Mark

Parable of the Wicked Farmers
Religious Leaders Test about Paying Taxes
Religious Leaders Test about Resurrection
Religious Leaders Can't answer Jesus' Questions
Jesus Warns against Religious Leaders
Poor Widow Gives all She Has

Mark 12:1-12  

The 'then' of verse one seems to connect this sequentially to those seeking the answer regarding Christ's authority.  He told this parable to the chief priests, scribes and elders.  The vineyard is a figure of Israel in the old testament; (see Psalm 80; Isaiah 5:1-7).  The owner of the vineyard is clearly Yahweh. 

 

The owner created this vineyard, it was completely His initiative.  He planted it, put a fence around it, made a wine vat and built a tower.  These are all very normal things for a landowner to do.  The tower was multi-purpose:

 

1. It was a lookout tower. 
2. It was shelter for the workers. 
3. It was used to store seed and tools. 

The owner then rented his vineyard out to vine growers.  This wasn't unusual.  The owner had a covenant with people who were to care for the land.  It was his expectation that they would return a percentage of the fruit to Him.  This was not just a fair expectation but reasonable as well. 

 

The owner then sent bondslaves (those who willingly bonded their life to the master) to check on the vine growers but they beat and sent him away empty-handed.  This is incredible; did they forget the covenant?  Was it a mistake?  Did they keep the fruit for themselves?  Were they attempting to steal from the landowner.  The owner sent another, he was stoned, wounded and treated poorly.  He sent a third and they killed him, and did the same to others.  The landowner sent His son; surely they would respect Him!  This Son was His only Son, His beloved Son, but the vinedressers took Him and killed Him and cast Him out of the vineyard. 

• It was their intention to steal the inheritance. 
• They didn't want to serve the owner. 
• They didn't want to honor the covenant. 
• They wanted all the fruit for themselves. 
• They wanted to make all the decisions regarding the vineyard as if they had created it.

All this leads us to a 'therefore' of verse nine.  What is just and right and reasonable for the landowner to do? 

• He will come Himself.
• Destroy the vinedressers
• Give the vineyard to others.

Then, Jesus links this parable to Psalm 118, which points to Him.  The most important stone to the entire project would be rejected, making the building unsound, incomplete and useless (as well as pointless).  These religious leaders knew Jesus was talking about them.  Their response is telling.  It wasn't eye opening leading to repentance; it was anger at facing the truth.  It was a desire to kill the Son of the Owner of the vineyard.  They clearly feared men more than God.

 

This is the beginning of the plotting to kill Jesus.  For many centuries, God had sent the prophets who reminded them of their covenant; reminded them of His righteousness and His right to see fruit from Israel, primarily the temple.   We know that the prophet Zachariah was stoned, Isaiah was sawn in half by Manassas, John the Baptist was beheaded, and it goes on.  These faithful bondservants came to the vineyard on behalf of the Father with a message from Him.  But they didn't have ears to hear or eyes to see and their heart was hard.  They went through the motions as if they were children; but they didn't love, respect or fear their heavenly Father. 

 

The temple in Jerusalem wasn't the final temple.  It was only a picture of the heavenly temple and it pointed toward Jesus.  It was nothing without the most important stone; the rejection of this stone would open the door to the gentiles. 

 

Mark 12:13-17

At this point, every 'then' is another attempt by the religious authorities to trap Jesus and bring charges.  And Jesus uses each even as a teaching opportunity.  The opposition to Jesus among these leaders was so great that even the Pharisees and Herodians could unite to attempt to trap him.  You didn't have to be the son of God to know these guys were up to no good; this is the ultimate 'reaching across the isle'.  These men were like the right-wing republicans working with the most liberal Democrats to oust an outside who threatened their way of life. 

 

These men flatter Jesus and ask this question as if they sincerely sought an answer.  The tax they questioned as a head tax imposed by Rome.  This was a long-standing tax originating in 6_A.D.  This tax was opposed by many Jews from the beginning, so this was a very divisive topic.  They were trying to force Jesus to pick a side:

• Pay:  To say they should pay the tax set Jesus in opposition to those Jews who felt the tax was unjust.  There was major rebellion early on by a man named Judas who claimed the tax was a type of bondage, oppression and servitude that was inconsistent with God's sovereignty over Israel.  Paying the tax was like being pro-Rome.
• Not Pay:  This set Jesus in opposition to Rome.  This would allow his opposition to make accusation and bring charges of sedition.   This would put Jesus at odds with the Roman authorities. 

The question was simple, "Is it lawful to pay tax to Caesar, or not?"  He used a denarius as a visual lesson.  This coin represented a day's wages; Caesars image was on the coin.  Jesus said to give to Caesar what was Caesar's and to God what was God's.  These guys confused the things of the world and things of God.  The image that was on display showed ownership.  The image of Caesar was on the coin, that was obviously his.  Jesus could have easily turned to these men and asked them what image they bore? 

