Lesson 3Gospel of MarkClass Notes for September 5, 2017 Mark 4:1 - 5:43
Mark 4:1-2 Jesus was a master teacher - of course. Many of the methods used by Him are models for teaching today. He used repetition, object lessons, contrasts and comparisons, visual aids, demonstrations and parables. A parable is a made-up story about familiar things to teach principles or give new insight. They are typically brief, exaggerated for emphasis, present an engaging narrative, and convey a primary thought or principle while sometimes having a secondary message. Parables may have a shocking or unexpected ending. Parables were often given in response to a question or to describe a particular circumstance. Parables were easy to remember and were passed down through oral traditions until they were put in written form.
Mark 4:10-13 While parables can be found throughout the Bible, for instance when Nathan confronted David about the man who took another's favorite sheep 2 Samuel 12:1-7, they are found primarily in the synoptic gospels in the NT. See attached chart. Jesus spoke in parables to fulfill prophecy
Psa. 78:2; Matt. 13:34-35, to conceal truth from unbelievers and the undeserving Luke 8:9-10, Isa. 6:9, and to reveal truth to believers Matt. 13:16-17, Luke 10:23-24. Because the parables present spiritual truths, those who are not saved, unbelievers, cannot understand them Matt 13:11, 1 Cor. 2:14.
Mark 4:33-34 Jesus taught His disciples in parables as much as they were able to hear and often explained the parables to them privately. Interpretations of a few parables in Scripture serve as templates for understanding others, particularly the parables of the sower and the tares. The Kingdom of God parables were given to prepare the disciples for what they would face when establishing the church and answer questions such as, how will the gospel be received? what will the visible church look like?
how are opposition and false believers and doctrines to be handled?
When interpreting parables it is important that symbolic elements be consistent with other Scriptures;
for instance, leaven is always sin: Matt. 16:6 legalism; Matt 16:11-12 teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees; Mark 8:15 Pharisees and Herod legalism and immorality; Luke 12:1 hypocrisy;
1 Cor. 5:8 malice and wickedness. Jesus and the apostles warned that even a little sin will corrupt the whole church Matt. 13:33, Gal 5:9. Scripture interprets Scripture.
Understanding parables requires study and prayer. They should not be overanalyzed. They are not perfect allegories and every detail does not have theological significance. Parables must be understood in context and consistent with what they would have meant to the people who heard them the first time. Scripture does not take on new meanings although there are many applications for the truths taught.
Mark 4:3-9, 14-20The Parable of the Sower
From this parable we learn about the spread of the gospel and four ways in which the good news would be received. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom it is like a farmer sowing seed.
Some falls beside the road and the birds (Satan) takes it away. It was not received by the soil.
Some falls on rocky soil. While received with joy it has no firm root. Affliction causes it to fall away.
Some falls among thorns. It was heard but choked out by worries, riches and greed.
Some falls on good soil, is accepted and bears fruit. It is the farmer who prepares the soil for the seed.
Mark 4:21-23The Parable of the Lamp
In this parable it is unreasonable that the lamp, light of the gospel, would be hidden under a basket or bed, but it must be put on a lampstand to be seen by everyone.
Mark 4:24-25Teaching concerning measure
Spiritual results will be proportionate to the amount of effort expended. The more they sow, the more they would reap. The one who has learned spiritual truth and applies it diligently will receive even more truth to apply. This parable describes the process of sanctification, the spiritual maturing of those who are justified.
Mark 4:26-29The Parable of Mysterious Growth
This parable is recorded only in Mark and connects with the parable of the sower. It assures the disciples that the growth of the church does not depend solely on their efforts. The gospel can flourish and produce a harvest because God causes the increase. 1 Cor. 3:6
Mark 4:30-32The Parable of the Mustard Seed
This parable which describes the Kingdom of God begins with a very minute mustard seed. When planted it grows to be the largest plant in the garden. Although there is a Palestinian mustard tree which may reach 10 to 12 feet, this parable indicates growth beyond its intended size. Because of its high profile and edible fruit, it attracts birds. Now, every farmer knows that birds are not welcome in a garden. From the previous parable we know that birds represent Satan's efforts against the gospel. A correct interpretation, therefore, would warn the disciples to be wary that as the church grows large, it will attract those who are not saved. While the "birds" would benefit from the tree, they would be a threat to the fruit produced.
