Daniel 2: 1-12 HCSB
1 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled him, and sleep deserted him. 2 So the king gave orders to summon the diviner-priests, mediums, sorcerers, and Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, "I have had a dream and am anxious to understand it." 4 The Chaldeans spoke to the king (Aramaic begins here): "May the king live forever. Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation." 5 The king replied to the Chaldeans, "My word is final: If you don't tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be made a garbage dump. 6 But if you make the dream and its interpretation known to me, you'll receive gifts, a reward, and great honor from me. So make the dream and its interpretation known to me." 7 They answered a second time, "May the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will give the interpretation." 8 The king replied, "I know for certain you are trying to gain some time, because you see that my word is final. 9 If you don't tell me the dream, there is one decree for you. You have conspired to tell me something false or fraudulent until the situation changes. So tell me the dream and I will know you can give me its interpretation." 10 The Chaldeans answered the king, "No one on earth can make known what the king requests. Consequently, no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked anything like this of any diviner-priest, medium, or Chaldean. 11 What the king is asking is so difficult that no one can make it known to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals." 12 Because of this, the king became violently angry and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
The First chapter clearly states that Daniel was training for three years before he joined the king's court, but this happens in the second year of the king's reign. what we know about the history of this period explains the difficulty. At the beginning of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar co-ruled with his father Nabopolassar until his fathers death. Therefore the second year mentioned would be that of his sole rulership of the kingdom. The Chaldeans mention are a group of Babylonian priest from the original tribe of Babylon. I love the shrewdness of the king here, he knows that the priests could make up any interpretation they thought would please him, but if they could also tell him the dream that would show true divine knowledge.
Daniel 2: 13-45 HCSB
13 The decree was issued that the wise men were to be executed, and they searched for Daniel and his friends, to execute them. 14 Then Daniel responded with tact and discretion to Arioch, the commander of the king's guard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. 15 He asked Arioch, the king's officer, "Why is the decree from the king so harsh?" Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel. 16 So Daniel went and asked the king to give him some time, so that he could give the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the matter, 18 [urging] them to ask the God of heaven for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of Babylon's wise men. 19 The mystery was then revealed to Daniel in a vision at night, and Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and declared: May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. 21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. 22 He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him. 23 I offer thanks and praise to You, God of my fathers, because You have given me wisdom and power. And now You have let me know what we asked of You, for You have let us know the king's mystery. 24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had assigned to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He came and said to him, "Don't kill the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will give him the interpretation." 25 Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king and said to him, "I have found a man among the Judean exiles who can let the king know the interpretation." 26 The king said in reply to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to tell me the dream I had and its interpretation?" 27 Daniel answered the king: "No wise man, medium, diviner-priest, or astrologer is able to make known to the king the mystery he asked about. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has let King Nebuchadnezzar know what will happen in the last days. Your dream and the visions [that came into] your mind [as you lay] in bed were these: 29 Your Majesty, while you were in your bed, thoughts came [to your mind] about what will happen in the future. The revealer of mysteries has let you know what will happen. 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind. 31 "My king, as you were watching, a colossal statue appeared. That statue, tall and dazzling, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was terrifying. 32 The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its stomach and thighs were bronze, 33 its legs were iron, and its feet were partly iron and partly fired clay. 34 As you were watching, a stone broke off without a hand touching it, struck the statue on its feet of iron and fired clay, and crushed them. 35 Then the iron, the fired clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were shattered and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. 36 "This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. 37 Your Majesty, you are king of kings. The God of heaven has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. 38 Wherever people live-or wild animals, or birds of the air-He has handed them over to you and made you ruler over them all. You are the head of gold. 39 "After you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours, and then another, a third kingdom, of bronze, which will rule the whole earth. 40 A fourth kingdom will be as strong as iron; for iron crushes and shatters everything, and like iron that smashes, it will crush and smash all the others. 41 You saw the feet and toes, partly of a potter's fired clay and partly of iron-it will be a divided kingdom, though some of the strength of iron will be in it. You saw the iron mixed with clay, 42 and that the toes of the feet were part iron and part fired clay-part of the kingdom will be strong, and part will be brittle. 43 You saw the iron mixed with clay-the peoples will mix with one another but will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with fired clay. 44 "In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not be left to another people. It will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself endure forever. 45 You saw a stone break off from the mountain without a hand touching it, and it crushed the iron, bronze, fired clay, silver, and gold. The great God has told the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation certain."
