Mark Lesson 9

In this Lesson and for the remainder of this course, we will study events which occurred during Jesus final week of ministry. This week, often referred to as the Passion Week, is packed with significant events and culminates in Jesus sacrificial atoning death and glorious resurrection.

Yes, this final week of Jesus life is the apex of all that He was pointing to, teaching about, and moving toward throughout His entire life on earth. He had come with a specific purpose. That purpose is soon to be completed, achieved, fulfilled.

Section 1

In order to view the entire final week of Jesus life as a whole before we look at some of the specific events within it, your assignment today is to just simply read Mark Chapters 11-16. So, curl up in your favorite chair with your scripture work pages or your favorite Bible and read Chapters 11-16. Do not mark anything. Do not take any notes. Do not look anything up. Just read. Again, be the silent observer and watch the events of the final week of Jesus life unfold. This really happened! This is not a fairy tale or a novel. God really was spending His last week on earth! And, He had come to rescue you, me, anyone who would let Him -- from sin. So read and ponder these final events in the final week of Jesus life.

----- Pause while you read Mark Chapters 11-16 -----

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions, write them in the space below or on a separate piece of paper. Then conclude your time today in prayer to God.

Section 2

In Section 1, you read Mark 11-16 and saw the final week of Jesus´ life as a whole. Now we will look at the events which occurred in the early days of this final week. So, stop now and read Mark Chapter 11 and 12 and, as you read, note on the chart, the events that occurred, where they happened, the day of the week on which they occurred, and give a brief summary of each event. What chart? Well, this is another chart you need to make. So, get out a piece of paper and title it: The Passion Week of Jesus Ministry as Servant. Make 4 coulumns. The first column is titled: Day of the Week. Title column 2, The Event. Column 3 Where. Title Column 3 Brief Summary of what happened. Then, as you read, use this chart to record this information as you discover it.

----- Pause while you read Mark 11-12 and record the information on the chart -----

Great! I see you have finished. And I assume that you noticed that there were several miracles, parables, and predictions included in these events. So, add these to the charts you ve been marking throughout this entire course.

----- Pause while you work on your other charts -----

Now, spend the rest of your time today just simply talking with God and fellowshipping with Him.

Section 3

On what days did the events recorded in Mark 11 and 12 occur? _______________________ .

Correct! These events occurred on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, of the Passion week.

In this section of our lesson, we will be looking at the major event that occurred on Sunday. In section 4, we will look at the events that occurred on Monday. And in Section 5 of this lesson, we will begin looking at the many events that occurred on Tuesday.

So, with this plan of attack in mind, let´s look now at the very important event that occurred on Sunday, specifically, the Triumphal Entry of Jesus. Mark recorded it for us in Mark 11:1-11. Read that passage and then read the parallel accounts in Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:29-44, and John 12:12-36. As you discover additional information which was not included in the Mark account, record it in the space below:

Now let´s think about what you have read. When Christ entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He rode on the (Mark 11:2) ___________________ of a (Matt. 21:2) ___________________ upon which no one had ever (Mark 11:2) _____________________ before.

Hmmmm. Why did He do this? Is this significant? In fact, was this and were the many other events and things which happened in Jesus´ life, such as the location of His birth, specific things He did, etc., significant in that they had been prophesied and foretold for centuries before they actually happened? Read John 12:16 before you answer. In fact, write John 12:16 here:

Yes! This and the many other events, actions, miracles, etc. of Jesus were significant and were often a direct fulfillment of prophecy. Of course, time does not allow us to investigate all of the hundreds of prophecies which were fulfilled by Christ during this His first coming to earth. But, we can look at some of these. Take, for example, the fact that Christ entered Jerusalem riding on a colt of a donkey upon which no one had ever ridden before. This had been prophesied approximately 500 years previously in Zechariah 9:9, in a scripture which was thought to have been written in about 497 BC, give or take a few years. Read that passage and write it here:

What did David and his sons ride when David was King of Israel? (Hint: read 2 Samuel 18:9 and

I Kings 1:33,38,44) _____________________________________________.

Yes! David and his sons rode a mule ( a donkey, not a horse).