Mark 4:35-41Fearing the Storm
Crowds had listened to Jesus preach and saw Him healing the sick all day, and when evening came He instructed His disciples to get in their boats and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus took the opportunity to rest and went to sleep in the rear of the boat. I'm pretty sure the fierce gale which came up was not a surprise to Him, and it did not awaken Him. The Sea of Galilee is relative shallow and winds quickly cause large waves which, in this case, were breaking over the boat to the point that it could sink. It must have been a rough ride! The disciples were afraid because of the storm, and they waked Jesus with a curious question: Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? They were in fear for their own lives, of course, but they probably were also concerned about Jesus' safety. The disciples had already witnessed many miracles of healing and casting out demons, they had seen Jesus confront the Pharisees, and they had heard His teachings, but this was a new situation.
Jesus commanded the winds to be still, and the sea was perfectly calm. Imagine the surprise! Then Jesus addressed the primary issue. Why were they afraid of the storm? Fear is dispelled by faith. Faith is given by God through means of grace which include prayer, His word and obedience. Jesus' actions and words caused the disciples to be afraid, not of the storm, but of Him. The presence and power of God incarnate was overwhelming. It was wrong to fear the storm, but it was right to fear God. Jesus is still teaching, and they are still learning.
Mark 5:1-20A Legion of Demons
Near the small town of Gersa on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee there was a man living among the tombs who was a menace to all who lived in that area. Chains and shackles would not hold him, and he was stronger than anyone who tried to restrain him. He screamed night and day and cut himself with stones causing him to be covered in blood. He was without doubt demon possessed. He saw Jesus from a distance, ran to Him and bowed down. Verse 8 tells us that Jesus had commanded that the unclean spirit leave the man. The demons resisted, and screamed that Jesus, Son of the Most High God, should not torment him. Jesus asked the demon's name to bring out the reality and complexity of this situation. The response was that the demons in this man were legion. This was an expression familiar to the people witnessing this event because of Roman military occupation. A legion was 6,000 soldiers. This is not to be understood literally but indicative of a very large number. Recognizing Jesus' power over the demon, he expressed an intense desire that a request be granted that the demons remain in the area where they had exercised their power over this man.
Swine were considered unclean, and the Jews would have nothing to do with pigs. The large herd of 2,000 nearby would have been tended by Gentiles or by Jews who had no regard for the Law. Jesus, fulfilling His sovereign purposes, allowed the demons to enter the pigs which ran down a steep bank into the sea where they drowned. The herdsmen were terrified and ran away. The text offers no explanation except that the demons destroyed the pigs. In doing this, Jesus demonstrated to the man and to those who witnessed this event a graphic and powerful lesson on the immensity of the evil from which this man had been delivered.
The man was then sitting still and in his right mind, a stark contrast from his former condition. The people were frightened by what had happened and begged Jesus to leave. As Jesus was preparing to leave, the man asked to go with Him. Jesus instructed him to go home to his own people and tell them about what happened, praising the Lord's mercy. While the people had asked Jesus to leave the region, the man went throughout the region amazing everyone with his report. Decapolis is an area of 10 cities in the northeastern part of Galilee.
Mark 4:25-34Touching His Garment
Jesus was on His way heal Jairus' daughter. As He was passing through the crowds, Jesus knew that power had gone forth from Him, and He inquired about who had touched his garments. The disciples were amazed that with the pressing crowds around Him, Jesus would be aware that even His clothes had been touched. Matt. 14:36 states that she touched the hem or fringe of His garment. This gives some interesting insight into what was happening. Jewish men were required to wear a prayer shawl which was a white cloth, later bearing blue stripes, and having knotted tassels which guided their prayers much as the beads of a rosary is used by some Christians today. Although Jesus is rarely depicted wearing a prayer shawl, it is reasonable to assume that He did. It would have been a grievous offense for a woman and particularly an unclean woman to touch the prayer shawl of a Jew and especially of a rabbi.
And the woman was not only sick but also ceremonially unclean. Lev. 15:19-30 describes in great detail the ceremonial restrictions and requirements for women with an issue of blood or hemorrhage, and this woman had suffered for 12 years. She had sought help from physicians, exhausted all her resources, and had only gotten worse. She was confident that if she could only touch Jesus' garment, she would be healed. As Jesus turned to her, she was fearful and trembling. Jesus spoke kindly to her, healed her affliction and told her to go in peace. His observation that she possessed faith is another instance in both faith and healing are connected.
Mark 21-24 and 35-43Jairus' Daughter
Jairus was a synagogue official, not a priest. He knew that his daughter was ill an dying. Jesus went to Jairus' home where people were loudly mourning her death. When Jesus declared that she was not dead, the people laughed in His face. Jesus took Peter, James and John as well as Jairus and his wife into the daughter's room, commanded her to get up. She got up to the astonishment of the people. Jesus asked that she be given something to eat and that they not broadcast what had happened.
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