Daniel is given the interpretaion by God and takes it to the king, being sure to let him know that this was from God's power and not from any special abilities Daniel had, as well as being very clear that the dreams themselves Come from Daniels God. The Babylonians had their own gods including Nebo, the Babylonian god of wisdom, from whom Nebuchadnezzar takes his own name, which means either "Nebo protect the kingdom" or "Nebo protect your favored son" . The dreams and prophecies given in Daniel are extermely accuate to recorded history, which has caused most secular scholars to claim that it had to have been written after the facts, prpbably in the second century B.C., not long before the earliest copies we have of Daniel from the dead sea scrolls, and therfore the kingdoms mentioned being Babylon, Persia, Medes, and Greece. This does not fit with the text of Daniel however, it is clear Daniel sees Medo-Persia as one kingdom, his description of the third and fourth kingdoms match more closley Greece being 3 and Rome being 4 than Persia as 3 and Greece as 4. In the interpretation it is clear to us looking back on history that the Golden head repersents Babylon, the silver the Medo-Persian kingdom, the brass Greece, And the iron Rome. The feet of iron mixed with clay refers to the end of the Roman Empire, when it breaks up into ten kingdoms and mixes with various barbarian races. The Stone in Verse 44 is the Kingdom of God brought about by the Death and resurection of Christ in the hearts of believers.
Daniel 2: 46-49 HCSB
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell down, paid homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, "Your God is indeed God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery." 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 At Daniel's request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.
Though Nebuchadnezzar recognizes God befor Daniel and rewards Daniel for what God has done, this does nothing to change the kings heart, as we see in the next chapter.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Daily Bible Study : Daniel Chapter 1
My wife Amber requested that we study the book of Daniel next because she is very interested in the prophecies he gives and what they mean. The first six chapters of Daniel are self contained incidents from throughout Daniel's life, with the last six chapters being prophecy.
Daniel 1: 1-7 HCSB
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. 2 The Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels from the house of God. Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon, to the house of his god, and put the vessels in the treasury of his god. 3 The king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility- 4 young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king's palace-and to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. 5 The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to serve in the king's court. 6 Among them, from the descendants of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them [different] names: to Daniel, he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
The events of the first chapter of Daniel coincide with the history of Israel as recorded in Jeremiah chapter 25 and 2 Chronicles chapter 36. Due to the wickedness of the kings and people of Israel, God has handed them over to be subjugated by the Babylonian empire. Daniel and his friends are in a little better position than other captives who were taken as slaves. This translation calls Ashphenaz the chief of court officials, but the King James translation is much more blunt, calling him "The master of his eunuchs". Though privileged among the slaves, Daniel and his friends are still in for what I and the other male readers of this blog would consider a most unfortunate fate. The reason they make Daniel and his friends into servants of the Court is to show that Israel is their property by make members of their nobility their servants and thoroughly immersing them in Babylonian culture to show its supremacy to the subjugated culture.
Daniel 1: 8-21
8 Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief official not to defile himself. 9 God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official, 10 yet he said to Daniel, "My lord the king assigned your food and drink. I'm afraid [of what would happen] if he saw your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age. You would endanger my life with the king." 11 So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief official had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for 10 days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king's food, and deal with your servants based on what you see." 14 He agreed with them in this matter and tested them for 10 days. 15 At the end of 10 days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king's food. 16 So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.
17 God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. 18 At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to serve in the king's court. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them 10 times better than all the diviner-priests and mediums in his entire kingdom. 21 Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Some have used this passage to defend the idea that Christan and Jewish believers should be vegetarians or vegan, but that is not what Daniel is about. Daniel and his friends are trying to keep the Abrahamic dietary laws, which also forbid meat scarifies to idols or slaughtered by strangulation. Since these were very common practices in other cultures andhe could not be certain that neither of these practices was happening to the meats and wines he was being served, he chose not to eat even the meat that would be allowed under covenant law. This also shows Daniel and his friends faithfulness to God, and God rewarding that faithfulness. God is using this to place his chosen servants in key influential positions of the Babylonian government, to influence the king.
Daniel 1: 1-7 HCSB
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. 2 The Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels from the house of God. Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon, to the house of his god, and put the vessels in the treasury of his god. 3 The king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility- 4 young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king's palace-and to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. 5 The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to serve in the king's court. 6 Among them, from the descendants of Judah, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them [different] names: to Daniel, he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
The events of the first chapter of Daniel coincide with the history of Israel as recorded in Jeremiah chapter 25 and 2 Chronicles chapter 36. Due to the wickedness of the kings and people of Israel, God has handed them over to be subjugated by the Babylonian empire. Daniel and his friends are in a little better position than other captives who were taken as slaves. This translation calls Ashphenaz the chief of court officials, but the King James translation is much more blunt, calling him "The master of his eunuchs". Though privileged among the slaves, Daniel and his friends are still in for what I and the other male readers of this blog would consider a most unfortunate fate. The reason they make Daniel and his friends into servants of the Court is to show that Israel is their property by make members of their nobility their servants and thoroughly immersing them in Babylonian culture to show its supremacy to the subjugated culture.
