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Mark Chapter
Twelve
I. Content of the Chapter
The Wisdom of the Bondman
the Savior
A.
He rebuked the
Jewish leaders by the parable of the evil vinedressers (v.1-12);
B.
He wisely answered
the interrogation of the Pharisees and the Herodians concerning pay tax (v.13-17);
C.
He disproved the
idea of the Sadducees concerning resurrection (v.18-27);
D.
He answered the
scribes about the question of the first commandment (v.28-34);
E.
He asked the people
about Christ (v.35-37);
F.
He taught the people
to beware of
the scribes (v.38-40);
G.
He praised the
devotion of the poor
widow before the
disciples (v.41-44).
II. Verse by Verse commentary
Mark. 12:1 “Then He began to speak to
them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug
a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers
and went into a far country. ”
YLT: “And he began to
speak to them in similes: `A man planted a vineyard, and put a hedge around,
and digged an under-winevat, and built a tower, and gave it out to husbandmen,
and went abroad;”
Literal Meaning: “set a hedge around it”,
it was to protect the vineyard from the attacks of the wild beasts or robbers
as well as the invasion of others (see Job. 1:10).
“Dug a place for the wine
vat”, it was to chisel a hard rock into a place to press and keep wine. “A wine
vat” had two layers. The upper one was used to step and press grapes and there
was a small hole in the upper layer so that the juice of grapes would be flown
into the lower layer.
“Built a tower”, it referred to the
watchtower built by wood. Such tower would be used in the time when grapes were
mature.
Spiritual Meaning: “a man” refers to God; “vineyard”
refers to the kingdom of Israel (Is. 5:7); “hedge” indicates that God protects
Israel all the time; “winepress”, wine can refresh the heart of God (Song.
5:1), showing that God plants the people of Israel in order to satisfy Himself;
“leased” unveils that the lordship of the vineyard still belongs to God; “vinedressers”
refer to the chief priests and the Pharisees (see 11:27); “went into a far
country”, it reveals the generosity of God ---- He gives men certain freedom to
operate and manage His treasure.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
vineyard was “leased” to vinedressers and its lordship still belonged to the
landowner. The Lord makes His church be governed by His servants, and the
lordship of the church is still in the Lord’s hands.
2)
Service
is our duty. However, we should not trespass the Lord’s lordship in service but
obey the Lord’s guidance in everything.
Mark. 12:2 “Now at vintage-time he sent
a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the
vineyard from the vinedressers. ”
YLT: “and he sent
unto the husbandmen at the due time a servant, that from the husbandmen he may
receive from the fruit of the vineyard,”
Spiritual Meaning: “he sent a servant”, “a
servant” referred to the prophet in the times of the Old Testament.
“Receive some of the fruit”,
it shows that we should give account to God about our service. “When vintage-time
drew near”, it shows that we should give account to God on time.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
God
has entrusted (leased) His spiritual inheritance to us and asks us to bring
forth fruit in season. And we should dedicate the fruit to God and not keep
them for ourselves.
2)
What
God hopes in us is that we can bear fruit ---- to manifest Christ by our life.
Mark. 12:3 “And they took him and beat
him and sent him away empty-handed.”
YLT: “and they,
having taken him, did severely beat, and did send him away empty.”
Mark. 12:4 “Again he sent them another
servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him
away shamefully treated.”
YLT: “`And again he
sent unto them another servant, and at that one having cast stones, they
wounded in the head, and sent away -- dishonoured.”
Mark. 12:5 “And again he sent another,
and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.”
YLT: “`And again he
sent another, and that one they killed; and many others, some beating, and some
killing.”
Spiritual Meaning: God sent His prophets
(servants) from ages and from generations to the people of Israel to speak for
God and guide them to glorify God. However, they had been persecuted and
killed. Servants that had been sent finally were the Lord’s twelve apostles and
the seventy men who were sent by the Lord.
Mark. 12:6 “Therefore still having one
son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying," They will respect my son.' ”
YLT: “`Having yet
therefore one son -- his beloved -- he sent also him unto them last, saying --
They will reverence my son;”
Meaning of Words: “respect”: turn to, hear,
honor;
Spiritual Meaning: it meant that God sent His
only begotten son Jesus Christ to come to the Jews.
Mark. 12:7 “But those vinedressers said
among themselves, "This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the
inheritance will be ours.' ”
YLT: “and those
husbandmen said among themselves -- This is the heir, come, we may kill him,
and ours shall be the inheritance;”
The Background: “the inheritance will be
ours”, according to the Jewish laws, if there was no heir to identify a certain
land, the land would be claimed to be “a land without owners” and could be
owned by anyone.
Spiritual Meaning: when these leaders of the
Judaism (vinedressers) saw Jesus Christ, they sought to kill Him (see 11:18;
Luke. 19:47).
Enlightenment in the Word: the deepest hidden purpose
of the enemy’s persecutions to the servants sent by God (see v.2-6) was to
destroy the beloved son of God and usurp His position that had inherited all.
Mark. 12:8 “So they took him and killed
him and cast him out of the vineyard. ”
YLT: “and having
taken him, they did kill, and cast forth without the vineyard.”
Spiritual Meaning: “killed him and cast him
out of the vineyard”, “out of the vineyard”, it typifies the outside of the
city of Jerusalem. Jesus was crucified outside of the city of Jerusalem (see
John. 19:17, Heb. 13:12).
Enlightenment in
the Word: the most important thing in the church is our attitude towards
Christ ---- do we respect Him (v.6) or cast Him out and not seek Him?
