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Who is this man?

Bible Studies Mark’s Gospel

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STUDYING MARK’S GOSPEL

On Sunday 21 December we began a series of sermons on Mark. As most Bible study groups don’t meet during December-‐January we won’t produce discussion questions for that period. Here are discussion questions for February onwards and some background information to the Gospel that will help you understand the sermons. The following questions can be asked of each passage:

1. What does it show about Jesus? What did people think about him? How was he different from their expectations? What do his actions and teaching show about him? What surprises you about Jesus?

2. What did he come to do? What are his priorities? What did he achieve? Why did he have to die?

3. How are we supposed to respond to him? What does following and discipleship mean? What is faith?

We will divide the Gospel us like this:

21 December Sermon 1 -‐ Mark 1:1-‐20 -‐ The King is here 28 December Sermon 2 -‐ Mark 1:21-‐45 -‐ The King’s authority 4 January Sermon 3 -‐ Mark 2:1-‐12 -‐ The King forgives 11 January Sermon 4 -‐ Mark 2:13-‐3:6 -‐ The King’s new way 18 January Sermon 5 -‐ Mark 4:1-‐34 -‐ The hidden kingdom 25 January Sermon 6 -‐ Mark 4:35-‐5:20 -‐ The King’s power 1 February Sermon 7 -‐ Mark 5:21-‐43 -‐ Faith in the King 8 February Sermon 8 -‐ Mark 6:30-‐56 -‐ Who is this King? 15 February Sermon 9 -‐ Mark 7:1-‐23 -‐ The heart of sin 22 February Sermon 10 -‐ Mark 8:27-‐9:1 -‐ The King must die 1 March Sermon 11 -‐ Mark 9:2-‐13 -‐ The King of glory 8 March Sermon 12 -‐ Mark 9:14-‐32 -‐ Trusting the King 15 March Sermon 13 -‐ Mark 10:13-‐31 -‐ Entering the kingdom 22 March Sermon 14 -‐ Mark 10:32-‐45 -‐ The servant King 29 March Sermon 15 -‐ Mark 11:1-‐33 -‐ The King enters 2 April Sermon 16 -‐ Mark 14:12-‐51 -‐ The King dies. Why? 3 April Sermon 17 -‐ Mark 15:21-‐47 -‐ Remember the King 5 April Sermon 18 -‐ Mark 16:1-‐8 -‐ Long live the King!

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INTRODUCTION

Mark’s Gospel Mark was Peter’s companion and scribe. Although Mark was not one of the 12 disciples he gained his information for his Gospel from Peter (1 Peter 5:13) and other disciples he knew. His mother had a house in Jerusalem in which the disciples met (Acts 12:12). He also accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 12:25). His was the first Gospel to be written, between 60 and 70AD or possibly earlier. It was probably written to the Christians in Rome. It was written in Greek as is the rest of the New Testament. Mark does not relate the details of Jesus’ birth (see Matthew and Luke) but begins when Jesus is baptised by John the Baptist and starts his public ministry at the age of 30 years.

Who is Jesus? “Are we there yet?” Imagine children on a long car trip to a holiday destination. They long to arrive. So the Jews longed for the arrival of the Messiah (‘Christ’ is the Greek word for Messiah. It is not Jesus’ surname). Since the exile the Jews had been ruled by the Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and after a short independence they were conquered by Romans. The Romans interfered in religious affairs, there were Roman soldiers in their towns and the people had to pay taxes to Rome. They longed for independence, for freedom to govern themselves. The Old Testament prophets had foretold the coming of a king like David who would rule with justice (Isaiah 9:2-‐7; 11:1-‐9 when “…the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”; Jeremiah 23:1-‐8; Ezekiel 34:1-‐31; Micah 5:2-‐4 “… his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace” Zechariah 9:9-‐10), but there had been no prophets for 400 years. As Roman rule became more oppressive the people grew more anxious for the Messiah to come. They were looking for a political king who would deliver them from Roman rule. When Jesus came people wondered if he was this king. Mark shows that he was the Messiah but a very different Messiah and bringing a very different kingdom to that which they were expecting. The disciples take a long time to understand him and what he taught. As we look at each passage in Mark we can ask:

Roman rule Palestine was conquered by the Romans in 63BC. King Herod the Great ruled the country 37BC to 4BC. He was part Jewish and was a puppet king ruling for the Romans. He built the grand temple in Jerusalem and a city on the coast called Caesarea which became the centre for Roman rule. After him Roman governors were appointed to rule Judea while Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14-‐22), King Herod’s son, ruled Galilee and some other areas. Pontius Pilate was the Roman Prefect of Judea at the time of Jesus death. Not long after Jesus’ death the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70AD after the Jews had rebelled against Roman rule.

