4. Aaronic priesthood Hebrews 6:19–7:25 4. Melchizedekian
THE GREAT COMMISSION
16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go thereforea and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.a
28:18 All authority. See 11:27; John 3:35. Absolute sovereign authority lordship over all is handed to Christ, "in heaven and on earth." This is clear proof of His deity. The time of His humiliation was at an end, and God had exalted Him above all (Phil. 2:9–11).
DAY 17: How are the Old Testament sacrifices compared to Christ's sacrifice?
Leviticus Hebrews 1. Old Covenant Hebrews 7:22; 8:6, 13; 10:20 1. New Covenant (temporary) (permanent) 2. Obsolete promises Hebrews 8:6–13 2. Better promises 3. A shadow Hebrews 8:5; 9:23, 24; 10:1 3. The reality 4. Aaronic priesthood Hebrews 6:19–7:25 4. Melchizedekian (many)
priesthood (one) Hebrews 7:26, 27; 9:7 5. Sinless priest Hebrews 7:16, 17, 23, 24 6. Forever priesthood Hebrews 7:27; 9:12, 25, 26; 7. Once-for-all 10:9, 10, 12 sacrifice Hebrews 9:11–15, 26; 10:4–10, 8. Sacrifice of God's 19 Son Hebrews 10:11–14, 18 9. Sacrifices no longer needed Hebrews 7:25; 9:12, 15; 10:1–4, 10. Eternal 12 propitiation
Sinful priesthood Limited-by-death priesthood
Daily sacrifices
Animal sacrifices
Ongoing sacrifices
One-year atonement
Return to February 17 Readings
The Gospel According to Mark
Mark 1
February 18
M ARK 1:1–22
JOHN THE BAPTIST PREPARES THE WAY
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2As it is
written in the Prophets:a
"Behold, I send My messenger before Your
face, Who will prepare Your way before You."b
3"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' "a
4John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of
repentance for the remission of sins. 5Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
6Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
JOHN BAPTIZES JESUS
9It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And immediately, coming up froma the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
SATAN TEMPTS JESUS
12Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.
JESUS BEGINS HIS GALILEAN MINISTRY
14Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdoma of God, 15and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
1:15 The time is fulfilled. Not time in a chronological sense, but the time for decisive action on God's part. With the arrival of the King, a new era in God's dealings with men had come. the kingdom of God. God's sovereign rule over the sphere of salvation; at present in the hearts of His people (Luke 17:21), and in the future, in a literal, earthly kingdom (Rev. 20:4–6). at hand. Because the King was present. Repent, and believe. Repentance and faith are man's required response to God's gracious offer of salvation (see Acts 20:21).
FOUR FISHERMEN CALLED AS DISCIPLES
16And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." 18They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
1:17 Follow Me. Used frequently in the Gospels in reference to discipleship (2:14; 8:34; 10:21; Matt. 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 10:38; 16:24; 19:21; Luke 9:23, 59, 61; 18:22; John 1:43; 10:27; 12:26). fishers of men. Evangelism was the primary purpose for which Jesus called the apostles, and it remains the central mission for His people (see Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8).
19When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.
JESUS CASTS OUT AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT
21Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He
entered the synagogue and taught. 22And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
1:22 authority. Jesus' authoritative teaching, as the spoken Word of God, was
in sharp contrast to that of the scribes (experts in the Old Testament Scriptures),
who based their authority largely on that of other rabbis. Jesus' direct, personal, and forceful teaching was so foreign to their experience that those who heard Him were "astonished" (see Titus 2:15).
DAY 18: What was the purpose of John's baptism?
The Gospels all introduce John the Baptist's ministry by quoting Isaiah 40:3 (see Matt. 3:3 ; Luke 3:4 ; John 1:23 ). John was called "My messenger" ( Mark 1:2 ), the divinely promised messenger, sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. In ancient times, a king's envoys would travel ahead of him, making sure the roads were safe and fit for him to travel on, as well as announcing his arrival.
As the last Old Testament prophet and the divinely ordained forerunner of the Messiah, John was the culmination of Old Testament history and prophecy (Luke 16:16) as well as the beginning of the historical record of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not surprisingly, Jesus designated John as the greatest man who had lived until his time (Matt. 11:11). John's baptism, being the distinctive mark of his ministry (Mark 1:4), differed from the ritual Jewish washings in that it was a one-time act. The Jews performed a similar one-time washing of Gentile proselytes, symbolizing their embracing of the true faith. That Jews would participate in such a rite was a startling admission that they needed to come to God through repentance and faith just like Gentiles.
Return to February 18 Readings
February 19
M ARK 1:23–45
23Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried
out, 24saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!"
1:24 What have we to do with You…? Or, possibly, "Why do You interfere with us?" The demon was acutely aware that he and Jesus belonged to two radically different kingdoms, and thus had nothing in common. That the demon used the plural pronoun "we" indicates he spoke for all the demons. the Holy One of God. See Psalm 16:10; Daniel 9:24; Luke 4:34; Acts 2:27; 3:14; 4:27; Revelation 3:7. Amazingly, the demon affirmed Jesus' sinlessness and deity truths which many in Israel denied and still deny.
25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" 26And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authoritya He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." 28And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW HEALED
29Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30But Simon's wife's
mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
MANY HEALED AFTER SABBATH SUNSET
32At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
PREACHING IN GALILEE
35Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You."
38But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."
39And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.
JESUS CLEANSES A LEPER
40Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."
1:40 leper. Lepers were considered ceremonially unclean and were outcasts from society (Lev. 13:11). While the Old Testament term for leprosy included other skin diseases, this man may have actually had true leprosy (Hansen's Disease), or else his cure would not have created such a sensation (v. 45).
41Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched
him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." 42As soon as He had spoken,
immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43And He strictly warned
him and sent him away at once, 44and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
1:41 compassion. Only Mark records Jesus' emotional reaction to the leper's desperate plight. The Greek word appears only in the synoptic Gospels and (apart from parables) is used only in reference to Jesus. touched him. Unlike rabbis, who avoided lepers lest they become ceremonially defiled, Jesus expressed His compassion with a physical gesture.
45However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in
deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.
DAY 19: What was the incident with Nadab and Abihu about?
In Leviticus 9:23, it states that "the glory of the LORD appeared." The Bible speaks often of the glory of God—the visible appearance of His beauty and perfection reduced to blazing light. His glory appeared to Moses (Ex. 3:1– 6; 24:15–17; 33:18–23). The glory of God also filled the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34), led the people as a pillar of fire and cloud (Ex. 40:35–38), and also filled the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kin. 8:10, 11). When Aaron made the first sacrifice in the wilderness, as a priest, the "glory of the LORD appeared to all the people." In these manifestations, God was revealing His righteousness, holiness, truth, wisdom, and grace—the sum of all He is.
Nadab and Abihu were the two oldest sons of Aaron (10:1). The vessel in which the incense was burned in the Holy Place was to be used only for holy purposes. Though the exact infraction is not detailed, instead of taking the incense fire from the bronze altar, they had some other source and thus perpetrated a "profane" act, especially considering the descent of the miraculous fire they had just seen. The same divine fire that accepted the sacrifices (9:24) consumed the errant priests. The sons of Aaron were guilty of violating both requirements of God's absolute standard: "regarded as holy…be glorified" (10:3). That was not unlike the later deaths of Uzzah (2 Sam. 6:6, 7) or Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:5, 10).
Return to February 19 Readings
Mark 2
February 20
M ARK 2:1–28
JESUS FORGIVES AND HEALS A PARALYTIC
1And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He
was in the house. 2Immediatelya many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried
by four men. 4And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
5When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
2:5 When Jesus saw their faith. The aggressive, persistent effort of the paralytic's friends was visible evidence of their faith in Christ to heal. "Son, your sins are forgiven you." Many Jews in that day believed that all disease and affliction was a direct result of one's sins. This paralytic may have believed that as well; thus he would have welcomed forgiveness of his sins before healing. The Greek verb for "are forgiven" refers to sending or driving away (see Ps. 103:12; Jer. 31:34; Mic. 7:19). Thus Jesus dismissed the man's sin and freed him from the guilt of it.
6And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7"Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
8But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"—He said to the paralytic, 11"I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." 12Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
MATTHEW THE TAX COLLECTOR
13Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He
taught them. 14As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.
15Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16And when the scribes anda Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"
17When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."a
JESUS IS QUESTIONED ABOUT FASTING
18The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?"
19And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away
from them, and then they will fast in those days. 21No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. 22And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins."
JESUS IS LORD OF THE SABBATH
23Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as
they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?"
2:24 what is not lawful on the Sabbath. Rabbinical tradition had interpreted the rubbing of grain in the hands (see Luke 6:1) as a form of threshing and forbidden it. Reaping for profit on the Sabbath was forbidden by Mosaic Law (Ex. 34:21), but that was obviously not the situation here. Actually the Pharisees' charge was itself sinful since they were holding their tradition on a par with God's Word.
25But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in
need and hungry, he and those with him: 26how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?"
27And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for
the Sabbath. 28Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."
2:27 The Sabbath was made for man. God instituted the Sabbath to benefit man by giving him a day to rest from his labors and to be a blessing to him. The Pharisees turned it into a burden and made man a slave to their myriad of man-made regulations.
2:28 also Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus claimed He was greater than the Sabbath, and thus was God. Based on that authority, Jesus could in fact reject the Pharisaic regulations concerning the Sabbath and restore God's original intention for Sabbath observance to be a blessing not a burden.
DAY 20: Does God expect us to be holy?
In Leviticus 11:44, 45, God says "consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy." In all of this, God is teaching His people to live antithetically. That is, He is using these clean and unclean distinctions to separate Israel from other idolatrous nations who have no such restrictions, and He is illustrating by these prescriptions that His people must learn to live His way. Through dietary laws and rituals, God is teaching them the reality of living His way in
everything. They are being taught to obey God in every seemingly mundane area of life, so as to learn how crucial obedience is. Sacrifices, rituals, diet, and even clothing and cooking are all carefully ordered by God to teach them that they are to live differently from everyone else. This is to be an external illustration for the separation from sin in their hearts. Because the Lord is their God, they are to be utterly distinct.
In v. 44, for the first time the statement "I am the LORD your God" is made as a reason for the required separation and holiness. After this verse, that phrase is mentioned about 50 more times in this book alone, along with the equally instructive claim, "I am holy." Because God is holy and is their God, the people are to be holy in outward ceremonial behavior as an external expression of the greater necessity of heart holiness. The connection between ceremonial holiness carries over into personal holiness. The only motivation given for all these laws is to learn to be holy because God is holy. The holiness theme is central to Leviticus (see 10:3; 19:2; 20:7, 26; 21:6–8).
Return to February 20 Readings
Mark 3
February 21
M ARK 3:1–19
HEALING ON THE SABBATH
1And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." 4Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.a 6Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
A GREAT MULTITUDE FOLLOWS JESUS
7But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from
Galilee followed Him, and from Judea 8and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. 9So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. 10For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions
pressed about Him to touch Him. 11And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw
Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God." 12But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.
THE TWELVE APOSTLES
13And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And
they came to Him. 14Then He appointed twelve,a that they might be with Him and
that He might send them out to preach, 15and to have power to heal sicknesses
anda to cast out demons: 16Simon,a to whom He gave the name Peter; 17James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder"; 18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; 19and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.
3:13 called…those He Himself wanted. Jesus acted in His own sovereign interest John 15:16).
The Greek verb "called" stresses that
when He chose the 12 disciples (see
3:14 appointed twelve. Christ, by an explicit act of His will, formed a distinct group of 12 men who were among His followers. This new group constituted the foundation of His church (see Eph. 2:20).
3:15 have power. This word is sometimes rendered "authority." Along with the main task of preaching, Jesus gave the 12 the right to expel demons (see Luke 9:1 ).
DAY 21: How does Jesus display the proper use of anger?
In Mark 3:1—6, Jesus was in a synagogue, where there was a man with a withered hand. This describes a condition of paralysis or deformity from an accident, a disease, or a congenital defect. It became another situation for the Pharisees to "accuse" Him (v. 2) of a violation of the Sabbath—an accusation they could bring before the Sanhedrin.
Jesus countered the Pharisees with a question that elevated the issue at hand from a legal to a moral problem. "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good…evil, to save…kill?" Jesus asks (v. 4). He was forcing the Pharisees to examine their tradition regarding the Sabbath to see if it was consistent with God's Old Testament law. Christ used a device common in the Middle East— He framed the issue in terms of clear-cut extremes. The obvious implication is that failure to do good or save a life was wrong and not in keeping with God's original intention for the Sabbath. But the Pharisees kept silent, and by so doing implied that their Sabbath views and practices were false.
Jesus' "anger" (v. 5) with human sin reveals a healthy, moral nature. His reaction was consistent with His divine nature and proved that He is the righteous Son of God. This kind of holy indignation with sinful attitudes and practices was to be more fully demonstrated when Jesus cleansed the temple (see 11:15–18; Matt. 21:12, 13; Luke 19:45–48). The "hardness of their hearts" refers to an inability to understand because of a rebellious attitude (Ps. 95:8; Heb. 3:8, 15). The Pharisees' hearts were becoming more and more obstinate and unresponsive to the truth (see 16:14; Rom. 9:18).