What would this then signify concerning Jesus?

And what about the fact that the colt had never been ridden before. Was this significant?

(Hint: read Numbers 19:2, Deut. 21:3, and I Samuel 6:7 before you answer).

......................Circle your answer.............YES..............NO

What was the significance of the heifers (cows) in these passages never having been yoked?

Hmmmmmm. So, Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday of Passover week and He came riding on a colt of a donkey which had never before been ridden or yoked. And this had been prophesied to the minutest detail. And throughout history the donkey has not been considered a war or battle animal, but rather an animal of servitude, service, humility, peace, and even of royalty. Kind David and his sons had ridden the donkey as a royal animal. Should all of this have been another clue to the people of His day that Jesus would not come only once, but rather on two separate occasions and for two very different reasons?

.......................................................Circle your answer..................YES........................ NO

Explain:

When Christ comes again,(in His Second Coming) what will He be riding (Rev. 19:11-21)

What will be the purpose of His Second Coming?

What was the purpose of this His First Coming?

Since unridden and unyoked and, therefore, unused animals in the Old Testament were used for religious purposes and since a colt of a donkey speaks of humility, service and royalty, does the fact that Jesus entered the city on an unridden / unyoked colt seem appropriate for the ministry of Jesus during this His First coming?

............................................................................Circle your answer......YES........ NO

Explain:

Where did the great crowd of people mentioned in Mark 11:8 come from? Why were they in Jerusalem? (Hint: read John 12:12)

Why did the crowd shout Hosanna (Strongs # 5614) and what did this word mean?

For those of you without the resources to look up the word, Hosanna, Vines Dictionary defines it to mean " save, we pray."

The word Hosanna and the Old Testament Passage quoted by these Jewish Pilgrims, who were in Jerusalem for the annual Passover Feast, is located in Psalms 118:25-26. Psalm 118 is one of the Hallel (Praise) Psalms (113-118) sung at Passover and at the other major Jewish festivals. In fact, the entire Psalm 118 is a hymn of thanksgiving for deliverance from enemies. Also, while we are on the subject, at Passover Psalms 113 and 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115-118 after the meal. For this reason, many believe that Psalm 118 was the song sung in Mark 14:14 after the last meal, the Lord s Supper , which Jesus ate with His disciples before going to His betrayal and death.

Well, with all that in mind, stop now and read Psalm 118, paying particular attention to verses 19-29, the section which contains the verses shouted by the crowd as Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem and to the temple.

-----Pause while you read Psalm 118----

What were the people expecting Jesus todo on this triumphal entry?

But did he? Did He establish His visible earthly kingdom then?Circle your answer...YES.....NO

What did they still not understand concerning the purpose of Christ´s coming to earth?

So, Jesus, riding on a lowly colt of a donkey, a colt upon which no rider had ever before ridden, entered Jerusalem. As He rode, the people shouted (Mark 11:9-10)

and spread (Mark 11:8)

Jesus entered Jerusalem, went to the temple and looked around at everything.

But since (Mark 11:11)

And with this, we conclude the events of Palm Sunday. So, as we wind up our study for this section, ponder upon these events. Ask yourself, Who is Jesus, Really? What is He going to do? Why? What difference does / did His life make? Then? And Now? For others? For me? What did the events of that Palm Sunday and the fulfilled prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 and the correlation of Psalm 118 to these events display to the people of His day? To me? Then, as you meditate on these things, spend time in prayer talking with God about them.

Section 4

Monday! It is now Monday of the Passion week, Jesus last week on earth. Sunday was the day of Jesus´ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He had entered, not to establish His earthly rule, as the people had presumed when they shouted, Hosanna...., Instead, He had come on Passover week to be the Passover lamb, the sacrifice for sin! Theirs! Yours! Mine! Later, at His second coming, He will come riding triumphantly in victory on His white horse of conquest and, at that time, He will establish His earthly Kingdom. But that is future. This is now! Now Jesus has come riding on a lowly donkey colt, not to reign as king, but to atone for sin by giving His sinless and perfect life as the sacrifice for sin, the only sacrifice acceptable to God! So, Jesus entered Jerusalem on Sunday. We observed that entry. Now it is Monday. Let us see what happens today.

