COMMENTARY In yesterday’s reading, Jesus indicted Jerusalem’s religious leaders for their corruption and failure to welcome Him as God’s Son. In today’s reading, representatives of these leaders confront Jesus with a number of questions in order to trap Him. The first trap deals with the issue of Roman taxation. In Mark 12:14, some ask Jesus, “Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” The “imperial tax” these questioners ask about was an unpopular Roman census tax. One rebel leader ...
Apr 03, 2020•31 min
COMMENTARY Mark 11 introduces the third and final act of the book of Mark. Over the last few chapters, Jesus has been traveling to Jerusalem. Now, He finally enters Jerusalem. When He arrives, He does a couple of odd things. These actions come to us in the form of another “Markan sandwich,” a story within a story. The first half of the outer story tells us that on His way into Jerusalem, Jesus curses a fig tree when He sees that it has no fruit. Jesus says in Mark 11:14, “May no one ever eat fru...
Apr 02, 2020•31 min
COMMENTARY Throughout the last two readings in Mark, Jesus has been on a journey to Jerusalem. In today’s reading, this journey ends in the same miraculous way that it started, with Jesus healing a blind man (Mark 8:22-26; 10:46-52). On its own, this closing story is significant because it reveals Jesus’ Messianic identity as the one who can bring sight to the blind (Isaiah 35:5; 42:7). Where it is located, the story is especially ironic because it shows how a blind beggar named Bartimaeus can “...
Apr 01, 2020•32 min
COMMENTARY Today, Jesus continues to teach His disciples what it means for Him to be the Messiah, and just as we’ve seen in the past, His disciples are confused by His message. Their confusion takes on a variety of forms. One way it manifests itself is through an argument they have among themselves on the road. After hearing Jesus make another prediction of His death, they get into an argument over who among them is the “greatest” (Mark 9:34). This argument might have been provoked by Jesus invi...
Mar 31, 2020•26 min
COMMENTARY Today’s reading represents a major turning point in the book of Mark. Up until this point, Jesus has spent His time in and around the Galilean countryside, demonstrating with great power that He is the Messiah. Now, the book begins its second act as Jesus travels “on the way” to Jerusalem and teaches about the “way” of the Messiah (Mark 8:27; 9:33-34; 10:17, 32, 46, 52). The episode in Mark 8:27-33 functions as a hinge between these two acts. In the first part of the story, Jesus asks...
Mar 30, 2020•25 min
COMMENTARY In today’s reading, Jesus spends the majority of His time in Gentile territory. This is not the first time in Mark that Jesus has visited non-Jewish regions. He has already visited the Decapolis, a non-Jewish region on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee (Mark 5:1-20). That trip was brief, but Jesus now begins to focus His ministry in areas beyond the Jewish Galilee. One story we read tells of how Jesus returned to the Decapolis and miraculously fed 4,000 people. Other than the spe...
Mar 27, 2020•24 min
COMMENTARY Today, Jesus again finds Himself in trouble with the Pharisees and teachers of the law. As we’ve already seen in Mark, these people have accused Him of blasphemy, of eating with sinners, of failing to fast, of breaking the Sabbath, and of casting out demons by the power of Satan (Mark 2:6, 16, 18, 24; 3:2, 22). Now they have a new complaint with Jesus. After seeing His disciples eat without washing, they ask Him, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders ...
Mar 26, 2020•27 min
COMMENTARY A major portion of today’s reading tells the story of John the Baptist’s death. At first glance, this seems like an odd story to be placed at this point in the book. John had been a major figure early on, but he hadn’t been seen in five chapters (Mark 1:2-14). What’s more, this story is told as a flashback. By this time in Jesus’ life, John had already been killed. So why did Mark tell the story of John’s death in this part of the book? It seems that Mark placed this story here to dra...
Mar 25, 2020•27 min
COMMENTARY Today, we read two more miracle stories that reveal Jesus’ identity and character. These stories are presented to us in a form that scholars often call a “Markan sandwich.” This is a literary feature used throughout the book of Mark. Mark frequently places one story in the middle of another story (e.g., Mark 3:20-35; 4:1-20; 6:6-31; 11:12-21; 14:1-11, 53-72; 15:40-16:8). By combining stories in this way, Mark intends for us to read them together so that each might shape our interpreta...