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Some other groups Jews There were 12 tribes of Israel but ten were lost in the exile. The main tribe that survived were from Judah and so they were called “Jews”. Their capital was Jerusalem where the temple was in the region of Judea (see map). Jews lived in many areas of the Roman Empire. There were many Jews living in the region of Galilee where Jesus spent most of his ministry. Sadducees They were a small group of elite ruling families centred in Jerusalem. The High Priests came from this group and the temple was their power base. They benefitted from Roman rule and so cooperated with the Romans. They only accepted the Books of Moses (not the rest of the Old Testament). They did not believe in the resurrection or in Angels. They were not popular with the people. Pharisees We meet many Pharisees in the Gospel. They were a group that emphasised obedience to the laws of Moses but had added various oral traditions to the laws of the Old Testament. They were a very devout group and were more popular with the people. They believed in the resurrection and accepted the whole Old Testament. The “teachers of the law” (also called ‘scribes’) were mainly from the Pharisees and were experts in the law (both written and oral law). Jesus is often accused of breaking the law by Pharisees and teachers of the law (eg. Mark 2:6, 23; 3:6; 3:22; 7:1-‐5). Zealots We don’t hear of Zealots in the New Testament. They were a group that were determined to win independence from the Romans by force. They played a leading role in the revolt of 66AD which led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. Essenes We don’t hear of Essenes in the New Testament. Their response to the corruption they saw in the Jewish leadership was to withdraw and seek to live a righteous life. Some went into the desert near the Dead Sea to study the Scriptures and to wait for the Messiah to establish God’s righteous kingdom. Sanhedrin This was the highest tribunal of the Jews. It is sometimes called the ‘Council’. It consisted of the Sadducean priestly aristocracy, Pharisees and scribes. It had wide powers, could order arrests and judge cases but could not apply the death penalty. Jesus was tried before the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:55).

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It is helpful to look at the map to see where things happened. It gives you a better understanding of the events.

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Study 1 – Mark 1-‐5 -‐ The story so far

We have already had sermons on Mark chapters 1 to 5 so here are some general questions on those passages. Either in the group or at home read these chapters of Mark.

1. Look at the background information (page3). Discuss the situation of the Jews at the time of Jesus’ coming. What would it have been like living then and what were their expectations for the future?

2. What is the role of John the Baptist (1:2-‐8)?

3. Who were Jesus’ disciples (1:16-‐20; 2:13-‐14; 3:13-‐19)?

4. What sort of things did Jesus do (1:21-‐22, 23-‐28, 29-‐34; 4:1-‐2)? What was his main priority (1:35-‐39)? What did he say about the kingdom of God (1:15; 4:11, 26-‐34)? What does Jesus mean by “the kingdom of God”?

5. What do we learn about who Jesus is from the events in these chapters? What authority did he have (1:21-‐22, 27; 2:9-‐12, 28, 4:39-‐41)? What does it mean for him to be the Messiah (Christ)?

6. What opposition did he face (2:6-‐7, 16, 23-‐24; 3:1-‐6)? Why were they so opposed to Jesus?

7. What does it mean for us to be disciples of Jesus, to follow him and to be in the kingdom of God? As you reflect on your life, what does it mean for you personally?

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Study 2 – Mark 6:30-‐56 – Who is the King?

1. What attracts these enormous crowds to Jesus (1:45; 3:7-‐10)?

2. Why did Jesus want to cross the lake (6:30-‐32)? How were his plans frustrated (6:33)? How did Jesus react (6:34)?

3. “… sheep without a shepherd.” (6:34). Who were supposed to be their shepherds? Look at the life of Herod and his consort (6:17-‐29). What does the Old Testament say about the shepherds of God’s people (Ezekiel 34:1-‐16, 23-‐24)? What does this tell us about who Jesus is? Look again at 6:34, what sort of shepherd is he?

