Lesson Nineteen

The Son of Man Arrested Part I

Mark 14:1–42 

Knowing the Scriptures

Studies in the Gospel of Mark

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW

Mark 13 was an account of what is called the Olivet Discourse, Jesus’ prophetic words about both the coming destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans (a.d. 70) and the future return of the Son of Man.  The events of Jerusalem’s destruction, as horrifying and disturbing as they were (see Josephus’ account as mentioned in Lesson 18), are but a foreshadowing of the horrible times that await mankind during the Great Tribulation—so terrible that unless they were cut short (literally, amputated) no one would remain alive!  We also read of how God will work through all of this to finally help the Jews to come to realize that Jesus is the Son of Man and Son of God.  In any discussion of last days’ events, we must be careful to avoid sensationalism and emphasis on the evil of the Antichrist and his forces; we tend to be so busy looking for the Antichrist that we forget we’re to be looking for Jesus Christ!  He is the true focus of the Book of Revelation, as He is in our studies here in Mark’s Gospel, which now turns toward simultaneously the most wicked and most holy ground we’ve come to:  the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Son of God.

DAY ONE:  Preparation for Suffering

Please carefully read Mark 14:1–9 and answer the following questions.

1.  What did the religious leaders discuss about Jesus just before the Passover (vv. 1, 2)?

NOTES: In Greek, the phrase sought how they might take Him by trickery is in the imperfect tense, meaning they kept seeking after a way to bait Him, and use guile and deceit to see Him put to death.[i]

2.  Exactly when the event described in Bethany took place is somewhat debatable; Mark seems to indicate it took place on Wednesday, but John’s Gospel puts it six days before the Passover.  It is likely that Mark put this story here for emphasis, and the time mentioned in verses 1, 2 refers to the meeting of the religious leaders, but not to this story.[ii]  Regardless, this is a fascinating story.  Describe the event in verses 3–6 in your own words.

3.  These great men of God totally missed the point:  The woman’s extravagant giving was a sacrifice of love and worship for her Lord.  How did Jesus rebuke the men and honor the woman instead (vv. 7–9)?

NOTE: This woman’s action was extreme.  The oil is stated to be worth a year’s income; a laborer’s daily wage was a denarius, and here 300 denarii were poured out in useless extravagance, or so thought the disciples. They murmured against the woman, Greek embrimaomai, meaning “to be very angry, sternly, to charge.” The verb in the imperfect tense, as it is here, is used elsewhere of the snorting of horses![iii] Mary, who is identified in John’s Gospel, gave lavishly, lovingly, unashamedly to honor Jesus.  If she was Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus, then we see her always at the feet of Jesus, and she was probably more in tune with the predictions that Jesus made regarding His death than even the disciples![iv]

4.    Read John’s account of this event (John 12:1–11) and record some of the other significant things we learn about this wonderful story.

Scripture Memory:  This week we will be memorizing Mark 14:38.  Review the passage several times throughout the day each day this week, and by the end of the week, you should have it memorized completely.

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38, nkjv)