Return to February 21 Readings
February 22
M ARK 3:20–35
A HOUSE DIVIDED CANNOT STAND
20Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He is out of His mind."
3:21 His own people. In Greek, this expression was used in various ways to describe someone's friends or close associates. In the strictest sense, it meant family, which is probably the best understanding here. lay hold of Him. Mark used this same term elsewhere to mean the arrest of a person (6:17; 12:12; 14:1, 44, 46, 51). Jesus' relatives evidently heard the report of v. 20 and came to Capernaum to restrain Him from His many activities and bring Him under their care and control, all supposedly for His own good. out of His mind. Jesus' family could only explain His unconventional lifestyle, with its willingness for others always to impose on Him, by saying He was irrational or had lost His mind
22And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub," and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons."
23So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: "How can Satan
cast out Satan? 24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot
stand. 25And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. 27No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.
THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
28"Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"— 30because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."
JESUS' MOTHER AND BROTHERS SEND FOR HIM
31Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. 32And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to
Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothersa are outside seeking You."
33But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" 34And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! 35For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."
3:35 Jesus made a decisive and comprehensive statement on true Christian discipleship. Such discipleship involves a spiritual relationship that transcends the physical family and is open to all who are empowered by the Spirit of God to come to Christ in repentance and faith and enabled to live a life of obedience to God's Word.
DAY 22: How did Mark come to write one of the gospels if he wasn't one of the original disciples?
Although Mark was not one of the original apostles of Jesus, he was involved in many of the events recorded in the New Testament. He traveled as a close companion of the apostle Peter and appears repeatedly throughout the Book of Acts, where he is known as "John whose surname was Mark" (Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37, 39). When Peter was miraculously freed from prison, his first action was to go to Mark's mother's home in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12).
John Mark was also a cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4:10), and he joined Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (Acts 12:25; 13:5). But Mark deserted the mission team while in Perga and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Later, when Barnabas wanted to give Mark another opportunity to travel with Paul's second missionary team, Paul refused. The resulting friction between Paul and Barnabas led to their separation (Acts 15:38—40).
Eventually, Mark's youthful vacillation gave way to great strength and maturity. In time, he proved himself even to the apostle Paul. When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he told them that if John Mark came, they were to welcome him (Col. 4:10). Paul even listed Mark as a fellow worker (Philem. 24). Later, Paul told Timothy, "Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry" (2 Tim. 4:11).
Return to February 22 Readings
Mark 4
February 23
M ARK 4:1–20
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER
1And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. 2Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:
4:2 parables. A common method of teaching in Judaism, which Jesus employed to conceal the truth from unbelievers while explaining it to His disciples.
3"Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4And it happened, as he sowed, that
some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the aira came and devoured it. 5Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it
sprang up because it had no depth of earth. 6But when the sun was up it was
scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. 7And some seed fell
among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. 8But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
4:31 a mustard seed. A reference to the common black mustard plant. The leaves were used as a vegetable and the seed as a condiment. It also had medicinal benefits. smaller than all. The mustard seed is not the smallest of all seeds in existence, but it was in comparison to all the other seeds the Jews sowed in Palestine.
9And He said to them,a "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
THE PURPOSE OF PARABLES
10But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him
about the parable. 11And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12so that
'Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.' "a
THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER EXPLAINED
13And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14The sower sows the word. 15And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. 18Now
these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
DAY 23: What does the parable of the soils warn us about our heart?
Jesus made it clear that as the sower sows his seed, some of those seeds fall to
the "wayside" (Mark 4:4)—either a road near a field's edge or a path that traversed a field, both of which were hard surfaces due to constant foot traffic. Other seed falls on "stony ground" (v. 5), where beds of solid rock lie under the surface of good soil. They are a little too deep for the plow to reach, and too shallow to allow a plant to reach water and develop a decent root system in the small amount of soil that covers them. Other seed falls among "thorns" (v. 7)— tough, thistle-bearing weeds that use up the available space, light, and water which good plants need.
Jesus warns in vv. 13—20 that our heart may be hard, like the stony ground, and the "word of God" never takes root in the soul and never transforms our life —there is only a temporary, surface change. Bring along the suffering, trials, and persecutions which result from one's association with God's Word and we fall away (John 8:31; 1 John 2:19).Then there are the "cares of this world," or "the distractions of the age." A preoccupation with the temporal issues of this present age blinds a person to any serious consideration of the gospel ( James 4:4 ; 1 John 2:15 , 16 ). And "the deceitfulness of riches" come our way. Not only can money and material possessions not satisfy the desires of the heart or bring the lasting happiness they deceptively promise, but they also blind those who pursue them to eternal, spiritual concerns (1 Tim. 6:9, 10).
Return to February 23 Readings
February 24
M ARK 4:21–41
LIGHT UNDER A BASKET
21Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or
under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
THE PARABLE OF THE GROWING SEED
26And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout
and grow, he himself does not know how. 28For the earth yields crops by itself:
first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."
THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED
30Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; 32but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade."
4:31 a mustard seed. A reference to the common black mustard plant. The leaves were used as a vegetable and the seed as a condiment. It also had
medicinal benefits. smaller than all. The mustard seed is not the smallest of all seeds in existence, but it was in comparison to all the other seeds the Jews sowed in Palestine.
JESUS' USE OF PARABLES
33And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
WIND AND WAVE OBEY JESUS
35On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." 36Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
39Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40But He said to
them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"a 41And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"
DAY 24: Why would Jesus' own disciples fear Him?
In Mark 4:35, Jesus and His disciples were on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. To escape the crowds for a brief respite, Jesus wanted to go to the eastern shore, which had no large cities and therefore fewer people. But as they crossed the lake, they were caught in a "great windstorm" (v. 37). Wind is a common occurrence on that lake, about 690 feet below sea level and surrounded by hills. The Greek word can also mean "whirlwind." In this case, it was a storm so severe that it took on the properties of a hurricane. The disciples, used to being on the lake in the wind, thought this storm would drown them (v. 38).
Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep (v. 38). He was so exhausted from a full day of healing and preaching, even that storm could not wake Him up. Thus they woke Him. He then rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" Literally, it means to "be silent, be muzzled." Storms normally subside gradually, but when the Creator gave the order, the natural elements of this storm ceased immediately (v. 39).
At that point, we are told "they feared exceedingly" (v. 41). This was not fear of
being harmed by the storm, but a reverence for the supernatural power Jesus
had just displayed. The only thing more terrifying than having a storm outside the boat was having God in the boat! "Who can this be…" This statement betrayed the disciples' wonderment.
Return to February 24 Readings
Mark 5
February 25
M ARK 5:1–20
A DEMON-POSSESSED MAN HEALED
1Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.a 2And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him,a not even with chains, 4because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
5:5 crying out and cutting himself with stones. "Crying out" describes a continual unearthly scream uttered with intense emotion. The "stones" likely were rocks made of flint with sharp, jagged edges.
6When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."
8For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" 9Then He asked
him, "What is your name?"
5:9 "What is your name?" Most likely, Jesus asked this in view of the demon's appeal not to be tormented. However, He did not need to know the demon's name in order to expel him. Rather, Jesus posed the question to bring the reality and complexity of this case into the open. Legion. A Latin term, by then common to Jews and Greeks, that defined a Roman military unit of 6,000 infantrymen. Such a name denotes that the man was controlled by an extremely large number of militant evil spirits, a truth reiterated by the expression "for we are many."
And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many." 10Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
11Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." 13And at once Jesusa gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
14So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had
been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.
18And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged
Him that he might be with Him. 19However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." 20And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.
DAY 25: What does the term "type of Christ" mean when used to describe someone in the Old Testament?
Certain persons and practices recorded in the Old Testament serve as hints, clues, and preillustrations of what Jesus Christ would accomplish by His life, death, and resurrection. In most cases, the similarities or parallels are pointed out in the New Testament. The following people are some of those mentioned as representing, in a narrow way, what Christ accomplished perfectly: (1) Adam ( Rom. 5:14 ; 1 Cor. 15:45 ); (2) Abel ( Gen. 4:8 , 10 ; Heb. 12:24 ); (3) Aaron ( Ex. 28:1 ; Heb. 5:4 , 5 ; 9:7 , 24 ); (4) David ( 2 Sam. 8:15 ; Phil. 2:9 ); (5) Jonah ( Jon. 1:17 ; Matt. 12:40 ); (6) Melchizedek ( Gen. 14:18–20 ; Heb. 7:1–17 ); (7) Moses ( Num. 12:7 ; Heb. 3:2 ); (8) Noah ( Gen. 5:29 ; 2 Cor. 1:5 ); (9) Samson ( Judg. 16:30 ; Col. 2:14–15 ); (10) Solomon ( 2 Sam. 7:12 , 13 ; 1 Pet. 2:5 ). The following events and practices also prefigure Christ: (1) Ark ( Gen. 7:16 ; 1 Pet. 3:20 , 21 ); (2) Atonement sacrifices ( Lev. 16:15 , 16 ; Heb. 9:12 , 24 ); (3) Bronze serpent ( Num. 21:9 ; John 3:14 , 15 ); (4) Mercy seat ( Ex. 25:17–22 ; Rom. 3:25 ; Heb. 4:16 ); (5) Passover lamb ( Ex. 12:3–6 , 46 ; John 19:36 ; 1 Cor. 5:7 ); (6) Red heifer (Lev. 3:1; Eph. 2:14, 16); (7) Rock of Horeb (Ex. 17:6; 1 Cor. 10:4); Scapegoat (Lev. 16:20–22); (9) Tabernacle (Ex. 40:2; Heb. 9:11; Col. 2:9); Veil of the tabernacle (Ex. 40:21; Heb. 10:20).
Return to February 25 Readings
February 26
M ARK 5:21–43
A GIRL RESTORED TO LIFE AND A WOMAN HEALED
21Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great
multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." 24So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
25Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27When she heard about Jesus,
she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."
5:26 suffered many things from many physicians. In New Testament times, it was common practice in difficult medical cases for people to consult many different doctors and receive a variety of treatments. The supposed cures were often conflicting, abusive, and many times made the ailment worse, not better. (Luke, the physician, in Luke 8:43 suggested the woman was not helped because her condition was incurable.)
29Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her
body that she was healed of the affliction. 30And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"
31But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' "
32And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."
35While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?"
36As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." 37And He permitted no one
to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping."
40And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her,
"Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.
DAY 26: What do the healings of Mark 5 teach us about faith?
Upon hearing about Jesus, the woman with the flow of blood said to herself, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well" (v. 28). Her faith in Jesus' healing powers was so great that she believed even indirect contact with Him through His garments would be enough to produce a cure. Jesus' response to her touch and healing was that "your faith has made you well" (v. 34). The form of the Greek verb translated "has made you well," which can also be rendered "has made you whole," indicates that her healing was complete. It is the same Greek word often translated "to save" and is the normal New Testament word for saving from sin, which strongly suggests that the woman's faith also led to spiritual salvation.
Jesus' response to the announced death of Jairus's daughter was simply, "Do not be afraid; only believe" (v. 36). The verb is a command for present, continuous action urging Jairus to maintain the faith he had initially demonstrated in coming to Jesus. Christ knew there was no other proper response to Jairus's helpless situation, and He was confident of faith's outcome (Luke 8:50). Even in the face of ridicule, Jesus said, "The child is not dead, but sleeping" (v. 39). With this figurative expression, Jesus meant that the girl was not dead in the normal sense, because her condition was temporary and would
be reversed (see note on Matt. 9:24 ; see John 11:11–14 ; Acts 7:60 ; 13:36 ; 1 Cor. 11:30 ; 15:6 , 18 , 20 , 51 ; 1 Thess. 4:13 , 14 ).
Return to February 26 Readings
Mark 6
February 27
M ARK 6:1–29
JESUS REJECTED AT NAZARETH
1Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples
followed Him. 2And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that
such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him.
4But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." 5Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
SENDING OUT THE TWELVE
7And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and
gave them power over unclean spirits. 8He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts — 9but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
10Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. 11And whoevera will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.b Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"
6:11 shake off the dust. A symbolic act that signified complete renunciation of further fellowship with those who rejected them. When the disciples made this gesture, it would show that the people had rejected Jesus and the gospel and were hence rejected by the disciples and by the Lord. more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah. People who reject Christ's gracious, saving gospel will face a fate worse than those pagans killed by divine judgment on the two Old Testament cities.
12So they went out and preached that people should repent. 13And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.
6:13 anointed with oil…sick. In Jesus' day olive oil was often used medicinally (see Luke 10:34). But here it represented the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and was used symbolically in relation to supernatural healing (see Is. 11:2; Zech. 4:1–6; Matt. 25:2–4; Rev. 1:4, 12). As a well-known healing
agent, the oil was an appropriate, tangible medium the people could identify with as the disciples ministered to the sick among them.
JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED
14Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him."
15Others said, "It is Elijah."
And others said, "It is the Prophet, ora like one of the prophets." 16But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!" 17For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. 18Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
19Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she
could not; 20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
21Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast
for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." 23He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom."