Read Mark 11:12-20.

-----Pause while you read Mark 11:12-20------

Now read the same account as reported in Matthew 21:12-17 and Luke 19:45-46. Also read the account in John 2:13-16. But notice in John´s account, this event takes place at the beginning of Jesus´ministry instead of during the last week as reported by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Hmmmmm. What is going on here? Could there have been two separate and different cleansings of the Temple? One at the beginning and the other at the end of Jesus ministry? Or is this some kind of mistake? Was there only one cleansing but placed differently by the different reporters? Hmmmm. Well, as you did with the question about whether the feeding of the multitudes with loaves and fishes, let´s compare the details and then decide.So, read these passages and record the facts on the chart below.

The cleansing of the temple The cleansing

of the temple

as recorded by John 2:13-16 recorded by Matthew 21:12-17,

Mark 11:15-18 & Luke 19:45-46

what Jesus said

what Jesus saw

what Jesus used

what Jesus did

what feast

Based on context of

passage, did Jesus die

soon after this event?

What else happened

Based on what you have read and recorded, does it seem to you that there was one cleansing of the Temple or were there two cleansings? Circle your answer........ONE.........TWO

Explain:

Also, while we are on the subject of confusing things, you are probably wondering why Matthew and Luke seem to place this event on Sunday after the Triumphal entry and Mark places it on a Monday. Well, Matthew and Luke sometimes compressed narratives and this is one of those instances. Mark clearly indicates that this occurred on the next day, Monday. So, do not be disturbed by this. It is just their style of writing. If the need for a precise date had been necessary, it would have been noted. But, the when of the event was not the important thing to Matthew and Luke. Rather, they were more concerned that it had happened and why.

So, let´s now look into the why in more detail. And, let´s begin with the seemingly unrelated event which occurred shortly before Jesus entered and cleansed the Temple. In fact, the event of the cursing of the fig tree may not be unrelated at all. Read again about this in Mark 11:12-14.

-----Pause while you read Mark 11:12-14-----

Summarize briefly what happened.

On what day did Mark say this happened? _____________________________________

Yes, the next day. So, on what day, then, did Jesus speak to the fig tree?

Circle your answer:......SUN.......MON.......TUES.......WED.......THURS.......FRI.......SAT

What was the problem with the fig tree? _________________________________________

Now, for those of you who are not experts on the life cycle of the fig tree, Liberty Bible Commentary has some insights into the problem for us. It states: "The normal order of growth in fig trees was that the fruit preceded the leaves. Therefore, the leaves presented a false picture, that fruit not only was present, but it was large and ripe."

And A.T. Robertson explains further: "The early figs in Palestine do not get ripe before May or June, the later crop in August. It was not the season of figs, Mark notes. But this precocious tree in a sheltered spot had put out leaves as a sign of fruit. It had promise without performance. ... One often sees peach blossoms nipped by the frost when they are too precocious in the changeable weather. But Jesus offered no explanation at this time."

Well, interesting. So we know it is spring, Passover time, and fig trees begin to get figs and leaves as early as March or April but edible figs are not usually present until June. So what was Jesus teaching? Well, hold your thoughts until tomorrow when we see what happened to the fig tree and what Christ said. For now, let´s continue on down the road on Monday to Jerusalem and to the temple.

When Jesus entered the Temple area, what did he do and what did He say while he did it?

What is the name of the outer court of the Temple, the area where Jesus did this?

Yes, this was in the Court of the Gentiles, which was the only part of the temple where gentiles could go to worship God and to pray. Yet, what had this area become? (Circle your answers)

A busy smelly noisy marketplace

A shortcut between the city and the Mount of Olives

A quiet sedate orderly worship area

Was everything ethical and honest and orderly? Circle your answer.......YES.......NO

Explain: (Hint: read Jeremiah 7:11)

What had been the original purpose of the outer courts of the gentiles? (Hint read Isaiah 56:7-8)

The Chief Priests and the TOTLs (Teachers of the Law) understood what Christ was doing and saying which was:

What was the response of the Chief Priests and the TOTLs? What did they decide to do?