Daniel 1: 8-21
8 Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief official not to defile himself. 9 God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official, 10 yet he said to Daniel, "My lord the king assigned your food and drink. I'm afraid [of what would happen] if he saw your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age. You would endanger my life with the king." 11 So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief official had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for 10 days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king's food, and deal with your servants based on what you see." 14 He agreed with them in this matter and tested them for 10 days. 15 At the end of 10 days they looked better and healthier than all the young men who were eating the king's food. 16 So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.
17 God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. 18 At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to serve in the king's court. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them 10 times better than all the diviner-priests and mediums in his entire kingdom. 21 Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Some have used this passage to defend the idea that Christan and Jewish believers should be vegetarians or vegan, but that is not what Daniel is about. Daniel and his friends are trying to keep the Abrahamic dietary laws, which also forbid meat scarifies to idols or slaughtered by strangulation. Since these were very common practices in other cultures andhe could not be certain that neither of these practices was happening to the meats and wines he was being served, he chose not to eat even the meat that would be allowed under covenant law. This also shows Daniel and his friends faithfulness to God, and God rewarding that faithfulness. God is using this to place his chosen servants in key influential positions of the Babylonian government, to influence the king.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Daily Bible Reading: Mark 16
Mark 16: 1-8 HCSB
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. 3 They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?" 4 Looking up, they observed that the stone-which was very large-had been rolled away. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed. 6 "Don't be alarmed," he told them. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.' " 8 So they went out and started running from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.
Since they could not do the work on the Sabbath, the women are coming early Sunday morning to Prepare the body for burial. We know from the other gospels that the man in white is an angel.
Mark 16: 9-20 HCSB
9 Early on the first day of the week, after He had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. 11 Yet, when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it. 12 Then after this, He appeared in a different form to two of them walking on their way into the country. 13 And they went and reported it to the rest, who did not believe them either. 14 Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. 15 Then He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well." 19 Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.
There is a small amount of controversy regarding verses 9-20, in most translations you will see a foot note or text note stating that these verses are not found in the earliest manuscripts. When determining the authenticity of any ancient text, there are two main criteria, first the number of separate sources that agree with one another: the more independent copies of the work that are identical or very close, the more accurate the information is likely to be. The second criteria is manuscript age: if two manuscripts differ, the older of the two is more likely to be right. In the case of Mark chapter 16, verses 9-20 are found in almost all copies of Mark, but are missing in the oldest manuscripts we have. Most likely the manuscripts were damaged and these portions were lost, though some believe that this means verses 9-20 were added later. There is no way to prove either unless we find and older manuscript with the verses included. since 9-20 only gives us information which is included in other gospels and has nothing in the text which would indicate that it was added later for fraudulent purposes, most translations include it with the foot note mentioned.
Mary Magdalene's encounter with Jesus is recorded in John 20: 11-18. The story of the Two disciples encountering Jesus on the road is told in greater detail in Luke 24: 13-35. Jesus appearing to the disciples is recorded in every Gospel except for Matthew. Every Gospel has the great commission and Jesus ascent to heaven, though the exact wording and amount of details given vary. Verses 18 and 20 are sometimes used to support the modern practices of snake handling and refusing medical treatment in favor of "The Lord's Healing". Jesus is not saying that you should just go out and do these things for a show or as some sort of test of faith, But that miracles will happen as a sign that the Gospel is true, and these are a few of the signs that will happen.
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. 3 They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?" 4 Looking up, they observed that the stone-which was very large-had been rolled away. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed. 6 "Don't be alarmed," he told them. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.' " 8 So they went out and started running from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.
Since they could not do the work on the Sabbath, the women are coming early Sunday morning to Prepare the body for burial. We know from the other gospels that the man in white is an angel.
Mark 16: 9-20 HCSB
9 Early on the first day of the week, after He had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. 11 Yet, when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it. 12 Then after this, He appeared in a different form to two of them walking on their way into the country. 13 And they went and reported it to the rest, who did not believe them either. 14 Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. 15 Then He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well." 19 Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.
There is a small amount of controversy regarding verses 9-20, in most translations you will see a foot note or text note stating that these verses are not found in the earliest manuscripts. When determining the authenticity of any ancient text, there are two main criteria, first the number of separate sources that agree with one another: the more independent copies of the work that are identical or very close, the more accurate the information is likely to be. The second criteria is manuscript age: if two manuscripts differ, the older of the two is more likely to be right. In the case of Mark chapter 16, verses 9-20 are found in almost all copies of Mark, but are missing in the oldest manuscripts we have. Most likely the manuscripts were damaged and these portions were lost, though some believe that this means verses 9-20 were added later. There is no way to prove either unless we find and older manuscript with the verses included. since 9-20 only gives us information which is included in other gospels and has nothing in the text which would indicate that it was added later for fraudulent purposes, most translations include it with the foot note mentioned.