24So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist!" 25Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
26And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and
because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
DAY 27: What is the relationship of unbelief and Jesus' working in people's lives?
Although the people in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth were "astonished" by Jesus' wisdom and mighty works (Mark 6:2), their initial reaction gave way to skepticism and a critical attitude toward Jesus. They still thought of Jesus as a carpenter and the son of Mary with brothers and sisters (v. 3). The residents of Nazareth were deeply offended at Jesus' posturing Himself as some great teacher because of His ordinary background, His limited formal education, and His lack of an officially sanctioned religious position.
In the face of this, Jesus "could do no mighty work there" (v. 5). This is not to suggest that His power was somehow diminished by their unbelief. It may suggest that because of their unbelief people were not coming to Him for healing or miracles the way they did in Capernaum and Jerusalem. Or, more importantly it may signify that Christ limited His ministry both as an act of mercy, so that the exposure to greater light would not result in a worse hardening that would only subject them to greater condemnation, and a judgment on their unbelief. He had the power to do more miracles, but not the will, because they rejected Him. Miracles belonged among those who were ready to believe.
"He marveled because of their unbelief" (v. 6). "Marveled" means Jesus was completely astonished and amazed at Nazareth's reaction to Him, His teaching, and His miracles. He was not surprised at the fact of the people's unbelief, but at how they could reject Him while claiming to know all about Him.
Return to February 27 Readings
February 28
M ARK 6:30–56
FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND
30Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
33But the multitudesa saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there
on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 35When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and
villages and buy themselves bread;a for they have nothing to eat."
37But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"
38But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish." 39Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the
green grass. 40So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 41And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 42So they all ate and were
filled. 43And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44Now those who had eaten the loaves were abouta five thousand men.
6:44 five thousand men. The Greek word for "men" means strictly males, so
the numerical estimate did not include women and children (see Matt. 14:21).
The women and children were traditionally seated separately from the men for meals. When everyone was added, there could have been at least 20,000.
JESUS WALKS ON THE SEA
45Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. 47Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. 49And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; 50for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 51Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
6:50 Be of good cheer! This command, always linked in the Gospels to a situation of fear and apprehension (see 10:49; Matt. 9:2, 22; 14:27; Luke 8:48; John 16:33; Acts 23:11), urged the disciples to have a continuing attitude of courage. It is I. Literally, "I AM." This statement clearly identified the figure as the Lord Jesus, not some phantom. It echoed the Old Testament self-revelation of God (see Ex. 3:14).
MANY TOUCH HIM AND ARE MADE WELL
53When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and
anchored there. 54And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people
recognized Him, 55ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to
carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
DAY 28: List all the Jewish feasts and dates.
Month
Feast of on Day Corresponding References Jewish Month Calendar
Exodus 12:1–14 Matthew 26:17–20 Exodus 12:15–20 Leviticus 23:9–14 Numbers (28:26) Deuteronomy 16:9–12
Passover
Nisan 14 Mar.–Apr.
*Unleavened Bread
Nisan 15—21 Mar.–Apr.
Firstfruits
Nisan 16 Mar.–Apr.
or Sivan 6 May–June
6 (50 Sivan May–June days)
*Pentecost (Harvest or Weeks)
after barley harvest)
Acts 2:1
Numbers 29:1–6 Leviticus 23:26–32
Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah
Tishri 1, 2 Sept.–Oct.
Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur
Tishri 10 Sept.–Oct.
Hebrews 9:7
Nehemiah
*Tabernacles (Booths or Ingathering)
8:13–18;
Tishri 15—22 Sept.–Oct.
John 7:2 Dedication (Lights), Chislev 25 (8 Nov.–Dec. John 10:22 Hanukkah days) Purim (Lots) Adar 14, 15 Feb.–Mar. Esther 9:18– 22 *The three major feasts for which all males of Israel were required to travel to the temple in Jerusalem ( Ex. 23:14–19 ).
Return to February 28 Readings
Mark 7
March 1
M ARK 7:1–13
DEFILEMENT COMES FROM WITHIN
1Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come
from Jerusalem. 2Now whena they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled,
that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. 3For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the
elders. 4When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.
5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"
6He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 7And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'a
8For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of mena
— the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
9He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother';a and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'b 11But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"—' (that is, a gift to God), 12then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."
DAY 1: What did the washing of hands have to do with spirituality?
In Mark 7:1, a delegation of leading representatives of Judaism came from Jerusalem perhaps at the request of the Galilean Pharisees. They immediately found fault with the disciples of Jesus, accusing them of eating with hands that had not been ceremonially cleansed and, thus, that had not been separated from the defilement associated with their having touched anything profane (v. 2). This washing had nothing to do with cleaning dirty hands but with a ceremonial rinsing. The ceremony involved someone pouring water out of a jar onto another's hands, whose fingers must be pointing up. As long as the water dripped off at the wrist, the person could proceed to the next step. He then had water poured over both hands with the fingers pointing down. Then each hand was to be rubbed with the fist of the other hand. This was according to the "tradition of the elders"—a body of extrabiblical laws and interpretations of Scripture that had in actuality supplanted Scripture as the highest religious authority in Judaism.
The Pharisees and scribes went to the disciples' Master for an explanation of the disciples' allegedly disgraceful conduct. In reality, they were accusing Jesus of teaching His disciples to disobey the tradition of the elders (v. 5). Jesus' reply was to quote Isaiah 29:13, whose prophecy perfectly fit the actions of the Pharisees. Not only were their hearts far from God but they were "hypocrites," or spiritual phonies (v. 6). They followed the traditions of men because such teaching required only mechanical and thoughtless conformity without a pure heart. And in doing so, they had abandoned all the commandments contained in God's Word and substituted a humanly designed standard for God's standard (v. 8).
Return to March 1 Readings
March 2
M ARK 7:14–37
14When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear
Me, everyone, and understand: 15There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"a
17When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?"a 20And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23All these evil things come from within and defile a man."
7:19 Since food is merely physical, no one who eats it will defile his heart or inner person, which is spiritual. Physical pollution, no matter how corrupt, cannot cause spiritual or moral pollution. Neither can external ceremonies and rituals cleanse a person spiritually. thus purifying all foods. By overturning the tradition of hand washing, Jesus in effect removed the restrictions regarding dietary laws.
7:20 What comes out of a man. A person's defiled heart is expressed in both what he says and what he does.
A GENTILE SHOWS HER FAITH
24From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon.a And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. 25For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. 26The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."
28And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs."
29Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter."
30And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.
JESUS HEALS A DEAF-MUTE
31Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the
midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. 32Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33And He took him aside from the multitude, and put
His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. 34Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."
35Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
DAY 2: Did Moses perhaps inflate the numbers of Jews in the wilderness?
Twice during the wilderness wanderings a census of the people of Israel was taken (Numbers 1:46; 26:51). Each time the resulting total count of fighting men exceeded 600,000. These numbers indicate a population for Israel in the wilderness of around 2.5 million people at any time. Viewed naturally, this total appears too high to sustain in wilderness conditions.
Before concluding that Moses inflated the numbers, several factors must be considered. First, the Lord supernaturally took care of Israel for 40 years ( Deut. 8:1–5 ). Miraculous provision of food was a daily event. Second, God also spelled out sanitary practices that prevented the kind of health crises that might have occurred under those conditions. Third, while Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, they only moved camp about 40 times. Spending about a year in each campsite allowed for some normal life without creating a permanent settlement. This preserved some grazing for the herds while keeping the people's pollution to a manageable amount. Each census was meant to be an accurate accounting of God's people. They ought to be taken at face value.
Return to March 2 Readings
Mark 8
March 3
M ARK 8:1–21
FEEDING THE FOUR THOUSAND
1In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, 2"I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar."
4Then His disciples answered Him, "How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?"
5He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven." 6So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. 8So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. 9Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, 10immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
THE PHARISEES SEEK A SIGN
11Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking
from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. 12But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation."
BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES AND HEROD
13And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. 14Now the disciplesa had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
16And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread."
17But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart stilla hardened? 18Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?"
They said to Him, "Twelve." 20"Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?"
And they said, "Seven."
21So He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?"
8:2 I have compassion. Only here and in the parallel passage (Matt. 15:32) did Jesus use this word of Himself. When He fed the 5,000, Jesus expressed "compassion" for the people's lost spiritual condition (6:34). Here, He expressed
"compassion" for people's physical needs. Jesus could empathize with their hunger, having experienced it Himself (Matt. 4:2).
DAY 3: What was the "leaven of the Pharisees and…of Herod" that Jesus warned about?
The skeptical Pharisees asked for a "sign from heaven" in Mark 8:11, demanding further miraculous proof of Jesus' messianic claims. Not content with the countless miracles He had performed on earth, they demanded some sort of astronomical miracle. Having already given them more than enough proof, Jesus refused to accommodate their spiritual blindness. The supreme sign verifying His claim to be the Son of God and Messiah was to be His resurrection (Matt. 12:39, 40).
Jesus warned the disciples about "the leaven of the Pharisees and…of Herod." "Leaven" is a yeast that multiplies quietly and permeates all that it contacts. In the New Testament, "leaven" most often symbolizes the evil influence of sin. The "leaven" of the Pharisees included both their false teaching (Matt. 16:12) and their hypocritical behavior (Luke 12:1). The "leaven" of Herod Antipas was his immoral, corrupt conduct (see 6:17–29). The Pharisees and the Herodians were allied against Christ (3:6).
To Jesus' amazement, the disciples completely missed His point, thinking He was talking about physical bread. He was concerned with spiritual truth, not mundane physical matters. Jesus asks them, "Is your heart still hardened?" (v. 17), which implies that they were rebellious, spiritually insensitive, and unable to understand spiritual truth. And He also reminded them of His ability to provide anything they might lack.
Return to March 3 Readings
March 4
M ARK 8:22–38
A BLIND MAN HEALED AT BETHSAIDA
22Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and
begged Him to touch him. 23So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.
8:23 spit on his eyes. This action and Jesus' touching his eyes with His hands (v. 25) were apparently meant to reassure the blind man (who would naturally depend on his other senses, such as touch) that Jesus would heal his eyes (see 7:33; John 9:6).
24And he looked up and said, "I see men like trees, walking." 25Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26Then He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town."a
PETER CONFESSES JESUS AS THE CHRIST
27Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?"
28So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets."
29He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." 30Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION
31And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."
TAKE UP THE CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM
34When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35For whoever desires to save his life will
lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
DAY 4: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
In Mark 8:34, Jesus Christ makes it clear that no one who is unwilling to "deny himself" can legitimately claim to be a disciple. When He adds that one must "take up his cross," He reveals the extent of self-denial—to the point of death, if necessary. The extent of desperation on the part of the penitent sinner who is
aware he can't save himself reaches the place where nothing is held back as He follows Jesus Christ (see Matt. 19:21, 22).
Jesus says that whoever "loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it" (v. 35). This paradoxical saying reveals an important spiritual truth: those who pursue a life of ease, comfort, and acceptance by the world will not find eternal life. On the other hand, those who give up their lives for the sake of Christ and the gospel will find it.
To have all that the world has to offer yet not have Christ is to be eternally bankrupt. All the world's goods will not compensate for losing one's soul eternally (v. 36). It is the "soul," the real person, who will live forever in heaven or hell. Those who reject the demands of discipleship prove themselves to be ashamed of Jesus Christ and the truth He taught.
Return to March 4 Readings
Mark 9
March 5
M ARK 9:1–29
1And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power."
JESUS TRANSFIGURED ON THE MOUNT
2Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"— 6because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
7And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the
cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" 8Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
9Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.
11And they asked Him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
12Then He answered and told them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer
many things and be treated with contempt? 13But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him."
A BOY IS HEALED
14And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16And He asked the scribes, "What are you discussing with them?"
17Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my
son, who has a mute spirit. 18And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not."
19He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be
with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." 20Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
21So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?"
And he said, "From childhood. 22And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
9:22 to destroy him. This demon was an especially violent and dangerous one. Open fires and unfenced bodies of water were common in first-century Palestine, providing ample opportunity for the demon's attempts to destroy the child. The father's statement added to the pathos of the situation. The boy himself was probably disfigured from burn scars, and possibly further ostracized because of them. His situation also created a hardship for his family, who would have had to watch the boy constantly to protect him from harm.
23Jesus said to him, "If you can believe,a all things are possible to him who believes."
24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"
25When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of
him and enter him no more!" 26Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is
dead." 27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
28And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"
29So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and
fasting."a
DAY 5: What was the purpose of Jesus' Transfiguration?