Hmmmm. Is there any possible correlation between the fact that the fig tree that looked good and indicated by its leaves that there would be good fruit present and the appearance of the Temple with all its signs of industry, activity, and busyness?

.............................................................Circle your answer.........YES.......NO........NOT SURE

Could Jesus have been using the fig tree as an object lesson to teach against hypocrisy and misrepresenting the truth?

................Circle your answer..........YES........NO.........NOT SURE

What seemed to be the motive of the people doing business in the temple (selling the doves, cattle, etc)? Was it to render a service or could there have been (gasp!) dishonesty and greed? Explain your answer, but, before you answer, thoughtfully consider the real purpose of the temple and consider how opportunities for genuine prayer and worship would be interfered with by these activities.

Do you see any similarities today? How would Jesus respond to what He would observe if He came to your church, music concert, place of worship, or yes, even your own office or home today? Think about this and then spend the rest of your time today talking to God about this. Is there anything you need to change?

Section 5

And so we come to Tuesday of Jesus final week.

You will recall that on Monday, while Jesus was on His way to the Temple, He cursed a fig tree for having leaves but no edible fruit. Well, it is the next day and Jesus and His disciples pass that same tree and what has happened? (Matt. 11:20) _________________________________ .

What was Jesus response when Peter pointed out this amazing thing? Write the exact words in the space below: (Mark 11:22-25)

In other words, what was Jesus teaching concerning how the fig tree had been destroyed? (Mark 11:22)

What is Jesus teaching about faith?

The Liberty Bible Commentary explains this by stating: "The Lord´s illustration is so extreme that it may dismiss all excuses which limit the faith principle. What could be more difficult than a mountain being removed and cast into the sea."

Do you agree or disagree with this explanation? Explain:

Did Jesus place any conditions on the person praying to God in faith? And, if so, what? (Mark 11:23)

The word for DOUBT (Strongs # 1252) is DIAKRINO, the same word used in James 1:6-8 and Jude 22. Read those verses. Then write them here:

James 1:6-8

Jude 22

A.T. Robertson defines this verb, DIAKRINO, as meaning "a divided judgment (dia from duo, two and krino, to judge). Wavering doubt. Not a single act of doubt ... but continued faith." He further adds concerning the statement "believe that you have received it ... that is the test of faith, the kind that sees the fulfilment before it happens."

Is Jesus teaching that we can go around praying and moving mountains into the sea and withering up fig trees just because we want to and feel like it? Circle your answer....YES........NO

? So, what is the bottom line principle that Jesus is teaching about prayer, faith, and doubt?

Is it possible that the withered fig tree also had a prophetic message of judgment and a warning of the coming destruction of the Temple in 70 AD?

...........................Circle your answer:......................YES.........NO..........NOT SURE

Hmmmmmm. Pretty heavy conversation to have while walking down a dusty road! But, continuing on, as they did, Jesus and His disciples arrive in Jerusalem and are again walking in the Temple courts. And what happens? Who come up to them and what do they say? Read Mark 11:27-32 and summarize this event.

This particular day, Tuesday of the Passion Week, has often been referred to as the Day of Questions and Controversy. And this confrontation with the chief priests, TOTLs, and the elders certainly attests to that! Here they were questioning Jesus and asking who had given Him (Jesus) the authority to do this. To do what? To what event were they referring? (Hint: read Mark 11:15-17).__________________________________________-________ .

How did Jesus answer them? ___________________________________________ .

And what was the specific question with which Jesus answered? Write it here: (11:30)

By the way, the word heaven was a Jewish term often used in place of the actual word, God. Also, these questioners had previously asked John the Baptist about his authority. (John 1:19-28).

When Jesus answered them with another question, what was He actually saying was the source of His and John The Baptist s authority? And why did Jesus not say this directly but rather in the form of a question?

Did the Chief Priests, TOTLs and the elders officially acknowledge that Jesus did indeed have authority and that it came from God? Circle your answer......YES..........NO

What did they say and why did they answer as they did? (Mark 11:32-33)

So, controversy has begun on this Tuesday, the day of Questions and Controversy. Let´s see if it continues. Still in the temple and presumably with the same group of people still present, Jesus then begins to (Mark 12:1)_______________________________________ and He tells a parable about a Vineyard. To refresh your memory of this, read it again in Mark 12:1-12. Then Read Isaiah 5:1-7.