Mary Magdalene's encounter with Jesus is recorded in John 20: 11-18. The story of the Two disciples encountering Jesus on the road is told in greater detail in Luke 24: 13-35. Jesus appearing to the disciples is recorded in every Gospel except for Matthew. Every Gospel has the great commission and Jesus ascent to heaven, though the exact wording and amount of details given vary. Verses 18 and 20 are sometimes used to support the modern practices of snake handling and refusing medical treatment in favor of "The Lord's Healing". Jesus is not saying that you should just go out and do these things for a show or as some sort of test of faith, But that miracles will happen as a sign that the Gospel is true, and these are a few of the signs that will happen.
Saving Souls Required to Get to Heaven?
Another question from Emily
Emily:
Emily:
Friday, February 25, 2011
Daily Bible Reading: Mark 15
Mark 15: 1-20 HCSB
1 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests had a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin. After tying Jesus up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. 2 So Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "You have said it." 3 And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. 4 Then Pilate questioned Him again, "Are You not answering anything? Look how many things they are accusing You of!" 5 But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed. 6 At the festival it was Pilate's custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested. 7 There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion. 8 The crowd came up and began to ask [Pilate] to do for them as was his custom. 9 So Pilate answered them, "Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?" 10 For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed Him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead. 12 Pilate asked them again, "Then what do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?" 13 Again they shouted, "Crucify Him!" 14 Then Pilate said to them, "Why? What has He done wrong?" But they shouted, "Crucify Him!" all the more. 15 Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified. 16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard (that is, headquarters) and called the whole company together. 17 They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and put it on Him. 18 And they began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They kept hitting Him on the head with a reed and spitting on Him. Getting down on their knees, they were paying Him homage. 20 When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
The Sanhedrin has found Jesus guilty in their biased mockery of a trail, but they do not have the authority under Roman law to execute prisoners, hence they take him to Pilate, the Governor of the region. Pilate is an interesting Character study. His main task is to keep things running smooth and peaceful in this very turbulent backwater of a Roman province, where small uprisings against Rome are common. While Pilate does not believe in Jesus as any kind of Messiah, he has pity for what he sees as an innocent man being railroaded by the political leaders and a whipped up frenzied crowd.
There is a lot of discussion and opinion as to the identity and reason for imprisonment of Barabbas, firstly in that his real name is not given . " Bar" means "son of" and was used in the culture as a surname with the name of the father, ie., Jesus full name would have been Jesus Barjoseph. Abbas means Father, as in the designation Abba. So they call this man "The son of a Father", which would be like calling someone today John Doe. He is refered to as a notorious criminal in Matthew 27. In Luke 23 he is accused of starting a rebellion and murder. This has caused some to speculate that his first name may also have been Jesus, which was a fairly common name, equivalent to the modern name Joshua, so that he and Jesus Christ would not be confused. for one another by the crowd.
The word used for crucify in the Greek is staroo, which means "to stake". we have already discussed the meaning of the Greek words used for the cross in our study of Mark 8, if you want more information on the debate surrounding whether or not Jesus died on a cross here is an excellent article that looks at the historical and biblical evidence for the common (cross) interpretation.
http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/jesus/the-facts-on-crucifixion-stauros-and-the-torture-stake.html
Mark 15: 16-32 HCSB
16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard (that is, headquarters) and called the whole company together. 17 They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and put it on Him. 18 And they began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They kept hitting Him on the head with a reed and spitting on Him. Getting down on their knees, they were paying Him homage. 20 When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. 21 They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus' cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place). 23 They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. 24 Then they crucified Him and divided His clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each would get. 25 Now it was nine in the morning when they crucified Him. 26 The inscription of the charge written against Him was THE KING OF THE JEWS 27 They crucified two criminals with Him, one on His right and one on His left. [ 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled that says: And He was counted among outlaws. ] 29 Those who passed by were yelling insults at Him, shaking their heads, and saying, "Ha! The One who would demolish the sanctuary and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself by coming down from the cross!" 31 In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes were mocking Him to one another and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself! 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him were taunting Him.
It was common for Roman prisoners to be flogged, but Jesus treatment is a bit extreme, even by Roman standards. Though Simon carrying the cross is referenced in the other gospels, Mark is the only one who names his children. this may be because they were influential Christain leaders when the book was written, this may be the same Rufus Paul speaks of in Romans 16:3. Some of what happens here fulfills prophecy, The casting for garments is refered to in Psalms 22:18, and verse 28 refers to Isaiah 53:9.
