Barabbas to them. And after he had Jesus whipped, he handed him over to be crucified. 16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall called the Praetorium. And they called together the whole Roman garrison. 17 And they dressed him in a purple robe, and wove a crown out of thorns, and put it around his head, 18 and began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 And they beat him on the head with a stick, and spit on him, and bowing

35 And some of those who stood near by, hearing this, said, “Look, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And one of them ran and filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to him to drink, saying, “Leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down.”

15:21 Evidently Alexander and Rufus were two individuals known to many of the readers of this Gospel in that day. We know nothing of them. A Rufus (possibly the same one) is mentioned in Rom 16:13. 15:25 The third hour was nine – in Greek the third hour, that is, the third hour after sunrise. 15:27 “Numbered with the transgressors” – Isa 53:12. The holy, spotless Son of God was regarded as a sinner.

22:58), some who had been around the fire and especially a kinsman of the servant of the high priest (John 18:25,26). All of the Gospel writers mention some of them, none of the writers mention all of them. See note on 4:1-20. 15:1 Matt 27:1,2. Matthew records the suicide of Judas, but Mark ignores it. 15:2-47 Matt 27:11-61. 15:14 See in Matt 27:25 the terrible thing the Jews now said.

MARK 15:37 110

37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and expired.

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he had been put.

38 And the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.

And when the Sabbath was over, Mary

39 And when the centurion who was standing opposite him, saw that he cried out like this, and breathed his last, he said, “This man really was the Son of God.”

Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought sweet-smelling spices, so that they could come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning on the first day of the week, they arrived at the tomb just as the sun was rising. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll the stone away from the door of the tomb for us?”

40 There were also women watching at a distance. Among them was Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome 41 (when he was in Galilee, they also followed him, and performed service for him), and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 And going into the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side, and they were frightened.

42 And now when evening came, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honoured member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, arrived and went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

6 And he said to them, “Do not be afraid. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen. He is not here. See the place where they put him. 7 But go your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he said to you.”

44 And Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. And calling the centurion, he asked him if he had been dead for some time. 45 And when he found this out from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

8 And they went out quickly and ran from the tomb, for they were gripped by trembling and amazement. They did not say anything to anyone, because they were afraid.

46 And Joseph bought fine linen, took Jesus down and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And

9 Now after Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he first appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 And she went and told those who had been with him,

– see Matt 27:62-66. 16:1-8 Matt 28:1-8. 16:1 This was a custom in preparing a body for burial. Evidently these women did not believe Jesus would rise from the dead. 16:5 This was an angel who appeared as a man (Matt 28:2). On angels see Gen 16:7. 16:7 The Lord Jesus had a special message for Peter who had denied Him. He did not want him to despair or think he was no longer regarded as a disciple. The Lord is sometimes most loving and considerate to those who have sinned the worst. 16:8 This means they did not speak to anyone along the way until they came to the disciples (Matt 28:8; Luke 24:9,19). 16:9-20 Some scholars say that these verses were not an original part of Mark’s Gospel but were added later by someone else. It is true that some ancient copies of manuscripts do not contain these verses. However, others do have them, and there is no proof that the original Gospel did not have them. The author of these notes believes that whether Mark wrote these concluding verses, or someone else wrote them, God’s Spirit inspired them and they are to be counted as a part of His Word. 16:9 John 20:11-18; Luke 8:2.

15:37 “Expired” – a good translation of the Greek here. The expression “gave up the spirit” used by Matthew is different in Greek. 15:38 Matthew 27:51. 15:42 At sunset the Jewish sabbath began and continued until sunset on the following day. During this period no work could be done (see Ex 20:8-11). Therefore Joseph wanted to get the body of Jesus down from the cross and bury it before sunset. The Sabbath mentioned here may have been the special Sabbath which began the seven day feast of Unleavened Bread, and not the regular Sabbath that came on Saturday. Some scholars suggest that Jesus died on Wednesday. Others have suggested Thursday. Others say the day was Friday. It is not a matter of the greatest importance, and we should not be dogmatic about it. 15:43 “Council” means the Sanhedrin – note at Matt 5:22. Joseph had not sided with those members who demanded the death of Jesus (Luke 23:51).

“Kingdom of God” – Matt 4:17. 15:45 Jesus died six hours after being crucified. Often those crucified remained alive on the cross for two or three days. So before giving Jesus’ body for burial he made absolutely certain that Jesus was dead. The Jewish leaders were also sure he was dead

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