Mar 24, 2020•25 min
COMMENTARY At the end of yesterday’s reading, Jesus paused to teach about the kingdom of God through a series of parables. In today’s reading, Jesus resumes His ministry with a series of miracles. As we’ve been discovering throughout Mark, Jesus’ miracles were not just random acts of power and goodwill. Like His parables, the miracles that He performed taught veiled lessons. They demonstrated through actions what He had not said openly, that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. The first miracle s...
Mar 23, 2020•30 min
COMMENTARY In today’s reading, we encounter a collection of parables about the kingdom of God. A key to interpreting parables is recognizing their riddle-like nature. Parables aren’t always as simple as they might seem. In fact, Jesus indicates that they are meant to conceal as much as they reveal (Mark 4:11-12, 33-34). We see this in the parable of the mustard seed. On the surface, this parable teaches about the potential growth of Jesus’ kingdom. Just as the “smallest” of seeds can grow into t...
Mar 20, 2020•25 min
COMMENTARY Many times in the book of Mark, Jesus makes a request that can seem baffling. Referred to by scholars as the “messianic secret,” Jesus frequently asks for His identity to be hidden. For example, when demons declare that Jesus is the “Son of God” in Mark 3:11-12, Jesus gives them “strict orders not to tell others about him” (cf., Mark 1:24-25, 34; 5:7-10). And Jesus doesn’t only silence demons. He also asks humans to keep His identity secret when they discover who He truly is (e.g., Ma...
Mar 19, 2020•27 min
COMMENTARY As news of Jesus’ power spread throughout the Galilean countryside, He began to capture the attention of not just the crowds, but also religious authorities, and not in a good way. Religious leaders began to see Jesus as a threat because His actions repeatedly conflicted with their teachings. In today’s reading, we encounter five separate stories that highlight this increasing hostility toward Jesus. One of these stories features Jesus calling someone to follow Him. As we read yesterd...
Mar 18, 2020•32 min
COMMENTARY At the end of yesterday’s reading, Jesus proclaimed that “the kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15). In today’s reading, we encounter the first detailed stories of Jesus’ kingdom work. Jesus begins to recruit followers, show signs that the kingdom is approaching, and give people a glimpse of His identity and character. The first story in this series reveals something unique about Jesus’ character: He’s an invitational leader. When He sees two pairs of brothers fishing in the Sea o...
Mar 17, 2020•32 min
COMMENTARY The book of Mark begins with a short, one-line introduction that serves as a title for the entire work: “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). It’s brief, but this introduction makes an extravagant claim that would have been striking to those reading it in Mark’s time. Around the time this book was written, the word translated as “good news” (or sometimes “gospel”) was commonly used to describe the lives and achievements of Roman emperors....
Mar 12, 2020•33 min
Chapter 4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your...
Nov 15, 2019•28 min
Paul ends his letter to the Philippians with closing greetings and a blessing. He begins by sending his own personal greetings (Philippians 4:21). Then he passes along the greetings of those who were with him (Philippians 4:21-22). Finally, he prays for the “grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” to be with the Philippians, mirroring the blessing he bestowed upon these Christians at the opening of this letter (Philippians 4:23; 1:2). Although this closing is customary and brief, it should not be read a...
Nov 14, 2019•27 min
Commentary Today’s reading includes the conclusion to the main body of Paul’s letter. In this section, Paul gives thanks to the Philippians for some gifts they had recently shared with him. This is not the first time in this letter that Paul has expressed his gratitude for these gifts. In Philippians 1:3-5, he thanked God for their “partnership in the gospel.” In Philippians 2:25-30, he honored Epaphroditus for delivering these gifts. However, this is his most heartfelt thank you, encompassing a...
Nov 13, 2019•26 min
Commentary As his letter begins to close, Paul shares a number of short, succinct instructions as he frequently does toward the end of his letters (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22; 1 Corinthians 16:13-18; 2 Corinthians 13:11). At first glance, these quick commands might seem random and unrelated, but they actually reiterate themes we’ve seen throughout the letter. For example, Paul writes in verse 9, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” This...