----- Pause while you read Mark 12:1-12 and Isaiah 5:1-7 -----

As you know, a parable usually has only one or two main teaching points, but, in this particular parable, there are more than two. Let´s look at what Jesus was trying to teach by using this parable.

What did the Vineyard symbolize (Isaiah 5:7) ____________________________ .

Who was the Man who had prepared and planted the Vineyard? ______________________ .

Who were the tenants in charge of caring for the Vineyard? ___________________________ .

Who were the servants sent to collect at harvest time? (Nehemiah 9:26, Jeremiah 7:25-26; 25:4-7, Matthew 23:34, Acts 7:52, Hebrews 11:36-38). ________________________________.

Who was the Son? (Luke 3:22) __________________________________ .

What would happen to the tenants when they killed His son? (Mark 11:9, Luke 20:17-18, Isaiah 8:14)

Who are the others to whom the Vineyard will be given? (Acts 13:46-47; 18:5-6) __________ .

Who is the Stone, the Capstone? (Psalm 118:22-23; Acts 4:8-12) _____________________ .

Upon hearing this parable, what did the Chief Priests, TOTLs and elders understand that Jesus was saying about them, about Himself, about God, and about the Jewish people?

Do you think Jesus intended this parable to be a further explanation of the source of His authority?

Circle your answer: .................YES................NO

Explain:

What did the Chief Priests, TOTLs, and the elders DO when they heard this parable? (Mark 11:12)

Yes, they were really mad and they left, knowing that Jesus had spoken directly and specifically against them. But, they did not stay away for long. A short time later, and still on this Tuesday of Controversy, they tried to lay another trap for Jesus. Read about this next attempt to trick Jesus in Mark 12:13-17.

----- Pause while you read Mark 12:13-17 -----

Let´s briefly summarize this exchange.

Who came with the next question? (Mark 12:13) __________________________________ .

What was the intent of the question? (12:13) _____________________________________ .

What was the question? (12:14-15) Write it here:

How did Jesus answer them? (12:15-17)

So what was Jesus telling them and us? (Hint: before you answer, read Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1-2; and I Peter 2:13-17).

What was their response to Jesus´ answer? (Mark 12:17)

But this still did not silence them or end their questions and arguing on this Tuesday of Controversy. Read Mark 12:18-27 and see who asks what next.

----- Pause while you read Mark 12:18-27 -----

Who asked the next trick question? (Mark 12:18) _______________________________ .

And what did they ask? (Mark 12:19-23) Summarize their question.

Now, this is a very odd question for Sadducees to ask because they don´t even believe in the resurrection of the dead. Furthermore, they did not consider any of the Old Testament books to be valid except for the first 5 books of Moses. And they did not believe in the validity of the Oral Tradition of the Jews. Yet, they come with this lengthy question. Knowing this about the Sadducees, it will be interesting to see how Jesus responds to their question.

How does Jesus respond and what scripture does He use? (12:24-27) Write Jesus´ response here:

Why did Jesus quote from Moses in answering this question of the Sadducees?

Is Jesus, in His answer primarily giving a teaching about marriage? Or about the resurrection?

Specifically, what was Jesus teaching the Sadducees concerning the resurrection? Ie. Did Jesus agree that the Sadducees are correct in believing that there is no resurrection? Or is Jesus saying that there IS a resurrection and they are in error in their belief? Explain your answer.

Apparently standing nearby, listening, and hearing this, a TOTL in the crowd stepped forward and said ... Well, let´s read what he said. Read Mark 12:28-34.

----- Pause while you read Mark 12:28-34 -----

What did the TOTL ask Jesus? (12:25)

What was Jesus´ answer? (12:29-31). Write it here:

Now, for your information, the commandments that Jesus Quoted in His answer are found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Leviticus 19:18. Read those passages and write them in the space provided:

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Leviticus 19:18

The Deuteronomy 6:4-5 passage is known as the SHEMA, which is Hebrew for Hear or Hear O Israel and was recited daily, morning and evening, by all pious Jews. Even today it is recited at the beginning of every Synagogue service.