Mark. 12:9 “"Therefore what will
the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and
give the vineyard to others. ”
YLT: “`What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy
the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others.”
Spiritual Meaning: “He will come and destroy
the vinedressers”, God punished the obstinate and disobedient Jewish leaders
and people. It was partially fulfilled in A.D. 70, the Raman prince Titus led
soldiers to ruin the city of Jerusalem. And it will be fulfilled in the Great
Tribulation in future (Rev. 11:2).
“And give the vineyard to others.” ---- These
other vinedressers should not be another race but the new people of God ---- the
Lord’s church.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Anyone
who usurps God’s lordship and persecutes God’s servants and dishonors the Lord
will be laid aside (“destroyed”) from the will of God and lose what God has
entrusted (“lease” to other vinedressers).
2)
Now
God has entrusted His spiritual inheritance to believers, and we should never
recommit the same error: a) seize the fruit of service and usurp God’s lordship;
b) persecute and kill God’s servants; c) dishonor God’s son.
Mark. 12:10 “Have
you not even read this Scripture: "The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.”
YLT: “And this
Writing did ye not read: A stone that the builders rejected, it did become the
head of a corner:”
Spiritual Meaning: “builders” it referred to
the chief priests, the scribes and the Pharisees and etc.; “the stone” referred
to the Lord Jesus. The Lord was rejected by the leaders of Judaism and was
crucified on the cross. But God made Him be raised and become “the head of the
corner” (see Ps. 118:22, Acts. 4:11), which, in the building of the church
(house), is the most fundamental and important cornerstone in whom all the
building fitly framed together (Is. 28:16, Eph. 2:20-21, 1Pet. 2:4-7).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
building of the church must be on the basis of Christ (“the head of the corner”).
All the buildings outside of Christ will finally be fallen into pieces.
2)
Any
spiritual man or knowledge cannot replace Christ who is the center of the
building of the church.
Mark. 12:11 “This
was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?" ”
YLT: “from the Lord
was this, and it is wonderful in our eyes.'”
Mark. 12:12 “And
they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had
spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away. ”
YLT: “And they were
seeking to lay hold on him, and they feared the multitude, for they knew that
against them he spake the simile, and having left him, they went away;”
Enlightenment in the Word: though religionists were fully aware that the Lord’s words were specially
said to them, they did not want to repent at all and contrarily they even
sought to kill Him. Obviously, the knowledge of the Lord’s words in mind only
is totally different from the true revelation of the Lord’s words in heart.
Every time we read the Bible, we should read it with right attitude and then we
can profit from the Lord’s words.
Mark. 12:13 “Then
they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His
words. ”
YLT: “and they send
unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they may ensnare
him in discourse,”
The Background: “the Pharisees” were
Judaists who loved the traditions of their elders (see Acts. 15:1-2). With
strong national consciousness, they were bound to be opposed the dominion of
the Raman Empire. “The Herodians”, it was not a religious group, but a
political party upholding the puppet government of the Roman Empire ---- the dominion
of the house of Herod over the Jews, so they were deeply hated by the Pharisees.
Literal Meaning: “some of the Pharisees and
the Herodians”, the Pharisees and the Herodians were as incompatible as fire
and water, but now they were even associated with each other to catch Jesus in
His words in order to set Him up.
“To catch Him in His words”, the word “catch”
in the original was used in hunting, meaning “setting a trap to entrap
something”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
Pharisees cannot catch the Lord Jesus in deeds, so then they tried to find
fault in His words. Believers should beware of not only deeds and words as well
(see Col. 4:5-6).
2)
Today,
the devil uses many people to find faults in Christians, so we should learn to
be aware of and be wise in words.
Mark. 12:14 “When
they had come, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and
care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way
of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? ”
YLT: “and they having
come, say to him, `Teacher, we have known that thou art true, and thou art not
caring for any one, for thou dost not look to the face of men, but in truth the
way of God dost teach; is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? may we
give, or may we not give?'”
Meaning of Words: “care about”: concern; “person”: face; “way”: journey, highway;
The Background: “Is it lawful to pay taxes
to Caesar, or not?” ---- “Tax” means “capitation” in the original and it was
only applied in provinces which were directly administered by the Roman Empire.
Every male above fourteen and every female above twelve must pay the capitation
until they were sixty-five. Some of the Jews often opposed this kind of tax,
thinking that paying such tax was confessing the domination of the Romans, and
therefore, some of them just refused to pay the tax.
Literal Meaning: “teach the way of God”
indicate to teach men to understand the will of God so as to walk on the way of
God.
“Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or
not?” ---- It was a very treacherous question and also a trap of Satan. One
might fall into the trap whether he answers yes or no. If the Lord said yes,
the Pharisees would accuse before the Jews that He was unfaithful to the
kingdom of the Jews, a slave of the foreign power and the betrayer of the Jews.
If the Lord said no, the Herodians would accuse Him of rebelling before the
Roman governor and He might be sentenced to death for this.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
flattering words of the Pharisees concerning the Lord Jesus indicated that the
Lord’s testimony was so perfect that even the enemy could not but confess it. And
it also showed that they knew the Lord in the moral aspect only and yet lacked
spiritual insight. Such knowledge did not help them to receive the grace truly,
so they came to tempt the Lord. We shall not ignore the external moral
testimony, nor rather remain in moral views, but seek the spiritual knowledge
further.
2)
In
daily life, believers may be in a dilemma between things of God and things of
men or between being of spiritual and of the world. We could learn the principle
of dealing with such kind of problems from the reaction of the Lord Jesus.