Matthew and Mark place the Transfiguration "six days" after Jesus' promise that some disciples would "see the kingdom of God present with power" ( Mark 9:1 ). Peter, James, and John, as the inner circle of Jesus' disciples, were allowed to witness this great event on "a high mountain" (Mark 9:2), most likely Mt. Hermon, the highest mountain in the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi (see 8:27). Jesus was "transfigured," meaning "to change in form" or "to be transformed," in front of them. In some inexplicable way, Jesus manifested some of His divine glory to the 3 disciples (see 2 Pet. 1:16). The divine glory emanating from Jesus made even His clothing radiate brilliant white light (Mark 9:3). Light is often associated with God's visible presence (see Ps. 104:2; Dan. 7:9; 1 Tim. 6:16; Rev. 1:14; 21:23). Also appearing with Jesus were "Elijah…with Moses" (Mark 9:4). They were symbolic of the Prophets and the Law, the two great divisions of the Old Testament. They "were talking with Jesus," and the subject was His coming death (Luke 9:31). Then "a cloud…overshadowed them" (v. 7). This is the glory cloud, Shekinah, which throughout the Old Testament was symbolic of God's presence (Ex. 13:21; 33:18–23; 40:34, 35; Num. 9:15; 14:14; Deut. 1:33). And "a voice came out of the cloud," which was the Father's voice, saying, "This is My beloved Son"—repeating the affirmation of His love for the Son first given at Jesus' baptism (Mark 1:11). "Hear Him!" says the Father. Jesus, the One to
whom the Law and Prophets pointed (see Deut. 18:15), is the One whom the disciples are to listen to and obey (see Heb. 1:1, 2).
Return to March 5 Readings
March 6
M ARK 9:30–50
JESUS AGAIN PREDICTS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION
30Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 31For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day." 32But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.
WHO IS THE GREATEST?
33Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" 34But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to
them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." 36Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37"Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."
JESUS FORBIDS SECTARIANISM
38Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."
39But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40For he who is not against us is on oura side. 41For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
JESUS WARNS OF OFFENSES
42"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 44where
9:43 cut it off. Jesus' words are to be taken figuratively. No amount of selfmutilation can deal with sin, which is an issue of the heart. The Lord is emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the need to do whatever is necessary to deal with it. life. The contrast of "life" with "hell" indicates that Jesus was referring to eternal life. hell. The Greek word refers to the Valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem, a garbage dump where fires constantly burned, furnishing a graphic symbol of eternal torment. the fire that shall never be quenched. That the punishment of hell lasts for eternity is the unmistakable teaching of Scripture (see Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:41; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 14:10, 11; 20:10).
'Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.'a
45And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 46where
'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.'a
47And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell
fire— 48where
'Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.'a
TASTELESS SALT IS WORTHLESS
49"For everyone will be seasoned with fire,a and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."
9:50 Salt is good. Salt was an essential item in first-century Palestine. In a hot climate, without refrigeration, salt was the practical means of preserving food. Have salt in yourselves. The work of the "word of Christ" (Col. 3:16) and the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23) produce godly character, enabling a person to act as a preservative in society.
DAY 6: What essential element is Christ looking for in our character?
To be directly confronted by Christ with sin in your heart, as the disciples were in Mark 9:33, must have been powerfully convicting and embarrassing. We are told that "they kept silent"—they were speechless at His inquiry. They were caught in a dispute over "who would be the greatest" (v. 34), possibly triggered by the privilege granted Peter, James, and John to witness the Transfiguration. The disciples' quarrel highlights their failure to apply Jesus' explicit teaching on humility (Matt. 5:3) and the example of His own suffering and death (vv. 31, 32; 8:30–33). It also prompted them to ask Jesus to settle the issue, which He did— though not as they had expected.
Jesus "sat down" (v. 35)—rabbis usually sat down to teach—and said that "if anyone desires to be first," as the disciples undeniably did (v. 34; see 10:35–37), "he shall be last of all and servant of all." The disciples' concept of greatness and leadership, drawn from their culture, needed to be completely reversed. Not
those who lord their position over others are great in God's kingdom, but those who humbly serve others (see 10:31 , 43–45 ; Matt. 19:30–20:16 ; 23:11 , 12 ; Luke 13:30 ; 14:8–11 ; 18:14 ; 22:24–27 ). Then Jesus took "a little child"—the Greek word indicates an infant or toddler. If the house they were in was Peter's, this may have been one of his children. The child became in Jesus' masterful teaching an example of believers who have humbled themselves and become like trusting children.
Return to March 6 Readings
Mark 10
March 7
M ARK 10:1–31
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE
1Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.
2The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him.
3And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?" 4They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her."
5And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart
he wrote you this precept. 6But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made
them male and female.'a 7'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8and the two shall become one flesh'; a so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
10In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 11So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
JESUS BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN
13Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." 16And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
JESUS COUNSELS THE RICH YOUNG RULER
17Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
18So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' "a
20And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."
21Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."
10:21 Jesus…loved him. Jesus felt great compassion for this sincere truthseeker who was so hopelessly lost. And out of that great love He told the rich young man to sell whatever you have. Jesus was not making either philanthropy or poverty a requirement for salvation, but He was exposing the young man's heart. He was not blameless, as he maintained (v. 20), since he loved his possessions more than his neighbors (see Lev. 19:18). More
importantly, he refused to obey Christ's direct command, choosing to serve riches instead of God (Matt. 6:24). The issue was to determine whether he would submit to the lordship of Christ no matter what He asked of him. So, as he would not acknowledge his sin and repent, neither would he submit to the Sovereign Savior. Such unwillingness on both counts kept him from the eternal life he sought. treasure in heaven. Salvation and all its benefits, given by the Father who dwells there, both in this life and the life to come (see Matt. 13:44– 46 ).
22But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
23Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" 24And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in richesa to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
26And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?"
27But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
28Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You." 29So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wifea or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, 30who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
DAY 7: Is salvation harder for those who have riches?
Watching the rich young ruler walk away sorrowful in Mark 7:23, Jesus said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" "Hard" in this context means impossible (see v. 25). "Riches" tend to breed self-sufficiency and a false sense of security, leading those who have them to imagine they do not need divine resources (see Luke 16:13; contra. Luke 19:2; see 1 Tim. 6:9, 17, 18). Jesus adds that it is "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle" (v. 25). The Persians expressed impossibility by saying it would be easier to put an elephant through the eye of a needle. This was a Jewish colloquial adaptation of that expression denoting impossibility (the largest animal in Palestine was a camel). Many improbable interpretations have arisen that attempt to soften this phrase, but Jesus' use of this illustration was to explicitly say that salvation by human effort is impossible—it is wholly by God's grace.
The Jews believed that with alms a man purchased salvation (as recorded in the Talmud), so the more wealth one had, the more alms he could give, the more sacrifices and offerings he could offer, thus purchasing redemption. The disciples' question, "Who then can be saved?" (v. 26), makes it clear that they understood what Jesus meant—that not even the rich could buy salvation. Jesus' emphatic teaching that even the rich could not be saved by their own efforts left the bewildered disciples wondering what chance the poor stood. "With men it is impossible, but not with God," Jesus added (v. 27). It is impossible for anyone to be saved by his own efforts, since salvation is entirely a gracious, sovereign work of God.
Return to March 7 Readings
March 8
M ARK 10:32–52
JESUS A THIRD TIME PREDICTS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION
32Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: 33"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."
GREATNESS IS SERVING
35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask."
36And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 37They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."
38But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"
39They said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the
baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared."
41And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
10:45 Son of Man did not come to be served. Jesus was the supreme example of servant leadership (see John 13:13–15). The King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16) relinquished His privileges (Phil. 2:5–8) and gave His life as a selfless sacrifice in serving others. ransom for many. "Ransom" refers to the price paid to free a slave or a prisoner; "for" means "in place of." Christ's substitutionary death on behalf of those who would put their faith in Him is the most glorious, blessed truth in all of Scripture (see Rom. 8:1–3 ; 1 Cor. 6:20 ; Gal. 3:13 ; 4:5 ; Eph. 1:7 ; Titus 2:14 ; 1 Pet. 1:18 , 19 ). The ransom was not paid to
Satan, as some erroneous theories of the atonement teach. Satan is presented in Scripture as a foe to be defeated, not a ruler to be placated. The ransom price was paid to God to satisfy His justice and holy wrath against sin. In paying it, Christ "bore our sins in His own body on the [cross]" (1 Pet. 2:24).
JESUS HEALS BLIND BARTIMAEUS
46Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
48Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
49So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you."
50And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. 51So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." 52Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
DAY 8: If the report of the spies was true, why was it a "bad report"?
The spies were specifically called to explore the land that God had promised to Israel. This exploration gave valuable information to Moses for the conquest ahead. And while it was true that the land was flowing with milk and honey, it was also true that "the descendants of Anak" were in the fortified city of Hebron (Num. 13:22). Anak was probably the ancestor of Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai. They were noted for their height and strength (Deut. 2:21; 9:2). And "the people…are strong" (v. 28), as in too strong to be conquered (v. 31). "Giants" were in the land (v. 33). This term was used in Genesis 6:4 for a group of strong men who lived on the earth before the Flood. The descendants of Anak were, in exaggeration, compared to these giants, which led the spies to view themselves as grasshoppers before them.
In v. 30, Caleb concurred with the report of the other spies, but called the people to go up and take the land, knowing that with God's help they were able to overcome the strong people. The report of the 10 spies was evil because it exaggerated the dangers of the people in the land, sought to stir up and instill fear in the people of Israel, and, most importantly, it expressed their faithless attitude toward God and His promises (v. 32). The result was that "all the congregation…wept" over the circumstances (14:1) and "complained" to the point that they wished they had died in Egypt or the wilderness (v. 2). It was such a "bad report" that they were prepared to "select a leader and return to Egypt" (v. 4).
Return to March 8 Readings
Mark 11
March 9
M ARK 11:1–19
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
1Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphagea and Bethany, at the
Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2and He said to them, "Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say, 'The Lord has need of it,' and immediately he will send it here."
4So they went their way, and found thea colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5But some of those who stood there said to them, "What are you doing, loosing the colt?"
6And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
"Hosanna!
'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'a
10Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
11:10 the kingdom of our father David. This tribute, recorded only by Mark, acknowledges Jesus as bringing in the messianic kingdom promised to David's Son. The crowd paraphrased the quote from Psalm 118:26 (v. 9) in anticipation that Jesus was fulfilling prophecy by bringing in the kingdom.
That comes in the name of the Lord!a
Hosanna in the highest!"
11And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
THE FIG TREE WITHERED
12Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again."
And His disciples heard it.
JESUS CLEANSES THE TEMPLE
15So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all
nations'?a But you have made it a 'den of thieves.' "b
18And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19When evening had come, He went out of the city.
DAY 9: Why did Jesus curse the fig tree in Mark 11:12–14?
Fig trees were common as a source of food. Three years were required from planting until fruit bearing. After that, a tree could be harvested twice a year, usually yielding much fruit. The figs normally grew with the leaves. This tree had leaves but, strangely, no fruit. That this tree was along the side of the road (see Matt. 21:19) implies it was public property. It was also apparently in good soil because its foliage was ahead of season and ahead of the surrounding fig trees. The abundance of leaves held out promise that the tree might also be ahead of schedule with its fruit. That it was "not the season for figs" (v. 13) recognizes that the next normal fig season was in June, more than a month away. This phrase, unique to Mark, emphasizes the unusual nature of this fig tree.
Jesus' direct address to the tree personified it and condemned it for not providing what its appearance promised. "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again" (v. 14). This incident was not the acting out of the parable of the fig tree (Luke 13:6–9), which was a warning against spiritual fruitlessness. Here, Jesus cursed the tree for its misleading appearance that suggested great productivity without providing it. It should have been full of fruit, but was barren. The fig tree was frequently an Old Testament type of the Jewish nation ( Hos. 9:10 ; Nah. 3:12 ; Zech. 3:10 )—and the barren fig tree often symbolizes divine judgment on
Israel because of her spiritual fruitlessness despite an abundance of spiritual advantages (Jer. 8:13; Joel 1:12). In this instance Jesus used the tree by the road as a purposeful divine object lesson concerning Israel's spiritual hypocrisy and fruitlessness, exemplified in the rejection of their Messiah. It was not an impetuous act of frustration as some have stated.
Return to March 9 Readings
March 10
M ARK 11:20–33
THE LESSON OF THE WITHERED FIG TREE
20Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."
22So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 23For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he
will have whatever he says. 24Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
FORGIVENESS AND PRAYER
25"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven
forgive your trespasses."a
11:25 stand praying. The traditional Jewish prayer posture (see 1 Sam. 1:26 ; 1 Kin. 8:14 , 22 ; Neh. 9:4 ; Matt. 6:5 ; Luke 18:11 , 13 ). Kneeling or lying with one's face on the ground were used during extraordinary circumstances or for extremely urgent requests (see 1 Kin. 8:54; Ezra 9:5; Dan. 6:10; Matt. 26:39; Acts 7:60). anything against anyone. An all-inclusive statement that includes both sins and simple dislikes, which cause the believer to hold something against another person. "Anyone" incorporates believers and unbelievers. forgive. Jesus states the believer's ongoing duty to have a forgiving attitude. Successful prayer requires forgiveness as well as faith.
JESUS'AUTHORITY QUESTIONED
27Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the
temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?"
29But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question;
then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me."
31And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He
will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 32But if we say, 'From men' "— they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 33So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know."
And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
DAY 10: How does one's faith move mountains?
When an amazed Peter noted to Jesus that the fig tree had withered, Jesus' response was simply that they should "have faith in God" (Mark 11:22). This was a gentle rebuke for the disciples' lack of faith in the power of His word. Such faith believes in God's revealed truth, His power, and seeks to do His will (see 1 John 5:14; Matt. 21:21).