Mark 15: 33-47 HCSB
33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, " Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni ?" which is translated, " My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? " 35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "Look, He's calling for Elijah!" 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink, and said, "Let's see if Elijah comes to take Him down!" 37 But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. 38 Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "This man really was God's Son!" 40 There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee, they would follow Him and help Him. Many other women had come up with Him to Jerusalem. 42 When it was already evening, because it was preparation day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came and boldly went in to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44 Pilate was surprised that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. 45 When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph. 46 After he bought some fine linen, he took Him down and wrapped Him in the linen. Then he placed Him in a tomb cut out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. 47 Now Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where He was placed
The darkness at noon was prophesied in Amos 8: 9. "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me" is not just and expression of Jesus anguish, He is also quoting the first verse of Psalms 22. The Old Testament was not broken down into chapters and verses at this point, so when you taught in the synagogue you would use the first line of a passage as a reference to the entire passage you were speaking on. Any Jewish man who heard Jesus say this would immediately think of Psalms 22, which is actually a prophecy of Jesus death.
The inner part of the temple was the Holy of Holies, where only a consecrated priest could go. The splitting of the curtain signifies the end of the Abrahamic Covenant with Israel, now all men can come before God, as Jesus supercedes it. As we see with Joseph of Aramethia and Nicodemus, who is mentioned at this point in other gospels there were a few members of the Sanhedrin who had become believers. Mary the Mother of Joses mentioned here is Jesus mother, and Joses his brother. The women are here to prepare the body, but they can't do that on the sabbath. The stone is placed because there were fears the disciples would try to steal the body and claim a fake resurrection.
1 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests had a meeting with the elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin. After tying Jesus up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. 2 So Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "You have said it." 3 And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. 4 Then Pilate questioned Him again, "Are You not answering anything? Look how many things they are accusing You of!" 5 But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed. 6 At the festival it was Pilate's custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested. 7 There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder during the rebellion. 8 The crowd came up and began to ask [Pilate] to do for them as was his custom. 9 So Pilate answered them, "Do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you?" 10 For he knew it was because of envy that the chief priests had handed Him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead. 12 Pilate asked them again, "Then what do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?" 13 Again they shouted, "Crucify Him!" 14 Then Pilate said to them, "Why? What has He done wrong?" But they shouted, "Crucify Him!" all the more. 15 Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified. 16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard (that is, headquarters) and called the whole company together. 17 They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and put it on Him. 18 And they began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They kept hitting Him on the head with a reed and spitting on Him. Getting down on their knees, they were paying Him homage. 20 When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
The Sanhedrin has found Jesus guilty in their biased mockery of a trail, but they do not have the authority under Roman law to execute prisoners, hence they take him to Pilate, the Governor of the region. Pilate is an interesting Character study. His main task is to keep things running smooth and peaceful in this very turbulent backwater of a Roman province, where small uprisings against Rome are common. While Pilate does not believe in Jesus as any kind of Messiah, he has pity for what he sees as an innocent man being railroaded by the political leaders and a whipped up frenzied crowd.
There is a lot of discussion and opinion as to the identity and reason for imprisonment of Barabbas, firstly in that his real name is not given . " Bar" means "son of" and was used in the culture as a surname with the name of the father, ie., Jesus full name would have been Jesus Barjoseph. Abbas means Father, as in the designation Abba. So they call this man "The son of a Father", which would be like calling someone today John Doe. He is refered to as a notorious criminal in Matthew 27. In Luke 23 he is accused of starting a rebellion and murder. This has caused some to speculate that his first name may also have been Jesus, which was a fairly common name, equivalent to the modern name Joshua, so that he and Jesus Christ would not be confused. for one another by the crowd.
The word used for crucify in the Greek is staroo, which means "to stake". we have already discussed the meaning of the Greek words used for the cross in our study of Mark 8, if you want more information on the debate surrounding whether or not Jesus died on a cross here is an excellent article that looks at the historical and biblical evidence for the common (cross) interpretation.
http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/jesus/the-facts-on-crucifixion-stauros-and-the-torture-stake.html
Mark 15: 16-32 HCSB
16 Then the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard (that is, headquarters) and called the whole company together. 17 They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and put it on Him. 18 And they began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They kept hitting Him on the head with a reed and spitting on Him. Getting down on their knees, they were paying Him homage. 20 When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. 21 They forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus' cross. He was Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place). 23 They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. 24 Then they crucified Him and divided His clothes, casting lots for them to decide what each would get. 25 Now it was nine in the morning when they crucified Him. 26 The inscription of the charge written against Him was THE KING OF THE JEWS 27 They crucified two criminals with Him, one on His right and one on His left. [ 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled that says: And He was counted among outlaws. ] 29 Those who passed by were yelling insults at Him, shaking their heads, and saying, "Ha! The One who would demolish the sanctuary and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself by coming down from the cross!" 31 In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes were mocking Him to one another and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself! 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him were taunting Him.
