Mark 11:27-33; 12:1-12
(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds)
January 3, 2013
Beginning
with Mark 11, the remainder of Mark’s Gospel focuses essentially on the events
that took place in a single week—the week of the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection. In the first part of Mark 11 we read about
the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem on Sunday at the beginning of the week that
literally changed the course of human history.
In the middle part of Mark 11 we are told about how Jesus drove the
moneychangers and sellers of sacrificial animals from the Temple court. At the end of Mark 11 we see the conflict
between Jesus and the religious establishment in Jerusalem moving toward an
explosive climax.
In this
section the religious leaders asked Jesus a series of questions, attempting to
discredit him in the eyes of His growing number of followers. Warren Wiersbe in his commentary on Mark
classifies this series of questions this way:
·
A
question of authority (11:27-12:12) – They wanted to know why Jesus thought He
had the authority to do the things He was doing and say the things He was
saying.
·
A
question of responsibility (12:13-17) – This question had to do with the issue
of Jews paying taxes to the Romans.
·
A
question of eternity (12:18-27) – This question had to do with the resurrection
from the dead.
·
A
question of priority (12:28-34) – This question had to do with which was the
greatest commandment.
Then, toward the end
of chapter 12, Jesus turn the tables on the religious leaders asked a question
about them (12:35-37).
A Question of Authority
(Mark 11:27-12:12)
11:27-33 gives the circumstances of this
question being asked and Jesus’ initial response.
11:27 “They
came again to Jerusalem” This seems to imply they left Jerusalem and spent the
nights back in Bethany, possibly with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
“walking in
the temple” Can you imagine how the merchants were watching Him! Jesus did not
hide from or avoid confrontation. This was His moment of impact on Jerusalem.
“the chief
priests and the scribes and the elders” This is the full designation for the
Sanhedrin. This was an official ruling body of seventy members in Jerusalem,
which developed out of the Great Synagogue of Ezra’s day. It was made up of the
High Priest and his family, local scribes, and wealthy, influential elders from
the Jerusalem area.
11:28 “ ‘By what authority are You
doing these things’ ” This has been and is the crucial question about
Jesus. Where did He get His power and authority to speak and act? Jesus did not
fit their expected mold of what YHWH’s Messiah would do and say!
11:29 Jesus
often used this second-question technique when dealing with those who tried to
trick or trap Him (cf. 2:6–9, 19, 25–26; 3:23–24; 10:3, 37–39; 12:14–16). He
would be open with them if they would be open to Him (cf. v. 33).
11:30
“ ‘Was the baptism of John from heaven’ ” Jesus answered their
question with a question that dealt with their rejection of John the Baptist.
They were not really seeking truth (cf. vv. 31–33). They were more concerned
with their reputations and maintaining power (cf. v. 32).
11:31 “if”
This is a THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL sentence, which means potential action.
11:33 Jesus
answers them by the parable in Mark 12:1–12, which is one of the most severe
condemnations of Israel and her leaders in the entire NT.[1]
12:1-12 gives Jesus’ more complete response to the
question of authority. While refusing
to answer them directly, in first part of Mark 12 told a parable which
indirectly answered their question.
Parables were designed be heard more than read. Generally a parable has one primary meaning
and it would be a mistake to look for meaning or symbolism in each minute
detail of the story. But this parable is
an exception. It is almost in form of an
allegory. Jesus patterned story after a
similar story in Isaiah 5:1‑7, and it is quite clear that details of this story
do have specific meanings.
Let’s look first at the meaning of the various symbols in
this parable. Basically, this story is a
history of the nation Israel.
LANDOWNER represents
God...responsible for creation of vineyard...sending messengers...sending the
son...
VINEYARD
represents Israel...picture of Israel as "vineyard of God" familiar
OT picture...Isaiah 5:7‑ "The vineyard of the Lord is the house of
Israel."...notice that landowner (God) gave vineyard (Israel)
everything necessary for prosperity...wall keep out beasts and thieves...wine
press crush grapes and make wine...tower to house workers and serve as guard
post...
VINE‑GROWERS represent
religious leaders Israel...in this case the scribes and Pharisees to whom
directed...
SLAVES sent
collect owner's share produce represent OT prophets...time and again sent call
back and were rejected...
SON represents
Jesus...since Israel not listen servants God sent own son...here in parable is
prediction of rejection and death of Jesus at hands Jewish religious leaders
which occurred later that week...