The expression Jesus used, "this mountain…into the sea" (v. 23), was related to a common metaphor of that day, "rooter up of mountains," which was used in Jewish literature of great rabbis and spiritual leaders who could solve difficult problems and seemingly do the impossible. Obviously, Jesus did not literally uproot mountains. In fact, He refused to do such spectacular miracles for the unbelieving Jewish leaders (Matt. 12:38). Jesus' point is that, if believers sincerely trust in God and truly realize the unlimited power that is available through such faith in Him, they will see His mighty powers at work (see John 14:13 , 14 ). "Whatever thing you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them" (v. 24). This places no limits on a believer's prayers, as long as they are according to God's will and purpose. This therefore means that man's faith and prayer are not inconsistent with God's sovereignty. And it is not the believer's responsibility to figure out how that can be true, but simply to be faithful and obedient to the clear teaching on prayer, as Jesus gives it in this passage. God's will is being unfolded through all of redemptive history by means of the prayers of His people—as His saving purpose is coming to pass through the faith of those who hear the gospel and repent. See James 5:16.
Return to March 10 Readings
Mark 12
March 11
M ARK 12:1–27
THE PARABLE OF THE WICKED VINEDRESSERS
1Then He began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 2Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. 3And they took him and beat him and sent him
away empty-handed. 4Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones,a wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. 6Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him
to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7But those vinedressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.
9"Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. 10Have you not even read this Scripture:
'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 11This was the LORD's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?"a
12And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew
He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.
THE PHARISEES: IS IT LAWFUL TO PAY TAXES TO CAESAR?
13Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to
catch Him in His words. 14When they had come, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?"
But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, "Why do you test Me?
Bring Me a denarius that I may see it." 16So they brought it.
And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to Him, "Caesar's."
17And Jesus answered and said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
And they marveled at Him.
THE SADDUCEES: WHAT ABOUT THE RESURRECTION?
18Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: 19"Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 20Now there
were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. 21And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. 22So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. 23Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife."
24Jesus answered and said to them, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because
you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the
God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?a 27He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken."
12:24 the power of God. The Sadducees' ignorance of the Scriptures extended to their lack of understanding regarding the miracles God performed throughout the Old Testament. Such knowledge would have enabled them to believe in God's power to raise the dead.
DAY 11: What is the Christian response to taxes?
In Mark 12:13, the Pharisees and the Herodians came together to try to catch Jesus off guard by a seemingly sincere question: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?" The Herodians were a political party of Jews who backed Herod Antipas, who in turn was but a puppet of Rome. The Greek word for "taxes" was borrowed from the Latin word that gives us the English word "census." The Romans counted all the citizens and made each one pay an annual poll tax of one denarius.
Jesus was fully aware of their hypocrisy, using a feigned interest in His teaching to hide their true intention to trap Him. "Why do you test Me?" (v. 15), He asked, and His response was to ask for a denarius. This small silver coin, minted by the Roman emperor, was the equivalent of a day's wage for a common laborer or soldier. On one side of the denarius was likely the image of the current emperor, Tiberius. If the coin was minted by Tiberius, it would have read, "Tiberius Caesar Augustus, the son of the Divine Augustus" on one side and "Chief Priest" on the other.
Based on the image on the denarius, Jesus answered, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's." The Greek word for "render" means "to pay or give back," which implies a debt. All who lived within the realm of Caesar were obligated to return to him the tax that was owed him. It was not optional. Thus Jesus declared that all citizens are under divine obligation to pay taxes to
whatever government is over them (see Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Pet. 2:13–17).
Return to March 11 Readings
March 12
M ARK 12:28–44
THE SCRIBES: WHICH IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF ALL?
28Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceivinga that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?"
12:28 Which is the first commandment…? The rabbis had determined that there were 613 commandments contained in the Pentateuch, one for each letter of the Ten Commandments. Of the 613 commandments, 248 were seen as affirmative and 365 as negative. Those laws were also divided into heavy and light categories, with the heavy laws being more binding than the light ones. The scribes and rabbis, however, had been unable to agree on which were heavy and which were light. This orientation to the law led the Pharisees to think Jesus had devised His own theory. So the Pharisees asked this particular question to get Jesus to incriminate Himself by revealing His unorthodox and unilateral beliefs.
29Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength.'a This is the first commandment.b 31And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'a There is no other commandment greater than these."
32So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul,a and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
34Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
But after that no one dared question Him.
JESUS: HOW CAN DAVID CALL HIS DESCENDANT LORD?
35Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 36For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:
'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." 'a
37Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?" And the common people heard Him gladly.
BEWARE OF THE SCRIBES
38Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go
around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, 39the best seats in the
synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."
12:40 devour widows' houses. Jesus exposed the greedy, unscrupulous practice of the scribes. Scribes often served as estate planners for widows, which gave them the opportunity to convince distraught widows that they would be serving God by supporting the temple or the scribe's own holy work. In either case, the scribe benefited monetarily and effectively robbed the widow of her husband's legacy to her. long prayers. The Pharisees attempted to flaunt their piety by praying for long periods. Their motive was not devotion to God, but a desire to be revered by the people.
THE WIDOW'S TWO MITES
41Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42Then one poor
widow came and threw in two mites,a which make a quadrans. 43So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
DAY 12: Wasn't it idol worship for the Israelites to look at the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:4–9?
The circumstances leading up to the casting of the bronze serpent were all too familiar. The people were tired and discouraged. They were angry with God and complained to Moses. They were convinced that things couldn't get any worse, but God showed them otherwise. He sent "fiery serpents" among the people and some of the Israelites died. Others suffered excruciating bites.
Realizing their mistake, the people came in repentance to Moses and begged for help. They were not worshiping the bronze serpent but were acting in faith, in obedience to God's and Moses' directions.
In John 3:14, Jesus said, "So must the Son of Man be lifted up." This is a veiled prediction of His death on the cross. It is in reference to the story of where the Israelite people who looked at the serpent lifted up by Moses were healed. The point of this illustration or analogy is in the "lifted up." Just as Moses lifted up the snake on the pole so that all who looked upon it might live physically, those who look to Christ, who was "lifted up" on the cross for the sins of the world, will live spiritually and eternally.
Return to March 12 Readings
Mark 13
March 13
M ARK 13:1–20
JESUS PREDICTS THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE
1Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!"
2And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down."
13:2 Jesus answered. In response to the disciples' admiration, Jesus again predicted that the temple would be destroyed. About 40 years later, in A.D. 70, the Romans ransacked Jerusalem, killed a million Jews, and demolished the temple. Not one stone. The only stones left undisturbed were huge foundation stones that were not actually a part of the temple edifice but formed footings for the retaining wall under the entire temple mount. These can be viewed today in the "Rabbi's Tunnel" which runs north and south along the western wall. It is a portion of the western side of the retaining wall that today is called the Wailing Wall. More of that retaining wall, including the steps used to ascend and descend from the temple mount, has also been uncovered on the southern side.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES AND THE END OF THE AGE
3Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4"Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?"
5And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 6For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many. 7But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles.a
These are the beginnings of sorrows.
13:8 the beginnings of sorrows. The Greek word for "sorrows" means "birth pangs." The Lord was referring to the pain a woman experiences in childbirth. Birth pains signal the end of pregnancy they are infrequent at first and gradually increase just before the child is born. Likewise, the signs of vv. 6–8 will be infrequent, relatively speaking, in the beginning and will escalate to massive and tragic proportions just prior to Christ's Second Coming (see 1 Thess. 5:3 ; Matt. 24:8 ).
9"But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be broughta before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditatea what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
THE GREAT TRIBULATION
14"So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,'a spoken of by Daniel the
prophet,b standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let those
who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15Let him who is on the housetop not go
down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16And let him who
is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17But woe to those who are pregnant
and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18And pray that your flight may
not be in winter. 19For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
DAY 13: How does one makes sense of Balaam and his talking donkey?
Balaam, whose story is recorded in Numbers 22:2–24:25, does seem to receive special treatment in the biblical story. Even though Balaam claimed to know the Lord ( Num. 22:18 ), Scripture consistently refers to him as a false prophet ( 2 Pet. 2:15 , 16 ; Jude 11 ). Apparently God placed such a priority on the message that the character of the messenger became a secondary consideration. The Lord used Balaam as His mouthpiece to speak the true words He put in his mouth. God had a purpose for Balaam despite the pagan prophet's own plans.
When it comes to the talking donkey, several observations come to mind. First, this incident was not recorded as a commonplace occurrence but as something unusual and noteworthy. Second, one can just as easily wonder why God didn't (or doesn't) use talking animals more often—we'd all probably be better off. Third, why not recognize God's sense of humor in this account? Fourth, God's display of patience and persistence in these events ought to provoke in us a sense of humble worship. And, fifth, the incident, as unusual as it may be, should be accepted at face value.
Return to March 13 Readings
March 14
M ARK 13:21–37
21"Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it. 22For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN
24"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
13:26 Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Jesus will return to earth in the same manner in which He left it (see Acts 1:9– 11; Dan. 7:13, 14; Rev. 1:7). The psalmist said that God uses "clouds" as His chariot (Ps. 104:3), and Isaiah 19:1 pictures the Lord riding on a cloud. Although these "clouds" could be natural, they more likely describe the supernatural "glory cloud" that represented God's presence in Old Testament Israel (Rev. 1:7). While Christ possesses "great power and glory," His return will be accompanied with visible manifestations of that power and glory (see Rev. 6:15–17; 11:15–19; 16:17–21; 19:11–16) He will redeem the elect, restore the devastated earth, and establish His rule on earth.
THE PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE
28"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So you also, when you see these things happening, know that ita is near—at the doors! 30Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
NO ONE KNOWS THE DAY OR HOUR
32"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
DAY 14: Can anyone know the exact time and day of Christ's return?
Jesus' own words could not be clearer: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" ( Mark 13:32 ). The exact day and time of Christ's return will not be revealed in advance to any man. At this time, it was known only to God the Father. While all the angelic beings enjoy intimacy with God, hover around His throne to do His bidding (Is. 26:2–7), and continually behold Him (Matt. 18:10), they have no knowledge of the time of Christ's return.
When Jesus spoke these words to the disciples, even He had no knowledge of the date and time of His return. Although Jesus was fully God (John 1:1, 14), when He became a man, He voluntarily restricted the use of certain divine attributes (Phil. 2:6–8). He did not manifest them unless directed by the Father (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38). He demonstrated His omniscience on several occasions (see John 2:25; 3:13), but He voluntarily restricted that omniscience to only those things God wanted Him to know during the days of His humanity ( John 15:15 ). Such was the case regarding the knowledge of the date and time of His return. After He was resurrected, Jesus resumed His full divine knowledge (see Matt. 28:18; Acts 1:7).
Based upon that, a Christian's role is to "watch and pray" (Mark 13:33). Christ sounded a warning for believers to be on guard in two practical ways: 1) "watch" is a call to stay awake and be alert, looking for approaching danger; and "pray" emphasizes the believer's constant need for divine assistance in this endeavor. Even believers do not have in themselves sufficient resources to be alert to spiritual dangers that can so easily surprise them.
Return to March 14 Readings
Mark 14
March 15
M ARK 14:1–26
THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS
1After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. 2But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people."
THE ANOINTING AT BETHANY
3And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply.
6But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8She has
done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."
JUDAS AGREES TO BETRAY JESUS
10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. 11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.
JESUS CELEBRATES THE PASSOVER WITH HIS DISCIPLES
12Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, "Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?"
14:12 Unleavened Bread. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were so closely associated that both terms were used interchangeably to refer to the 8-day celebration that began with the Passover. Although Unleavened Bread is used here, Mark's clear intention is the preparation for Passover. killed the Passover lamb. The lambs were killed on 14 Nisan at twilight (Ex. 12:6), a Hebrew term meaning, "between the two evenings," or between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. After the lamb was slaughtered and some of its blood sprinkled on the altar, the lamb was taken home, roasted whole, and eaten in the evening meal with unleavened bread, bitter herbs, charoseth (a paste made of crushed apples, dates, pomegranates, and nuts, into which they dipped bread), and wine.
13And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a
man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. 14Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' 15Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us."
16So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had
said to them; and they prepared the Passover.
17In the evening He came with the twelve. 18Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me."
19And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, "Is it I?"
And another said, "Is it I?"a
20He answered and said to them, "It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. 21The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born."
JESUS INSTITUTES THE LORD'S SUPPER
22And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and
gave it to them and said, "Take, eat;a this is My body."
23Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24And He said to them, "This is My blood of the newa covenant, which is shed for many. 25Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
26And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
DAY 15: Why did Mary's anointing of Jesus spark a controversy?
In Mark 14:3, Jesus was in the home of Simon the leper at Bethany. "A woman," who is identified in John 12:3 as Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, brought an alabaster flask—a long-necked bottle made out of a special variety of marble, a material which proved to be the best container for preserving expensive perfumes and oils. The flask contained "spikenard," which represents two words in the Greek that could be translated "pure nard." The oil was derived from the nard plant, which was native to India. That it was pure meant it was genuine and unadulterated, which is what made it so costly. She may have simply broken the neck of the bottle so that she could pour out the
contents more quickly, an expression of her sincere and total devotion to the Lord.