3)
Believers
should imitate the Lord’s example in behaviors and works. Believers should
never make a trade of the word of God (2Cor. 2:17) and the word should not be “Yes
and No” (2Cor. 1:18). At the same time, we should not make a difference among
men (James. 2:4) or be puffed up one for another against another (1Cor. 4:6).
4)
Our
enemies are not only from the outside of the church but also from the inside; they
are not only from others, but also from our own.
5)
Those
who want to set a trap for you may say sweat words to you. Even Satan could
hide in the beautiful snake and transform itself into an angel of light (see
2Cor. 11:3, 14). Therefore we should not be deceived by men’s apparent sweat
words.
6)
Believers
should not be carless in contact with others. The Lord teaches us to beware of
men and be wise as serpents (see Matt. 10:16-17).
Mark. 12:15 “Shall
we pay, or shall we not pay?" But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to
them, "Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it." ”
YLT: “And he, knowing
their hypocrisy, said to them, `Why me do ye tempt? bring me a denary, that I
may see;'”
The Background: “show Me the tax money”,
there were three kinds of currency systems in the land of Palestine at that
time. The first was the denarion molded in Rome ---- men had to use this kind
of currency to “pay the tax” (see v.17). The second was the drachma molded
according to the Greek standard ---- it was the currency of provinces molded in
Antioch and Tyre. The third was the local currency of the Jews called shekel ----
it might be molded in Caesarea.
Literal Meaning: please note that there was
not “the tax money” in the Lord Jesus. The Pharisees brought the money with
them, but they were unwilling to pay the tax willingly and therefore the Lord
Jesus called them “the hypocrites” (see Matt. 22:18), and that was why they
were condemned.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
We
should primarily have spiritual sight to see men’s hidden hearts and thoughts
in the contact with others. This ability will be improved by the growth of
spiritual life because the spiritual discerns all things (1Cor. 2:15).
2)
The
one who has the “the tax money” should pay the tax (Rom. 13:7).
Mark. 12:16 “So
they brought it. And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is
this?" They said to Him, "Caesar's." ”
YLT: “and they
brought, and he saith to them, `Whose this image, and the inscription?' and
they said to him, `Caesar's;'”
The Background: the image of the Roman
Emperor Caesar was carved on one side of the Roman coins which were in wide
currency at that time. And on the other side, it was carved the inscription of
Caesar in Latin.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“The
image and inscription”, it stood for the authority of men. The Lord also admitted
that God had given men some authority (Rom. 13:1).
2)
Men’s
authority given by God has its realm and boundary. Anyone who is under this
realm and boundary should fear, honor and obey the authority (see Rom. 13:1-7).
Mark. 12:17 “And
Jesus answered and said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are
Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they marveled at Him.
”
YLT: “and Jesus
answering said to them, `Give back the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the
things of God to God;' and they did wonder at him.”
Meaning of Words: “Caesar”: to slit, cut open
along a line (today men call the operation of cutting the belly open for birth
as Caesarian operation).
Literal Meaning: “render therefore to Caesar
the things that are Caesar’s”, “Caesar” was the title of the Roman Emperor and
it represented the whole Roman regime. The Lord Jesus here used the word “render”
as “pay”, which meant that paying the tax was not bribery but paying one’s debt
---- it was the duty of the people to pay the tax to the one who was in power.
To God’s people who live in this world, paying tax to the government is not
contrary to being a citizen of the kingdom of God.
“To God the things that are
God’s.” ---- It seems that all the possessions of believers are gained by their
own abilities, physical power and time, but actually they are given by God (see
1Tim. 6:17) and therefore we should dedicate ourselves to God with gratitude (see
Mal. 3:8-10).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Political
and spiritual things should never be mentioned in the same breath. In political
things, we should obey the authority (Rom. 13:1-7), and in spiritual things we
should obey God and serve God wholeheartedly.
2)
On
one hand, believers are under the direct authority of God, and on the other,
believers are under the indirect authority of men. When men’s authority exceeds
the realm and trespasses the authority of God, believers ought to “obey God
rather than men” (see Acts. 5:29).
3)
We
should learn to discern what is of God and what is of men, and spiritual things
and worldly things. We should not garble them with each other.
4)
“To
Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”, it shows that God will never accept
anything that is not of Him. We should not use worldly things in spiritual
things (such as using rock and other worldly ways to spread the glad tidings).
5)
“Caesar”
means cutting. Satan wants to cut off all that is of God and God is willing to
cut off all that is of Satan.
6)
“To
God the things that are God’s”, it shows that God never allows anyone to
trespass all that is of Him. Believers should be separated to God and not be
gained by the king of this world.
7)
“Render
therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”, some of the obligations of
the people to the nation do not overpass our responsibilities for God.
8)
In
normal conditions, it is not contradictory of the obligations to both God and
the nation. We have responsibility for both of them. In fact, it is possible to
be a good citizen as well as a good Christian at the same time.
9)
Believers
should not rely on themselves to deal with difficulties, but look up to the Holy
Spirit to give us what we shall speak (see Matt. 10:19-20).
10)
Once
the Lord speaks, those who oppose shall shrink back from difficulties.
Therefore when we face hecklings, the best way is to call upon the Lord because
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (see Rom. 10:13).