4. What do you think of the political leaders of this world? What is the best we can hope for with a new Prime Minister, President of earthly King? How different is our hope with Jesus as King?

5. Jesus feeds five thousand in the wilderness. What does this remind you of (Exodus 16:1-‐5, 35)? What is God’s promise in Deuteronomy 18:15 & 18? What does this event show us about Jesus? Look at the people’s reaction in John 6:14-‐15.

6. How did Jesus still the storm (4:39)? Here he walks on water. Who is the only one with this sort of power (see Psalm 89:9; 107 29-‐30, Isaiah 51:10, 15)? What does this show us about Jesus? Why does it say they were so frightened and amazed (6:52)? What should they have understood?

7. The disciples were afraid and did not understand about Jesus. Are there times in life when you are afraid? Are there things you don’t understand about Jesus? How can we overcome our fears?

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Study 3 – Mark 7:1-‐23 – The heart of sin

1. What were the Pharisees upset about? Why was the law so important to them (2 Kings 17:6-‐13)? What was the tradition of the elders (7:5)?

2. What did Jesus say about these traditions (7:6-‐13)? In what ways might we put traditions in the wrong place? Are all human traditions bad? What is the danger in putting too much emphasis on outward actions, symbolic things or ritual?

3. What did the Old Testament say about being unclean (see Leviticus 5:2; 11:4-‐8; 13:2-‐3; 15:1-‐3; etc.)? What does Jesus say (7:15-‐23)?

4. What part does the human heart play in making a person unclean (or unacceptable) to a holy God? What is the place of thought, motivation and outward action when we sin?

5. What is the basic nature of humans; are we basically good but sometimes led astray or are we fallen and sinful by nature (Jeremiah 13:23; 17:9; Romans 3:9-‐19, 23)? How will this affect the way we regard ourselves and the way we respond to others? Why have we set up the structures of government the way we have?

6. What is the basic attitude of the human heart to Jesus’ authority as King? In becoming a Christian what must change? How do you feel about giving Jesus complete rule over your life?

7. How has Jesus freed us from legalism (e.g. 7:19)? What does this mean to you?

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Study 4 – Mark 8:27-‐9:1 -‐ The King must die

1. Mark told us that Jesus is the Messiah in 1:1 but this has not been mentioned again until this passage. Jesus has not gone around claiming to be the Messiah. Why not?

2. Crowds of people have heard Jesus’ preaching and seen his miracles. What do they think of him (8:27-‐28; see Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; Malachi 4:5-‐6)? What does Peter say (8:29)? Why does Jesus say to tell no one?

3. How have the disciples come to understand that Jesus is Messiah? How do we work it out?

4. Does Peter understand what sort of Messiah Jesus is (8:31-‐33)? ‘Rebuke’ is a strong word. What does Jesus have to explain to them? What sort of Messiah is he (Isaiah 53:4-‐12)? What things does Jesus predict?

5. What does it take to be a follower of Jesus (8:34-‐38. Note that he calls the crowd to hear these words not just the disciples)? What does it mean to follow a suffering Messiah, to deny yourself, and to take up your cross? How does this compare with a promise that life will be easy if we follow Jesus?

6. What does it mean to lose or save your life? What does it mean to be ashamed of Jesus or for him to be ashamed of us?

7. Are there different levels of following (ie. those who give their whole life and those who are just ordinary Christians)? What do the words “if anyone” mean? How do you react to these words of Jesus?

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Study 5 -‐ Mark 9:2-‐13 -‐ The King of glory

In Mark 8:31-‐33 Jesus revealed that he was not to be a political-‐military Messiah who won a victory by shedding the blood of his Roman enemies, but one who would suffer and shed his own blood to win a victory over Satan, sin and death -‐ a spiritual victory to reconcile us to God. But that is not the whole picture and our present passage fills out the rest of his nature as Messiah.

1. The word “transfigured” in Greek is the word from which we get “metamorphic”, a change in physical form. What do you think this change was? What does this show about Jesus?

2. What is the significance of Moses and Elijah? (see Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; Malachi 4:5-‐6)? What was their role in the Old Testament?

3. Moses and Elijah were giant figures of the Old Testament and of Jewish faith. How is Jesus honoured above them here? What is the significance of this? Why does Peter want to put up shelters for them?