Some who were there became indignant (v. 4). John 12:4, 5 says that Judas was the instigator, and Matthew 26:8 indicates that all the disciples, following Judas's lead, were angry with Mary's waste of a very valuable commodity. It was valued at three hundred denarii (v. 5). Since a denarius was a day's wage for a common laborer, it represented almost a year's work for such a person. This money could have been "given to the poor." While 11 of the disciples would have agreed to this use of the money, the fact is the poor may never have seen it. Since Judas was in reality a thief masquerading as the treasurer of the 12, he could have embezzled all of it (John 12:6).
In any case, Jesus' answer was that "you have the poor with you always" (v. 7). Opportunities to minister to the poor are "always" available, but Jesus would be in their presence for only a limited time. This was not a time for meeting the needs of the poor and the sick—it was a time for sacrificial worship of the One who would soon suffer and be crucified.
Return to March 15 Readings
March 16
M ARK 14:27–54
JESUS PREDICTS PETER'S DENIAL
27Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of
Me this night,a for it is written:
'I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.'b
28"But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."
29Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be." 30Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."
31But he spoke more vehemently, "If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!"
And they all said likewise.
THE PRAYER IN THE GARDEN
32Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His
disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33And He took Peter, James, and John with
Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch."
14:32 Gethsemane. The name means "oil press" and referred to a garden filled with olive trees on a slope of the Mt. of Olives. Jesus frequented this spot with the disciples when He wanted to get away from the crowds to pray (John 18:12; Matt. 26:36).
35He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were
possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36And 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."
14:36 Abba. An endearing, intimate Aramaic term that is essentially equivalent to the English word "Daddy" (see Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). all things are possible. Jesus knew that it was in the scope of God's power and omniscience to provide an alternate plan of salvation, if He desired. cup. This was the cup of divine wrath referred to in the Old Testament (Ps. 75:8; Is. 51:17; Jer. 49:12). Christ was to endure the fury of God over sin, Satan, the power of death, and the guilt of iniquity. not what I will, but what You will. This reveals Jesus' total resolution and resignation to do the will of God. He came into the world to do God's will, and that remained His commitment while here ( Matt. 26:39 ; John 6:38–40 ).
37Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
39Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.
41Then He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."
BETRAYAL AND ARREST IN GETHSEMANE
43And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely."
45As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
46Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 47And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a
robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."
50Then they all forsook Him and fled.
A YOUNG MAN FLEES NAKED
51Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, 52and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
JESUS FACES THE SANHEDRIN
53And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were
assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. 54But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
DAY 16: Who was involved in the arrest of Jesus?
"Judas, one of the twelve," was the betrayer (Mark 14:43). All the Gospel writers refer to him this way (vv. 10 , 20 ; Matt. 26:14 , 47 ; Luke 22:47 ; John 6:71 ); and in so doing, they display remarkable restraint in describing and evaluating Judas. Especially in this context, such a simple description actually heightens the evil of his crime more than any series of derogatory epithets or negative criticisms could do. It also points out the precise fulfillment of Jesus' announcement in vv. 18–20.
"A great multitude with swords and clubs" also was there. This "multitude" was a carefully selected group whose sole purpose was arresting Jesus so He could be put to death. A cohort (600 men at full strength) of Roman soldiers (John 18:3, 12) was in this crowd because the Jewish leaders (see Luke 22:52) who organized the throng needed permission from Rome to carry out the death penalty and feared the crowds. The "swords" were the regular small hand weapons of the Romans, and the wood "clubs" were ordinary weapons carried by the Jewish temple police.
Then there were the "chief priests…scribes…elders." Although 3 distinct sections of the Sanhedrin, they were acting in unity. These Jewish leaders had evidently for some time hoped to accuse Jesus of rebellion against Rome. Then, His execution could be blamed on the Romans and the leaders could escape potential reprisals from those Jews who admired Jesus. The Sanhedrin likely had hurried to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, to ask immediate use of his soldiers, or perhaps acted on a prearranged agreement for troop use on short notice. Whatever the case, the leaders procured the assistance of the Roman military from Fort Antonia in Jerusalem.
Return to March 16 Readings
March 17
M ARK 14:55–72
55Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.
14:56 Because Jesus was innocent, the Jewish leaders could not convict Him except by relying on perjured testimony and perverted justice. The Jews were intent on doing whatever was necessary, even if they had to violate every biblical and rabbinical rule. many bore false witness against Him. There was no lack of people to come forward at the Sanhedrin's invitation to consciously present false, lying testimony. did not agree. The testimonies were grossly inconsistent. The law, however, required exact agreement between two witnesses (Deut. 17:6; 19:15).
57Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, 58"We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.' " 59But not even then did their testimony agree.
60And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?" 61But He kept silent and answered nothing.
Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son
of the Blessed?"
62Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
63Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we
have of witnesses? 64You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?"
And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!" And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.a
14:65 spit on Him…beat Him. For the Jews, to "spit" in another's face was the grossest, most hateful form of personal insult (see Num. 12:14; Deut. 25:9). Their brutal cruelty reached a climax and revealed the great depravity of their hearts when they "beat Him," or hit Him with clenched fists."Prophesy!" They jeeringly and disrespectfully ordered Jesus to use the prophetic powers He claimed to have even in the frivolous manner of telling them who struck Him (Matt. 26:68).
PETER DENIES JESUS, AND WEEPS
66Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth."
68But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying." And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.
69And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who
stood by, "This is one of them." 70But he denied it again.
And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of
them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it."a
71Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!"
72A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept.
DAY 17: Did Jesus claim to be God during His trial?
In Mark 14:61, when Caiaphas, the high priest, asked Jesus if He was the "Christ," the term refers to Jesus' claim to be the promised Messiah. The "Son of the Blessed" clearly refers to Jesus' claim to Deity. This is the only New Testament use of the expression, and it is an example of Jewish wording that avoided using God's name. Jesus' acceptance of messiahship and Deity (see Luke 4:18–21; John 4:25, 26; 5:17, 18; 8:58) had always brought vigorous opposition from the Jewish leaders (John 5:19–47; 8:16–19; 10:29–39). Clearly, the high priest was asking this question in hopes that Jesus would affirm it and open Himself to the formal charge of blasphemy.
Jesus' response that "I am" (v. 62) was an explicit, unambiguous declaration that He was and is both the Messiah and "the Son of Man"—Jesus used this commonly acknowledged messianic title of Himself more than 80 times in the Gospels, here in a reference to Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13 (see Rev. 1:13; 14:14). He added that His glorified position is next to the throne of God, "the right hand of the Power." Jesus' "Power" is another reference to God.
That Jesus' declaration was understood is seen when the high priest "tore his clothes" (v. 63), a ceremonial, and in this case contrived, display of grief and indignation over the presumed dishonoring of God's name by Jesus (see Gen. 37:29 ; Lev. 10:6 ; Job 1:20 ; Acts 14:13 , 19 ). Strictly speaking, Jesus' words were not "blasphemy" (v. 64) or defiant irreverence of God (Lev. 24:10–23), but Caiaphas regarded them as such because Jesus claimed for Himself equal power and prerogative with God.
Return to March 17 Readings
Mark 15
March 18
M ARK 15:1–24
JESUS FACES PILATE
1Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. 2Then Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"
He answered and said to him, "It is as you say."
3And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!"a 5But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.
TAKING THE PLACE OF BARABBAS
6Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7And there was one named Barabbas, who was
chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8Then the multitude, crying aloud,a began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. 9But Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" 10For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
15:7 Barabbas. A robber (John 18:40) and murderer (Luke 23:18, 19) in some way involved as an anti-Roman insurrectionist. Whether his involvement was motivated by political conviction or personal greed is not known. It is impossible to identify the specific insurrection in question, but such uprisings were common in Jesus' day and were precursors of the wholesale revolt of A.D. 66–70.
11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release
Barabbas to them. 12Pilate answered and said to them again, "What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?"
13So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!" 14Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!" 15So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.
THE SOLDIERS MOCK JESUS
16Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. 17And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, 18and began to salute Him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. 20And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
15:17 clothed Him with purple;…crown of thorns. "Purple " was the color traditionally worn by royalty. The "crown of thorns" was in mockery of a royal crown. The callous soldiers decided to hold a mock coronation of Jesus as king of the Jews.
THE KING ON A CROSS
21Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 22And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 24And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.
15:21 Condemned prisoners were required to carry the heavy crossbeam of their cross to the execution site. Exhausted from a sleepless night and severely wounded and weakened by His scourging, Jesus was unable to continue. The Roman guards conscripted Simon, apparently at random, to carry Jesus' crossbeam the rest of the way. Simon, from the North African city of Cyrene, was on his way into Jerusalem. The identification of him as "the father of Alexander and Rufus" (Rom. 16:13) is evidence of Mark's connection with the church at Rome.
DAY 18: What are some general, time-tested principles that will help rightly interpret Proverbs?
One of the most common characteristics of Proverbs is the use of parallelism— placing truths side by side so that the second statement expands, completes, defines, and emphasizes the first. Sometimes a logical conclusion is reached; at other times, a logical contrast is demonstrated.
The following tools will assist a student in gaining greater confidence as he or she interprets these Proverbs: 1) determine what facts, principles, or
circumstances make up the parallel ideas in that proverb—what two central concepts or persons are being compared or contrasted; 2) identify the figures of speech and rephrase the thought without those figures—for example, restate the idea behind "put a knife to your throat" (23:1–3); 3) summarize the lesson or principle of the proverb in a few words; 4) describe the behavior that is being taught or encouraged; and 5) think of examples from elsewhere in Scripture that illustrate the truth of that proverb.
Return to March 18 Readings
March 19
M ARK 15:25–47
25Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26And the inscription of His accusation was written above:
15:26 inscription of His accusation. The crime for which a condemned man was executed was written on a wooden board, which was fastened to the cross above his head. Jesus' inscription was written in Latin, Hebrew, and Greek ( John 19:20 ). THE KING OF THE JEWS. Since Pilate had repeatedly declared Jesus to be innocent of any crime (Luke 23:4, 14, 15, 22), he ordered this inscription written for Him. While Pilate's intent was probably neither to mock nor honor Jesus, he certainly intended it as an affront to the Jewish authorities, who had given him so much trouble. When the outraged Jewish leaders demanded the wording be changed, Pilate bluntly refused (John 19:22). A comparison of all 4 Gospel accounts reveals that the full inscription read: THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28So the Scripture was fulfilleda which says, "And He was numbered with the transgressors."b
29And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"
31Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32Let the Christ, the
King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe."a
Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS
33Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land
until the ninth hour. 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God,
why have You forsaken Me?"a
35Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!" 36Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down."
37And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last,a he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"
15:38 the veil of the temple was torn in two. The massive curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sanctuary ( Ex. 26:31– 33 ; 40:20 , 21 ; Lev. 16:2 ; Heb. 9:3 ). Its rending signified that the way into God's presence was open by the death of His Son.
40There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.
JESUS BURIED IN JOSEPH'S TOMB
42Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the
day before the Sabbath, 43Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45So when he found out from the centurion, he
granted the body to Joseph. 46Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.
DAY 19: What happened to Jesus after His death?
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the "council" (or the Sanhedrin), who had opposed Jesus' condemnation (Luke 23:51), took courage and came forward (Mark 15:43). Pilate would not likely have been pleased to see a member of the Sanhedrin, after that group had forced him to crucify an innocent man. Further, Joseph's public identification with Jesus would enrage the other members of the Sanhedrin. Nevertheless, he "asked for the body of Jesus."
"Pilate marveled" that Jesus was already dead (v. 44). Victims of crucifixion often lingered for days, hence Pilate's surprise that Jesus was dead after only 6 hours. Before granting Jesus' body to Joseph, Pilate checked with the "centurion" in charge of the crucifixion to verify that Jesus was really dead. Having received confirmation from the centurion that Jesus was dead, Pilate granted Jesus' body to Joseph (v. 45). By that act, the Romans officially pronounced Jesus dead.
Then Jesus' body was wrapped in the linen (v. 46). The Jews did not embalm corpses, but wrapped them in perfumed burial cloths. Nicodemus, another prominent member of the Sanhedrin (see John 7:50), assisted Joseph in caring for the body of Jesus (John 19:39, 40). These men, who had kept their allegiance to Jesus secret during His lifetime, then came forward publicly to bury Him, while the disciples, who had openly followed Jesus, hid (John 20:19). Then they laid Jesus in a "tomb…hewn out of the rock." This "tomb" was located near Golgotha ( John 19:42 ). Matthew adds that it was Joseph's own tomb ( Matt. 27:60 ), while Luke and John note that no one as yet had been buried in it ( Luke
23:53; John 19:41).
Return to March 19 Readings
Mark 16
March 20
M ARK 16:1–20
HE IS RISEN
1Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
16:3 Who will roll away the stone…? Only Mark records this discussion on the way to the tomb. The women realized they had no men with them to move the heavy stone (v. 4) away from the entrance to the tomb. Since they had last visited the tomb on Friday evening, they did not know it had been sealed and a guard posted, which took place on Saturday (Matt. 27:62–66).