Nov 12, 2019•27 min
COMMENTARY Throughout this letter, Paul often expresses his desire for the believers in the Philippian church to have unity with one another. In Philippians 1:27, Paul encourages his readers to “stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” In Philippians 2:2, Paul asks them to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” These calls for unity, along with other instructions like “do everything without grumbling or arguing,” m...
Nov 11, 2019•26 min
SCRIPTURE PHILIPPIANS 3 NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH 1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they ha...
Nov 07, 2019•23 min
COMMENTARY As chapter 3 comes to a close, Paul warns his readers about one last group of “enemies.” He writes, “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame” (Philippians 3:18-19). There has been a fair amount of debate over what enemies Paul specifically had in mind in these verses. Some suggest Paul was referring to the same gr...
Nov 07, 2019•25 min
COMMENTARY In the Greco-Roman culture where the Philippians lived, sports were a big deal. This is demonstrated by the many stadiums and athletic statues that have been dug up by archaeologists throughout Greece. In Philippi itself, there was an athletic facility known as a palaestra where local citizens would train in athletics. Because of the prominent role sports played in this society, Paul frequently used athletic metaphors in his letter to illustrate the nature of Christian living. For exa...
Nov 06, 2019•27 min
COMMENTARY At the end of yesterday’s reading, Paul provided his religious résumé, listing seven special qualities about himself. These were things that would have distinguished him in the Jewish community. He was “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” (Philippians 3:5-6). Paul’s reason for providing his résumé wa...
Nov 05, 2019•23 min
COMMENTARY In Philippians 3, this otherwise joyous letter takes an ominous turn. At the beginning of this chapter, Paul warns his readers about some opponents who might threaten their church. This is not the first nor the last time in this letter that Paul refers to opponents (Philippians 1:15-18, 27-30, 3:18-19). However, these opponents are unique. Their efforts do not help advance the gospel or give the gospel any opportunity to shine. Instead, they have distorted the message of the gospel, s...
Nov 04, 2019•24 min
SCRIPTURE PHILIPPIANS 2 IMITATING CHRIST’S HUMILITY 2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the i...
Nov 01, 2019•24 min
COMMENTARY In today’s reading, Paul continues the travel report that began in Philippians 2:19. Previously, he expressed his hope to send Timothy to the Philippians in the near future. Now, he tells them of his decision to send them a man named Epaphroditus for the time being. Unfortunately, we do not know a great deal about Epaphroditus. Unlike Timothy, who is mentioned by name 24 times across 12 books of the New Testament, Epaphroditus is mentioned just twice, and all in this one letter. What ...
Oct 31, 2019•20 min
COMMENTARY Beginning in Philippians 2:19, Paul shares about his plans to send some of his ministry partners to Philippi. This is a common feature in Paul’s letters. Paul often updated his readers on whether he or someone else would be visiting them. What is uncommon about this particular travel report is its size and its location in the letter. Paul’s travel reports are usually short (e.g., 2 Corinthians 13:10; Philemon 22). Also, they typically occur near the end of his letters (e.g., Romans 15...
Oct 30, 2019•21 min
COMMENTARY Unlike most of Paul’s other letters, and for that matter most other New Testament books, the letter to the Philippians includes no direct quotes from the Old Testament. This may be because the church in Philippi was made up almost entirely of people from a non-Jewish background, so the congregation may have been less familiar with the Old Testament. Another possibility is that Paul did not need to cite the Old Testament because he was not writing to correct bad theology like he did in...
Oct 29, 2019•19 min
COMMENTARY In Paul’s day, Roman society was made up of a hierarchy of social classes that determined just about everything. They determined what a person could wear, whom they could marry, even where they could sit! So naturally, many people desired to climb the social ladder. One way they could do this was by gaining honor for themselves. We can see this especially in the lives of Roman emperors. Around this time, Roman emperors began to call themselves gods and welcomed the worship of themselv...
Oct 28, 2019•21 min
