Mark 12WEB
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Mark12

World English Bible · Public Domain

1He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country.

2When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.

3They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty.

4Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.

5Again he sent another, and they killed him, and many others, beating some, and killing some.

6Therefore still having one, his beloved son, he sent him last to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

7But those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’

8They took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.

9What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.

10Haven’t you even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner.

11This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him and went away.

13They sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words.

14When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

15Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”

16They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.”

17Jesus answered them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him.

18Some Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, came to him. They asked him, saying,

19“Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’

20There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.

21The second took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise;

22and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.

23In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be of them? For the seven had her as a wife.”

24Jesus answered them, “Isn’t this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God?

25For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

26But about the dead, that they are raised, haven’t you read in the book of Moses about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore badly mistaken.”

28One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”

29Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

30You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

31The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

32The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he;

33and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.

35Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?

36For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’

37Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?” The common people heard him gladly.

38In his teaching he said to them, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,

39and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,

40those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

41Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.

42A poor widow came and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin.

43He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,

44for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 12.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The parable of the vineyard and husbandmen. (1–12). Question about tribute. (13–17). Concerning the resurrection. (18–27). The great command of the law. (28–34). Christ the Son and yet the Lord of David. (35–40). The poor widow commended. (41–44).

vv1-12

Christ showed in parables, that he would lay aside the Jewish church. It is sad to think what base usage God's faithful ministers have met with in all ages, from those who have enjoyed the privileges of the church, but have not brought forth fruit answerable. God at length sent his Son, his Well-beloved; and it might be expected that he whom their Master loved, they also should respect and love; but instead of honouring him because he was the Son and Heir, they therefore hated him. But the exaltation of Christ was the Lord's doing; and it is his doing to exalt him in our hearts, and to set up his throne there; and if this be done, it cannot but be marvellous in our eyes. The Scriptures, and faithful preachers, and the coming of Christ in the flesh, call on us to render due praise to God in our lives. Let sinners beware of a proud, carnal spirit; if they revile or despise the preachers of Christ, they would have done so their Master, had they lived when he was upon earth.

vv13-17

The enemies of Christ would be thought desirous to know their duty, when really they hoped that which soever side he took of the question, they might find occasion to accuse him. Nothing is more likely to insnare the followers of Christ, than bringing them to meddle with disputes about worldly politics. Jesus avoided the snare, by referring to the submission they had already made as a nation; and all that heard him, marvelled at the great wisdom of his answer. Many will praise the words of a sermon, who will not be commanded by the doctrines of it.

vv18-27

A right knowledge of the Scripture, as the fountain whence all revealed religion now flows, and the foundation on which it is built, is the best preservative against error. Christ put aside the objection of the Sadducees, who were the scoffing infidels of that day, by setting the doctrine of the future state in a true light. The relation between husband and wife, though appointed in the earthly paradise, will not be known in the heavenly one. It is no wonder if we confuse ourselves with foolish errors, when we form our ideas of the world of spirits by the affairs of this world of sense. It is absurd to think that the living God should be the portion and happiness of a man if he is for ever dead; and therefore it is certain that Abraham's soul exists and acts, though now for a time separate from the body. Those that deny the resurrection greatly err, and ought to be told so. Let us seek to pass through this dying world, with a joyful hope of eternal happiness, and of a glorious resurrection.

Cross References

Mark 12
v10Psalms 118:22quotation

The prophetic stone quotation used by Jesus to show the rejected builders' destiny.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v26Exodus 3:6quotation

Directly quoted from the bush account by Jesus to prove the resurrection of the dead.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v29Deuteronomy 6:4quotation

The Shema, quoted directly by Jesus as the first and greatest commandment.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v30Deuteronomy 6:5quotation

Directly quoted as the primary duty of loving God with all one's heart.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v31Leviticus 19:18quotation

Directly quoted as the second great commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v36Psalms 110:1quotation

Directly quoted by Jesus to demonstrate that the Messiah is both David's Lord and his Son.

Supported by Matthew Poole, Matthew Henry, JFB

v1Isaiah 5:1-4allusion

The Old Testament foundation for the vineyard imagery, including the hedge, winepress, and tower.

Supported by Matthew Poole

The Mosaic law of levirate marriage cited by the Sadducees to trap Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Psalms 80:8-16thematic

God bringing a vine out of Egypt, illustrating Israel as God's specially planted vineyard.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Historical summary of God sending messengers and Israel repeatedly mocking, despising, and abusing them.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v13Luke 20:20-26thematic

Parallel account detailing how spies feigned righteousness to entrap Jesus over tribute to Caesar.

Supported by JFB

v25Luke 20:35-36thematic

Luke's parallel clarifying that the children of the resurrection are equal to the angels.

Supported by JFB

v331 Samuel 15:22thematic

Parallels the scribe's realization that love is far superior to burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v42Luke 21:2-4thematic

Luke's parallel account of the poor widow offering her two mites at the treasury.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v17Romans 13:7thematic

Apostolic instruction mirroring Jesus' command to render dues, customs, and taxes to authorities.