16:4 the stone had been rolled away. This was not to let Jesus out, but to let the witnesses in. When the angel rolled away the stone (Matt. 28:2), the earthquake may have affected only the area around the tomb, since the women apparently did not feel it.
6But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was
crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."
8So they went out quicklya and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
MARY MAGDALENE SEES THE RISEN LORD
9Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
JESUS APPEARS TO TWO DISCIPLES
12After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
THE GREAT COMMISSION
14Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He who believes and
is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18theya will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
CHRIST ASCENDS TO GOD'S RIGHT HAND
19So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into
heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.a
DAY 20: Were the last 12 verses of Mark 16 originally in the Gospel?
The external evidence strongly suggests these verses were not originally part of Mark's Gospel. While the majority of Greek manuscripts contain these verses, the earliest and most reliable do not. A shorter ending also existed, but it is not included in the text. Further, some that include the passage note that it was missing from older Greek manuscripts, while others have scribal marks indicating the passage was considered spurious. The fourth-century church fathers Eusebius and Jerome noted that almost all of the Greek manuscripts available to them lacked vv. 9–20.
The internal evidence from this passage also weighs heavily against Mark's authorship. The grammatical transition between vv. 8 and 9 is abrupt and
awkward. The vocabulary in these verses does not match the rest of Mark. Even the events and people mentioned in these verses appear in awkward fashion. For example, Mary Magdalene is introduced as if she were a new person on the scene rather than someone Mark had mentioned three times (v. 1; 15:40, 47). Clearly, Mark 16:9–20 represents an early attempt to complete Mark's Gospel. While for the most part summarizing truths taught elsewhere in Scripture, these verses should always be compared with the rest of Scripture, and no doctrines should be formulated based solely on them. Further, in spite of all these considerations of the likely unreliability of this section, it is possible to be wrong on the issue. It is good to consider the meaning of this passage and leave it in the text, just as with John 7:53–8:11.
Return to March 20 Readings
The Gospel According to Luke
Luke 1
March 21
L UKE 1:1–20
Dedication to Theophilus
1Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things
which have been fulfilleda among us, 2just as those who from the beginning
were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
1:1 many. Although Luke wrote direct divine revelation inspired by the Holy Spirit, he acknowledged the works of others who had set down in writing events from Christ's life. All those sources have been long lost, except for the inspired Gospels. Since Matthew and Mark were most likely written before Luke, it has been suggested that either one or both of those may have been among Luke's sources when he did his research. It is also known that he was personally acquainted with many firsthand witnesses to the events of Christ's life. And it is possible that some of his sources were word-of-mouth reports. About 60 percent of the material in Mark is repeated in Luke, and Luke seems to follow Mark's order of events closely. to set in order. Luke proposed to narrate the ministry of Christ in an authoritative, logical, and factual order. those things which have been fulfilled. I.e., the Old Testament messianic promises fulfilled in Christ.among us. I.e., in our generation. This phrase does not mean Luke was
personally an eyewitness to the life of Christ.
JOHN'S BIRTH ANNOUNCED TO ZACHARIAS
5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6And they were both righteous before God, walking in
all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11Then an angel of
the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the
hearts of the fathers to the children,'a and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
18And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
19And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."
1:19 Gabriel. Literally, "strong man of God." Gabriel also appears in Daniel 8:16 ; 9:21 . He is one of only two holy angels whose names are given in Scripture, the other being Michael (Dan. 10:13, 21; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7).
DAY 21: Who was the writer Luke?
According to tradition, Luke was a Gentile. The apostle Paul seems to confirm this, distinguishing Luke from those who were "of the circumcision" (Col. 4:11, 14). That would make Luke the only Gentile to pen any books of Scripture. He is responsible for a significant portion of the New Testament, having written both this Gospel and the Book of Acts.
Very little is known about Luke. He almost never included personal details about himself, and nothing definite is known about his background or his conversion. Both Eusebius and Jerome identified him as a native of Antioch (which may explain why so much of the Book of Acts centers on Antioch—see Acts 11:19–27; 13:1–3; 14:26; 15:22, 23, 30–35; 18:22, 23). Luke was a frequent companion of the apostle Paul, at least from the time of Paul's Macedonian vision ( Acts 16:9 , 10 ) right up to the time of Paul's martyrdom ( 2 Tim. 4:11 ). The apostle Paul referred to Luke as a physician (Col. 4:14). Luke's interest in medical phenomena is evident in the high profile he gave to Jesus' healing ministry (e.g., 4:38–40; 5:15–25; 6:17–19; 7:11–15; 8:43– 47, 49–56; 9:2, 6, 11; 13:11–13; 14:2–4; 17:12–14; 22:50, 51). In Luke's day, physicians did not have a unique vocabulary of technical terminology; so when Luke discusses healings and other medical issues, his language is not markedly different from that of the other Gospel writers.
Return to March 21 Readings
March 22
L UKE 1:21–38
21And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so
long in the temple. 22But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he
departed to his own house. 24Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived;
and she hid herself five months, saying, 25"Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."
CHRIST'S BIRTH ANNOUNCED TO MARY
26Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"a
1:27 a virgin. The importance of the virgin birth cannot be overstated. A right view of the incarnation hinges on the truth that Jesus was born of a virgin. Both Luke and Matthew expressly state that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived (Matt. 1:23). The Holy Spirit wrought the conception through supernatural means (v. 35; Matt. 1:18). The nature of Christ's conception testifies of both His deity and His sinlessness.
29But when she saw him,a she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will
conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."
34Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
1:34 I do not know a man. I.e., conjugally. Mary understood that the angel was speaking of an immediate conception, and she and Joseph were still in the midst of the long betrothal or engagement period (Matt. 1:18), before the actual marriage and consummation. Her question was born out of wonder, not doubt, nor disbelief, so the angel did not rebuke her as he had Zacharias (v. 20).
35And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37For with God nothing will be impossible."
38Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
1:38 Let it be to me according to your word. Mary was in an extremely embarrassing and difficult position. Betrothed to Joseph, she faced the stigma of unwed motherhood. Joseph would obviously have known that the child was not his. She knew she would be accused of adultery an offense punishable by stoning (Deut. 22:13–21; see John 8:3–5). Yet she willingly and graciously
submitted to the will of God.
DAY 22: What was the greatest of God's commandments?
Deuteronomy 6:4–9, known as the Shema (Hebrew for "hear"), has become the Jewish confession of faith, recited twice daily by the devout, along with 11:13– 21 and Numbers 15:37–41 . "Hear, O Israel: The LORD … LORD is one!" (v. 4 ). The intent of these words was to give a clear statement of the truth of monotheism, that there is only one God. Thus, it has also been translated "The LORD is our God, the LORDalone." The word used for "one" in this passage does not mean "singleness," but "unity." The same word is used in Genesis 2:24, where the husband and wife were said to be "one flesh." Thus, while this verse was intended as a clear and concise statement of monotheism, it does not exclude the concept of the Trinity.
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength" (v. 5). First in the list of all that was essential for the Jew was an unreserved, wholehearted commitment expressed in love to God. Since this relationship of love for God could not be represented in any material way as with idols, it had to be demonstrated in obedience to God's law in daily life. See 11:16–21; Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27.
"These words…in your heart" (v. 6). The people were to think about these commandments and meditate on them so that obedience would not be a matter of formal legalism, but a response based upon understanding. The law written upon the heart would be an essential characteristic of the later New Covenant (Jer. 31:33). And "teach them diligently to your children" (v. 7). The commandments were to be the subject of conversation, both inside and outside the home, from the beginning of the day to its end.
Return to March 22 Readings
March 23
L UKE 1:39–56
MARY VISITS ELIZABETH
39Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."
THE SONG OF MARY
46And Mary said:
"My soul magnifies the Lord, 47And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
1:47 my Savior. Mary referred to God as "Savior," indicating both that she recognized her own need of a Savior, and that she knew the true God as her Savior. Nothing here or anywhere else in Scripture indicates Mary thought of herself as "immaculate" (free from the taint of original sin). Quite the opposite is true she employed language typical of someone whose only hope for salvation is divine grace. Nothing in this passage lends support to the notion that Mary herself ought to be an object of adoration.
48For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. 50And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. 53He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. 54He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever."
56And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
DAY 23: Is Deuteronomy simply Moses' version of the secular covenants
and treaties of his day, or does it represent a unique revelation from God?
The format that Moses used in recording not only the material in Deuteronomy but also the rest of the Pentateuch bears some resemblance to other official documents from a particular time in history. This fact can be used by historians in trying to establish a date for the book. This fact can also be used by those who question God's unique revelation when they claim that Moses must have merely been copying the style of other nations of his time.
The people whom God enlisted to record His revelation did not shed their personalities, education, or style as they wrote for God. Moses had the equivalent of advanced degrees in the best training Egypt had to offer young princes (Acts 7:22). If we think of the Pentateuch as Moses' God-guided journaling during the wilderness wanderings, it will not seem unusual that his writing style bears similarities to the official and political writings of his day. What sets Moses' writings, along with the rest of Scripture, apart is not so much the style but their authoritative and God-inspired content.
Return to March 23 Readings
March 24
L UKE 1:57–80
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
57Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
CIRCUMCISION OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
59So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John."
61But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by
this name." 62So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.
63And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65Then fear came on all who dwelt around them;
and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, "What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him.
ZACHARIAS' PROPHECY
67Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, 69And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, 70As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, 71That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, 72To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, 73The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
76"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 78Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visiteda us; 79To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."
80So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
1:80 was in the deserts. Several groups of ascetics inhabited the wilderness regions east of Jerusalem. One was the famous Qumran community, source of the Dead Sea Scrolls. John's parents, already old when he was born, might have given him over to the care of someone with ties to such a community. In a similar way, Hannah consecrated Samuel to the Lord by entrusting him to Eli ( 1 Sam. 1:22–28 ). However, there is nothing concrete in Scripture to suggest that John was part of any such group. On the contrary, he is painted as a solitary figure, in the spirit of Elijah.
DAY 24: For whom did Luke write?
Luke, like Mark, and in contrast to Matthew, appears to target a Gentile readership. He identified locations that would have been familiar to all Jews (4:31; 23:51; 24:13), suggesting that his audience went beyond those who already had knowledge of Palestinian geography. He usually preferred Greek terminology over Hebraisms (e.g., "Calvary" instead of "Golgotha" in 23:33 ). The other Gospels all use occasional Semitic terms such as "Abba" ( Mark 14:36 ), "rabbi" ( Matt. 23:7 , 8 ; John 1:38 , 49 ), and "hosanna" ( Matt. 21:9 ; Mark
11:9, 10; John 12:13)—but Luke either omitted them or used Greek equivalents.
Luke quoted the Old Testament more sparingly than Matthew; and when citing Old Testament passages, he nearly always employed the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. Furthermore, most of Luke's Old Testament citations are allusions rather than direct quotations, and many of them appear in Jesus' words rather than Luke's narration ( 2:23 , 24 ; 3:4–6 ; 4:4 , 8 , 10– 12 , 18 , 19 ; 7:27 ; 10:27 ; 18:20 ; 19:46 ; 20:17 , 18 , 37 , 42 , 43 ; 22:37 ). Luke, more than any of the other Gospel writers, highlighted the universal scope of the gospel invitation. He portrayed Jesus as the Son of Man, rejected by Israel, and then offered to the world. He repeatedly related accounts of Gentiles, Samaritans, and other outcasts who found grace in Jesus' eyes. This emphasis is precisely what we would expect from a close companion of the "apostle to the Gentiles" (Rom. 11:13).
Return to March 24 Readings
Luke 2
March 25
L UKE 2:1–24
CHRIST BORN OF MARY
1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,a who was with child. 6So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
GLORY IN THE HIGHEST
8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold,a an angel of the Lord stood before
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
2:11 city of David. I.e., Bethlehem, the town where David was born not the City of David, which was on the southern slope of Mt. Zion (2 Sam. 5:7–9). a Savior. This is one of only two places in the Gospels where Christ is referred to as "Savior" the other being John 4:42, where the men of Sychar confessed Him as "Savior of the world." Christ. "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of "Messiah". Lord. The Greek word can mean "master" but it is also the word used to translate the covenant name of God. Here (and in most of its New Testament occurrences), it is used in the latter sense, as a title of Deity.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"a
15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16And they came
with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17Now
when they had seen Him, they made widelya known the saying which was told
them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those
things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things
and pondered them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
CIRCUMCISION OF JESUS
21And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child,a
His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
JESUS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE
22Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were
completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"),a 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said
in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."a
DAY 25: Why was there an emphasis on prescribed places of worship in the Old Testament?
In Deuteronomy 12:1–32, Moses begins by repeating his instructions concerning what to do with the false worship centers after Israel had taken possession of the land of the Canaanites (see 7:1–6). They were to destroy them completely. In v. 2, he speaks about "the high mountains… hills…every green tree." The Canaanite sanctuaries to be destroyed were located in places believed to have particular religious significance. The mountain or hill was thought to be the home of a god; and by ascending the mountain, the worshiper was in some symbolic sense closer to the deity. Certain trees were considered to be sacred and symbolized fertility, a dominant theme in Canaanite religion. And in v. 3, Moses addresses "their altars,…pillars,… wooden images…carved images." These were elements of Canaanite worship, which included human sacrifice (v. 31). If they remained, the people might mix the worship of God with those places (v. 4).