Mark. 12:18 “Then
some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked
Him, saying:”
YLT: “And the
Sadducees come unto him, who say there is not a rising again, and they
questioned him, saying,”
The Background: “the Sadducees” was a
Jewish party at that time, most of whose member were rich men in upper class. The
name stemmed from the chief priest Zadok in the times of Solomon (see 1King
4:4). They opposed the Pharisees who focused on zeal only but ignored moral
deeds, so they placed great emphasis on morality, thus inclining to another
extreme, i.e. stressing on deeds only but ignoring faith. They did not believe
resurrection, holding that men perished completely after death and therefore
there were neither ghosts nor angels. They received the Pentateuch merely, but
neither regarded the prophets as important, nor received the traditions of the
elders. They had high places in politics ---- the chief priest Annas and
Caiaphas and etc. were all the Sadducees.
Enlightenment in the Word: “the Sadducees” were “rationalists”
in Judaism. They are likened to the “Modernism Liberalism” in Christianity, who
stress on the actuality and disregard the future and have hope only in this
life (see 1Cor. 15:19).
Mark. 12:19 “"Teacher,
Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and
leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise
up offspring for his brother. ”
YLT: “`Teacher, Moses wrote to us, that if any one's brother may die, and may
leave a wife, and may leave no children, that his brother may take his wife,
and raise up seed to his brother.”
Literal Meaning: this was a law in the
Jewish social system in the Old Testament and it was the law concerning the
statute that the younger brother raised up the offspring for his brother (Deut.
25:5-6). It was initially set up to protect widows and assure the continuation
of the family pedigree ---- that was the well-known “Levirate Marriage”. The
early ancestors of the Jews already had early established such custom (see Gen.
38:8).
Enlightenment in the Word: “raise up offspring for
his brother”, the spiritual meaning is that we believers should provide life to
brothers who lack life to enable them to grow and bear fruit.
Mark. 12:20 “Now there were seven
brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. ”
YLT: “`There were then seven brothers, and the first took a wife, and dying, he
left no seed;”
Literal Meaning: this is the fictitious
narrative.
Mark. 12:21 “And the second took her,
and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. ”
YLT: “and the second
took her, and died, neither left he seed, and the third in like manner,”
Mark. 12:22 “So the seven had her and
left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. ”
YLT: “and the seven
took her, and left no seed, last of all died also the woman;”
Mark. 12:23 “Therefore, in the
resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as
wife." ”
YLT: “in the rising
again, then, whenever they may rise, of which of them shall she be wife -- for
the seven had her as wife?'”
Literal Meaning: they made up this story in
the aim of sneering at the resurrection by this problem. They did not believe
the resurrection and held that the so-called resurrection said by others was only
the resurrection of the body and man would continually have a family life like
that in this age. If the resurrection is like this in deed, it may bring
difficult problems to everyone.
Enlightenment in the Word: just like the Sadducees
imagined the state after resurrection in the view of this life, if we live in
nature and walk by sight, not by faith (see 2Cor. 5:7), we can not comprehend
the spiritual things and will have many queer opinions and problems.
Mark. 12:24 “Jesus answered and said to
them, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the
Scriptures nor the power of God? ”
YLT: “And Jesus
answering said to them, `Do ye not because of this go astray, not knowing the
Writings, nor the power of God?”
Literal Meaning: the Lord Jesus pointed
that the Sadducees were wrong, for they did not believe the fact of the
resurrection and had wrong concepts of the resurrection. That was because they “did
not know the Scriptures”, and therefore they misunderstood the words of the
Scriptures. Moreover, it was also because they “did not know the power of God”,
and therefore they thought that God could neither raise men from dead nor solve
the problems in life such as the complicated family problems that they
mentioned here.
“The power of God” is clearly manifested
in resurrection (see Rom. 1:4, Eph. 1:19-20).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
reason why the concepts of the unbelievers, those who live in nature and
liberalists are wrong is nothing more than the two reasons as follows: firstly,
they do not know the Scriptures, i.e. having no spiritual knowledge; secondly,
they do not know the power of God, i.e. having no spiritual experience.
2)
We
shall read the Scriptures diligently and experience the great power of the life
of God so that we will make mistakes in spiritual things.
3)
If
we Christians lack spiritual knowledge or experience, we may fall in mistake
without realizing it.
4)
The
Scriptures is able to make men wise unto salvation (2Tim. 3:15). If a man wants
to know the Scriptures, he has to have the right intention and attitude.
Otherwise, one may always learn and is never able to come to the knowledge of
truth (see 2Tim. 3:7).
5)
What
Paul the Apostle prayed and asked is to know more about the power of God and so
that he may attain more unto the resurrection of dead
(see Eph. 1:19, Pill. 3:10-11).
Mark. 12:25 “For when they rise from the
dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in
heaven. ”
YLT: “for when they
may rise out of the dead, they neither marry nor are they given in marriage,
but are as messengers who are in the heavens.”
Literal Meaning: “are like angels of God in
heaven”, it is mainly because angels do not have the body of flesh. Therefore
there is no difference between male and female and surely they will have no
problems of getting married to have heirs. The Lord mentioned the “angels of
God in heaven” to rebut the wrong view of the Sadducees who did not believe
there were angels of God.
Our bodies are earthly, corruptible,
dishonorable, and weak, of soul and of earth at present. However, the bodies
after resurrection are heavenly, incorruptible, honorable, strong, of spirit
and of heaven (see 1Cor. 15:35-50). The conditions of a man in this age and
after death are totally different, so we should not infer the states in future
according to the works and deeds in this body today.
Enlightenment in the Word: the life style after men’s
resurrection will be greatly distinct from that in this age.
