Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:27-33 – Death Foretold in Caesarea

Mark 8:27-33 – Death Foretold in Caesarea

|| Matthew 16:13-20;[1] Luke 9:18-21

MK8:27 Now Jesus left with his disciples into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. And along the way he asked his disciples: “Who are people saying I am?” MK8:28 They answered: “John the Baptist.” But others said, “Elijah.” [Malachi 4:1] Still others: “One of the prophets.” MK8:29 Then Jesus asked them: “But, who do you say I am?” And Peter responded: “You are the Christ!” [Daniel 9:25-27] MK8:30 Now Jesus gave them strict orders[2] not to tell any one about him. MK8:31 So Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Humankind [Daniel 7:13] must suffer many things [Isaiah 53:2, 3] and then be rejected [Psalm 118:22] by the [Jewish] elders, the chief priests, and the Bible Copyists. Finally, he would be killed, [Psalm 22:15] but after three days be resurrected. MK8:32 And Jesus spoke plainly to them.[3] But Peter took him aside and began to rebuke[4] him. MK8:33 Then Jesus turned around and looking at his disciples[5] he said to Peter: “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not thinking God’s thoughts but those of men!”

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[1] Matthew 16:13-20: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Strict orders: Or, charged, admonished, warned. Jesus does not give them a polite suggestion. The Greek is EPETIMESEN [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2008, ax upon, censure, rebuke] and usually means a “rebuke” just as Peter does in verse 32.

[3] Jesus spoke plainly to them: In his language Jesus references several phrases from the Hebrew Bible.

[4] Rebuke: Some men with too much pride, when rebuked, attempt to do the same thing to the one who has rebuked them. Who does Peter think he is? He reveals a depth of arrogance that will one day be humiliated out of him.

[5] Looking at his disciples: This is not private as Peter’s wrong rebuke, but in front of all of them.

 

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Preceding

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:1-9 – 4000 Fed

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:10-13 – Pharisees Seek Sign

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:14-21 – Warning About Doctrinal Leaven

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:22-26 – A Blind Man in Bethsaida

Matthew 21:10-11 Who Is This? – a Question still posed today #2

Matthew 16:13-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Building a Hades-Proof Congregation

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

CHAPTER SEVEN:
TRADITION AND DEFILED HEARTS, PUPPIES,
AND A DEAF MAN

[“Doing What Is Right”]

Key word: Tradition

Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

|| Matthew 15:1-9[1]

MK7:1 Now the Pharisees approached Jesus along with certain Bible Copyists from Jerusalem. MK7:2 When they observed some of his disciples eating bread with defiled hands[2] – that is, without [ceremonially] washing them[3] – [[they found fault]].[4] MK7:3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat without [ceremonially] washing their hands, holding to traditions of ancient elders. MK7:4 When they return from the market they do not eat without [ceremonially] washing their hands. And there are many other things[5] that they have received by tradition – the [ceremonial] washing of cups, pots, copper bowls and tables. MK7:5 So the Pharisees and Bible Copyists asked Jesus: “Why do your disciples not conduct themselves according to the traditions of the elders, but eat bread with defiled hands?” MK7:6 Jesus answered them and said: “Excellently has Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites, exactly as it has been written: ‘This people [of Israel] honors me with their lips, but their heart is distant from me. MK7:7 Their worship of Me is completely worthless,[6] because they teach as doctrine human commands.’[7] [Isaiah 29:13] MK7:8 You set aside the commandment of the God and [instead] hold fast to human traditions.”

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[1] Matthew 15:1-9: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Defiled hands: It does not mean “dirty” hands but those that have not been ceremonially washed.

[3] Washing them: Such a ceremonial ‘baptism’ was a rabbinical addition to the Law of Moses.[Luke 11:38] The Babylonian Talmud [Sotah 4b] placed such a violation equally with prostitution.

[4] Not in some manuscripts.

[5] Many other things: Beginning with about 200 Mosaic regulations, they swelled to 600, and then later 100,000.

[6] Their worship of Me is completely worthless: Or, in vain, empty show. The worship of God’s people is not automatically accepted as though there was nothing they could do wrong. Compare notes on James 1:27-29.

[7] They teach as doctrine human commands: Or, precepts. Those who worship God by means of human doctrines do so in vain. [1 Timothy 4:1-3]

 

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Preceding

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Review Questions on Chapter Six

Matthew 15 An argument with the Scribes – Teachers and traditions

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:7-13 – Apostles Sent Out by Twos

Mark 6:7-13 – Apostles Sent Out by Twos

|| Matthew 10:1, 9-14;[1] Luke 9:1-6

MK6:7 Then Jesus summoned the Twelve and started to send them forth two by two. He gave them authority over unclean demons, MK6:8 and commanded them to take nothing for their travels[2] except only a staff – no bread, no provisions sack, no copper money in their belts – MK6:9 but only sandals for their feet and no second under garment. MK6:10 Now he told them: “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you are finished. MK6:11 And, whoever will not welcome you, or listen to you, on leaving that village stamp the dust off your feet as a witness against them.” MK6:12 So the Twelve set out and preached that everyone should repent. MK6:13 Now they exorcised demons and anointed the sick with oil and healed them.