It was common for Roman prisoners to be flogged, but Jesus treatment is a bit extreme, even by Roman standards. Though Simon carrying the cross is referenced in the other gospels, Mark is the only one who names his children. this may be because they were influential Christain leaders when the book was written, this may be the same Rufus Paul speaks of in Romans 16:3. Some of what happens here fulfills prophecy, The casting for garments is refered to in Psalms 22:18, and verse 28 refers to Isaiah 53:9.
Mark 15: 33-47 HCSB
33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, " Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni ?" which is translated, " My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? " 35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "Look, He's calling for Elijah!" 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink, and said, "Let's see if Elijah comes to take Him down!" 37 But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. 38 Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "This man really was God's Son!" 40 There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee, they would follow Him and help Him. Many other women had come up with Him to Jerusalem. 42 When it was already evening, because it was preparation day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came and boldly went in to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44 Pilate was surprised that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. 45 When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph. 46 After he bought some fine linen, he took Him down and wrapped Him in the linen. Then he placed Him in a tomb cut out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. 47 Now Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where He was placed
The darkness at noon was prophesied in Amos 8: 9. "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me" is not just and expression of Jesus anguish, He is also quoting the first verse of Psalms 22. The Old Testament was not broken down into chapters and verses at this point, so when you taught in the synagogue you would use the first line of a passage as a reference to the entire passage you were speaking on. Any Jewish man who heard Jesus say this would immediately think of Psalms 22, which is actually a prophecy of Jesus death.
The inner part of the temple was the Holy of Holies, where only a consecrated priest could go. The splitting of the curtain signifies the end of the Abrahamic Covenant with Israel, now all men can come before God, as Jesus supercedes it. As we see with Joseph of Aramethia and Nicodemus, who is mentioned at this point in other gospels there were a few members of the Sanhedrin who had become believers. Mary the Mother of Joses mentioned here is Jesus mother, and Joses his brother. The women are here to prepare the body, but they can't do that on the sabbath. The stone is placed because there were fears the disciples would try to steal the body and claim a fake resurrection.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Daily Bible Reading: Mark 14
Mark 14: 1-11 HCSB
1 After two days it was the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a treacherous way to arrest and kill Him. 2 "Not during the festival," they said, "or there may be rioting among the people."
3 While He was in Bethany at the house of Simon who had a serious skin disease, as He was reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of pure and expensive fragrant oil of nard. She broke the jar and poured it on His head. 4 But some were expressing indignation to one another: "Why has this fragrant oil been wasted? 5 For this oil might have been sold for more than 300 denarii and given to the poor." And they began to scold her. 6 Then Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a noble thing for Me. 7 You always have the poor with you, and you can do good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have Me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body in advance for burial. 9 I assure you: Wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her." 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to hand Him over to them. 11 And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him silver. So he started looking for a good opportunity to betray Him.
The Pharisees have their plan firmly in place, it is not a matter of whether they will kill Jesus, but when.
They are now just waiting for the right opportunity.
The other gospels give us a few more details as to what is happening when the woman anoints Jesus with oil. In John 12: 1-8 we see that this is a dinner for Jesus put on by Lazarus, whom Jesus resurrected, Martha is serving and It is actually Mary who anoints his feet with oil. The oil is an luxury item, 300 denari would be equivalent to about $50 in today's money. Some speculate that Mary having such an expensive perfume oil implies that she may have been a prostitute, it is also possible that it was purchased at the death of Lazarus and kept afterwards due to its value. We see also form John 12 that it is mainly Judas who is upset by what he perceives as waste here. Luke 22: 3 has Judas meeting with the Pharisees as the first time his is possessed by Satan.
Mark 14 :12-21 HCSB
12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, His disciples asked Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare the Passover so You may eat it?" 13 So He sent two of His disciples and told them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room for Me to eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." 16 So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, He arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, "I assure you: One of you will betray Me-one who is eating with Me!" 19 They began to be distressed and to say to Him one by one, "Surely not I?" 20 He said to them, "[It is] one of the Twelve-the one who is dipping [bread] with Me in the bowl. 21 For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."
As with the entry in to the city, the things which are needed by Jesus and the disciples are miraculously provided. This is the traditional passover meal eaten by the people of Israel in remembrance of God's delivering his people from Egypt. In both Matthew 26 and Luke 22 it is very clear that all of the disciples are concerned that they may potentially end up being the betrayer. It is popular these day to present Judas Iscariot as a more sympathetic figure, even someone who was trying to serve God in his own way. Jesus opinion of the betrayal here is very clear, however.
