Mark 12

Mark 12 presents a series of teachings and confrontations between Jesus and various religious leaders in Jerusalem. Through parables and direct responses, Jesus addresses issues of authority, obedience to God, the greatest commandments, and the nature of the Messiah. The chapter emphasizes Jesus' wisdom, His understanding of God’s kingdom, and the contrast between genuine faith and superficial religious practices.

Mark 12:1-12 (NKJV)
1 Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.
2 Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers.
3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
4 Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.
5 And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.
6 Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
7 But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
8 So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.
9 Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.
10 Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

In this parable, Jesus portrays God as the vineyard owner, with Israel as His vineyard and the religious leaders as unfaithful tenants. The servants represent prophets whom God sent, only to be rejected, mistreated, or killed. Sending the son symbolizes God’s ultimate attempt through Jesus, who, like the son in the story, faces rejection and death. This parable is a sharp critique of the religious leaders’ refusal to recognize God’s messengers and ultimately, Jesus Himself.

Mark 12:13-17 (NKJV)
13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.
14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?
15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.”
16 So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
17 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.

In this exchange, the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with a politically loaded question about paying taxes to Caesar. A “yes” would alienate Jewish patriots, while a “no” could be seen as rebellion against Rome. Jesus’ response avoids their trap by distinguishing earthly obligations from spiritual ones, teaching that loyalty to God transcends human authority without negating civic responsibility.

Mark 12:18-27 (NKJV)
18 Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying:
19 “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.
20 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring.
21 And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise.
22 So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also.
23 Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.”
24 Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?
25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
26 But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”

Here, the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, present a hypothetical situation to discredit belief in life after death. Jesus responds by clarifying that earthly relationships, like marriage, do not carry over into the resurrected life, where people are transformed and live eternally with God. He emphasizes that God is the God of the living, affirming the reality of resurrection and life beyond death.

Mark 12:28-34 (NKJV)
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him.

Jesus confirms the fundamental belief in monotheism when interacting with a scribe who inquires about the greatest commandment. Citing Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one," Jesus uses the Greek word "εἷς" (heis) to emphasize that God is singular in number, specifically referring to God the Father as the sole, supreme being. This is further supported by the scribe’s acknowledgment that "there is no other but He," with "He" clearly denoting a singular entity, God the Father, as affirmed in Jesus’ reference in John 17:3 to the Father as "the only true God."

Jesus then elaborates that the most important commandment is to love this one God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to extend that love to one's neighbor as oneself. This directive encapsulates the entirety of the Law and the Prophets, underscoring that genuine devotion to God and ethical conduct towards others are more significant than religious rituals like burnt offerings and sacrifices. The scribe’s agreement with Jesus' summation and his insightful understanding of these principles leads Jesus to commend him, observing that he is not far from the kingdom of God. This exchange not only highlights the core of Jesus' teachings about God’s nature but also the essence of true piety, which combines love of God with love of neighbor as the highest moral obligations.

Mark 12:35-37 (NKJV)
35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?
36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’
37 Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?” And the common people heard Him gladly.

Jesus poses a question challenging the common understanding of the Messiah as merely a descendant of David. By referencing David’s words, Jesus hints at the Messiah’s divine nature, which surpasses earthly lineage. The people appreciate His teaching, recognizing its insight and depth.

Mark 12:38-40 (NKJV)
38 Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,
39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
40 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

Jesus warns the people against the scribes, who seek social honor but exploit others, particularly vulnerable individuals like widows. Their actions reveal hypocrisy, showing outward piety while lacking true compassion and humility. Jesus condemns such behavior, highlighting God’s disfavor with those who misuse their positions.

Mark 12:41-44 (NKJV)
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.
42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.
43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

Jesus observes the offerings and points out the widow’s small but sacrificial gift. Unlike the wealthy who give from their surplus, she gives everything, displaying genuine trust in God. Her offering reflects profound faith and commitment, contrasting with the self-serving actions of the religious leaders.