 

We know we are created in the image of God.  We are to bear that image and this should show in our life.  The whole ownership of our life should be to the One whose image we bear.  This is even more evident on this side of the cross; as Christians we have Christ in us by way of the Holy Spirit.   

 

This was an ingenious trap devised to divide the people and divide Jesus' followers.  But Jesus amazed them with the answer He gave.  His answer was consistent with His other teachings that keep the Kingdom, the economy and value system of God separate from the earthly kingdom, economy and value system.  They simply would not compare.  

 

Mark 12:18-27

It was the Sadducees turn to attempt to stumble their messiah.  They were one of the three primary religious schools of belief.  They held the most seats in the Sanhedrin and so they controlled political structures.  The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection or angels.  They held to the Pentateuch only.  Therefore, the messiah was an idea or type to them; something or someone to emulate in life.  They had a kingdom now mindset about them.  With no resurrection, the life you lived today and tomorrow was all you had.  This wasn't much to offer to an oppressed people.  I wonder how they ever rose to power.

 

The levirate law (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) was given by God for two purposes:

1. The family line of the deceased brother would not be cut off.  The child born would be considered the child of the deceased.
2. The widow of the deceased was given a means of life.  Widows in those days had virtually no way of making a living.  Their only hope was to be remarried.

The levirate law was God's mercy extended to the widow and the family line of the deceased.

 

The Sadducees, being seen as experts in theology and OT scripture, tried to take a crack at Jesus.  They took the levirate law and created a bizarre scenario that carried into the resurrection.  It's fascinating their question is based outside their own beliefs.  In their absurd question about the resurrection they hoped for one of several possible outcomes:  

1. Jesus would abandon the doctrine of the resurrection.  This would bolster their position and further empower them.
2. Jesus would retain the doctrine of resurrection, establishing himself as their opposition and opposition to the Sanhedrin.
3. Stumble over the levirate law of Deuteronomy 25:5-10; either dismissing it or trying to work around it some way.  Either would cause Him problems.
4. Extend the levirate law to heaven and condone polygamy.

In general, they were expecting an answer in which Jesus would embarrass Himself to be shown a fool (and themselves wise) or to strike Him dumb in ignorant silence. 

 

Jesus answered, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?"  With the beginning of His answer the Sadducees became painfully aware this wasn't going to be as easy as they thought.  They were not used to being told they were mistaken and no one would ever imply they did not know the scriptures or comprehend God's power.  This wasn't a shot across the bow of their beliefs, it was a direct slap in the face of their theology!

 

'When they rise' leaves no other conclusion than that there is a resurrection.  This life to come cannot be compared to this life.  There won't be marriage; there won't be death so there won't be a need for procreation.  Angels were created for service and fellowship with God; this is the basis for resurrection life.  It's a return to the garden, it's tending that garden instead of hiding when the Lord walks among it in the cool of day.

Present earthly experience is entirely insufficient to forecast divine heavenly realities: we can no more imagine heavenly existence than an infant in utero can imagine a Beethoven piano concerto or the Grand Canyon at sunset.^[1]

The final part of Jesus answer is the complete dismantling of the Sadducees system of beliefs.  The voice of the burning bush said 'I AM'.  This is a present tense statement; God is not concerned with issues around dying but the issues of life – resurrected life.  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had all passed from this world by the time Moses stood before a burning bush.  Yet, God was still their God; they were still alive in God's kingdom, more alive than they had ever been.  The Sadducees, who saw themselves as so wise, were not just slightly off or a little bit mistaken.  They were 'greatly mistaken' in their theology.  Our God is the God of the living.

 

The things of this world cannot compare to that of the next.  No eye has seen, no ear has heard…..  We can look at this world and learn about God and his nature.  We can know Him and that's the only thing that can prepare us for eternity with Him. 

 

Mark 12:28-34

The scribe that approached Jesus appeared to have a different motive than the Pharisees and Sadducees who had brought their questions to Jesus.  This had three things going for him that the others did not have:

1. He came, with no preconceived judgment
2. He heard, with the intention to learn
3. He perceived, understanding Jesus knew these scriptures like He wrote them.

It appears this scribe stood aside and watched Jesus dismantle the Sadducee trap.  He heard Jesus reason with them and finally declare them greatly mistaken.  He found this meaningful.