OTHER VINE‑GROWERS represent
Christians who became focal point of God's redemptive activity in world...
With all that in mind, the meaning of parable is obvious:
God called the nation Israel to be special servant people...gave Israel
everything needed accomplish mission...Israel misunderstood calling and strayed
from God...so, God sent prophets call the nation back to Him…but, Israel
rejected those messengers from God...in due time, God sent own Son call people
back to Him...people rejected God's Son and killed him on cross...now God calls
all those who believe in the Son to be His servant people in the world...
One writer said: "For
us, this parable is not meant to be a slice of ancient history, but a grid
through which we can evaluate our own lives."...while many truths
in parable about God, Jesus, and us, want focus on what story says about how
God has chosen relate to us...Several important truths here...Parable tells us
that...
In this parable are some important truths about God that
we need to understand.
God has
chosen to entrust His work in this world to us
1. Parable opens with owner completely
entrusting vineyard to cultivators...wasn't uncommon in first century
world...owners often had arrangements where someone else worked the land and
they got either percentage of crop or fixed amount of crop regardless of
harvest...what is unusually here is owner went on journey and made no effort
check on progress of workers...did not stand over and exercise strict
supervision...left them alone and trusted them to get job done...
2. That's reminder of great spiritual
principle...God has exhibited great faith/trust/confidence in us by entrusting
to us His work in this world....
1. Many, if not most Christians, think of
Christian life in terms of
privilege...but must also remember that privilege always involves
responsibility...
2. Awesome thought that God has entrusted work
his kingdom to us...imagine that!...for some reason, far beyond my understanding,
God in his sovereignty has chosen do His work in world through people...if
kingdom of God grows in this world, God's plan for it grow through lives people
submissive and committed to him....
3. Beautiful legend in Christian tradition which
I've shared with you before...Jesus returned to heaven after mission
completed...met by angel who asked what done ensure what began con't...said, "Entrusted
message 12 people..they will carry‑on.."...angel said,
"Only 12? What if plan should fail?"..Jesus replied, "There
is no other plan."..
God has
chosen to relate to us with patience
1. In parable landowner gave tenants ample
opportunity respond to him...did not react vengeance/anger when first messenger
abused/rejected...instead, sent another...when that one was rejected and
injured, still did not react with anger but sent another...and when the third
one was killed, he still did not react with anger...instead Jesus said in v.5
he sent "many others"...and finally, when there was
no-one else left to send, he sent own son...
2. Point Jesus making is God had given Israel
ample opportunity to repent and turn back to Him...was patient with
them...didn't cast them away...even though Israel rejected God's messengers
time and time again, God kept sending prophets call nation back to him..listen
what said Hosea: When Israel was a
child, I love him, and out of Egypt I called My son. The more I called them,
the more they went from me..(what did God do?..reject?..destroy?..no!) I
led them with cords of compassion, with the bands of love, and I became to them
as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.
3. And just as patient with Israel, still
patient with us today...gives us every opportunity respond him in repentance
and faith in Jesus Christ...not mean ogre trying make life miserable and making
difficult know and follow him...loving parent does all can make Himself known
and make life better and more complete for those who respond to him...
If we refuse
God's love and patience, He will respond to us with judgment
1. Main point this parable...directed primarily
toward scribes/Phar. who would crucify in few days...applies every person ever
has/will lived...day reckoning will come...will be called give account how
responded to Jesus Christ...those accepted/accepted by God...rejected/rejected
by
2. What mean reject Jesus?...basically saying to
God who sent him, "I don't need you...can handle life by myself...just
leave me alone and let do own thing!"...in reality, rejecting God is
rebellion against God..
3. Want you know possible reject Jesus while
believing all historical facts about him (acceptance more than accepting
facts)...while being member church and hearing about him week after week
(acceptance more that ritual and outward show)...
4. Accepting Jesus means both knowing the
right things--God loves/sin separates/Jesus came die for sins...and doing
right thing -- trusting lives to him...
5. Parable reminder that those who reject Christ
stand in danger of God's judgement!
Conclusion
Basic message of this parable is transparently
clear...God is a merciful God...God is a gracious God...God is a patient
God...He desires to relate to us with mercy, grace, and patience...however, if
we reject that, He will relate to us with judgment and condemnation...mercy or judgment...grace
or condemnation...God has put that choice in our hands…
[1]
Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2:
The Gospel According to Peter: Mark and I
& II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (135). Marshall, Texas: Bible
Lessons International.