Mark. 12:26 “But concerning the dead,
that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush
passage, how God spoke to him, saying, "I am the God of Abraham, the God
of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? ”
YLT: “`And concerning
the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the Book of Moses (at The Bush),
how God spake to him, saying, I the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob;”
Literal Meaning: when the Lord Jesus argued
about the resurrection of dead with the Sadducees, He quoted the words in
Pentateuch (see Exod. 3:6) for the Law of Moses was still in authority to the
Sadducees who did not believe the resurrection. Jesus means that:
a) Since God calls Himself
the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and He Himself is not the God of the dead,
though Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were dead, God will raise them (see Matt.
8:11), otherwise He may be the God of the dead.
b) Though Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were all dead, when God mentioned
them before Moses, He still testified that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, unveiling that He kept close relationship with them. We could see that
the death in the flesh did not end their life (see Luke 16:19-31; 23:43; Phil.
1:23). In other words, they will surely rise again and have the presence of God
forever (see Matt. 8:11).
Enlightenment in the Word: from the words of the Lord
we could know that being familiar with and knowing the Scriptures are the key
to open the mysteries of the coming age.
Mark. 12:27 “He is not the God of the
dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken." ”
YLT: “he is not the
God of dead men, but a God of living men; ye then go greatly astray.'”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“He
is not the God of the dead”, it shows that: a) all that makes men die and
unable to touch life have nothing to do with God; b) If believers live in dead
condition, we may bring disgrace to our God.
2)
“God
is the God of living” shows that: a) He is the lord of life ---- he should not
be held by death (Acts. 3:15); b) He is the source of “life” ---- we can live
only by drawing near to Him and enjoying Him.
3)
Christ
shall be magnified in believers’ bodies whether by life or by death (see Phil.
1:20). Thus though we have been dead in the flesh, our spirit will still live
before God.
Mark. 12:28 “Then one of the scribes
came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered
them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" ”
YLT: “And one of the
scribes having come near, having heard them disputing, knowing that he answered
them well, questioned him, `Which is the first command of all?'”
The Background: there were six hundred and
eleven commandments generally accepted by the scribes who intensively searched
the law of the Old Testament. The number was equal to the number of the Hebrew
numbers used in the Ten Commandments. Two hundred and forty-eight of them were
positive laws and this number was equal to the total number of the structure of
human body. Three hundred and sixty-five of them were negative ones, and it was
equal to the total number of the days of a year.
Literal Meaning: “one
of the scribes”, the “scribe” was the one who was very familiar with the law of
the Moses. Most of them were of the Pharisees
“Which
is the first commandment of all?” ---- The real meaning of this question asked
by the scribe was not the greatest commandment among the six hundred and eleven
commandments, but the principle of judging the greatness of commandments. On
one hand, every commandment of the law is very important. Whoever offends in
one point, he is guilty of all (James. 2:10, Matt. 5:19). On the other hand, if
men can seize the essence of some commandments,
they will also be able to grasp the whole commandments. Therefore there is a
saying of the “first” commandment. From the following answer of the Lord, we can
see that the Lord also agree with this way of division.
Enlightenment in
the Word: when we search the Bible, we should also seize the importance of the
Bible so that we cannot go so far as to stress on the shadows (such as the
meat, the drink, the Sabbath and etc) or external phenomenon (such as speaking
dialects, healing the sick and etc) and even neglect spiritual body and reality
(see Col. 2:16-17, 1Cor. 13:8).
Mark. 12:29 “Jesus answered him,
"The first of all the commandments is: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our
God, the LORD is one. ”
YLT: “and Jesus
answered him -- `The first of all the commands, Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our
God, the Lord is one;”
Literal Meaning: “O Israel”, the Lord Jesus
quoted it from the Book of Deuteronomy (6:4-5) in the Scriptures, and it was
generally called “the Shema scriptures”. The pious Jews read it every morning
and evening, so it was regarded as the announcement of belief of the Jews.
Mark. 12:30 “And you shall love the LORD
your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with
all your strength.' This is the first commandment. ”
YLT: “and thou shalt
love the Lord thy God out of all thy heart, and out of thy soul, and out of all
thine understanding, and out of all thy strength -- this the first command;”
Meaning of Words: “all”: whole; “love”: divine love (agapao);
Literal Meaning: “with all your heart, with
all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength”, it is
emphatic, indicating that one shall love God with the whole body and the whole
life.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Even
though one has kept all the commandments, it is still of no value before God,
if it is not for the sake of “loving God”. Therefore, loving God is the first
and the best of all the commandments.
2)
If
any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha
(1Cor. 16:22). We love because He has first loved us (1John. 4:19).
3)
What
God demands us is to love Him with “all” that we have. How hard it is to us! For
many times, a lot of men and things distract our heart from loving God, making
us desire to love God and love the world secretly, and serve God and serve
mammon in secret.
4)
“With
all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength”, We have to admit that we cannot do it by ourselves, but God never
demands us to do what we cannot do. With men it is impossible, but all things
are possible with God (see 10:27).
5)
The
difference between the Christianity and all the religions in the world is that
our God has both requirements and provisions, but all the other religions have
only requirements but no provisions. Since our God asks us to love Him with “all”
that we have, He must enable us to love Him unto that degree.
6)
One
can keep the commandments only by loving God, so one shall love God if he wants
to keep the whole law. The principle of the life of Christians today is “to
love God your God”.
7)
Only
when we are filled up, immersed and compelled by God’s love (2Cor. 5:14) can we
manifest His love naturally.
Mark. 12:31 “And the second, like it, is
this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
There is no other commandment greater than these." ”
YLT: “and the second
like , this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; -- greater than these
there is no other command.'”
The Background: the Ten Commandments could
be divided into two parts. One part is towards God and the other towards men (see
Exod. 20:3-17). At that time, the Jews adopted the passage (v.37-39) in their
prayers. The common Jews all knew that the great principle of the Old Testament
was to love God and men.
