Mark 12

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

The man = God
The vineyard = Israel
The farmers = Religious Leaders
The servants = Prophets
The son = Jesus
The others = Gentiles

Eight Questions for Christ

The Identification Phase
#1 Who can forgive sins but God alone? (2:7)
Jesus proved His authority (1:22+27, 2:10)

Who do people say Jesus is?
1. Legend
2. Lunatic
3. Liar
4. Lord

The Clarification Phase
#2 Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? (2:16)
Jesus explained the purpose of His ministry (2:17)
Jesus valued compassion over condemnation

#3 Why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath? (2:24)
Jesus explained the purpose of the law (2:27)
· Soon afterword, they began to plot Jesus’ murder (3:6)
· They accused Him of being possessed by a demon
Jesus valued grace over law

#4 Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition? (7:5)
jesus explained the purpose of tradition (7:8-9, 15)
Jesus valued truth over tradition

The Trap Phase
#5 Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? (10:2)
If Yes: He was agreeing with the Pharisees
If No: The crowd/Herod may have turned on Him (6:17-28)
Jesus went to the heart of the law (10:5-12)
· Soon after, they began to plot Jesus murder (11:18)

#6 By what authority are you doing these things? (11:28)
If God: They could accuse Him of blasphemy
If Himself: They could accuse Him of insanity
Jesus knew their motive, so He asked them a question (11:29)
· Soon after, they wanted to arrest Him (12:12)

#7 Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? (12:14-15)
If Yes: The crowd would think He supported Rome
If No: Rome would think He supported rebellion
Jesus knew their motive, but gave the perfect answer (12:17)

#8 Whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?
They had stumped the Pharisees with this question
Their real question was about the resurrection in general
Jesus showed them that the Pentateuch taught resurrection
· Soon after, no one dared ask Him any more questions
· They looked for a sly way to have Jesus killed (14:1)