In contrast to false worship centers, the Israelites are told "you shall seek the place where the LORD your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place" (v. 5). Various places of worship were chosen after the people settled in Canaan, such as Mt. Ebal (27:1–8; Josh. 8:30–35), Shechem (Josh. 24:1–28), and Shiloh (Josh. 18:1), which was the center of worship through the period of Judges (Judg. 21:19). The tabernacle, the Lord's dwelling place, was located in Canaan, where the Lord chose to dwell. The central importance of the tabernacle was in direct contrast to the multiple places (see v. 2) where the Canaanites practiced their worship of idols. Eventually, the
tabernacle was brought to Jerusalem by David (2 Sam. 6:12–19).
Return to March 25 Readings
March 26
L UKE 2:25–52
SIMEON SEES GOD'S SALVATION
25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
2:26 it had been revealed to him. It is significant that, with messianic expectations running so high (see 3:15) and with the many Old Testament prophecies that spoke of His coming, still only a handful of people realized the significance of Christ's birth. Most of them, including Simeon, received some angelic message or other special revelation to make the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies clear.
29"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;
30For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."
33And Joseph and His mothera marveled at those things which were spoken
of Him. 34Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
ANNA BEARS WITNESS TO THE REDEEMER
36Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years,a who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord,a and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
2:36 a prophetess. This refers to a woman who spoke God's word. She was a teacher of the Old Testament, not a source of revelation. The Old Testament mentions only 3 women who prophesied: Miriam ( Ex. 15:20 ); Deborah ( Judg. 4:4 ); Huldah ( 2 Kin. 22:14 ; 2 Chr. 34:22 ). One other, the "prophetess" Noadiah, was evidently a false prophet, grouped by Nehemiah with his enemies. Isaiah 8:3 refers to the prophet's wife as a "prophetess," but there is no evidence Isaiah's wife prophesied. Perhaps she is so-called because the child she bore was given a name that was prophetic (Is. 8:3, 4). This use of the title for Isaiah's wife also shows that the title does not necessarily indicate an ongoing revelatory prophetic ministry. Rabbinical tradition also regarded Sarah, Hannah, Abigail, and Esther as prophetesses (apparently to make an even 7 with Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah). In the New Testament, the daughters of Philip prophesied (Acts 21:9).
THE FAMILY RETURNS TO NAZARETH
39So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40And the Child grew and became strong in spirit,a filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
THE BOY JESUS AMAZES THE SCHOLARS
41His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43When they had finished the days, as they returned, the
Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mothera did not
know it; 44but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's
journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45So when
they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47And all who heard
Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously."
49And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
JESUS ADVANCES IN WISDOM AND FAVOR
51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
DAY 26: What does Luke 2:41–52 tell us about the Boy Jesus?
When Jesus was 12 years old, He celebrated His first Feast of the Passover in preparation for that rite of passage into adulthood(Bar mitzvah). After the celebration, it says that "Jesus lingered" (v. 43). In stark contrast to the apocryphal gospels' spurious tales of youthful miracles and supernatural exploits, this lone biblical insight into the youth of Jesus portrays Him as a typical boy in a typical family. His lingering was neither mischievous nor disobedient—it was owing to a simple mistaken presumption on His parents' part (v. 44) that He was left behind.
Obviously Joseph and Mary were traveling with a large caravan of friends and relatives from Nazareth. Men and women in such a group might have been separated by some distance, and it appears each parent thought He was with the other. The reference to "three days" (v. 46) probably means they realized He was missing at the end of a full day's travel. That required another full day's journey back to Jerusalem, and the better part of another day was spent seeking Him. They found Jesus among the teachers in the temple, "listening to them and asking them questions." He was utterly respectful; but even at that young age, His questions showed a wisdom that put the teachers to shame (v. 47).
In the exchange of words that follow, Mary's words convey a tone of exasperation normal for any mother under such circumstances, but misplaced in this case. He was not hiding from them or defying their authority. In fact, He had done precisely what any child should do under such circumstances (being left by His parents)—He went to a safe, public place, in the presence of trusted adults, where His parents could be expected to come looking for Him (v. 49). Jesus' reference to "My Father's business" reveals a genuine amazement that they did not know where to look for Him. This also reveals that, even at so young an age, He had a clear consciousness of His identity and mission. However, He "was subject to them" (v. 51). His relationship with His heavenly Father did not override or nullify His duty to His earthly parents. His obedience to the fifth commandment was an essential part of the perfect legal obedience He rendered on our behalf (Heb. 4:4; 5:8, 9).
Return to March 26 Readings
Luke 3
March 27
L UKE 3:1–38
JOHN THE BAPTIST PREPARES THE WAY
1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests,a the word of God came to John
the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:
3:2 Annas and Caiaphas were high priests. According to Josephus, Annas served as high priest A.D. 6–15, when he was deposed by Roman officials. He nonetheless retained de facto power, as seen in the fact that his successors included 5 of his sons and Caiaphas, a son-in-law (Matt. 26:3). Caiaphas was the actual high priest during the time Luke describes, but Annas still controlled the office. This is seen clearly in the fact that Christ was taken to Annas first after His arrest, then to Caiaphas (Matt. 26:57).
3:4 Make His paths straight. Quoted from Isaiah 40:3–5. A monarch traveling in wilderness regions would have a crew of workmen go ahead to make sure the road was clear of debris, obstructions, potholes, and other hazards that made the journey difficult. In a spiritual sense, John was calling the people of Israel to prepare their hearts for the coming of their Messiah.
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight. 5Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "a
JOHN PREACHES TO THE PEOPLE
7Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him,
"Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
10So the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?" 11He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise."
12Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"
13And he said to them, "Collect no more than what is appointed for you." 14Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, "And what shall we do?" So he said to them, "Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages."
15Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts
about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire."
18And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. 19But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,a and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.
JOHN BAPTIZES JESUS
21When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was
baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST
23Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24the son of Matthat,a the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, 25the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of
Joseph, the son of Judah, 27the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28the son of Melchi, the son of
Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, 29the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, 31the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of
Nathan, the son of David, 32the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33the son of Amminadab, the son of
Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of
Noah, the son of Lamech, 37the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, 38the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
DAY 27: How were God's people to treat the poor?
As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, Deuteronomy 15:4 has an interesting statement: "except when there may be no poor." Idealistically, there was the possibility that poverty would be eradicated in the land "for the
LORD will greatly bless you in the land." The fullness of that blessing, however, would be contingent on the completeness of Israel's obedience. Thus, vv. 4–6 were an encouragement to strive for a reduction of poverty while at the same
time they stressed the abundance of the provision God would make in the Promised Land.
God specifically warns them about hardening their hearts against the poor, but to "open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need" (v. 8). The attitude of the Israelites toward the poor in their community was to be one of warmth and generosity. The poor were given whatever was necessary to meet their needs, even with the realization that such "loans" would never need to be paid back.
"For the poor will never cease from the land," Moses adds (v. 11). Realistically (in contrast to v. 4), the disobedience toward the Lord on Israel's part meant that there would always be poor people in the land of Israel. Jesus repeated this truism in Matthew 26:11. Even if a Hebrew was sold into a period of servitude for his debts, his master "shall not let him go away empty-handed" ( Deut. 15:13 ). When a slave had completed his time of service, his former owner was to make ample provision for him so that he would not begin his state of new freedom in destitution.
Return to March 27 Readings
Luke 4
March 28
L UKE 4:1–30
SATAN TEMPTS JESUS
1Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and
was led by the Spirit intoa the wilderness, 2being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.
3And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."
4But Jesus answered him, saying,a "It is written, 'Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word of God.' "b
5Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Hima all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours."
8And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan!a Forb it is
written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "c
9Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10For it is written:
'He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,'
11and,
'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest
you dash your foot against a stone.' "a
12And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not
tempt the LORD your God.' "a
13Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until
an opportune time.
JESUS BEGINS HIS GALILEAN MINISTRY
14Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. 15And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
JESUS REJECTED AT NAZARETH
16So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,a To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."a
20Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down.
And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21And He
began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." 22So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?"
4:21 this Scripture is fulfilled. This was an unambiguous claim that Jesus was the Messiah who fulfilled the prophecy. His hearers correctly understood His meaning but could not accept such lofty claims from One whom they knew so well as the carpenter's son (v. 22; Matt. 13:55).
23He said to them, "You will surely say this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum,a do also here in Your country.' " 24Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. 25But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; 26but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath,a in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian."
28So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with
wrath, 29and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the
cliff. 30Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
4:28 filled with wrath. This is Luke's first mention of hostile opposition to Christ's ministry. What seems to have sparked the Nazarenes' fury was Christ's suggestion that divine grace might be withheld from them yet extended to Gentiles.
4:30 passing through the midst of them. The implication is that this was a miraculous escape the first of several similar incidents in which Jesus escaped a premature death at the hands of a mob (John 7:30; 8:59; 10:39).
DAY 28: Who is the Prophet that Moses refers to in Deuteronomy 18:15– 19 ?
Read through 18:15–19 again where Moses promises that "the LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst." The singular pronoun emphasizes the ultimate Prophet who was to come. Both the Old Testament (34:10) and the New Testament (Acts 3:22, 23; 7:37) interpret this passage as a reference to the coming Messiah, who, like Moses, would receive and preach divine revelation and lead His people (John 1:21, 25, 43– 45; 6:14; 7:40). In fact, Jesus was like Moses in several other ways: 1) He was spared death as a baby ( Ex. 2 ; Matt. 2:13–23 ); 2) He renounced a royal court ( Phil. 2:5–8 ; Heb. 11:24– 27 ); 3) He had compassion on His people ( Num. 27:17 ; Matt. 9:36 ); 4) He made intercession for the people (Deut. 9:18; Heb. 7:25); 5) He spoke with God face-to-face (Ex. 34:29, 30; 2 Cor. 3:7); and 6) He was the mediator of a covenant (Deut. 29:1; Heb. 8:6, 7).
In contrast to the true Prophet, Moses predicted there would be false prophets who would come to Israel, speaking not in the name of the Lord, but in the name of false gods (vv. 20–22). How could the people tell if a prophet was authentically speaking for God? Moses said, "If the thing does not happen," it was not from God. The characteristic of false prophets is the failure of their predictions to always come true. Sometimes false prophets speak and it happens as they said, but they are representing false gods and trying to turn people from the true God—they must be rejected and executed (13:1–5). Other times, false prophets are more subtle and identify with the true God but speak lies. If ever a prophecy of such a prophet fails, he is shown to be false ( Jer. 28:15–17 ; 29:30– 32 ).
Return to March 28 Readings
March 29
L UKE 4:31–44
JESUS CASTS OUT AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT
31Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. 32And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. 33Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, 34saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!"
35But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. 36Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, "What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." 37And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW HEALED
38Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house. But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. 39So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.
4:38 Simon's wife's mother. Peter was married (1 Cor. 9:5), though no details about his wife are given anywhere in Scripture. a high fever. Matthew 8:14, 15 and Mark 1:30, 31 also report this miracle. But only Luke, the physician, remarks that the fever was "high" and makes note of the means Jesus used to heal her (v. 39).
MANY HEALED AFTER SABBATH SUNSET
40When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. 41And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ,a the Son of God!"
And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.
JESUS PREACHES IN GALILEE
42Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; 43but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." 44And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.a
DAY 29: What did the law warn about bringing false witness against another person?
In Deuteronomy 19:15, the law required that "by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established." More than one witness was necessary to convict a man of a crime. This principle was to act as a safeguard against the false witness who might bring an untruthful charge against a fellow Israelite. By requiring more than one witness, greater accuracy and objectivity was gained (Deut. 17:6; Matt. 18:15–17; 2 Cor. 13:1).
However, it was possible that "a false witness [might rise] against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing" (v. 16). In some cases, there would only be one witness who brought a charge against someone. When such a case was taken to the central tribunal of priests and judges for trial, and upon investigation the testimony of the witness was found to be false, the accuser received the punishment appropriate for the alleged crime (v. 19). Others looking on would be taught to "hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you" (v. 20). When the fate of the false witness became known in Israel, it would serve as a deterrent against giving false testimony in Israel's courts.
In Israel, the principle of legal justice (called lex talionis, "law of retaliation") or "eye for eye" (v. 21) was given to encourage appropriate punishment of a criminal in cases where there might be a tendency to be either too lenient or too strict (Ex. 21:23–25; Lev. 24:17–22). Jesus confronted the Jews of His day for taking this law out of the courts and using it for purposes of personal vengeance (Matt. 5:38–42).
Return to March 29 Readings
Luke 5
March 30
L UKE 5:1–16
FOUR FISHERMEN CALLED AS DISCIPLES
1So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He
stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2and saw two boats standing by the lake; but
the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
4When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
5:4 let down your nets. Normally, the fish that were netted in shallow water at night would migrate during the daylight hours to waters too deep to reach easily with nets, which is why Peter fished at night. Peter may have thought Jesus' directive made no sense, but he obeyed and was rewarded for his obedience (v. 6).
5But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." 6And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"
9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." 11So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.