Literal Meaning: “You
shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ---- It was quoted from the Book of
Leviticus (19:18).
The word “these” included
all the commandments ---- the former referred to the commandment towards God,
and the latter referred to the one towards men.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Man
has to love God first and can love others well afterwards and love his neighbor
as himself.
2)
To
love one’s neighbor as himself is not the substitute for faith, but the
production of faith.
3)
We
should do our duty both to God and men in our conversation. To God, the hinge
must be love; to men, certainly love should be the key.
4)
“Love
your neighbor as yourself” is to love unconditionally, i.e. the sacrifice love.
Only those who live in the divine life are able to do this. He loved me and
gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20).
5)
Men
should love others just like how they love themselves and how self-centered
they are (see Matt. 7:12). The principle of prayer is also the life (not in
word only).
Mark. 12:32 “So the scribe said to Him,
"Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and
there is no other but He. ”
YLT: “And the scribe
said to him, `Well, Teacher, in truth thou hast spoken that there is one God,
and there is none other but He;”
Literal Meaning: the scribe was purposely finding
faults to interrogate the Lord Jesus about the commandments so as to show that
His knowledge of the scriptures was superficial, but now he had to praise His
answer.
Mark. 12:33 “And to love Him with all
the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the
strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." ”
YLT: “and to love Him
out of all the heart, and out of all the understanding, and out of all the
soul, and out of all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as one's self, is
more than all the whole burnt-offerings and the sacrifices.'”
Literal Meaning: all the whole burnt
offerings and sacrifices are the apparent actions. Loving God and loving men
are the manifestation of inner heart, which are better than sacrifices (see
1Sam. 15:22; Ps. 51:16-17).
Enlightenment in the Word: to love God with all our
heart is better than offering sacrifices to Him. God does not need us to do
something to Him. What is most important is that God desires to gain our “heart”.
Mark. 12:34 “Now when Jesus saw that he
answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of
God." But after that no one dared question Him. ”
YLT: “And Jesus,
having seen him that he answered with understanding, said to him, `Thou art not
far from the reign of God;' and no one any more durst question him.”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
Lord said that all those who knew to love God purely and earnestly ---- the
inner spiritual reality was “more than” all the whole religious and stiff burnt
offerings and sacrifices ---- the apparent works were “wise” and were not far
from the kingdom of God. The true wisdom is to discern the spiritual reality
through the visible condition. And the kingdom of God is in spirit, not in
letter (see Rom. 2:29).
2)
We
have many pretexts and arguments outside of Christ. If
they are really brought before the Lord, all the pretexts and arguments will be
unnecessary. No one or nothing can make an exception.
3)
All
the problems in our life will vanish in Christ. He is the answer of all
problems. He is the one “I AM THAT I AM” (John 8:58 “I AM”). Whatever we need, He
is the provision of that.
Mark. 12:35 “Then Jesus answered and
said, while He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that
the Christ is the Son of David? ”
YLT: “And Jesus
answering said, teaching in the temple, `How say the scribes that the Christ is
son of David?”
Meaning of Words: “Christ”: the anointed one;
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
People
may generally notice various kinds of questions beyond Christ. However, the
Lord is only concerned about our knowledge towards Him because it is the first
question of all questions and the greatest matter of life.
2)
The
reason why men doubt about many things is that they lack the knowledge of
Christ.
3)
Men
commonly pay attention to the problems of politics, religion and the letters of
the law but neglect Christ. Politics, religion and the letters of the law
without Christ are vanity of vanities.
4)
The
most important problem of the world is the knowledge of Christ. Only Christ is
the answer of all problems.
5)
The
Apostle Paul had known the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, for whom he
had suffered the loss of all things, and counted them dung (see Pill. 3:8)
therefore he knew nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1Cor. 2:2).
Mark. 12:36 “For David himself said by
the Holy Spirit: "The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."' ”
YLT: “for David
himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said to my lord, Sit thou on My right
hand, till I place thine enemies -- thy footstool;”
Literal Meaning: the Pharisees could only
know that the coming “Messiah” (the name of Christ in Hebrew and it means the anointed
one) was the Son of David according to the literal prophecy of prophets. However,
they neither knew nor sought the words written by David in the spirit (Ps.
110:1).
“The LORD said to my Lord” The first “LORD”
is Jehovah God and the second “Lord” is the Messiah. The key of this quotation
is “my Lord”.
Spiritual Meaning: note that this verse
typifies the state that the Lord sits by the right hand of the Father now.
Enlightenment in the Word: only when we are in the
Spirit and by the revelation of God can we know Christ (see Eph. 3:5).
Mark. 12:37 “Therefore David himself
calls Him "Lord'; how is He then his Son?" And the common people
heard Him gladly. ”
YLT: “therefore David
himself saith of him Lord, and whence is he his son?' And the great multitude
were hearing him gladly,”
Spiritual Meaning: according to the flesh,
Christ is “the Son of David”; according to the Spirit of holiness, Christ is
also “the Lord of David” (see Rom. 1:3-4).
Christ is “the Son of David”,
showing the aspect of the lowliness of His humanity. Christ is “the Lord of
David”, showing the other aspect of the glory of His divinity.
Enlightenment
in the Word: today do we have complete knowledge of this glorious and
all-sufficient Christ? May the Lord ask this question to each of us.