 

The scribes had wrung out 613 commandments from the OT law.  Of them, 248 were affirmative and 365 were negative commandments.  The debate about which was most important was a common discussion; the questions asked of a Rabbi was not at all uncommon.  The answer to this question was how the teacher declared His priority, His belief and how he revealed himself to his students.  The sense of the question is that of seeking to find the commandment which supersedes all others:  The most important and over-arching commandment that was given to all mankind, both Jew and gentile.  Some liken this to the quesiton, "What must I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  History records how some other Rabbis answered this quesiton: 

• Rabbi Hillel summarized the Torah in a negative version of the Golden Rule: "What you would not want done to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the entire Torah, everything else is interpretation."^[2]
• Rabbi Akiba reduced the Torah to Lev 19:18, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." ^[3]
• One rabbi quoted Prov 3:6 as the heart of the law, "In all your ways acknowledge God, and he will make your paths straight."
• Rabbi Simlai quoted Hab 2:4, "The righteous will live by his faith."^[4]

Jesus starts his answer with the Shema (Deut 6:4-5) as the most important.  Then the second commandment is Leviticus 19:18; "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  The scribe would have been very familiar with these passages and surely would not disagree in any way.  While others nearby may have thought, and possibly hoped, that Jesus would offer something outside the norm, cutting and controversial.  But Jesus went right to the law, to the basics that defined righteousness and exposed our inadequacy and revealed our deepest need.  While His accusers were convinced He was a breaking their laws and traditions and trying to get rid of Him, He declared the very central confession of the Jews faith as the most important of commandments. 

 

The shema taught to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and strength; Jesus added 'mind' to the list.  Then the scribe repeated it slightly different.

 

The Shema                 Jesus               the Scribe restates it

Heart                           Heart               Heart 

Soul                             Soul                 Soul

                                    Mind               Understanding

Strength                      Strength          Strength

 

• Heart: understood as the center of one's thoughts, emotions and conscience. 
• Soul; the immaterial part of you.  The actuating cause. The things that make you, you!
• Mind, understanding; reason, experiences that form life processes
• Strength; capabilities, especially physical

To truly love God is to do so with all you have and all you are.  Yet, our very best doesn't come close to expressing His worth.  How do we show that love for God?  It's far more than some emotion or feeling that is hard to describe, not an ethereal sense or some cosmic or supernatural expression on our part, in an effort to reach Him.  Our love for God is shown by loving our neighbor.  This becomes the expression of our love for Him.  Love is the fulfillment of His law.  It takes both commandments to capture the one will of God.  We can't love Him and hate our neighbor (1 John 2:7-11).

 

This guy was touched by the law and came to a new understanding.  Jesus said he was close.  I t takes more than education, sincerity and emotion to receive you salvation.  John Wesley came to salvation by this verse after many years of active service to the Lord. 

 

Mark 12:35-37

This is very similar to the question Jesus posed to the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?"  It was widely believed and accepted among the Pharisees and others in Judaism would agree.  But Jesus quoted Psalm 110 again tapping into their current understanding to make them think.  David, inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote that Yahweh, The LORD, said to 'the Lord messiah to be seated at His right hand.  This would make the messiah Lord over all creation.  How can the messiah then be both Lord and the Son of David.  The son was always understood as inferior, but the son of David would be seated at the right hand of God. 

 

Their understanding of the messiah being the 'son of David' was correct, it was, however, incomplete.   To be both 'son' and 'Lord' was a cultural conundrum they weren't willing to take on.  To pursue this would lead them to Jesus as the messiah, fully God, and fully man; both the son of David and the son of God.

 

Mark 12:38-40

This passage is also part of this teaching at the temple.  This appears to be a mostly open teaching where the leaders of Judaism provide several opportunities for Jesus to contrast His kingdom with the world.  These leaders revealed a worldly understanding of their messiah, scriptures and a weak understanding of Yahweh. 

 

• Authority:  They were weak in understanding of the authority of Jesus.  They could not argue the supernatural miracles and signs done by the hand of Jesus.  Instead of seeing these signs and hearing the accompanying word and then arriving at the reasonable conclusion, they ignored the obvious and worried themselves with the source of His authority.
• Purpose of the vineyard:  Those working in the vineyard forgot why they were there.  They lost sight of the vineyard owner and failed to bear any useful fruit.  The temple had a purpose; it was to worship the Lord God.  God's ways of worship pointed the way to Jesus.  The hard hearted, deaf and blind leaders failed to understand Him.
• Ownership:  The question of taxes was a question of ownership; an indication of what was imprinted on their heart.  The image of the coin indicated where it belonged.  The image on their heart revealed the kingdom to which they belonged.  We are called to be imagers of our God.
• Marriage:  The worldly Sadducees revealed their ignorance of the levitate law of marriage.  This was given by God so that the family lines were not ended by the death.  The penalty of sin is death; death ended the lineage, in affect eliminating all subsequent offspring.  By God's grace, he provided another to father a child and bring new life where all hope was lost.
• Resurrection:  These Sadducees didn't even believe in the resurrection, yet they used their poor grasp of levitate marriage to attempt to trap Jesus in a question about the resurrection.  Jesus not only sidestepped the trap with ease, He also spoke quite factually of the resurrection to the men who didn't even believe in it.  They discovered they were greatly mistaken, didn't know their scriptures or the power of God's word; all of which they considered themselves experts.
• The greatest commandment (the heart of God):  The greatest commandment was a measure of scriptural understanding.  Their was at least some idea that they were testing Jesus, however, He was teaching them and those around Him.  The words of Jesus, to Love the Lord as the Shema outlined, and then love your neighbor, should have brought conviction on those leaders who did neither.
• The person of the messiah:  Jesus is fully God but all fully man, the Son of David.  He was always understood as the Son of David.  He was also seen as a prophet, a good man, a servant, king, eternal ruler and judge.  But they didn't seem to be able to add those up and see they identified Him as the Son of God.

