Mark 11:27—12:27: Tempting Questions
SOME PEOPLE ASK questions because they want to know the answers. Others take malicious delight in posing unanswerable questions or in trying to trip up an opponent. Jesus often asked questions to get his hearers to think deeply for themselves. Learning to look behind questions to motives and learning to pose effective questions can help us all to be better evangelists and servants.
Warming Up to God
When is Jesus most real to you? Spend some time meditating on the privilege of having Christ present with you.
Read Mark 11:27—12:27. »
Discovering the Word
- In 11:27 the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law come asking a seemingly straightforward question about Jesus' authority. What does Jesus' reply and the subsequent discussion reveal about their motives?
- The parable of the tenants is rich in meaning. If the tenants are Israel and its religious leaders, who are the owner, the servants and the son?
- A common enemy can often draw together people who are not otherwise on good terms. In 12:13-17 we find Herodians (supporters of the puppet monarchy) and the Pharisees (ardent nationalists and opponents of Roman rule) joining forces. How does the question they pose to Jesus reflect their conflicting interests?
- The Sadducees differed from their Jewish contemporaries because they rejected the idea of resurrection. What motives lie behind their question to Jesus (12:18-23)?
- How do the Sadducees display ignorance of the Scriptures and the power of God?
Applying the Word
- How are you experiencing the truth of the Scriptures and the power of God?
- How can we get to know the Scriptures and the power of God better?
- As we seek to share the good news of Christ and his kingdom, we will meet people with a wide variety of questions and motives. What can we learn about answering and asking questions from this passage?
Responding in Prayer
Pray that you will be ready to answer questions about your beliefs.
For Further Study
Truth Decay by Douglas Groothuis