Jesus’ time in Jerusalem is short, but in the twelfth chapter of Mark’s gospel he has time to deliver a few lessons. Jesus tells a parable which appears designed to condemn the Temple authorities and predict an end to the Jews’ place as God’s chosen people, explains what the greatest commandment is, and explains the importance of sacrificing for God.
Jesus’ Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (Mark 12:1-12)
Jesus’ parable of the wicked husbandmen is one of his most important, and for good reason it occupies the central position of Jesus’ Jerusalem ministry. This parable is brimming with allegorical elements to a large number of Old Testament passages, all of which would have been meaningful to early Christian-Jewish audiences but probably meaningless to Gentiles who read or listened.
Jesus on Paying Taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:13-17)
In the previous chapter Jesus bested his opponents by forcing them to pick one of two unacceptable options; here they attempt to return the favor by asking Jesus to take sides on a controversy over whether to pay taxes to Rome. Whatever his answer, he would get in trouble with someone.
Jesus’ Resurrection Story (Mark 12:18-27)
In the previous passage, Temple authorities sent Pharisees and Herodians to trap Jesus into saying something that would get him into trouble. They failed, evidently teaching the authorities that if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. Now several Sadducees meet with Jesus in order to pose a new challenge to him.
Jesus on the Great Commandment (Mark 12:28-34)
Throughout Jesus’ time in Jerusalem thus far, his experiences have been characterized by conflict: he is challenged or questioned in a hostile manner by Temple authorities and he responds harshly. Now, however, we have a situation where Jesus is questioned in a far more neutral manner. The contrast between the earlier incidents and this one makes the relatively neutral question appear almost sympathetic.
David’s Son and Jesus (Mark: 12:35-37)
Jesus lectures people on the nature and identity of the Messiah. Mark’s audience, of course, thought of Jesus as the Messiah, so they would have seen more levels of meaning to this. Traditionally Jews believed that the Messiah had to be a son of David â€" someone born from the lineage of David’s family. Jesus, however, appears to be arguing that this makes no sense because the scriptures describe David as referring to the Messiah as “Lord†rather than “son.â€
Jesus and the Scribes (Mark 12:38-40)
In the other two synoptic gospels, Jesus is recorded as delivering a long litany of corruptions and misdeeds committed by the Temple scribes. Here, however, we only hear about a few of the awful things they do. This reinforces Jesus’ opposition to Temple authorities while also placing him firmly in the tradition of earlier Jewish prophets.
Jesus and the Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41-44)
The purpose of the passage appears to be to explain what “true†discipleship for Jesus was: being willing to give everything you have, even your livelihood, for the sake of God. Those who merely contribute from their own surplus aren’t sacrificing anything, and therefore their contributions will not be considered much (or at all) by God. Which of the two do you suppose is most descriptive of the average Christian in America or the West generally today?
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