Mark 14: 22-26 HCSB
22 As they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take [it]; this is My body." 23 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, "This is My blood [that establishes] the covenant; it is shed for many. 25 I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God." 26 After singing psalms, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Catholics take this passage literally, that the bread and wine becomes Christ's flesh and blood when partaken. Protestants and Evangelicals, myself included, believe the body and blood reference is symbolic, both ofJesus sacrifice and his spiritual indwelling in the believer. Jesus is clearly representing himself as the passover lamb, sacrificed for the forgiveness of sin. The blood establishes a new covenant through Christ which supersedes the old Abrahamic covenant. The reference to this being Jesus last wine before death further emphasises that the blood reference is symbolic, Jesus is not drinking his own blood. In John 6:51- 64 Jesus also refers to himself as the Bread of Life and believers eating his his flesh and blood in response to being challenegd to call down mana from heaven. When the disciples do not understand, He says this
John 6:63 "The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn't help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." HCSB
It is clear to me from both passages that the reference is to spiritual meanings rather than literal physical tranformation of the bread and wine.
Mark 14:27-51 HCSB
27 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will run away, because it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. 28 But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." 29 Peter told Him, "Even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!" 30 "I assure you," Jesus said to him, "today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times!" 31 But he kept insisting, "If I have to die with You, I will never deny You!" And they all said the same thing. 32 Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified. 34 Then He said to them, "My soul is swallowed up in sorrow -to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake." 35 Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, " Abba , Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." 37 Then He came and found them sleeping. "Simon, are you sleeping?" He asked Peter. "Couldn't you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 Once again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to Him. 41 Then He came a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up; let's go! See-My betrayer is near." 43 While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. "The One I kiss," he said, "He's the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard." 45 So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, "Rabbi!"-and kissed Him. 46 Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his ear. 48 But Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal, to capture Me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn't arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." 50 Then they all deserted Him and ran away. 51 Now a certain young man, having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.
Like Peter, sometimes we are so sure of ourselves until we are tested. It is also so sad that the disciples fail him in his time need, no one is able to stay awake and pray for him during his emotional anguish. I love that even in this moment, his name for God is Abba, the greek equivalent of Daddy. In 47 it is Peter who actally cuts off the guy's ear as is stated in John 18: 10, which Jesus then heals. Mark is the only gospel that mentions the oyung man running away naked, Most scholars believe that this is the author of the book, Mark himself, as a young man.
Mark 14: 53-65 HCSB
53 They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes convened. 54 Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest's courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police, warming himself by the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they could find none. 56 For many were giving false testimony against Him, but the testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and were giving false testimony against Him, stating, 58 "We heard Him say, 'I will demolish this sanctuary made by [human] hands, and in three days I will build another not made by hands.' " 59 Yet their testimony did not agree even on this. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, "Don't You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?" 61 But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, "Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 "I am," said Jesus, "and all of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven ." 63 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What is your decision?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, "Prophesy!" Even the temple police took Him and slapped Him.
The false testimony in verse 58 is loosley based on what Jesus actually said, though he was refering to hois death and resurection rather than the actual temple. Even though they find him guilty of Blasphemy, they can not execute him themselves by Roman law, which is why he is taken later to Herod and Pilate.
Mark 14: 66-72
66 While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest's servants came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus." 68 But he denied it: "I don't know or understand what you're talking about!" Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed. 69 When the servant saw him again she began to tell those standing nearby, "This man is one of them!" 70 But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, "You certainly are one of them, since you're also a Galilean!" 71 Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, "I don't know this man you're talking about!" 72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." When he thought about it, he began to weep.
My heart breaks with Peter's as I read this, to have come so far, to have seen and done and been taught so much, and then to fail. and to realise you have betrayed everything you loved and stood for. But there is forgiveness, both for Peter and for us.
1 After two days it was the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a treacherous way to arrest and kill Him. 2 "Not during the festival," they said, "or there may be rioting among the people."
3 While He was in Bethany at the house of Simon who had a serious skin disease, as He was reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of pure and expensive fragrant oil of nard. She broke the jar and poured it on His head. 4 But some were expressing indignation to one another: "Why has this fragrant oil been wasted? 5 For this oil might have been sold for more than 300 denarii and given to the poor." And they began to scold her. 6 Then Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a noble thing for Me. 7 You always have the poor with you, and you can do good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have Me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body in advance for burial. 9 I assure you: Wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her." 10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to hand Him over to them. 11 And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him silver. So he started looking for a good opportunity to betray Him.
The Pharisees have their plan firmly in place, it is not a matter of whether they will kill Jesus, but when.
They are now just waiting for the right opportunity.
The other gospels give us a few more details as to what is happening when the woman anoints Jesus with oil. In John 12: 1-8 we see that this is a dinner for Jesus put on by Lazarus, whom Jesus resurrected, Martha is serving and It is actually Mary who anoints his feet with oil. The oil is an luxury item, 300 denari would be equivalent to about $50 in today's money. Some speculate that Mary having such an expensive perfume oil implies that she may have been a prostitute, it is also possible that it was purchased at the death of Lazarus and kept afterwards due to its value. We see also form John 12 that it is mainly Judas who is upset by what he perceives as waste here. Luke 22: 3 has Judas meeting with the Pharisees as the first time his is possessed by Satan.
