Studying The Book of Mark: Daily Breakdown: Day 6

Etetor Roland Eshiet, Sr.

Day 6: Sunday, December 29, 2024

The Book of Mark Chapters 11 and 12 NIV

JESUS Comes to Jerusalem as King. Passing through Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, as JESUS and his disciples approach Jerusalem, JESUS sends two of HIS disciples to go to the village ahead of them, find a colt that no one has ever ridden, untie it, and bring it to HIM (11 v.1-3).

The disciples follow JESUS’ instruction to the letter. When they bring the colt to JESUS, they throw their cloaks on the colt and JESUS sits on it. Many others spread their cloaks and branches they have cut in the fields on the road. There are great shouts of “Hosanna!” as JESUS enters the city of Jerusalem (11 v.4-10).

As JESUS and his disciples depart from Bethany, our Lord who is hungry at the time sees a fig tree. HE goes to find out if it has fruit. The fig tree does not have fruit because it is out of season. In frustration, JESUS says, “May no one ever eat fruit from you (fig tree) again.” His disciples hear him say this (11 v.12-14).

JESUS clears the Temple Courts. HE is very upset as HE does this for HIS Father’s house has been turned from a place of prayer to a place of money changing and merchandise selling. The Temple leadership seeing this begin to plot to kill JESUS. This is John Mark’s first record of a plot to kill JESUS.

The next morning, as JESUS and HIS disciples are going about the business of the day, the disciples see the fig tree is withered from the roots. Peter remembers what our Lord said the day before and draws JESUS’ attention to it, uttering, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” In response, JESUS says, “22 Have faith in GOD.” “23 Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that our Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins (11 v.21-26).”

In Chapter 12, JESUS speaks to HIS disciples in another parable: The Parable of the Tenants. HE ends with this passage of Scripture:

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes (12 v.10).

The Temple leadership understand the parable and are even more vexed (v.12)

Thereafter, the Pharisees and Herodians question JESUS about the payment of taxes. The Sadducees debate Marriage at the Resurrection with JESUS. Yet another teacher of the law wants to know the Greatest Commandment of all. To this question, JESUS answers, “29 The most important one is this, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our GOD, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and all your strength, 31 The second is this:’ Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these (12 v.28-31).”

JESUS asks the question, “Whose Son is the Messiah? (12. v.35-37), HE warns against the teachers of the law (v.38-40), HE acknowledges the widow’s offering (v.41-44).

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For a review of Studying the Book of Mark: A Daily Breakdown: Day 5

For a review of Studying the Book of Mark: A Daily Breakdown: Day one to four (1-4):

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Enjoy each day as we count down to New Year 2025

Etetor Roland Eshiet, Sr.