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[1] Matthew 10:1, 9-14: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Take nothing for their travels: Jesus explains his actions after his resurrection. He is trying to teach them a lesson of reliance on God. [Luke 22:35]

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Preceding

Mark 6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 6:1-6 – A Prophet Without Honor

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:35-41 – Who is This?

Mark 4:35-41 – Who is This?

|| Matthew 8:18, 23, 27;[1] Luke 8:22-25

MK4:35 Now that same day when it was night-time, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us go across the Sea of Galilee.” MK4:36 So after they dismissed the crowds, the disciples took Jesus away aboard a fishing boat. Also, other small fishing boats went with them. MK4:37 But, a great windstorm came up and the waves were smashing into the boat so that it was swamped. MK4:38 Jesus himself was in the stern asleep with his head on a cushion.[2] His disciples woke him up and yelled: “Lord, do you not care if we all perish!” MK4:39 So Jesus rose and then rebuked the wind, speaking to the sea: “Hush! Be quiet!” And the wind did stop and a perfect calm came over the sea. MK4:40 Jesus said to them: “Why are you so frightened? Have you no faith?” MK4:41 Then they were awestruck and said to one another: “Who really is this [person] that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

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[1] Matthew 8:18, 23, 27: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] With his head on a cushion: This little detail is not mentioned in Matthew and Luke.

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Preceding

Matthew 8:18-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Two Would-be Followers

Matthew 8:23-27 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus Calms a Stormy Sea

Matthew 14 – Faith Small and Great – Key words: Dynamic Works

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:1-9 – Teaching in Parables

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:10-13 – How Will You Understand?

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:14-20 – Sower Parable Explained

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:21-23 – Light Exposes

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:24, 25 – Hearing and Responsibility

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:26-29 – The Sleeping Farmer

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:30-32 – Kingdom Like a Mustard Seed

Mark 4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 4:33-34 – Public Parables, Private Teachings

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Additional reading

1. Fear in your own heart or outside of it
2. Why are you afraid?
3. So many being afraid – reason enough to step in the boat with Christ
4. “In The Midst Of The Storm”
5. Today’s thought “Stormy winds fulfilling his word” (February 2)
6. Today’s thought “Who then is this?” (February 8)

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Related articles

1. 3rd week of ordinary time – cycle 1- Saturday-gospel-reading Mark 4:35-41
2. Mark 4:35-41, let’s start
3. Mark 4:35-41 and some hard stuff
4. Mark 4:35-41 and a dead calm
5. Before and After Mark 4:35-41
6. Mark 4:35-41 and Footnotes
7. Text Study for Mark 4:35-41 (Pt. 1); 4 Pentecost B 2021
8. Text Study for Mark 4:35-41 (Pt. 2); 4 Pentecost B 2021
9. Text Study for Mark 4:35-41 (Pt. 3); 4 Pentecost B 2021
10. Afraid/Unafraid
11. Do Not Be Afraid
12. Text Study for Mark 35-41 (Pt. 4); 4 Pentecost B 2021
13. The sayings of Jesus- Steps to Finding Peace in the Storms of Life.
14. On a desert Lake in a sudden Storm
15. Job and Jesus and the Revelation of God
16. Faith Has Better Teeth — Saturday Sermons from the Sidelines
17. Kingdom Creating Connections
18. 12 Ordinary Time Sunday
19. Be Quiet, Be Still: A Homily for June 20, 2021
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21. Are We Going to Live in Fear or Faith?
22. Anchor Deep… and Hold On!
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24. Even the wind and the sea obey him; do you?
25. The Fear of the LORD
26. Jesus calms the storm
27. Calm Amid the Storm
28. Fear in the Storm
29. The Wednesday Word: Storms and the Majestic Saviour Part 1
30. The Wednesday Word: Storms and the Majestic Saviour Part 2
31. Mark 4:35-41 for real
32. Five Words
33. The Peace Speaker
34. Jesus is with us. There’s no need for fear.
35. Mark 4:35-41 in comparison
36. Singing in the Strain
37. The Eye of God in the Heart
38. Day 24: Beckoning
39. Morning Prayer for Friday January 22

Mark 3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 3:7-12 – Crowds Follow Jesus

Mark 3:7-12 – Crowds Follow Jesus

|| Matthew 12:15, 16;[1] Luke 6:17-19

MK3:7 Now Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the seashore and a large crowd from Galilee and from Judea followed him. MK3:8 And because they had heard such great things about Jesus numerous people from Jerusalem, Idumaea, and from beyond the Jordan, and others from Tyre and Sidon – all these came to him. MK3:9 Jesus told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crush of the crowd. MK3:10 For Jesus had healed so many sick people that the crowds pressed in upon him just to touch him. MK3:11 When [people possessed by] unclean demons saw him they fell down at his feet and cried aloud: “You are the Son of the God!”[2] MK3:12 So Jesus strictly commanded them not to reveal who he was.

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[1] Matthew 12:15, 16: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] You are the Son of the God: Some see this has a reference to Christ’s pre-existence. [Proverbs 8:22-30]

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Preceding

Mark 3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 3:1-6 – A Withered Hand Cured on the Sabbath

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Related

1. Can You Imagine?
2. Mark 3: Acknowledge the Lord