Mark. 12:38 “Then He said to them in His
teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go
around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, ”
YLT: “and he was
saying to them in his teaching, `Beware of the scribes, who will in long robes
to walk, and love salutations in the market-places,”
Literal Meaning: “who desire to go around
in long robes”, “long robes”, they referred to the garments the scribes put on
when they performed their ministry ---- they were usually white linen robes
with the borders long unto the insteps of the feet. The Lord here rebuked them
for putting of the garments for the purpose of showing off their status.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
Those
who works for the purpose of making others see it are the hypocrites, and they
want to have glory of men deliberately (see Matt. 6:1-2, 5, 16).
2)
Religious
believers like to show off themselves, denote money, bear witness, do service,
preach and write books and many spiritual good works. Perhaps the motives of
them are to seek vain glory (see Pill. 2:3).
Mark. 12:39 “the best seats in the synagogues, and the
best places at feasts,”
YLT: “and first seats
in the synagogues, and first couches in suppers,”
Literal Meaning: “the best seats in the
synagogues”, ““the best seats” referred to the seats in the front of the
synagogues, which were usually left for those who have the highest status.
Spiritual Meaning: “the best seats in the
synagogues”, it symbolizes the spiritual status; “the best places at feasts”,
it symbolizes the worldly status.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
greatest temptation of leaders in the church is from their inner hearts ----
they like to be held high by others to show their important statuses in the
multitudes.
2)
Anyone
who cares about titles and status in the church cannot service well.
Mark. 12:40 “who devour widows' houses,
and for a pretense make long prayers. These will
receive greater condemnation." ”
YLT: “who are
devouring the widows' houses, and for a pretense are making long prayers; these
shall receive more abundant judgment.'”
Meaning of Words: “condemnation”: judgment, conviction;
Literal Meaning: who devour widows' houses”,
they extorted money from the helpless ones and swindled them out of money by
making use of the widows who were easily swindled.
“For a pretense make long prayers”, they
maintained the form of piety to conceal their sins of avarice.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
“Widows”
here referred to the believers who were helpless and easily bullied and
oppressed (see 1Tim. 5:5, Zech. 7:10). The religionists usually hold gain to be
piety (see 1Tim. 6:5) and deceive the hearts of the simple by good works and
fair speeches in order to serve their own belly (Rom. 16:18).
2)
Religionists
like to pretend the spiritual form of piety and lead captive silly women (2Tim.
3:5-6) and make them dedicate money willingly. These religionists who are
greedy for money have been erred from the faith and the Lord condemns that they
will receive greater condemnation and they have pierced themselves through with
many sorrows (1Tim. 6:10).
Mark. 12:41 “Now Jesus sat opposite the
treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury.
And many who were rich put in much. ”
YLT: “And Jesus
having sat down over-against the treasury, was beholding how the multitude do
put brass into the treasury, and many rich were putting in much,”
The Background: the outermost part of the
Holy Temple was the Court of the Gentiles (the Gentiles could not go further). Through
the inward stone steps, there was a court of women (the
Jewish women could not go further). Deeper within, it was the inner court
(the Jewish men could not go further). There were thirteen offertory boxes
under the porticoes of the court of women for worshipers of God to devote
money. The orifice of the box was similar in shape of a horn. When the money
was cast into the box, it gave off sounds. At that time, men usually cast money
into the box in public, so the amount of money could be seen by others.
Literal Meaning: “saw how the people put
money into the treasury”, it unveiled that the Lord attached great importance
to the devotion of money ---- He did not count the amount of money there, but
saw how the people devoted the money.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
Lord is also sitting opposite the “treasury” ---- the status of devotion, and
sees how we “put money into the treasury”!
2)
What
the Lord cares is not the amount of money that we devote, but the heart and
attitude of our devotion of money.
3)
Each
according as he is purposed in his heart; not grievingly, or of necessity. For
God loves a cheerful giver (2Cor. 9:7).
Mark. 12:42 “Then one poor widow came
and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.”
YLT: “and having
come, a poor widow did put in two mites, which are a farthing.”
The Background: “lepton” was the smallest
one in Jewish bills at that time, and it was worthless. “Quadrans” was the
smallest one in Roman bills at that time. “Two mites” were equal to “a quadrans”.
Literal Meaning: from this verse, we can
see that widow’s devotion has the characteristics as follows:
1.
She
was “a poor widow” ---- the word “poor” showed that she was rather poor in the external
things besides the body. “Widow” indicated that she was alone and helpless and
rather weak.
2.
She
“came” to devote ---- note that it was a voluntary devotion, not a reluctant payment.
Considering her condition, it was rather good of her if she did not complain or
seek supplications. Who would rebuke her if she did not devote? She had the
right of not coming to devote.
3.
She
“threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.” ---- Note that what she had put
were two mites, not a quadrans. If it was a quadrans which could not be
divided, she had only to devote them all. However, she could keep one of the
two mites and devote only the other one without devoting them both. Here we
could see that how absolute attitude of her devotion was.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
What
the poor men like the widow could devote was rather a few. The amount of money
in the treasury might not be less even though they did not devote. Why they
devoted on earth? Today many believers have such thoughts ---- let those rich
men take the responsibility for the works of the Lord! Is it possible that the
Lord needs such several mites of mine?
2)
There
is also someone who says that those who have money devote their money and those
who have strength devote their strength, and since I have no money, I devote
our strength and I need not devote money.
3)
There
are also men who are reluctant to devote money in big bills. They purposely
change the money in big bills into that in small bills before going to the
church lest there is no small money to devote.
4)
The
Scriptures mentioned that she was a poor widow without recording her name,
which let us learn that: (a) we shall not devote with the purpose of remember
our names; (b) we shall not escape devotion because of poverty.