4. What is the significance of the cloud (Exodus 13:21; 19:9; 40:34-‐35)? What is the implication of God’s words (9:7; cf. 1:11), particularly of God calling Jesus his beloved Son?

5. How should we respond to the command to “listen to him”? In what ways do we fail to do this?

6. Note: Jesus tells them again not to tell anyone about something. Why are the disciples baffled about “rising from the dead”? Why does this raise questions about Elijah coming? Who fulfilled this prophecy (cf. 1:2-‐3) and why does Jesus point to John’s death?

7. If you could see Jesus in his risen glory how would this affect your faith? How can we know that he is the glorious Son of God reigning in heaven (see 2 Peter 1:17-‐18; John 1:1-‐4)?

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Study 6 -‐ Mark 9:14-‐32 -‐ Trusting the King

Jesus has only taken Peter, James and John up on the mountain. The others were left behind, now we meet them again and an argument is in progress with the teachers of the law.

1. What is the problem (9:17-‐18, 21-‐22)? What is the nature of the boy’s condition? What is the spirit trying to do to him?

2. Why is Jesus upset by the situation (9:19)?

3. What does Jesus mean by “Everything is possible for him who believes”? What does it mean to believe? The Father says he has weak faith (9:24) yet he receives the answer to his prayer. What do we learn from this (see Matthew 17:20-‐21, the same incident)?

4. The passage has language of death and resurrection in its description of what happened (see 9:26-‐27). What is the effect of Jesus’ victory on the cross? What odes it mean to trust him in the face of evil in the world?

5. Why couldn’t the disciples drive out the spirit (9:28-‐29 and the Matthew reference above)?

6. Jesus talks about the “Son of Man” suffering (cf. 8:31; 9:12, 31; 10:33; 14:21) as well as the Son of Man having authority to forgive (2:10), being Lord of the Sabbath (2:28), and coming in glory with the clouds (8:38; 13:26; 14:62). Why does he call himself “Son of Man” (see Daniel 7:13-‐14, 24-‐27)? What is the picture in Daniel and how do Jesus’ suffering and glory fit in with it?

7. That final day of judgement has not arrived yet even though Jesus has defeated evil. What can we expect in this time before Jesus’ return (Daniel 7:24-‐25)?

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Study 7 – Mark 10:13-‐31 – Entering the kingdom

1. Why did the disciples rebuke the parents who were bringing children to Jesus? What does this say about how some people regard children?

2. What is Jesus’ (and God’s) attitude to children? How should we treat children? Can children come to truly believe in Jesus (10:14)?

3. What does this say about how adults enter the kingdom? What is it about children that makes them an example for adults (10:15)? Why do we need to be told this?

4. This young man is obviously very keen (10:17). Why does Jesus say that no one is good except God? The man has lived a genuinely moral life (he is not claiming he is perfect). Why isn’t this enough?

5. Why does Jesus tell him to sell everything? Is having many possessions wrong? Note that the punch line is kept to the end (10:22). Why does he go away sad?

6. Some evangelism tells people just to believe in Jesus and they will be saved. Why isn’t this enough (1:15; 8:34-‐38)? Jesus calls this man to follow him as a disciple. What does it mean for us to be disciples?

7. What might stop us from truly following as disciples (10:23-‐26)? Note again that the man was keen and Jesus loved him but he went away sad. He couldn’t take this step.

8. What is Jesus’ promise to those who do make sacrifices to follow him (10:28-‐31)?

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Study 8 – Mark 10:32-‐45 – The Servant King

1. Jesus knows what lies ahead yet willingly marches on towards Jerusalem. He describes the complete humiliation that he will suffer. Why does he keep going?

2. The disciples show that they completely misunderstand what it means to follow Jesus even after being told several times. What are they expecting? What are James and John asking for? What is their motivation?

3. What does Jesus mean by “cup” and “baptism” (cf. 14:36)? What do you think of their confident reply (10:39)?

4. How do the “rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them” (10:42)? What attitude in our world does this reflect? How might we show this same attitude at work, in our family and at church?

5. God’s kingdom is a new community where the values are to be completely different. How is someone counted as great (10:43; cf. 9:33-‐37)? How can we live out this attitude in the above areas of life especially in church?

