Notes on Readings for Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Mark 12:13-17: It is
an attempt at a double entrapment.
Either Jesus will anger the people because he supports Rome, or he will
speak sedition to Rome over the question of taxes. These are the Pharisees-teachers of the Law
of Moses-and the Herodians-royal supporters-who are coming after Jesus now.
Mark 12:18-27: The Sadducees are a sect of aristocratic
leaders of the Jews. They have a
theology which does not include resurrection and are taking their shot at
Jesus. His response is to tell them they
are flatly wrong. Again, not the way to
win friends and influence people.
Mark 12: 28-34: Here come the scribes, experts in the law,
going after Jesus. Could not get him on
taxes, could not get him on resurrection, can they get him on the finer points
of the Law?
Mark 12: 25-40: The scribes, Round Two. This time it is the question of his being the
Son of David, as was cried by the people during Palm Sunday. They have a special place in Jesus’ hell,
described in vss. 38-40.
Mark 12: 41-44: Against all the attacks by the leaders, here
comes the balance of the true believer.
Mark 13:1-8: Jesus prophecies of the destruction of
Jerusalem and the Temple in forty years.
Mark 13:9-13: A dark view of the End of Times.
Mark 13:14-23: A passage that sounds like the worst the book
of Revelations has to offer.
Mark 13:24-37: But
Jesus does not leave his disciples without hope. The promise of his coming again is made, as
is the demand to be watchful.
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