Mark. 12:43 “So He called His disciples
to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
”
YLT: “And having
called near his disciples, he saith to them, `Verily I say to you, that this
poor widow hath put in more than all those putting into the treasury;”
Literal Meaning: this verse indicated two
matters:
1.
The
Lord was moved by the devotion of the poor widow and taught the disciples by
her example.
2.
The
Lord held different views upon devotion from men in the world. The real value
of the money one devotes lies in the quality, not in the amount.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
If
our devotion is set upon our own wealth with a view that we have something to
devote, there will be of little spiritual value. However, if our devotion is
built upon our poverty and helplessness, we will surely be accepted by the
Lord.
2)
Some
believer humbly confesses that what he has devoted counts nothing and is only
the two mites of the widow. Though his intended to show his self-abasement, he
actually has lowered the value of the widow’s two mites, for what the poor
widow had put in was more than all those who had given to the treasury in the
sight of the Lord.
3)
What
the Lord focuses on is different from what men focus on. Men looks on what is
visible, and the Lord looks on what is invisible. Men sees the visible money
---- they ask how much you have devoted. The Lord sees the invisible thing ----
He will ask how much you love Him. Men count how much you have devoted, and the
more the better, but the Lord sees that how much you have remained ---- how
much that you should devote but have not devoted, the less the better.
4)
She
threw in two mites without publicizing herself and went away quietly. Men
disdained to pay attention to her, but the Son of God the Lord Jesus knew what
she had done. He did not praise the money devoted by rich men, but praised the
two mites devoted by the widow. The motivation of believers’ devotion is not
gaining men’s praise, but gaining the Lord’s praise. The Lord’s praise is a
priceless treasure.
5)
The
Lord did not care for the amount of our devotion, but the heart of our
devotion. When we put the money into the offertory box, has our heart also been
devoted to Him?
Mark. 12:44 “for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of
her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood." ”
YLT: “for all, out of
their abundance, put in, but she, out of her want, all that she had put in --
all her living.'”
Literal Meaning: “for they all put in out
of their abundance”, it showed that they still had something to keep their life
after devotion.
“But she out of her poverty put in all
that she had, her whole livelihood”, it indicated that she had to live her life
in reliance on God after devotion.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
The
Lord does not see how much you have devoted, but how much you have left in your
pocket.
2)
What
she had put into the box was not “out of their abundance”, but “out of her
whole livelihood”, namely, she devoted the indispensible and only part that
kept her life. It manifested her complete obedience and confidence.
3)
Though
two mites were rather minute, it had sufficiently manifested her love toward
God. She poured her whole love to God through this matter. She preferred to be
starved to death, but was unwilling to fail in loving God. She regarded God was
worthy of her love without any consideration of her life. Since God was the
object of her love, she would never be alone in her widowed life any longer.
III. Outlines of the Spiritual
Lessons
The Nature of the Kingdom of God
A.
He
who must honor the Son of God can partake in the
B.
There
must be separation between those of the world and those of God (v.13-17).
C.
It
should be the risen life that lives in the
D.
What
is most important in the
E.
Christ
is the king in the
F.
One
shall completely overcome the bondage of money in the
The Attitudes of Men Towards the Lord
A.
The
religionists ---- who refused Him and even killed Him (v.1-12).
B.
The
politicians ---- who schemed to kill Him according to His words (v.13-17);
C.
The
philosophers ---- who created difficulties for by the reasons (v. 18-27);
D.
The
lawyers ---- who tortured Him by complicated laws (v.28-34);
The Teachings Learnt From the Wicked Vinedressers
A.
The
nature of the
1.
A
vineyard ---- it is of the range of life;
2.
Set
a hedge around it ---- it has boundary and realm;
3.
Dug
a place for the wine vat ---- it is for the sake of satisfying God;
4.
Built
a tower ---- it is on account of defending against the invasion of the enemy;
5.
And
he leased it to vinedressers ---- it has been given to
those of God to be governed, but the lordship is still of God Himself;
6.
And
went into a far country ---- it is given to those who have freewill to be
managed.
B.
The
responsibility of men to the
C.
God
showed His compassion and mercy to those who seriously lacked responsibility
---- He sent servants again and again (v.3-5).
D.
The
utmost of God’s love and the extremity of men’s rebellion ---- He sent His
beloved Son, but the Son was killed (v.6-8) ---- men’s opposition to God was
manifested in the Lord.
E.
The
building of the
The Lord is the Stone (v.10)
A.
To
the leaders of Judaism ---- the stone that the builders rejected ---- the Lord
was rejected by them.
B.
To
believers ---- the chief cornerstone ---- the Lord is the basis of building the
church.
The Problems of Believers in Life
A.
The
problems in the world (v.13-17):
1.
The
key problem is not “whether we should pay the tax or not”, but we should have separation
from the world.
2.
Render
to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
B.
The
problems concerning the faith (v.18-27):
1.
Men
can neither understand the Scriptures nor know the great power of God through
fleshly mind.
2.
God
is not a God of the dead, but the God of the living ---- the knowledge of God
does not depend on reasons, but life.
C.
The
problems concerning the interpretation of the Scriptures (v.28-37):
1.
The
focal point of the Scriptures lies in how to treat God and how to treat men.
2.
One
shall not interpret the Scriptures according to the letters only, but also
through seeking the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
D.
The
problems concerning money and vainglory (v.38-44):
1.
Money
and vainglory are the most difficult temptations for common believers to
overcome.
2.
The
faith, love and hope of God are the mysteries for us to overcome money and
vainglory.
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou