K M AR K
THE EVIDENCE: WHO WROTE IT? Like the other authors of the Gospels, the person who wrote this book didn’t sign it. So, we can’t be sure who wrote it. But there was a man named Papias who wrote other things between bet ween the years 110 and 130 after Christ. He was the first person who thought that Mark wrote this book. Mark never knew Jesus personally. It seems he was just a kid when Jesus died, but it’s thought that Peter, who definitely was with Jesus and was his friend and followed him everywhere, told Mark everything that had happened in Jesus’ life. Then Mark wrote it all down. Mark really had two names — he was called John Mark. We read that in another book of the New Testament, in Acts Ac ts 12:12 12:12 and 25. John Mark was born in Jerusalem, and he was a friend of Paul and Barnabas, and for a time the three went around together talking to the people about Jesus.
HOW LONG AGO? This is the shortest of the four Gospels. It has only 16 chapters, and it was the first gospel to be written. Some Bible experts think that Mark was in the city cit y of Rome when he wrote this book about 65 years after Jesus was born.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT? This book talks about Jesus and everything he did when he was here on Earth. Eart h. (Well, not really everything, because he did a lot more, and they couldn’t tell it all!) We liked liked reading it a lot, because Mark writes so clearly that we could understand everything. He talks about John the Baptist, who was a very brave man. And he tells how Jesus outsmarted the Pharisees when they tried to trick him. He was a genius!
THE BEST B EST PART Isabella thought the nicest part was near the end, when the women go to look for Jesus in the tomb and a man shows up and says, “He has risen! He is not here” (16:6). The part par t Mateo liked best bes t is in 10:14, 10:14, where it says, “Let the little children come to me.” That part par t is really nice because bec ause we’re children, and that means that Jesus wants us to be at his side. That’s That ’s great!
Mark 1:1
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John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1
The begin beginning ning of the good news about Jesus the Messi Mes siah, ah, a the Son of God, b 2 as it i t is writ written ten in Isaiah Isaiah the prophet: proph et: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”c — 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ‘Prepar e the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. him.’’ ” d And so John the Bap Baptist tist appeared appeared in the wilder wilderness, ness, preaching preach ing a baptism bap tism of repen re pentance for the for forgive giveness ness of sins. 5 The whole Ju Jude dean an country coun tryside side and all the people of Jeru rusa salem went out to him. Confess Con fessing ing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan Jor dan River. Riv er. 6 John wore clothing clothing made of camel’s cam el’s hair, with a leath l eather belt around his hi s waist, and he ate locusts locusts and wild honey. hon ey. 7 And this was his message: mes sage: “After “After me comes the one more power pow erful ful than I, the straps of 4
THE
W I TNESSES ✓ JOHN THE BAPTIST
(MARK 1:4)
The name John is from Hebrew and means “God was good.” And I like that! He was a prophet who went from town to town preaching God’s message and saying that Jesus was coming. He was Jesus’ cousin.
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The Son of God / the Holy One of God (MARK 1:1,24)
It’s another way to talk about Jesus, because he’s the true Son of God. It means that God chose him to be the true King of Israel.
whose sandals san dals I am not worthy wor thy to stoop down and untie. un tie. 8 I bap baptize tize you with e water,, but he will ter wil l baptize bap tize you with e the Holy Spirit.” Spir it.”
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus At that time Jesus came from NazaNaz areth in Gali Galilee and was baptized bap tized by John in the Jordan. Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming com ing up out of the water, wa ter, he saw heaven heaven being being torn open and the Spirit Spir it descend descending ing on 9
a
1 Or Jesus Christ. Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) b 1 Some manuscripts do not both mean Anointed One. c 2 Mal. 3:1 d 3 Isaiah 40:3 have the Son of God. e 8 Or in
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the s c e n e
Mark 1:22
Andrew casting Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fisher fish ermen. men. 17 “Come, fol follow low me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” people.” 18At once they left their nets and followed followed him. 19 When he had gone a lit little tle farther, farther, he saw James son of Zebe Zeb edee and his brother John in a boat, prepar pre paring ing their nets. 20 Without ithout delay delay he called them, and they left their father father Zebe Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed fol lowed him.
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit They went to Ca Caper perna naum, um, and when the Sabbath Sabbath came, Jesus went into the syna syn agogue and began be gan to teach. 22 The people peo ple were amazed at his teaching, teach ing, because he taught them as one who had 21
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13 The Greek for tempted can also mean tested.
WILDERNESS (MARK 1:4)
T
his is a region where plants and trees don’t grow, because it
hardly ever rains. It’s hot during the day, day, and the nights can ca n be very cold. In the region of Judea where John John the Baptist lived, it was a desert. No one lived there, only some wild animals.
him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: heav en: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spir Spirit it sent him out into the wilder wilderness, ness, 13 and he was in the wilderness der ness forty for ty days, being be ing tempted tempted a by Satan. Sa tan. He was with the wild ani an imals, and angels an gels attend attended ed him.
Jesus Announces the Good News
the s c e n e
JUDEAN COUNTRYSIDE (MARK 1:5)
After John was put in pris on, Jesus After went into Gali Galilee, proclaim proclaiming ing the good news of God. 15 “The time has come, come,” ” he said. “The king ki ngdom of God has come near. Repent Repent and believe be lieve the good news!”
Read the explanation of Judea in
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
(MARK 1:5)
As Jesus walked be beside side the Sea of Galiilee, he saw Simon Gal Simon and his brother broth er
Look this place up in Matthew 2:1.
14
16
Matthew 2:1.
JERUSALEM
Mark 1:23
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the s c e n e
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Locusts and wild honey (MARK 1:6)
A locust is a kind of grasshopper. In some places, they are also called crickets. John got his wild honey from the cracks of rocks. As As he lived in the desert, he couldn’t buy food at any shop, so he ate what he found. f ound. In the desert, there is almost no food at all.
The Spirit (MARK 1:10)
It means the Holy Spirit, who also is God. But we can’t see the Spirit. However, we can feel the Spirit. It’s the Spirit of God who consoles us when we’re sad, and it’s the Spirit who gives us strength when we’re tired.
authoriity, not as the teachers author teach ers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their syn syna agogue who was possessed possessed by an impure im pure spirit spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Naza Nazareth? Have you come to destroy de stroy us? I know who you y ou are — the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be qui quiet!” et!” said Jesus sternly stern ly.. “Come “C ome 26 out of him!” The im impure pure spirit spirit shook the man vio violent lently ly and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The peo people ple were all so amazed that they asked each other, oth er, “What is this? A
JORDAN RIVER (MARK 1:9)
T
his is the most important river in Palestine. It still exists and has
the same name. It’s It’s super long! l ong! From beginning to end, it measures
about 224 miles (360 km)! The river, which begins way up north, nor th, flows flows into the Sea of Galilee. Gali lee. That’ That’ss where some of Jesus’ friends would fish. From there, it continues on south and ends up in the Dead Sea. In the Bible, the Jordan Jordan River is very important, and it’s there there where Jesus Jesus was baptized.
new teaching teach ing — and with au author thoriity! He even gives orders orders to impure im pure spirits spirits and they obey him. him.” ” 28 News about him spread quickly quick ly over the whole region re gion of Gali Galilee.
Jesus Heals Many As soon as they left lef t the t he syna syn agogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon Simon and Andrew. An drew. 30 Si Simon’s mon’s mother-in-law moth er-in-law was in bed with a fever, fe ver, and they imme immedi diate ately ly told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her her,, took her hand and a nd helped her up. The fever fe ver left her and she began be gan to wait on them. 29
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That eve evening ning after after sunset sunset the people people brought to Jesus all the sick and de monpossessed. pos sessed. 33 The whole town gathered gath ered at 34 the door, and Jesus healed many who wh o had vari various diseas diseases. es. He also drove out many demons, demons, but he would not let the demons de mons speak because be cause they knew who he was. 32
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place Very ear Very early ly in the morning, morn ing, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a soli sol itary place, where he prayed. 36 Si Simon mon and his compan com panions ions 37 went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: exclaimed: “Every “Everyone one is looking look ing for you!” 38 Jesus re replied, plied, “Let us go somewhere some where else — to the near nearby by villag villages es — so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled through throughout out 35
the s c e n e
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Sabbath (MARK 1:21)
In the Bible, and for the Jews even today and for some Christians, Saturday is the day to rest and think only about God and study the Bible. God told the Jews to do this a very, very long time ago. It’s also called the “day of rest.” Galilee, preaching Gali preach ing in their syna syn agogues and driving driving out demons. demons.
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy A man with lep lepro rosy sy a came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Jesus was in indig dignant. nant. b He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Im Imme medi diate ately ly the lepro leprosy sy left him and he was cleansed. 43 Jesus sent him away at once with wi th a 44 strong warning: warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. anyone. But go, show yourself your self to the priest and offer of fer the sacri rific fices es that Moses Mo ses command commanded ed for your cleans cl eansing, as a testi testimo mony ny to them.” 45 In Instead stead he went out and began began to talk freely, freely, spread spreading ing the news. As a result, result, Jesus could no longer longer enter en ter a town open op enly but stayed outside out side in 40
SEA OF GALILEE (MARK 1:16)
T
his is a big lake in the northern part of the Jordan Valley. The wind is often ofte n very strong over this lake, l ake, because it’ it’ss surrounded sur rounded by mountains. Sometimes it’s also called the Lake of Gennesaret.
a
40 The Greek word word traditionally translated leprosy was was b 41 Many used for various diseases affecting the skin. manuscripts Jesus was filled with compassion
Mark 2:1
1270 sit ting there, thinking sitting think ing to themselves, them selves, 7 “Why does this fel fellow low talk like l ike that? He’s He’s blasphem blas pheming! ing! Who can forgive for give sins but God alone?” 8 Im Imme medi diate ately ly Jesus knew in his spirit spir it that this was what they were thinking think ing in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking thinking these things? 9 Which is easiier: to say to this para eas paralyzed man, ‘Your ‘Your sins are forgiv forgiven,’ en,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has au thor thoriity on earth to forgive for give sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your
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“Show yourself to the priest and off offer er the sacr sacrific ifices es . . .” (MARK 1:44)
In Bible times, the only person who could say a person had been cured of leprosy was the temple priest. This was very important, because if the priest didn’t say he had been cured, this lonely person couldn’t go back and live with his family.
lonely places. lonely places. Yet the people peo ple still came to him from every everywhere. where.
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
2
A few days later later,, when Jesus again a gain entered Caper Caperna naum, um, the people people heard that he had come home. 2 They gath gathered ered in such large numbers num bers that there was no room left, not even outside out side the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing bringing to him a para paralyzed 4 man, carried carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus be cause of the crowd, they made an opening open ing in the roof above Jesus by digging dig ging through it and then lowered lowered the mat the man was lying ly ing on. 5 When Jesus Je sus saw their faith, he said to the para paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiv for given.” en.” 6 Now some teach teachers ers of the law were
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What were were the houses hous es like in Jesus’ time? (MARK 2:1 – 12)
In Jesus’ time, people’s houses weren’t like ours. Almost all the houses had just one room with only a few pieces of furniture. The walls were made of adobe (dry mud sometimes mixed with straw). Some houses had stone walls. The floors weren’t made of wood, cement or tile — they were just really hard dirt, well crushed. The roofs roof s were wood covered with dirt, dirt, so very ver y often little plants would grow in the dirt and the people would have to pull those weeds out. All around the roof, there would be a railing to keep people from falling off.
1271 mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed every ev eryone one and they praised God, saying, saying, “We have never nev er seen anything any thing like this!”
Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners Once again Jesus went out be beside side the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphae Al phaeus us sitting at the tax collec collector’s tor’s booth. bo oth. “Fol low me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed fol lowed him. 15 While Jesus was having hav ing dinner dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collec col lectors tors and sin13
THE
W I TNESSES ✓ LEVI, SON OF ALPHAEUS
(MARK 2:14)
Matthew 9:9 calls this man Matthew. You can read who he was there.
Mark 2:21
ners were eating eating with him and his discidis ciples, for there were many who followed followed him. 16 When the teach teachers ers of the law who were Phari Pharisees saw him eating eat ing with the sinners sin ners and tax collec col lectors, tors, they asked his disci dis ciples: ples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors lec tors and sinners?” sin ners?” 17 On hear hearing ing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the t he healthy hea lthy who wh o need a doc tor tor,, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, righ teous, but sinners.” sinners.”
Jesus Questioned About Fasting Now John’ John’s s disci ciples ples and the PhariPhar isees were fasting. fast ing. Some people peo ple came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disci dis ciples and the dis disci ciples ples of the PhariPharisees are fasting, fast ing, but yours are not?” 19 Jesus an answered, swered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom bride groom fast while he is with them? They cannot, can not, so long as they have him with them. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom bride groom will be taken tak en from them, and on that day they will fast. 21 “No one sews sew s a patch of un shrunk cloth on an old garment. gar ment. Otherwise, Otherwise, the 18
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Sinners (MARK 2:17)
Everyone is sinful, because we are not perfect no matter how hard we try. But Jesus came for sinners. This is good news.
Mark 2:22
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new piece will pull awa awayy from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. wineskins. Otherwise, Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins wineskins will be ruined. ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wine wineskins.” skins.”
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath One Sab Sabbath bath Jesus was go ing through the grainfields, grain fields, and as his disciples ci ples walked along, they began be gan to pick 24 some heads of grain. The Phar Phariisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing do ing what is unlaw unlawful ful on the Sabbath?” Sab bath?” 25 He an answered, swered, “Have you never nev er read what David David did when he and his com companpanions were hungry hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abia Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrat se crated ed bread, which is lawful law ful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his compan companions.” ions.” 23
THE
W I TNESSES ✓ ABIATHAR (MARK 2:26)
This man lived in the time of King David many years before Jesus. He was David’s friend, and he gave David good advice. Abiathar means means “father of abundance.”
Then he said to them, t hem, “The Sab Sabbath bath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Sabbath.” 27
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How was wine stored in Jesus’ time? (MARK 2:22)
In Jesus’ time, people kept oil and wine in bottles made of clay. They also kept wine in bags made of leather, called wineskins. The people kept wine in these bags especially when they needed to travel.
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
3
Another Anoth er time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriv s hriv eled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking look ing for a reason rea son to accuse ac cuse Jesus, so they watched him closely close ly to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Sab bath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled shriv eled hand, “Stand up in front of every ev eryone.” one.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which “Whi ch is lawful law ful on the Sabbath: Sab bath: to do good or to
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Jesus Appoints the Twe Twelve lve Jesus went up on a mountain moun tainside side and called to him those he wanted, want ed, and they came to him. 14 He ap appoint pointed ed twelve a that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15and to have authoriity to drive out demons. thor de mons. 16 These are the twelve he appoint appointed: ed: Simon Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), Pe ter), 17 James son of Zebe Zeb edee and his brother broth er John (to them he gave the name Boa Bo aner nerges, ges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 An Andrew, drew, Philip, Philip, Bartholo thol omew, Matthew, Matthew, Thomas, Thomas, James son of Alphae Alphaeus, us, Thaddae Thaddaeus, us, Simon Simon the Zeal19 ot and Ju Judas das Iscar Iscariiot, who betrayed betrayed him. 13
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Shriveled hand (MARK 3:1)
This means that the hand was rather dry and couldn’t move, but Jesus healed it.
Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law Then Jesus en entered tered a house, and again a crowd gathered, gath ered, so that he and 20
a
14 Some manuscripts twelve — designating designating them apostles —
do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained re mained silent. silent. 5 He looked around at them in an anger ger and, deeply deeply distressed distressed at their stubborn stub born hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was complete completely ly restored. restored. 6 Then the Phar Phariisees went out and began be gan to plot with the Hero He rodi dians ans how they might kill Jesus.
Crowds Follow Jesus Jesus with withdrew drew with his disci dis ciples ples to the lake, and a large crowd from Gali Gal ilee 8 followed. fol lowed. When they t hey heard about all he was doing, doing, many people peo ple came to him from Judea, Judea, Jeru Jerusa salem, lem, Idu Idumea, and the regions re gions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Sidon. 9 Be Because cause of the crowd he told his disci dis ciples ples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding crowd ing him. 10 For he had healed many many,, so that those with diseas dis eases es were push11 ing forward forward to touch him. Whenev henever er the impure im pure spirits spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 But he gave them strict or orders ders not to tell others oth ers about him. 7
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The Twelve (MARK 3:13 – 19)
They were twelve friends of Jesus, who always went with him everywhere and learned everything that Jesus taught. When Jesus went to heaven, those twelve friends said that they were now in charge of teaching these same things to other people.
Mark 3:21
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his disci disciples ples were not even able to eat. 21 When his fam famiily a heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” 22 And the teach teachers ers of the law who came down from Jeru Jerusa salem lem said, “He is possessed pos sessed by Beel Be elze zebul! bul! By the prince of demons de mons he is driving driv ing out demons.” demons.” 23 So Jesus called them over to him and began began to speak to them in para par ables: “How can Satan drive out Sa Satan? tan? 24 If a kingdom king dom is divid di vided ed against itself, itself, that 25 kingdom king dom cannot can not stand. If a house is divid di vided ed against itself, itself, that house cannot can not stand. 26 And if Sa Satan tan oppos opposes es himself himself and is divid divided, ed, he cannot cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can en enter ter a strong man’s man’s house with w ithout out first tying tying him up. Then he can plunder plun der the strong s trong man’s man’s house. 28 Tru ruly ly I tell you, y ou, people people can be forgiven giv en all their sins and every slander slan der they 29 utter, ut ter, but who whoev ever er blasphemes blasphemes against the Holy Spirit Spirit will never never be forgiv forgiven; en; they are guilty of an eternal eternal sin.” 30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure im pure spirit.” spirit.” 31 Then Jesus’ moth mother er and brothers arrived. Standing Standing outside, outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sit sitting ting around him, and they told him, “Your mother moth er and brothers brothers are outside outside looking looking for you.” 33 “Who are my moth mother er and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked l ooked at those seat seated ed in a circle cir cle around him and said, “Here are my mother moth er and my brothers! brothers! 35 Whoev hoever er does God’s God’ s will w ill is my broth bro ther and sis sister ter and mother.” moth er.”
The Parable of the Sower
4
Again Jesus began be gan to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered gath ered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people peo ple were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by para parables, and in his teaching teach ing said: 3 “Listen! Listen! A farmer farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scat scatter tering ing the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, plac es, where it did not have much soil.
It sprang up quickly, quick ly, because because the soil was 6 shallow. shal low. But when the t he sun came up, up , the plants were scorched, and they withered with ered 7 because be cause they had no root. Other ther seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not other er seed fell on good bear grain. 8 Still oth soil. It came up, grew and produced pro duced a crop, some multi multiply plying ing thirty, thirty, some sixty, sixty, some a hundred hun dred times. t imes.” ” 9 Then Jesus said, “Who “Whoev ever er has ears to hear, let them hear.” 10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others others around him asked him about the para parables. 11 He told them, “The “ The secret of the kingdom kingdom of God has been given giv en to you. But to those on the outside out side everyevery12 thing is said in para par ables so that, “ ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’b ” Then Jesus J esus said sai d to them, “Don’t you under un derstand stand this para par able? How then will you under understand stand any para par able? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some peo people ple are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan Sa tan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, thers, like seed sown on rocky places, places, hear the word and at once receive re ceive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they they last only a short shor t time. When trouble trou ble or perse persecu cution tion comes because be cause of the word, they quickly quick ly fall f all away. away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the wor worries ries of this life, the deceit de ceitful fulness ness of wealth and the desires de sires for other other things come in and choke the word, making making it unfruit unfruitful. ful. 20 Others, thers, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept ac cept it, and produce pro duce a crop — some thirty, thir ty, some sixty sixty,, some a hundred times what was sown.” 13
A Lamp on a Stand He said to them, “Do you bring bri ng in a lamp to put it under un der a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t don’t you put it on its i ts stand? 22 For 21
a
21 Or his associates
b
12 Isaiah 6:9,10
1275 whatever whatev er is hidden hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatev what ever er is concealed con cealed is meant to be brought out into the open. 23 If any anyone one has ears to hear, let them hear.” 24 “Consid Consider er careful carefully ly what wh at you hear hear,,” he contin con tinued. ued. “With the measure mea sure you use, it will be measured measured to you — and even more. 25 Whoever hoever has will be given given more; whoever who ever does not have, even what they have will be taken taken from them.”
The Parable of the Growing Seed He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters scat ters seed on the ground. 27 Nigh Nightt and day day,, wheth wh ether er he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by it itself self the soil produc produces es grain — first the th e stalk, then the head, then the full kernel ker nel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle sick le to it, because because the harvest harvest has come.” 26
The Parable of the Mustard Seed Again he h e said, “What shall we say the kingdom king dom of God is like, or what para par able shall we use to describe de scribe it? 31 It is like a mustard mus tard seed, which is the smallest small est of 32 all seeds on earth. Yet when plant planted, ed, it grows and becomes becomes the largest larg est of all garden plants, with such big branches branch es that the birds can perch in its shade.” 33 With many sim simiilar para parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could under understand. stand. 34 He did not say anything to them without with out using using a para parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, ci ples, he explained explained every everything. thing. 30
Mark 5:4
He got up, rebuked re buked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was com plete pletely ly calm. 40 He said to his dis disci ciples, ples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were ter terri rified fied and asked each other, oth er, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” 39
Jesus Restores a DemonPossessed Man
5
They went across the lake to the region of the Gera Gerasenes. a 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an im pure spirit spir it came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, any more, not even with a 4 chain. For he had of often ten been chained a
1 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; other manuscripts Gergesenes
the s c e n e
Jesus Calms the Storm That day when eve evening ning came, he said to his disci disciples, ples, “Let us go over to the other oth er side.” 36 Leaving eaving the crowd behind, be hind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other oth er boats 37 with him. A fu furi rious ous squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cush cushion. ion. The discidisciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, “Teach er, don’t you care if we drown?” 35
GERASENES (MARK 5:1)
A
city east of the Jordan River. Now it’s called Jerash, and it’s in the country of Jordan. There
are still buildings there that date to Jesus’ time.
Mark 5:5
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hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong st rong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself him self with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a dis tance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shout shouted ed at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture torture me!” 8 For Jesus Jesu s had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure im pure spirit!” spir it!” 9 Then Jesus J esus asked as ked him, “What “Wh at is i s your you r name?” “My name is Legion,” Le gion,” he replied, replied, “for 10 we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11 A large l arge herd of pigs was feeding feed ing on the nearby nearby hillside. hillside. 12 The de demons mons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow al low 13 us to go into them.” He gave them permission, mis sion, and the impure impure spirits spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand thousand in number, num ber, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 14 Those tend tending ing the pigs ran off and reported port ed this in the town and country coun tryside, side, and the people peo ple went out to see what had happened. hap pened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion le gion of demons, demons, sitting sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people people what had happened hap pened to the demon-pos demon-possessed sessed man — and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. region. 18 As Jesus was get getting ting into the boat, the man who had been demon-pos de mon-possessed sessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people peo ple and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy mer cy on you.” 20 So the man went awa awayy a and began began to tell in the Decap De capo olis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people peo ple were amazed.
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman When Jesus J esus had again crossed over by boat to the other oth er side of the lake, a large crowd gathered gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the syn synaagogue leaders, leaders, named Jai Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He plead pleaded ed earnest earnestly ly with him, “My little daughter daugh ter is dying. dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with w ith him. 21
a
Ten Cities 20 That is, the Ten
THE
W I TNESSES ✓ JAIRUS
(MARK 5:22)
He was a Jew from the synagogue who believed in Jesus. His daughter was sick, and he asked Jesus to heal her. Jesus healed her becaus becausee Jairus put his trust trus t in him.
1277 A large crowd followed followed and pressed 25 around him. And a wom woman an was there who had been subject to bleed ing for twelve years. 26 She had suf suffered fered a great deal under under the care of many doctors doc tors and had spent all she had, yet instead in stead of getting better better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up be hind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 be because cause she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Im Imme medi diate ately ly her bleeding bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suf fering. 30 At once Jesus re r eal alized ized that power power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “Y “You ou see the peo people ple crowding crowding against you,” his disci disciples ples answered, answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 But Jesus kept look looking ing around to 33 see who had done it. Then the wom woman, an,
Mark 6:4
knowing what had happened knowing hap pened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trem bling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffer suf fering.” ing.” 35 While Jesus was still speak speaking, ing, some people came from the house of Ja Jaiirus, the syna synagogue leader. lead er. “Your daughter daughter is dead,” dead, ” they said. sai d. “Why bother both er the teacher teacher anymore?” any more?” 36 Overhear verhearing ing a what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” believe.” 37 He did not let any anyone one follow follow him except Peter, Peter, James and John the brother broth er 38 of James. When they t hey came to the t he home of the synagogue leader, lead er, Jesus saw a commo com motion, tion, with people people crying crying and wail39 ing loudly. loudly. He went in and said to t o them, “Why all this commo com motion tion and wailing? wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After Af ter he put them all out, he took the child’s father father and mother moth er and the disciples ci ples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Tal “Taliitha koum!” (which means “Little “Lit tle girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Im Imme medi diate ately ly the girl stood up and began be gan to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were complete pletely ly aston as tonished. ished. 43 He gave strict or orders ders not to let anyone anyone know about this, and told them to give her something some thing to eat.
A Prophet Without Honor
6 BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
Did power come out of Jesus? (MARK 5:30)
Yes, because Jesus is God and is all-powerful. Here, it means that Jesus realized that the woman was healed just by touching him and believing that he could heal her. God is allpowerful!
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accom accompa panied nied by his disci dis ciples. ples. 2 When the Sab Sabbath bath came, he began be gan to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s “What’s this wis wi sdom that has been given given him? What are these remarkre mark3 able mira miracles he is perform performing? ing? Isn’t this the carpen carpenter? ter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother brother of James, Joseph, Joseph, b Ju Judas das and Simon? Si mon? Aren’t his sisters sisters here with us?” And they took offense offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A proph et is not without without honor hon or except ex cept in his own a
36 Or Ignoring
b
3 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph
Mark 6:5
1278 dust off your feet as a testi tes timo mony ny against them.” 12 They went out and preached preach ed that peo13 ple should repent. re pent. They drove out many demons de mons and anointed many sick peo people ple with oil and healed them.
John the Baptist Beheaded King Her Herod od heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become be come well known. Some were saying, saying, a “John the Baptist Bap tist has been raised from the dead, and that is why mirac mi racu ulous powers powers are at work in him.” 14
a
14 Some early manuscripts He was saying
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THROUGH!
The carpenter, Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon (MARK 6:3 – 4)
This is Jesus’ family family.. He had sisters too, but their names are not in this list. The people around Jesus at that time couldn’t believe that he could make such super powerful things happen, because they knew him and his family so well!
town, among his rela rel atives and in his own 5 home.” He could not do any mir a cles there, except except lay his hands on a few sick people peo ple and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Then Jesus went around teaching teach ing from village vil lage to village. village. 7 Calling alling the Twelve to him, he began to send them t hem out two by two and gave them author au thoriity over impure impure spirits. spir its. 8 These were his in instruc structions: tions: “Take nothing noth ing for the journey journey except a staff — no bread, no bag, no mon ey in your belts. 9 Wear san sandals dals but not an extra ex tra shirt. 10 Whenev henever er you enter enter a house, stay there until until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the
BREAKTHROUGH!
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“Shake the dust off your feet” (MARK 6:11)
This was a custom in the villages where Jesus lived. Since there weren’t any hotels, if a traveler couldn’t get back home because it was far away, he asked permission to stay in a house, and the owner almost always let him stay. But if the owners of the house were bad people and wouldn’t let him stay, the traveler would take off his sandals and hit one against the other. Since they were full of dust from the road, the dust would fly off. of f. This was a way of showing that the owners weren’t polite and wouldn’t help another person.
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Mark 6:26
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
Oil (MARK 6:13)
Long ago, people thought that oil could cure sickness, but it’s it ’s really God who has the power to heal. People were healed because they had faith in God.
Others thers said, “He is Eli jah.” jah.” And still others others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets prophets of long ago.” 16 But when Her Herod od heard this, he said, “John, whom I behead headed, ed, has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Her Herod od himself himself had given giv en orders orders to have John arrest ar rested, ed, and he had him bound and put in prison. pris on. He did this because of Hero He rodi dias, as, his brother broth er Philip’s Philip’s wife, whom he had married. mar ried. 18 For John had been saying saying to Herod, “It is not lawful law ful for you to have your brother’s broth er’s wife.” 19 So Hero He rodi dias as nursed a grudge against John and wanted wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 be because cause Herod Herod feared John and protect pro tected ed him, knowing knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod Her od heard John, he was greatly great ly puzzled puzzled a; yet he liked to listen listen to him. 21 Fi Final nally ly the oppor opportune tune time came. On his birthday birthday Herod Herod gave a banquet banquet for his high offi officials cials and mili military command com manders ers and the leading leading men of Gali Gal ilee. 22 When the daughter daughter of b He Hero rodi dias as came in and 15
THE
W I TNESSES ✓ KING HEROD
(MARK 6:14)
Read the explanation explanat ion in Matthew Mat thew 14:1. 14:1.
danced, she pleased Herod Her od and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything any thing you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he prom promised ised her with an oath, “Whatev “What ever er you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, moth er, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” Bap tist,” she answered. 25 At once the girl hur hurried ried in to the king with the request: request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist Bap tist on a platter.” platter.” 26 The king was great greatly ly distressed, distressed, but a b
20 Some early manuscripts he did many things 22 Some early manuscripts When his daughter
Mark 6:27
1280
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Prophets (MARK 6:15)
In the Bible, prophets are people who hear a message that God gives them, and then they have to give this same message to other people or sometimes to an entire country.
Holy (MARK 6:20)
It means that John the Baptist lived for God, because in the Bible, holy means means set apart or separated for God.
because of his oaths and his din dinner ner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he im imme medi diate ately ly sent an exe execu cution tioner er with orders to bring bri ng John’s John’s head. The man went, behead beheaded ed John in the prison, pris on, 28 and brought back his head on a plat ter ter.. He present pre sented ed it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. mother. 29 On hear hearing ing of this, John’s John’s disci dis ciples ples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand The apos apostles tles gathered gathered around Jesus and report reported ed to him all they t hey had done and taught. 31 Then, be because cause so many people peo ple were coming coming and going go ing that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to 30
them, “Come with me by yourselves your selves to a quiet qui et place and get some rest.” 32 So they t hey went awa awayy by them themselves selves in a 33 boat to a soli sol itary place. But many who saw them leaving leaving recog recognized nized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion pas sion on them, because be cause they were like sheep without without a shepherd. shepherd. So he began be gan teaching teach ing them many things. 35 By this thi s time it was late in i n the day day,, so his disci disciples ples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already al ready very late. 36 Send the peo people ple away so that they can go to the surround sur rounding ing countrycountryside and villag vil lages es and buy themselves them selves something some thing to eat.” 37 But he an answered, swered, “You give them something some thing to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages wag es a ! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five — and two fish.” 39 Then Jesus di direct rected ed them to have all the people people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups gro ups of hundreds hundreds and fifties. fif ties. 41 Tak aking ing the five loaves and the two t wo fish f ish and look l ooking up to heaven, heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his discidis ciples to distrib tribute ute to the people. He also divid di vided ed the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were sat is isfied, fied, 43 and the disci disciples ples picked up twelve basket bas ketfuls fuls of broken broken pieces pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number num ber of the men who had eaten eat en was five thousand. thousand.
Jesus Walks on the Water Im medi Imme diate ately ly Jesus made his discidis ciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsa Bethsaiida, while he dismissed dismissed the 46 crowd. Af After ter leaving leaving them, he went up on a mountain mountainside side to t o pray. 47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle mid dle of the lake, and he was alone on 45
a
37 Greek take two hundred denarii
1281 land. 48 He saw the disci ciples ples straining straining at the oars, because be cause the wind was against them. Shortly Shortly before before dawn he went out to them, walking walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when w hen they t hey saw him walking walk ing on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, ou t, 50 be because cause they all saw him and were terri ter rified. fied. Imme Im medi diate ately ly he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! cour age! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were complete completely ly amazed, 52 for they had not under understood stood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. hard ened. 53 When they had cross crossed ed over over,, they th ey landed land ed at Gennes Gen nesa a ret and anchored an chored 54 there. As soon as they got out of the t he boat, people people recog recognized nized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout through out that whole region region and carried car ried the sick on mats to wherev wher ever er they heard he was. 56 And wher wherev ever er he went — into villages, lag es, towns or country coun tryside side — they placed the sick in the market mar ketplac places. es. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. heal ed.
Mark 7:15
That Which Defiles
7
The Phari Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jeru Je rusa salem lem gathered gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disci dis ciples ples eating eating food with hands that were defiled, de filed, that is, un3 washed. (The Phar Phariisees and all the Jews do not eat unless unless they give their hands a cere cer emo moni nial al washing, washing, holding holding to the traditradi4 tion of the elders. elders. When they come com e from f rom the market marketplace place they do not eat unless un less they wash. And they observe ob serve many other oth er tradi tra ditions tions,, such as the t he wash was hing of cups, pitchers pitch ers and kettles. kettles. a ) 5 So the Phar Phariisees and teachers teach ers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your dis ciples live accord according ing to the tradi tradition tion of the elders el ders instead instead of eating eat ing their food with defiled de filed hands?” 6 He re replied, plied, “Isaiah “Isaiah was right when he prophe proph esied about you hypocrites; as it is written: writ ten: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in i n vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’b You have let go of the com commands mands of God and are holding hold ing on to human hu man tradi traditions.” tions.” 9 And he con contin tinued, ued, “You have a fine way of setting set ting aside the commands com mands of God in order order to observe observe c your own traditions! di tions! 10 For Mo Moses ses said, ‘Honor ‘Hon or your father fa ther and mother,’ moth er,’ d and, ‘Anyone ‘Anyone who curses curs es their father father or mother moth er is to be e 11 put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares declares that what might have been used to help their father fa ther or mother mother is Corban (that is, devot de voted ed to God) — 12 then you no longer lon ger let them do anything any thing for their father father or mother. moth er. 13 Thus you nul nullilify the word of God by your tradi tra dition tion that you have handed hand ed down. And you do many things like that.” 14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen “Listen to me, every everyone, one, and un15 derstand der stand this. Nothing othing outside outside a person person 8
BREAK THROUGH!
THROUGH!
“All who touched it were healed.” (MARK 6:56)
That’s right, because they had faith in Jesus, and Jesus is God and is all-powerful.
a
4 Some early manuscripts pitchers, kettles and dining b 6,7 Isaiah 29:13 c 9 Some manuscripts couches d e 10 Exodus Exodus 20:12 20:12; ; Deut. 5:16 set up 10 21:17; Lev. 20:9
Mark 7:17
1282
Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith Jesus left that place and went to the vivi ciniity of Tyre.b He entered cin entered a house and did not want anyone anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence pres ence secret. secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman wom an whose little little daughter daughter was possessed pos sessed by an impure impure spirit spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The wom woman an was a Greek, born in Syri Syr ian Phoenic Phoe nicia. ia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon de mon out of her daughter. daugh ter. 27 “First let the chil children dren eat all they want,” want, ” he told her her,, “for it is not n ot right to take 24
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
a b
4:23. 16 Some manuscripts include here the words of 4:23. 24 Many early manuscripts Tyre and Sidon
“Anyone who curses his or “Anyone her father or mother is to be put to death.”
the s c e n e
(MARK 7:10)
This law is in the Bible in the book of Leviticus. But for Jesus, that means that we have to be nice to our mom and dad and obey them. t hem. If we don’t, that makes God sad, and we drift away from God.
can defile defile them by going going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person person that a [16] defiles de files them.” 17 Af After ter he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disci dis ciples ples asked him about this para par able. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing noth ing that enters enters a person person from the outside out side can defile de file them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, stom ach, and then out of the body.” body.” (In say saying ing this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) 20 He went on: “What comes out of a person per son is what defiles de files them. 21 For it is from within, within, out of a person’s person’s heart, that evil thoughts come — sex sexu ual immo immoral raliity, 22 theft, murder, murder, adultery, dultery, greed, malice, malice, deceit, de ceit, lewdness, lewdness, envy, slander, slander, arro arrogance gance and folly. folly. 23 All these evils evil s come from inside and defile defile a person.” person.”
SYRIA (MARK 7:26)
I
n Jesus’ time, this was a huge territory that had been conquered by the Romans. As a result, it was a very important import ant Roman province, and it grew to have a lot of inhabitants. If we look at a map ma p of the world, we’ll we’ll see that now that entire territory corresponds to parts pa rts of Syria, Libya, Israel and Turkey.
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Mark 8:11
the children’s children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 28“Lord, “Lord,” ” she re replied, plied, “even the dogs under the table table eat the children’s chil dren’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a re ply, you may go; the demon de mon has left your daughter.” daugh ter.” 30 She went home and found her child lying ly ing on the bed, and the demon de mon gone.
Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man Then Jesus left the vicin vi ciniity of Tyre and went through Sidon, Sidon, down to the Sea of Galiilee and into the region Gal re gion of the Decap Decapoolis. a 32 There some peo people ple brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly hard ly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. 33 Af After ter he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers fin gers into the man’s man’ s ears. Then he spit spi t and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Eph- phatha!” pha tha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’ man’s s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened loos ened and he began be gan to speak plainly plain ly.. 36 Jesus com command manded ed them not to tell anyone. any one. But the more mor e he did so, the more they kept talking talking about it. 37 People eople were overwhelmed over whelmed with amazement. amazement. “He has done every ev erything thing well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” 31
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
8
During those days anoth During an other er large crowd gathered. gath ered. Since they had nothing noth ing to eat, Jesus called his disci dis ciples ples to him and said, 2 “I have com compas passion sion for these people; they have already already been with me three days and have noth ing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, hungry, they will collapse collapse on the way, because because some of them have come a long distance.” distance.” 4 His dis disci ciples ples answered, answered, “But where in this remote remote place can anyone any one get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven, “Sev en,” ” they re replied. plied. 6 He told the crowd to sit down on the
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
Why did Jesus command the people not to tell anyone? anyone? (MARK 7:36)
Jesus didn’t want people to talk about how he was healing sick people. He knew the priest s would be jealous, and then they would try to send Jesus to jail. And Jesus didn’t want people to follow him just because he was performing miracles. He wanted people to learn to live the way he was teaching them. But Jesus was still going to perform per form many more miracles anyway.
ground. When he had tak en the seven sev en loaves and given giv en thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disci dis ciples ples to distribdistribute to the people, peo ple, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the discidis ciples to distrib distribute ute them. 8 The peo people ple ate and were satis satisfied. fied. After Afterward ward the discidis ciples picked up seven sev en basket ketfuls fuls of broken pieces pieces that were left l eft over. over. 9 About four thousand thou sand were present. present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disci dis ciples ples and went to the region re gion of Dalmanu ma nutha. tha. 11 The Phar Phariisees came and began be gan to question ques tion Jesus. To test him, they asked a
31 That is, the Ten Ten Cities
Mark 8:12
1284
him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply deep ly and said, “Why does this gener gen eraation ask for a sign? s ign? Tru Tru ly I tell you, yo u, no sign 13 will be given given to it.” Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other oth er side.
The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod The dis disci ciples ples had forgot for gotten ten to bring bread, except except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be care careful,” ful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Phari Pharisees and that of Herod.” Her od.” 16 They dis discussed cussed this with one anothan other and said, “It is because be cause we have no bread.” 17 Aware of their dis discus cussion, sion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having hav ing no bread? Do you still not see or under un derstand? stand? Are your hearts hardened? hard ened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, se e, and 14
the s c e n e
DALMANUTHA (MARK 8:10)
N
obody knows anything about this. They just say it was a
city on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. Nothing more!
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
The yeast of the Pharisees (MARK 8:15)
This is just a way to explain something. Yeast is a dry powder, or sometimes a soft mass like butter that’s mixed with flour to make the bread dough rise, or inflate. That’s why Jesus says the Pharisees are like yeast. They were inflated and puffed up, because they thought they knew everything and were perfect perfect..
ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? mem ber? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, thou sand, how many basketfuls of pieces pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. replied. 20 “And when I broke the t he sev seven en loaves for the four thousand, thousand, how many basketbas ketfuls of pieces pieces did you pick up?” They answered, answered, “Seven.” “Seven.” 21 He said to them, them , “Do you still s till not understand?” der stand?”
Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida They came to Beth sai da, and some people peo ple brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him out side the village. vil lage. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” any thing?” 22
1285 He looked up and said, sa id, “I see peo p eople; they look like trees walking walking around. around.” ” 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, re stored, and he saw every everything thing clearly. clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, saying, “Don’t even go into a the village.” vil lage.” 24
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah Jesus and his dis disci ciples ples went on to the villag villages es around Caesa Caes area Philip Philippi. pi. On the way he asked them, “Who do peo ple say I am?” 28 They re replied, plied, “Some say John the Baptist; Bap tist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” proph ets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter Pe ter answered, answered, “You are the Messi siah.” ah.” 30 Jesus warned war ned them not to tell any anyone one about him. 27
Jesus Predicts His Death He then be began gan to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer suf fer many things and be re ject jected ed by the elders, elders, the chief priests and the teachers teach ers of the law, and that he must be killed and after af ter three days rise again. 32 He spoke plain plainly ly about this, and Peter Peter took him aside and began be gan to rebuke rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disci disciples, ples, he rebuked rebuked Peter. Peter. “Get behind be hind me, Satan!” Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns con cerns of God, but merely mere ly human human concerns.” concerns.” 31
The Way of the Cross Then he called the crowd to him along with his disci disciples ples and said: “Whoever ev er wants to t o be my dis ci ciple ple must deny themselves them selves and take up their cross and follow fol low me. 35 For who whoev ever er wants to save b their life will lose it, but whoev whoever er loses their life for me and for the gospel gos pel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit for feit their soul? 37 Or what can any anyone one give in exchange exchange for their soul? 38 If any anyone one 34
Mark 9:13
is ashamed of me and my words in this adulter adul terous ous and sinful sinful gener genera ation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s Fa ther’s glory glory with the holy angels.” an gels.” And he said to them, “Truly “Truly I tell you, some who are standing stand ing here will not taste death before be fore they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” pow er.”
9
The Transfigur Transfiguration ation After six days Jesus took Peter, After Pe ter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfig trans figured ured before before them. 3 His clothes be became came dazzling dazzling white, whiter than anyone anyone in the world could bleach 4 them. And there ap appeared peared before before them Eli jah jah and Mo Moses, ses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Pe Peter ter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, “Rab bi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters shel ters — one for you, one for Mo Moses ses 6 and one for Eli jah.” jah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) fright ened.) 7 Then a cloud ap appeared peared and covered cov ered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen Lis ten to him!” 8 Sudden uddenly, ly, when they looked around, they no longer longer saw anyone anyone with them except Jesus. 9 As they were com coming ing down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders or ders not to tell anyone any one what they had seen un til the Son of Man had risen ris en from the dead. 10 They kept the mat matter ter to themselves, them selves, discuss dis cussing ing what “rising “ris ing from the dead” meant. 11 And they asked him, h im, “Why do the teachers teach ers of the law say that Eli jah jah must come first?” 12 Jesus re replied plied,, “To “To be sure, Eli jah jah does come first, and restores restores all things. Why then is it written written that the Son of Man must suffer suffer much and be re ject jected? ed? 13 But I tell you, Eli jah jah has come, and and they have done to him every ev erything thing they wished, just as it is written written about him.” 2
a
b 35 The 26 Some manuscripts go and tell anyone in Greek word means either life or soul ; also in verses 36 and 37.
Mark 9:14
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Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit
He re replied, plied, “This kind can come out only by prayer. prayer. a ”
When they came to the oth other er discidisciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers teachers of the law argu arguing ing with 15 them. As soon as all the peo people ple saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you ar argu guing ing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, an swered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit spir it that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenev hen ever er it seizes seiz es him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes gnash es his teeth and becomes be comes rigid. rig id. I asked your disci dis ciples ples to drive out the spirit, spirit, but they could not.” 19 “Y “You ou un unbe believ lieving ing gener genera ation,” Jesus replied, re plied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 So they brought him. When the spirit spir it saw Jesus, it imme immedi diate ately ly threw the boy into a convul convulsion. sion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming foam ing at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’ boy’s s fa father, ther, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” childhood,” he answered. an swered. 22 “It has often often thrown him into fire or water water to kill him. But if you can do anything, any thing, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Ev “Everyerything is possi possible ble for one who believes.” be lieves.” 24 Im Imme medi diate ately ly the boy’s father fa ther exclaimed, “I do believe; be lieve; help me overcome over come my unbe unbelief lief !” 25 When Jesus saw that th at a crowd was running run ning to the scene, he rebuked re buked the impure spirit. spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” spirit,” he said, “I command command you, come out of him and never never enter enter him again.” 26 The spir it shrieked, con convulsed vulsed him vio vi olent lently ly and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus J esus took t ook him hi m by the hand and lifted lift ed him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 Af After ter Jesus had gone indoors, in doors, his disciples ci ples asked him private privately, ly, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
14
29
They left that place and passed through Gali Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 be because cause he was teaching teaching his disci disciples. ples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going go ing to be deliv de livered ered into into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did di d not un under derstand stand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Ca Caper perna naum. um. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you argu ar guing ing about on the road?” 34 But they kept qui quiet et because because on the way they had argued argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting itting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the ser vant of all.” 36 He took a lit little tle child whom he placed among them. th em. Taking Taking the child in his arms, ar ms, 37 he said to them, “Whoev Whoever er welcomes welcomes one of these little lit tle children children in my name welcomes wel comes me; and whoev who ever er welcomes welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” 30
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us “Teach Teacher,” er,” said John, “we saw someone driving driving out demons demons in your name and we told him to stop, because be cause he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him, him,” ” Jesus said. “For no one who does a mira miracle in my name can in the next moment mo ment say anything anything bad about me, 40 for who whoev ever er is not against us 41 is for us. Tru ruly ly I tell you, anyone any one who gives you a cup of water wa ter in my name because you belong be long to the Messi Mes siah ah will certainly tain ly not lose their reward. re ward. 38
Causing to Stumble 42
a
“If any anyone one causes causes one of these little lit tle
29 Some manuscripts prayer and fasting
1287 ones — those who be believe lieve in me — to stumble, stum ble, it would be better better for them if a large millstone millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand caus causes es you to stumble, stum ble, cut it off. It is bet ter for you to en enter ter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never nev er goes out. [44] a 45 And if your foot caus causes es you to stumble, cut it off. It is better better for you to enter life crippled crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] a 47 And if your eye causes caus es you to stumble, stumble, pluck it out. It is better bet ter for you to enter enter the kingdom kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where “ ‘the worms worms that eat them them do not die, die, b and the fire is not quenched. quenched.’’ Every Ev eryone one will be salted salted with fire. 50 “Salt is good, but if it los es its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, your selves, and be at peace with each other.” oth er.” 49
Mark 10:9
Divorce
10
Jesus then left that place and went into the region region of Judea Judea and across the Jordan. Jordan. Again crowds of people peo ple came to him, and as was his custom, cus tom, he taught them. 2 Some Phar Phariisees came and tested test ed him by asking, asking, “Is it lawful lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Mo Moses ses command command you?” he replied. re plied. 4 They said, “Mo “Moses ses permit per mitted ted a man to write a certif certifiicate of divorce divorce and send her away.” 5 “It was be because cause your hearts were hard that Moses Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the be begin ginning ning of crea creation God ‘made them male and female.’ fe male.’ c 7 ‘For this reason reason a man will leave his father fa ther and mother and be united to his wife, d 8 and the two will be become come one flesh.’ e So they are no longer lon ger two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore herefore what God has joined togeth to gether, er, let no one sepa sep arate.” a
44,46 Some manuscripts include here the words of b 48 Isaiah 66:24 c 6 Gen. 1:27 verse 48. d 7 Some early manuscripts do not have and be united e 8 Gen. 2:24 to his wife.
BREAK THROUGH!
THROUGH!
Salted with fire (MARK 9:49)
This expression is just figurative. Fire rids precious metals of any impurity and leaves them really, really clean. So this is like an example. It just means that God is going to make our hearts clean and pure.
BREAK THROUGH!
THROUGH!
Divorce (MARK 10:2)
Read Matthew Matt hew 5:31. 5:31.
Mark 10:10
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When they were in the house again, the disci disciples ples asked Jesus about this. 11 He an answered, swered, “Anyone “Anyone who divorc divorces es his wife and marries marries anoth another er woman woman commits commits 12 adulter adul teryy against her. her. And if she divorc di vorces es her husband husband and marries mar ries anoth another er man, she commits commits adultery.” adultery.” 10
The Little Children and Jesus People eople were bringing bringing little little children children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disci dis ciples ples rebuked rebuked them. 14 When Jesus Jes us saw this, he was indig in dignant. nant. He said sai d to them, “Let the lit l ittle chil children dren come to me, and do not hinder hin der them, for the kingdom kingdom of God belongs belongs to such as 15 these. Tru ruly ly I tell you, anyone anyone who will not receive receive the kingdom kingdom of God like a little little child will never never enter enter it.” 16 And he took t ook the t he children chil dren in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. 13
The dis disci ciples ples were even more amazed, and said to each oth er, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked lo oked at them t hem and said, “With man this is impos impossi sible, ble, but not with God; all things are possi possible ble with God.” 28 Then Pe Peter ter spoke up, “We have left every ev erything thing to follow follow you!” 29 “Truly Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, replied, “no one who has left home or brothers broth ers or sisters sis ters or mother mother or father father or children children or 30 fields for me and the gospel gos pel will fail to receive re ceive a hundred hundred times as much in this present pres ent age: homes, brothers, broth ers, sisters, sisters, mothers, moth ers, children children and fields — along with perse per secu cutions tions — and in the age to come eternal eter nal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” 26
Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time They were on their th eir way up to Je J eru rusasalem, with Jesus leading lead ing the way, and the disci dis ciples ples were aston as tonished, ished, while those who followed followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going go ing to happen happen to him. 33 “We are go going ing up to Jeru Jerusa salem,” lem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be deliv de livered ered over to the chief priests and the teachers teach ers of the law. They will condemn condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, Gen tiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later later he will rise.” 32
The Rich and the Kingdom of God As Jesus start started ed on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before be fore him. “Good teacher,” teach er,” he asked, “what must I do to inher in herit it eternal eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. an swered. “No one is i s good — ex except cept God alone. 19 You know the com command mand ments: ‘You shall not murder, murder, you shall not commit adultery, adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testi tes timo mony ny,, you shall not n ot defraud, honor honor your father father and mother.’ mother.’a ” 20 “Teach Teacher,” er,” he declared, declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked l ooked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell every ev erything thing you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure trea sure in heaven. heav en. Then come, follow follow me.” 22 At this the man’ man’s s face f ace fell. f ell. He went away sad, because because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked l ooked around and said to his hi s disci dis ciples, ples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter en ter the kingdom kingdom of God!” 24 The dis disci ciples ples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, “Chil dren, how hard it is b to enter enter the kingdom of 25 God! It is eas easiier for a camel camel to go through the eye of a needle nee dle than for someone some one who is rich to enter enter the kingdom kingdom of God.” 17
The Request of James and John Then James and John, the sons of Zebe Zeb edee, came to him. “Teacher,” “Teach er,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatev what ever er we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for f or you?” he asked. 37 They re replied, plied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other oth er at your left in your glory.” 38 “Y “You ou don’t know k now what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized baptized with the baptism baptism I am baptized bap tized with?” 39 “We can,” c an,” they an answered. swered. 35
a
b 24 Some 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20 5:16-20 19 Exodus 20:12-16; manuscripts is for those who trust in riches
1289 Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized bap tized with the baptism I am baptized bap tized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places plac es belong belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” prepared.” 41 When the t he ten heard about this, t his, they became be came indig indignant nant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them to togeth gether er and said, “You know that those who are regard re garded ed as rulers rulers of the Gentiles Gentiles lord lor d it over them, and their high offi of ficials cials exer exercise cise author authoriity over them. 43 Not so with you. In Instead, stead, whoev who ever er wants to become be come great among
Mark 11:8
you must be your servant, ser vant, 44 and who whoevever wants to be first must be 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 ransom for many.”
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight Then they came to Jer Jeriicho. As Jesus and his disci dis ciples, ples, togeth together er with a large crowd, were leaving leaving the city, a blind man, Barti Bar timae maeus us (which means “son of TimaeTi maeus”), was sitting sitting by the roadside roadside begging. begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began began to shout, “Jesus, “ Jesus, Son of David, Da vid, have mercy mercy on me!” 48 Many re rebuked buked him and told him to be quiet, qui et, but he shouted shouted all the more, “Son of David, David, have mercy mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, s aid, “Call him. him.” ” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’ He’s s call ing you. you.” ” 50 Throwing hrowing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for f or you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rab bi, I want to to see.” 52 “Go, “Go,” ” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Imme Immedi diate ately ly he received received his sight and followed followed Jesus along the road. 46
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
11 THE
W I TNESSES ✓ BLIND BARTIMAEUS
(MARK 10:46 – 52)
Bartimaeus means “son of Timeaus.” Because he was blind, he always sat in the same place. People would pass by and give him some coins because he couldn’t work. But Jesus performed a miracle for Bartimaeus. Jesus healed Bartimaeus, and then he could see!
As they approached approached Jeru Jerusa salem lem and came to Bethpha Bethphage ge and Betha Beth any at the Mount of Olives, Ol ives, Jesus sent two of his disci disciples, ples, 2 saying aying to them, “Go to the village vil lage ahead of you, and just as you enter en ter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. rid den. Untie Untie it and bring it 3 here. If any anyone one asks you, ‘Why are you doing do ing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’ short ly.’ ” 4 They went and found a colt out outside side in the street, tied at a doorway way.. As they untied un tied it, 5 some peo people ple standing stand ing there asked, “What are you doing, do ing, unty untying ing that colt?” 6 They an answered swered as Jesus had told them to, and the people peo ple let them go. 7 When they brought brou ght the colt c olt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many peo people ple spread their cloaks on the
Mark 11:9
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check the facts
out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing noth ing but leaves, because be cause it was not the season sea son for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disci disciples ples heard him say it. 15 On reach reaching ing Jeru Jerusa salem, lem, Jesus entered entered the temple temple courts and began began driving driving out those who were buying buy ing and selling selling there. He overturned overturned the tables ta bles of the money mon ey changers chang ers and the benches bench es of those selling doves, 16 and would not al allow low anyone anyone to carry carry merchan merchandise dise through the temple temple 17 courts. And as a s he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ na tions’ c ? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ rob bers.’ d ” a
What was the th e name of the blind man that Jesus healed? A) Bartimaeus B) Bartholomew C) Barnabas A : R E W S N A T C E R R O C
road, while others others spread branches branch es they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed fol lowed shouted, shouted,
9 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” “Save!” which became b 9 Psalm an exclamation of praise; also in verse 10 c d 118:25,26 17 Isaiah 56:7 17 Jer. 7:11
the s c e n e
“Hosanna! a ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” b 10
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Jesus en entered tered Jeru Jerusa salem lem and went into the temple temple courts. He looked around around at every everything, thing, but since it was already al ready late, he went out to Betha Beth any with the Twelve. 11
Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts The next day as they were leav leaving ing Betha Beth any ny,, Jesus was hun h ungry. gry. 13 Seeing eeing in the distance dis tance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find 12
MOUNT OF OLIVES (MARK 11:1)
T
his is a hill in the Kidron Valley Valley outside Jerusalem. It’s It’s an important place in the Bible. Jesus was praying there when soldiers arrived and an d arrested him. It’s It’s called “of olives” because there are olive trees all around.
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Mark 12:7
them, so that your Father Father in heaven heaven may c [26] forgive for give you your sins.”
The Authority of Jesus Questioned They ar arrived rived again in Jeru Je rusa salem, lem, and while Jesus was walking walk ing in the temple tem ple courts, court s, the chief priests, the t he teachers of the law and the elders el ders came to him. 28 “By what au author thoriity are you doing do ing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you author au thoriity to do this?” 29 Jesus re replied, plied, “I will ask you one question. ques tion. Answer Answer me, and I will tell you by what author authoriity I am doing doing these things. 30 John’s bap baptism tism — was was it from heav heaven, en, or of human human ori origin? Tell me!” 31 They dis discussed cussed it among themselves them selves and said, sai d, “If we say, ‘From heaven, heav en,’’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe be lieve him?’ 32 But if we say say,, ‘Of hu human man ori origin’ . . .” (They feared the people, peo ple, for every everyone one held that John really really was a prophet.) prophet.) 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither “Neither will I tell you by what author authoriity I am doing doing these things.” 27
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
Temple (MARK 11:11)
According to the Bible, God had only one temple, and it was in Jerusalem. It was very, very beautiful. The walls were covered in gold, and people who were traveling into Jerusalem could see it shining from a distance. How pretty! Of course, the glory of God was there! The chief priests and the teachers teach ers of the law heard this and began be gan looking looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. teach ing. 19 When eve evening ning came, Jesus and his a disci dis ciples ples went out of the city. 20 In the morn morning, ing, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered with ered from the roots. 21 Pe Peter ter remem re membered bered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” withered!” 22 “Have faith f aith in God, God,” ” Jesus Jes us answered. an swered. 23 “Tru Truly ly b I tell you, if anyone anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw your yourself self into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore herefore I tell you, whatev whatever er you ask as k for in i n prayer, believe that you have received received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when w hen you stand pray pr aying, ing, if you hold anything anything against anyone, anyone, forgive forgive 18
The Parable of the Ten Tenants ants
12
Jesus then began be gan to speak to them in para parables: “A man planted planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress winepress and built a watchtowwatchtower. Then he rented rented the vineyard vine yard to some farmers farm ers and moved to anoth an other er place. 2 At harvest har vest time he sent a servant ser vant to the tenants ten ants to col lect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent s ent him hi m away emp ty4 handed. hand ed. Then he sent anoth other er servant servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated treated him shameful shame fully. ly. 5 He sent still anoth an other, er, and that one they killed. He sent many others; oth ers; some of them they beat, others oth ers they killed. 6 “He had one left lef t to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, say ing, ‘They will respect respect my son.’ 7 “But the ten tenants ants said to one anoth an other, er, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and a
19 Some early manuscripts came, Jesus 22,23 Some early manuscripts “If you have faith in God,” c 26 Some manuscripts include Jesus answered, answered, 23“truly here words similar to Matt. 6:15. b
Mark 12:8
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the inher inheriitance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. vineyard. 9 “What then will the owner own er of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants ten ants and give the vineyard vine yard to others. others. 10 Haven’t you read this pas passage sage of Scripture: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ a ?” Then the chief priests, the teach teachers ers of the law and the elders elders looked for a way to arrest arrest him because because they knew he had spoken spo ken the para par able against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away. 12
Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar Later ater they sent some of the Phar isees and He ro rodi dians ans to Jesus to catch 13
THE
W I TNESSES ✓ CAESAR
(MARK 12:14)
He was the emperor of Rome. Rom e. He was more powerful than the governor, more powerful than the army general and more powerful than absolutely anybody else.
BREAK THROUGH!
THROUGH!
Vineyard Viney ard (MARK 12:1)
This is a place where they grow a lot of grapes. There were vineyards all over Judea. The grape plant is called a vine. When there are many vines, that place is called a vineyard. They make wine from grapes.
him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, “Teach er, we know that you are a man of integ in tegri rity. ty. You aren’t swayed by others, oth ers, because be cause you pay no atten at tention tion to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accor ac cordance dance with the truth. Is it right to pay the impe im peri rial al tax b to Caesar Cae sar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypoc hy pocri risy. sy. “Why are you trying try ing to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denar denariius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, c oin, and he asked a
b 14 A special tax levied on 11 Psalm 118:22,23 subject peoples, not on Roman citizens
1293 them, “Whose image image is this? And whose inscrip in scription?” tion?” “Caesar’s,” “Cae sar’s,” they replied. replied. 17 Then Jesus Je sus said sai d to them, “Give back to Caesar Caesar what is Caesar’s Cae sar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.
Marriage at the Resurrection Then the Sad Saddu ducees, cees, who say there is no resur resurrec rection, tion, came to him with a 19 question. ques tion. “Teach Teacher,” er,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother broth er dies and leaves a wife but no children, chil dren, the man must marry mar ry the widow widow and raise up offspring for his brother er.. 20 Now there were seven seven brothers. brothers. The first one married and died without leav l eaving ing any chil chi ldren. 21 The sec second ond one married mar ried the widow, widow, but he also died, leaving leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22 In fact, f act, none of the t he seven sev en left any chil dren. Last of all, the woman wom an died too. 23 At the res resur urrec rection tion a whose wife will she be, since the seven sev en were married married to her?” 24 Jesus re replied, plied, “Are you not in error er ror because be cause you do not know the Scriptures or the power power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither mar marry ry nor be given given in marriage; marriage; they will be like the angels an gels in heaven. heaven. 26 Now about the dead rising ris ing — have you not read in the Book of Moses, Mo ses, in the account account of the burning burn ing bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ Ja cob’ b ? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. living. You are badly bad ly mistak mistaken!” en!” 18
The Greatest Commandment One of the teach teachers ers of the law came and heard them debat de bating. ing. Notic Noticing ing that Jesus had given giv en them a good answer, an swer, he asked him, “Of all the command com mandments, ments, which is the most impor im portant?” tant?” 29 “The most im impor portant tant one,” answered answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Is ra rael: el: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. c 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ d 31 The sec second ond is this: ‘Love your neighbor neigh bor as yourself.’ yourself.’ e There is no command commandment ment greater greater than these. these.” ” 32 “Well said, teach teacher,” er,” the man replied. replied. 28
Mark 12:41
“You are right in saying say ing that God is one and there t here is i s no other but him. 33 To lov love e him with all your heart, with all your understand der standing ing and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor neigh bor as yourself your self is more impor important tant than all burnt offer of ferings ings and sacri sac rific fices.” es.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered an swered wisely, wise ly, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. ques tions.
Whose Son Is the Messiah? While Jesus was teach teaching ing in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messi Mes siah ah is the 36 son of David? David? Da David vid himself, himself, speaking speaking by the Holy Spirit, Spirit, declared: declared: 35
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’ f David himself David himself calls him ‘Lord. ‘L ord.’’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened lis tened to him with delight. de light. 37
Warning Against the Teachers of the Law As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch “ Watch out for the teachers teach ers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing flow ing robes and be greeted greet ed with respect respect in the market mar ketplacplac39 es, and have the most im impor portant tant seats in the syna synagogues and the places plac es of honor at banquets. ban quets. 40 They de devour vour widows’ widows’ houses hous es and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished pun ished most severe severely.” ly.” 38
The Widow’s Offering Jesus sat down op oppo posite site the place where the offer offerings ings were put and watched the crowd putting put ting their money money into the temple tem ple treasury. treasury. Many rich people peo ple threw 41
a
23 Some manuscripts resurrection, when people rise b 26 Exodus 3:6 c 29 Or The Lord from the dead, d e 31 Lev. Deut. 6:4,5 our God is one Lord 30 f 19:18 36 Psalm 110:1
Mark 12:42
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check the facts
Jesus taught that the most important commandment is to love God. What is the second-most important commandment? A) To love your mom and dad B) To obey everything C) To love our neighbor as much as we
love ourselves C : R E W S N A T C E R R O C
in large amounts. 42 But a poor wid widow ow came and put in two very small copper cop per coins, worth only a few cents. 43 C alling alling his disci disciples ples to him, Jesus said, “Truly “Truly I tell you, this poor widow widow has put more into the treasury trea sury than all the others. oth ers. 44 They all gave out of their thei r wealth; but she, out of her pover erty, ty, put in everyeverything — all she had to live l ive on. on.” ”
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
13
As Jesus was leaving leav ing the tem ple, one of his disci ciples ples said to him, “Look, Teacher! Teach er! What massive mas sive stones! What magnif magnifiicent buildings!” buildings!” 2 “Do you see all these great build-
ings?” replied replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on anoth another; er; every every one will be thrown down. down.” ” 3 As Jesus was sit s itting ting on the Mount of Olives Ol ives oppo opposite site the temple, temple, Peter, Peter, James, John and Andrew An drew asked him private pri vately, ly, 4 “T “Tell ell us, when will w ill these things t hings hap happen? pen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” ful filled?” 5 Jesus said s aid to t o them: them : “Watch out o ut that th at no one deceives de ceives you. 6 Many will wil l come in my name, claiming, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors ru mors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, hap pen, but the end is still to come. 8 Na Nation tion will rise against nation, na tion, and kingdom kingdom against kingdom. king dom. There will be earthquakes earth quakes in vari var ious places, plac es, and famines. fam ines. These are the begin be ginning ning of birth pains. 9 “Y “You ou must m ust be on o n your yo ur guard. g uard. You will w ill be handed handed over to the local local councils councils and flogged in the syna syn agogues. On account ac count of me you will stand before before gover governors nors and kings as witness wit nesses es to them. 10 And the gospel gos pel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenev henever er you are arrest ar rested ed and brought to trial, trial, do not worry worry before beforehand hand about what to say say.. Just say what wha tev ever er is given giv en you at the time, for it is not you speaking, speak ing, but the Holy Spirit. Spirit. 12 “Brother Brother will betray betray brother brother to death, and a father father his child. Children Children will rebel rebel against their parents par ents and have them put to death. 13 Ev Every eryone one will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 “When you y ou see ‘the abom abomiina nation tion that a standing where it b causes caus es deso des ola lation’ tion’ standing does not belong be long — let the read reader er underunderstand — then let those who are in Ju Judea dea 15 flee to the mountains. mountains. Let no one on the housetop house top go down or enter en ter the house to 16 take anything anything out. Let no one in the field fiel d go back to get their cloak. 17 How dread dreadful ful it will be in those days for pregnant pregnant wom18 en and nursing nurs ing mothers! mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, win ter, 19 be because cause those will w ill be days of o f dis tress un unequaled equaled from the begin be ginning, ning, when God creat cre ated ed the world, until un til now — and nev never er to be equaled again. a
14 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 11:31; 12:11
b
14 Or he
1295
Mark 14:4
“At that time peo people ple will see the Son of Man coming coming in clouds with great power power and glory. glory. 27 And he will wi ll send his hi s angels an gels and gather gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. heavens. 28 “Now learn this les lesson son from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get ten der and its leaves come out, you know that summer sum mer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happen hap pening, ing, you know that it b is near, right at the door. 30 Tru ruly ly I tell you, this gener genera ation will certain certainly ly not pass away until un til all these things have happened. hap pened. 31 Heaven eaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never never pass away. 26
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
The Day and Hour Unknown “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels an gels in heaven, heav en, nor the Son, but only the Father. Fa ther. 33 Be on guard! Be alert c ! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’ It’s s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 “Therefore Therefore keep watch because be cause you do not know when the owner own er of the house will come back — wheth whether er in the evening, or at midnight, midnight, or when the rooster rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes sud sudden denly, ly, do not 37 let him find you sleeping. sleep ing. What I say to you, I say to every everyone: one: ‘Watch!’ ” 32
“The ‘abomination that causes desolation’ standing where wher e it does not belong” (MARK 13:14)
What Jesus was talking about has to do with something that’s going to happen in the future. Jews weren’t supposed to take just anything as an offering to God, only what God would accept. It’s talking about something revolting here, because God won’t accept it.
“If the Lord had not cut shor t those days, no one would survive. sur vive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has cho sen, he has shortened short ened them. 21 At that time if anyone anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ siah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe be lieve it. 22 For false mes messi siahs ahs and false prophets proph ets will appear appear and perform per form signs and wonders wonders to deceive, deceive, if possi possible, ble, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; guar d; I have told you every everything thing ahead of time. 24 “But in those t hose days, follow following ing that distress, 20
“ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ a
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
14
Now the Passover and the Fes Festi tival val of Unleav Unleavened ened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers teach ers of the law were scheming schem ing to arrest Jesus secret se cretly ly and kill him. 2 “But not during dur ing the festi festival, val,” ” they said, “or the t he people may riot.” 3 While he was in Beth Betha any, reclin reclining ing at the table table in the home of Simon Simon the Leper, a woman woman came with an ala al abas baster ter jar of very expen expensive sive perfume, perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume per fume on his head. 4 Some of those pres present ent were saying saying indignant dig nantly ly to one anoth another, er, “Why this waste a
13:10; 34:4 25 Isaiah 13:10; manuscripts alert and pray
b
29 Or he
c
33 Some
Mark 14:5
1296
of perfume? perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages wages a and the money given given to the poor.” And they rebuked rebuked her harshly harshly.. 6 “Leave her h er alone, alone,” ” said Jesus. “Why are you bother bothering ing her? She has done a beauti beau tiful ful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always al ways have with you, b and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always al ways have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume per fume on my body beforebe fore9 hand to pre pr epare for my burial. buri al. Tru ruly ly I tell you, wherev wherever er the gospel gos pel is preached throughout through out the world, what she has done will also be told, in memo memory of her.” 10 Then Ju Judas das Iscar Is carii ot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray be tray 11 Jesus to them. They were de delight lighted ed to hear this and promised promised to give him money. So he watched for an oppor op portu tuni nity ty to hand him over.
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
Leper (MARK 14:3)
Read the explanation for leprosy in Matthew 8.2.
Pouring perfume on a head (MARK 14:3 – 9)
In Jesus’ time, when a person died, they would place fragrant herbs and perfumes per fumes around the body before they wrapped it in a kind of sheet, like the Egyptian mummies! Then they would place the body in a tomb. This woman poured perfume on Jesus’ head. But she didn’t realize that she was more or less predicting that Jesus was going to die.
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
Festival of Unleavened Bread (MARK 14:1)
This celebration was to remember that God brought the Jews out of Egypt, where they were slaves. The day that happened, they had to leave so fast they didn’t have time to wait for the bread dough to rise. So they just baked it without yeast. The bread turned out flat, like a pancake or pita bread.
The Last Supper On the first day of the Festi Fes tival val of Unleavened leav ened Bread, when it was custom tomary ary to sacri sacrifice fice the Passover Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples ci ples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make prepa prep ara rations tions for you to eat the Passover?” Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disci dis ciples, ples, telling telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrycar rying a jar of water water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the own owner er of the house he 12
a
5 Greek than three hundred denarii Deut. 15:11.
b
7 See
1297 enters, ‘The Teacher enters, Teach er asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover Pass over with my disci disciples?’ ples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, upstairs, furnished furnished and ready. Make prepa prepara rations tions for us there.” 16 The dis disci ciples ples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared prepared the Passover. Passover. 17 When evening came, Jesus ar arrived rived 18 with the Twelve. While they were re reclinclining at the table table eating eating,, he said, “Tru “Truly ly I tell you, one of you will betray be tray me — one who is eating eating with me.” 19 They were sad saddened, dened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely “Surely you don’t mean me?” 20 “It is one o ne of o f the th e Twelve,” Twelve,” he re replied, plied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written writ ten about him. But woe to that man who betrays betrays the Son of Man! It would be better bet ter for him if he had not been born.” 22 While they were eat eating, ing, Jesus took bread, and when he had given giv en thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disci dis ciples, ples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given giv en thanks, he gave it to them, the m, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the t he a covenant, covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Tru Truly ly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until un til that day when I drink it new in the kingdom king dom of God.” 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Ol ives.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial “You wil “You willl all fal falll away away,,” Jesus told them, “for “for it is writ written: ten: 27
“ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ b But af after ter I have risen, risen, I will go ahead of you into Gali Galilee.” 29 Pe Peter ter declared, declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “Tru Truly ly I tell you, you,” ” Jesus answered, an swered, “today — yes, to tonight night — before be fore the rooster roost er c crows twice you yourself yourself will disown disown me three times.” 31 But Pe Peter ter insist insisted ed emphat emphatiical cally, ly, “Even 28
Mark 14:38
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
Is bread the body and wine the blood of Jesus? (MARK 14:22 – 25)
Read the explanation in Matthew 26:26,28. if I have to die with you, y ou, I will never never disown disown you.” And all the others oth ers said the same.
Gethsemane They went to t o a place p lace called cal led Geth Ge thsemsemane, and Jesus said to his disci dis ciples, ples, “Sit here while w hile I pray pr ay..” 33 He took Pe Peter, ter, James and John along with wi th him, and he began be gan to be deeply deeply distressed distressed and troubled. trou bled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sor sorrow row to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Go Going ing a little little farther, farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possi pos sible ble the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, d Father,” he said, “every “everything thing is possi possible ble for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he re returned turned to his disci ciples ples and found them sleeping. “Si “Simon, mon,” ” he said to Peter Pe ter,, “are you asleep? Couldn’t Coul dn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into tempta temp tation. tion. The spirit spir it is willing, willing, but the flesh is weak.” 32
a
b 27 Zech. 13:7 24 Some manuscripts the new Some early manuscripts do not have twice. 30 d 36 Aramaic for father c
Mark 14:39
1298
Once more he went away and prayed pr ayed 40 the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, sleep ing, because because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Re Return turning ing the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping sleeping and resting? rest ing? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is deliv delivered ered into the hands 42 of sinners. sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betray betrayer!” er!” 39
Jesus Arrested Just as he was speak speaking, ing, Judas, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, prie sts, the teachers teachers of the law, and the elders. elders. 44 Now the be tray trayer er had arranged ar ranged a signal sig nal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest arrest him and lead him away under un der guard.” 45 Go Going ing at once to Jesus, Judas Ju das 46 said, “Rabbi!” “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrest ar rested ed him. 47 Then one of those standing stand ing near drew his sword and struck the servant ser vant of the high priest, cutting cutting off his ear. 48 “Am I lead leading ing a rebel rebellion, lion,” ” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Ev Every ery day I was with you, teach ing in the tem temple ple courts, and you did not arrest ar rest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone ery one desert deserted ed him and fled. 51 A young man, wearing wear ing nothing but a linen linen garment, garment, was following low ing Jesus. When they seized 52 him, he fled na naked, ked, leaving leaving his garment garment behind. be hind. 43
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin They took t ook Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the el ders and the teachers teach ers of the law came cam e to t ogeth gether. er. 54 Pe Peter ter followed followed him at a distance, distance, right into the courtyard court yard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself him self at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin he drin were looking looking for evi evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many tes testi tified fied 53
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
Courtyard of the high priest (MARK 14:54)
At that time, the high priest was a man named Caiaphas. He lived in a very nice place in Jerusalem, near the temple and the lovely palaces.
falsely against him, but their statements falsely state ments did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testi testimo mony ny against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy destroy this temple temple made with human human hands and in three days will build anoth another er,, not no t made with hands.’ ” 59 Yet even then their tes testi timo mony ny did not agree. 60 Then the high priest pr iest stood st ood up be before fore them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? answer? What is this testi tes timo mony ny that these men are bringing bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained remained silent silent and gave no answer. an swer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messi Messiah, ah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am, am ,” said sai d Jesus. Jes us. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting sit ting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming com ing on the clouds of heaven.” heaven.” 63 The high priest pr iest tore tor e his clothes. cl othes. “Why do we need any more witness wit nesses?” es?” he asked. 64 “Y “You ou have heard the blas blasphe phemy. my. What do you think?”
1299 They all condemned con demned him as worthy wor thy 65 of death. Then some be began gan to spit at him; they blindfold blindfolded ed him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophe “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
Peter Disowns Jesus While Pe Peter ter was below below in the courtyard, one of the servant ser vant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming warm ing himself, himself, she looked closely close ly at him. “You also were with that Naza Naz arene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he de denied nied it. “I don’t know or understand der stand what you’re talking talk ing about,” he said, and went out into the entry en tryway. way.a 69 When the ser servant vant girl saw him there, she said again to those stand ing around, “This fellow fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied de nied it. After Af ter a little little while, those standing stand ing near said to Peter, Peter, “Sure “Surely ly you are one of them, for you are a Gali Galile lean.” an.” 71 He be began gan to call down curses, curs es, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking talking about. about.” ” 72 Im Imme medi diate ately ly the rooster rooster crowed the b second sec ond time. Then Peter Peter remem remembered bered the word Jesus had spoken spo ken to him: “Before the rooster rooster crows twice c you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. 66
Mark 15:14
prison with the insur prison insurrec rection tionists ists who had commit com mitted ted murder murder in the upris up rising. ing. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate Pi late to do for them what he usual usu ally ly did. 9 “Do you want me to release re lease to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate, Pi late, 10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed hand ed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate Pi late release release Barab Barabbas bas instead. 12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pi late asked them. 13 “Cruci Crucify fy him!” they shouted. shout ed. 14 “Why? What crime has he com commitmitted?” asked Pilate. Pilate. But they shouted shouted all the louder, loud er, “Crucify ci fy him!” a
68 Some early manuscripts entryway and the rooster b 72 Some early manuscripts do not have the crowed c 72 Some early manuscripts do not have second time. twice.
Jesus Before Pilate
15
Very early early in the morning, morning, the chief priests, with w ith the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole San S anhe hedrin, drin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed handed him over to Pilate. Pilate. 2 “Are you y ou the king of the Jews?” Jews ?” asked Pilate. Pi late. “You “Y ou have said sai d so,” so,” Jesus re replied. plied. 3 The chief priests ac accused cused him of many things. 4 So again Pi Pilate late asked him, “Aren’t you going go ing to answer? an swer? See how many things they are accus ac cusing ing you of.” 5 But Jesus still made no re reply, ply, and Pilate was amazed. 6 Now it was the cus custom tom at the festi festival val to release a pris prison oner er whom the people peo ple requested. quest ed. 7 A man called Bar Barab abbas bas was in
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
“The king of the t he Jews” Jews” (MARK 15:12)
The priests accused Jesus of wanting to be the king. That’s why Pilate, who was Roman and was the ruling governor, asked them, “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” It was to mock and make fun of them. It made the priests angry.
Mark 15:15
1300
Wanting anting to satis satisfy fy the crowd, Pilate Pilate released re leased Barab Bar abbas bas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed hand ed him over to be cruci crucified. fied. 15
The Soldiers Mock Jesus The sol soldiers diers led Jesus away into the palace pal ace (that is, the Praeto Praetori rium) um) and called togeth to gether er the whole compa company ny of soldiers. soldiers. 17They put a purple pur ple robe on him, then twisted togeth together er a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18And they be began gan to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling Fall ing on their knees, they paid homage homage to him. 20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple pur ple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to cruci cru cify fy him. 16
The Crucifixion of Jesus A cer certain tain man from Cyre rene, ne, Simon, Simon, the father fa ther of Alex Alexan ander der and Rufus, Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, coun try, and they forced him to carry carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgo Gol gotha tha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they of offered fered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they cruci cru cified fied him. Divid Dividing ing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was nine in the morning morn ing when they cruci cru cified fied him. 26 The writ written ten notice notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 They cru cruci cified fied two rebels reb els with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] a 29 Those who passed by hurled in insults sults at him, shaking shaking their heads and saying, say ing, “So! You who are a re going go ing to destroy destroy the temple tem ple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself !” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers teach ers of the law mocked him among themselves. them selves. “He saved others,” others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself him self ! 32 Let this Mes Messi siah, ah, this king of Isra Israel, el, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” be lieve.” Those cruci crucified fied with him also heaped insults on him. 21
THE
W I TNESSES ✓ SIMON FROM CYRENE
(MARK 15:21)
This man had two sons, Alexander and Rufus. When Jesus was carrying his cross, Simon helped him carry it.
The Death of Jesus At noon, dark darkness ness came over the whole land until un til three in the after afternoon. noon. 34 And at three in the af ter ternoon noon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabach sa bachtha thani? ni?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsak for saken en me?”). b 35 When some of those stand standing ing near heard this, they said, “Listen, “Lis ten, he’s calling calling Eli jah.” jah.” 36 Someone omeone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Eli jah jah comes to take him down,” he said. 33
a
28 Some manuscripts include here words similar to b 34 Psalm 22:1 Luke 22:37.
1301
Mark 16:2
self waiting waiting for the kingdom kingdom of God, went boldly bold ly to Pilate Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pi Pilate late was surprised surprised to hear that he was already al ready dead. Summon Sum moning ing the centu centuri rion, on, he asked him if Jesus had already al ready died. 45 When he learned from fr om the cen centu turi rion on that it was so, he gave the body to Jo seph. 46 So Jo Joseph seph bought some lin en cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in i n the linen, lin en, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance en trance of 47 the tomb. Mary Mag Magda dalene lene and Mary the mother moth er of Joseph Joseph saw where he was laid.
Jesus Has Risen
16 THROUGH!
Myrrh
When the Sabbath Sabbath was over, Mary Magda Mag dalene, lene, Mary the mother moth er of James, and Salo Sa lome me bought spices spic es so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very ear early ly on the first day of the week,
(MARK 15:23)
a
BREAKTHROUGH!
This is an oil taken from a special tree, and it’s like a lovely perfume. In order to get it, they have to cut the tree trunk a little bit and then wait until little yellow drops begin to seep out. That liquid is myrrh. In Jesus’ time, they used it for many things, like perfume, toothpaste, and even to help with pain. The problem was that myrrh cost a lot of money. With a loud l oud cr cryy, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The cur curtain tain of the temple tem ple was torn in two from top to bottom. bot tom. 39 And when the centu centuri rion, on, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, a he said, “Surely “Surely this man was the Son of God!” 40 Some wom women en were watching watch ing from a distance. dis tance. Among them were Mary MagdaMag dalene, Mary the mother moth er of James the younger and of Joseph, Jo seph, b and Salo Salome. me. 41 In Galilee these women wom en had followed followed him and cared for his needs. Many other oth er women women who had come up with him to Jeru Je rusa salem lem were also there.
b
39 Some manuscripts saw that he died with such a cry 40 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph; also in verse 47
37
The Burial of Jesus It was Prep P repa ara ration tion Day (that is, is , the day day before be fore the Sabbath). Sabbath). So as evening eve ning approached, 43Jo Joseph seph of Ari Arima mathea, thea, a promiprominent member member of the Council, Council, who was him42
BREAKTHROUGH!
THROUGH!
Spices for anointing Jesus’ body (MARK 16:1)
When a person died in Palestine a long time ago, they would put perfume and a special oil on the body before wrapping it in white sheets. That was so the body would stay nice for longer.
Mark 16:3
1302
just after af ter sunrise, sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other er,, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had entered tered the been rolled away. 5 As they en tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be b e alarmed,” al armed,” he said. sa id. “Y “You ou are ar e looking look ing for Jesus the Naza Naz arene, who was cruci cru cified. fied. He has risen! ris en! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disci disciples ples and Peter, Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Gali Gal ilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” 8 Tre rem mbling and bewil bewildered, dered, the women women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing noth ing to anyone, any one, because because they were afraid. a
[The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9 – 20.]
who were mourning mourning and weeping. weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not not believe believe it. 12 Af After terward ward Jesus appeared appeared in a differ dif ferent ent form to two of them while they were walking walk ing in 13 the country. country. These returned returned and report reported ed it to the rest; but they did not believe be lieve them either. either. 14 Lat Later er Jesus appeared appeared to the Eleven Eleven as they were eating; eating; he rebuked rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn stub born refus refusal al to believe believe those who had seen him after after he had risen. risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel gospel to all crea creation. 16 Who Whoev ever er be- lieves and is baptized bap tized will be saved, but whoev- who ev- er does not believe believe will be condemned. condemned. 17 And these signs will accom accompa pany ny those who believe: believe: In my name they will drive out demons; de mons; they 18 will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly dead ly poi son, son, it will not hur t them at all; they will place their hands on sick on sick people, peo ple, and they will get well.” 19 Af After ter the Lord Jesus had spoken spo ken to them, he was taken taken up into heaven heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disci disciples ples went out and preached every everywhere, where, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed confirmed his word by the signs that accom accompa panied nied it. a
9 When
Jesus rose early early on the first day of the week, he appeared appeared first to Mary Magda Mag dalene, lene, out of whom he had driven driven seven seven demons. demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and
8 Some manuscripts have the following ending between verses 8 and 9, and one manuscript has it after verse 8 (omitting verses 9-20): Then they quickly reported all these instructions to those around Peter. After this, Jesus himself also sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.
A C ASE CLoSE D!
fter reading this book, Mateo and I decided that we have to learn from John the Baptist and Jesus.
The Bible says they both were wer e very obedient. obedie nt. Jesus Jesus teaches us that people and people’s hearts are what’s most important. i mportant. That’s That’s why he wasn’t bothered about what people might be saying, because he always did what God had told him to do. For For example, exam ple, he healed people peop le on Saturday Saturday,, although the Jews said that kind of work shouldn’t be done on a Saturday.