6. Jesus points to his own example of serving. How did he serve (Isaiah 52:13-‐53:12; Philippians 2:5-‐11)? How does his example inspire you? What does it mean to follow this example in life?

7. What does it mean that he gives his life as a ransom for many (10:45)?

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Study 9 – Mark 11:1-‐33 – The King enters

Up till now Jesus has not claimed to be Messiah, the promised King. Now this is about to change. Jerusalem was the capital city especially in David’s reign. It is where kings ruled and where the temple stood. At the feast of Passover 300,000 to 400,000 pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem and Jesus comes in the middle of this crowd.

1. Why does Jesus select a donkey on which to ride into the city (Genesis 49:10-‐11; Zechariah 9:9-‐10)? What is the statement he is making?

2. What is the reaction of the pilgrims around him (cf. Psalm 118:25-‐26; Isaiah 9:7)?

3. The temple had a large outer courtyard where the Gentiles were allowed to enter. It was here that the priests had recently (AD30) allowed the sale of animals for sacrifice and the exchange of money, Gentile coins for Jewish ones fit for offering. In Passover week about 255,000 lambs would be sold! What do you think the scene was like? What do you think of Jesus’ actions?

4. What was Jesus’ concern (Isaiah 56:6-‐7; Malachi 3:1-‐4)? Of what is he accusing the temple leadership?

5. Why don’t the leaders arrest him on the spot (11:18; cf. 11:27-‐33)? The authorities have armed temple guards but they still can’t touch Jesus. What does this say about his popularity? Why does Jesus refuse to answer their question (11:33)?

6. Look again at 11:12-‐14 and 11:20-‐25. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree (See Isaiah 5:1-‐7; Mark 12:1-‐12)? How does this relate to Jesus’ actions in the temple and his attitude to the Jewish leadership?

7. What is Jesus’ teaching on prayer in 11:22-‐25? Why the emphasis on forgiveness?

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Study 10 – Mark 14:12-‐31; 15:1-‐47 The King dies. Why?

1. What was the Passover meal all about (Exodus 12:17-‐23)? How does Jesus reinterpret this meal (14:22-‐25)? What does this tell us about his death?

2. In the Jewish trial what is Jesus accused of (14:58-‐59)? What does Jesus say about himself (14:61-‐62)? What does this mean? What does the High Priest mean by “blasphemy”?

3. What is the charge in the trial before Pilate (15:2)? What is Pilate’s response? Barabbas is guilty yet goes free. Jesus dies in his place. How does this illustrate the nature of Jesus’ death?

4. How is the truth declared in his mocking and death (15:16-‐19, 26-‐33)? How does Jesus raise a new temple in three days?

5. What is the significance of: a) The darkness (15:33)?

b) Jesus’ cry (15:34; cf. Psalm 22:1; 1 Peter 2:24)?

c) Jesus’ giving up his own life (15:37)?

d) The tearing of the temple curtain (15:38)?

e) The centurion’s statement (15:39; cf. Mark 1:1)?

6. Given all this, what does Jesus’ death achieve for us? What would be the difference if he had not died? When you reflect on Jesus’ death what does it mean for you personally?

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Study 11 – Mark 16:1-‐8 – Long live the King!

Some Bibles have 16:9-‐20 included. These are a later addition to the Gospel not written by Mark. Mark does not give us resurrection appearances so these verses have been added to complete the story but are not part of the original.

1. See 15:42-‐47. Why is it important that Jesus was truly dead and buried and that there were witnesses to his burial place?

2. What were the women expecting as they went to the tomb? How did the stone get rolled away? Who is the man in white?

3. They are told that Jesus had risen. What did they believe about resurrection? Why

the fear (16:5, 6, 8. See also 4:41; 5:15, 33, 36; 6:49-‐50; 9:6, 32)? 4. In Jewish society women are not trusted as witnesses. Why do the gospels all have

women as the first witnesses to such a vital event?

5. If Jesus did not rise from the dead what other explanation can we give to the evidence?

6. The empty tomb (the body was gone) is the first evidence for the resurrection. The second is the resurrection appearances (Luke 24:13-‐49; Acts 1:3-‐11; 10:41; 1 Corinthians 15:1-‐8). Can we trust these accounts?

7. Why is Jesus’ resurrection so important (Acts 17:31; 1 Corinthians 15:20; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:3)? What does it mean to you?

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