Even though Leviticus 19:18 is not a part of the Shema, why do you think Jesus added this commandment in His answer? (Ie. What was Jesus trying to teach?)

One view concerning what Jesus was trying to teach by adding the Leviticus passage is that He was trying to show that love for a neighbor is a logical development and outgrowth that results when a person genuinely and sincerely loves God.

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your answer and be sure to include in your explanation what or who a neighbor is. You might want to read Luke 10:25-37 before you answer.

Do you think that the TOTL who asked Jesus this question was trying to trick Jesus? Or was he earnestly seeking to know the truth and to discover if Jesus really was who He claimed to be?

Explain your answer.

What did Jesus say in response to this man, this TOTL (Teacher of the Law)? (12:34)

And what was the response of the crowd to this? (12:34)

Yes, they stopped asking Him trick questions. But Jesus was not finished with what He desired to teach them. So Jesus, Himself, brought up another tough question about which many had probably been wondering. Read Mark 12:35-37. What was the question that Jesus Himself posed? Write it here:

Hmmmm. Good question! How can this be? How can one be both Lord and Son? Hmmmm.

Now read Psalm 110:1, the passage Jesus referred to in Mark 12:36.

Who wrote Psalm 110? _________________________________ .

Hmmm. Correct. So, apparently David really did call the Messiah (Jesus) his Lord, Right? Right !

In fact, even the Jews of that day unequivocally acknowledged that this was a prophetic Psalm of David and was a Psalm that clearly pointed to the coming Messiah. So, Jesus was correct in saying that David called the Christ, Lord.

But, how can Jesus also be David´s son? Read the following passages and list what they tell you about the Messiah being a descendant of David.

Isaiah 11:1-5

Jeremiah 23:5-6

I Samuel 16:10-13

So, obviously the Jewish people clearly knew from their scriptures that the Messiah would be a direct descendant in the line of David. Matthew and Luke even detailed this lineage in their genealogies. (See Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-37).

I know we have mentioned this before, but now is a good time to refresh your memory -- why did Mark NOT include a genealogy in his gospel? Hmmmm?

Yes, you are correct if you said it was because Mark is portraying Jesus as a servant of God and no one is concerned about the genealogy of a servant. Matthew, however, presenting Jesus as King and Luke presenting Jesus as the Son of God would obviously include a genealogy because that is important in their presentation.

Well, anyway, back to our original conclusion to the question that Jesus had posed for Himself concerning how it is that the Christ can be the Son of David and yet David also calls Him Lord. Obviously, from looking at the scriptures, you now know how that this can be. Summarize your conclusion based upon the scriptures you have read:

But, the question that Jesus posed was intended to not only to show How the Messiah could be a son of .David and Lord of David, but to drive home the point that Jesus was and is David´s LORD!

Is Jesus your LORD ?

The people were listening to all of this with delight, but, still not being finished with what He desired to tell this crowd, Jesus abruptly gave them an earnest warning! Read Mark 12:38-40 and write that warning here:

In your own words, explain what Jesus was trying to tell the crowd about their Jewish officials and leaders.

Whew! Is your mind getting tired? Mine, too!

So, let s just quietly sit for a few minutes as Jesus did (though, of course His mind was NOT tired), and watch Him as He watches the people put their offerings in the temple treasury. Read Mark 12:41-44.

----- Pause while you read Mark 12:41-44 -----

Now, write your thoughts concerning the significance of this and why this was recorded for us in the Gospel of Mark.

Finally, close this time of Bible study talking with God about what you have learned in this study and about whatever else that you want to share or discuss with Him.

Looking forward to seeing you in the next Lesson !

Reference Sources Cited in this lesson:

Liberty Bible Commentary, Op. Cit. Page 127

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures of the New Testament, Vol 1 Mark, Page 359. Op Cit.

Liberty Bible Commentary, Op. Cit. Page 127

A.T. Robertson, Op Cit. Page 361-2

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