Mark 14 :12-21 HCSB
12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, His disciples asked Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare the Passover so You may eat it?" 13 So He sent two of His disciples and told them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room for Me to eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." 16 So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 17 When evening came, He arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, "I assure you: One of you will betray Me-one who is eating with Me!" 19 They began to be distressed and to say to Him one by one, "Surely not I?" 20 He said to them, "[It is] one of the Twelve-the one who is dipping [bread] with Me in the bowl. 21 For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."
As with the entry in to the city, the things which are needed by Jesus and the disciples are miraculously provided. This is the traditional passover meal eaten by the people of Israel in remembrance of God's delivering his people from Egypt. In both Matthew 26 and Luke 22 it is very clear that all of the disciples are concerned that they may potentially end up being the betrayer. It is popular these day to present Judas Iscariot as a more sympathetic figure, even someone who was trying to serve God in his own way. Jesus opinion of the betrayal here is very clear, however.
Mark 14: 22-26 HCSB
22 As they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take [it]; this is My body." 23 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, "This is My blood [that establishes] the covenant; it is shed for many. 25 I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God." 26 After singing psalms, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Catholics take this passage literally, that the bread and wine becomes Christ's flesh and blood when partaken. Protestants and Evangelicals, myself included, believe the body and blood reference is symbolic, both ofJesus sacrifice and his spiritual indwelling in the believer. Jesus is clearly representing himself as the passover lamb, sacrificed for the forgiveness of sin. The blood establishes a new covenant through Christ which supersedes the old Abrahamic covenant. The reference to this being Jesus last wine before death further emphasises that the blood reference is symbolic, Jesus is not drinking his own blood. In John 6:51- 64 Jesus also refers to himself as the Bread of Life and believers eating his his flesh and blood in response to being challenegd to call down mana from heaven. When the disciples do not understand, He says this
John 6:63 "The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn't help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." HCSB
It is clear to me from both passages that the reference is to spiritual meanings rather than literal physical tranformation of the bread and wine.
Mark 14:27-51 HCSB
27 Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will run away, because it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. 28 But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." 29 Peter told Him, "Even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!" 30 "I assure you," Jesus said to him, "today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times!" 31 But he kept insisting, "If I have to die with You, I will never deny You!" And they all said the same thing. 32 Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified. 34 Then He said to them, "My soul is swallowed up in sorrow -to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake." 35 Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, " Abba , Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." 37 Then He came and found them sleeping. "Simon, are you sleeping?" He asked Peter. "Couldn't you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 Once again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to Him. 41 Then He came a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up; let's go! See-My betrayer is near." 43 While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. "The One I kiss," he said, "He's the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard." 45 So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, "Rabbi!"-and kissed Him. 46 Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his ear. 48 But Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal, to capture Me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn't arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." 50 Then they all deserted Him and ran away. 51 Now a certain young man, having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.
Like Peter, sometimes we are so sure of ourselves until we are tested. It is also so sad that the disciples fail him in his time need, no one is able to stay awake and pray for him during his emotional anguish. I love that even in this moment, his name for God is Abba, the greek equivalent of Daddy. In 47 it is Peter who actally cuts off the guy's ear as is stated in John 18: 10, which Jesus then heals. Mark is the only gospel that mentions the oyung man running away naked, Most scholars believe that this is the author of the book, Mark himself, as a young man.
Mark 14: 53-65 HCSB
53 They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes convened. 54 Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest's courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police, warming himself by the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they could find none. 56 For many were giving false testimony against Him, but the testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and were giving false testimony against Him, stating, 58 "We heard Him say, 'I will demolish this sanctuary made by [human] hands, and in three days I will build another not made by hands.' " 59 Yet their testimony did not agree even on this. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, "Don't You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?" 61 But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, "Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 "I am," said Jesus, "and all of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven ." 63 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What is your decision?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, "Prophesy!" Even the temple police took Him and slapped Him.
The false testimony in verse 58 is loosley based on what Jesus actually said, though he was refering to hois death and resurection rather than the actual temple. Even though they find him guilty of Blasphemy, they can not execute him themselves by Roman law, which is why he is taken later to Herod and Pilate.
Mark 14: 66-72
66 While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest's servants came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus." 68 But he denied it: "I don't know or understand what you're talking about!" Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed. 69 When the servant saw him again she began to tell those standing nearby, "This man is one of them!" 70 But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, "You certainly are one of them, since you're also a Galilean!" 71 Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, "I don't know this man you're talking about!" 72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." When he thought about it, he began to weep.
My heart breaks with Peter's as I read this, to have come so far, to have seen and done and been taught so much, and then to fail. and to realise you have betrayed everything you loved and stood for. But there is forgiveness, both for Peter and for us.
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