Jesus issued a warning about the scribes.   He characterized them as:

• Long robes:  The long robes became a symbol of their power and prestige.  These robes were ornate prayer shawls that had long tassels on the corners.  The sight of one of these men in their long robes was to draw a response of awe and respect.  These men should have been using their robe to hid the man and point to the Lord and was done in the church at a a later date. 
• Greetings in the marketplace:  A trip to the marketplace became a way to feed their ego.  The crowds parted for their passing; anyone seated was to rise in respect and reverence as they passed.  They were given undo respect and drew the looks of the crowds wondering who this very important man might be.
• The best seats in the synagogue: The best seats were the 'first seats' of the synagogue.  These were the seats up front that faced the people, reserved for those of prestige and rank.
• The best seats at the feasts: The scribes loved to arrive at the a feast or banquet to be shown to the a seat of honor.  Again, they came to expect these things because of their role in service to God.  There is nothing about this that reflects God's values.
• Devour widows houses:  The widows gave at the encouragement of these religious men.  At the very least, these men were squeezing the widows to give all they could so they could have a larger income; however, it is believed that many were, in fact, embezzling these funds.  They were, in affect, steeling the widows homes for their own benefit.
• Make showy, long prayers:  If all these other offenses weren't enough, this was the icing on the cake.  They took the very means of communicating with Yahweh and turned it into a show to impress others.  They perverted the idea of conversing with God by implying the pious prayer is long and loud and public and contains 'Godly' language.  Their actions did nothing to teach that God saw into the heart long before the words were spoken..

These religious leaders will receive a 'greater' condemnation.  They practiced religion for their own self-advancement and lifted themselves up.  They operated under the guise of being a servant of God with the appearance of having given their life to service of Yahweh.   In general, they were not among the wealthy as the Sadducees and others were.  They were dependent on the offerings of the temple.  They justified their actions as if they were receiving God's provision while representing and displaying things that God despised.

 

Mark 12:41-44

Jesus had said in His teaching to beware of these scribes, now He sat opposite the treasury at the temple and saw the people putting their money in the treasury.  Jesus had already likened the temple to the fruitless fig tree that was dead at the roots.  These people continued to give in obedience to a group who were not bearing fruit for the kingdom of God.  This just adds to the condemnation of these men.  These offerings given in obedience and faith were still a blessing for those who gave.  The same offering became a curse to those on whom the responsibility fell to put it to work. 

The 'treasury' was the collection of the thirteen shofar offering receptacles in the court of the temple.  These were brass shofar horns with the bell end up to receive the coins, funneling into a collection box.  The coins in the shofar could make lots of noise if you wanted to draw attention to yourself. 

Offerings given for priestly service were examined by the priests for authenticity.  They then announced in a public way which receptacle to place the gift.  All this was done to draw attention to the amount and the purpose and attention they were getting for giving so much in this way.  Free will offerings could just be dropped in.  This is probably what the widow did and the small size of the coins revealed the small amount.

The rich put large amounts of money into the offering.  These offerings were made from their abundance; they involved no sacrifice or hardship.  The widow gave all she had; at a great cost.  What she gave amounted to six minutes worth of a days wage.  It was literally next to nothing.  Yet, Jesus declared her gift as 'more'.  The measure of giving was not about the amount of money or even the percentage.  It was more because it was her livelihood.  She gave that to the Lord, trusting Him completely.  How this must have moved the heart of Jesus to see this widow, with little or no means to provide for herself giving so much.  The beautiful heart of the widow stood out in the crowd of this temple that had become a religious mill that produced no fruit for the kingdom of God.  This woman was the remnant around which the Lord would build a church.  She stands symbolic of this heart Christ wanted to see in His disciples. 

At this point, I have to wonder if Judas stood near with the money bag in his belt listening to this lesson.  He would so betray the Lord for cash that would so condemn him he threw it back into the temple.  Once wonders of the coins given to Judas were dropped into the shofar treasury that day by those giving their great sums for the wrong reasons.   

©2018 Doug Ford