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 1 – Additional Bible Students notes on Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

The voice of one crying in the desert to prepare the way of Jehovah, to make His paths straight for His sent one, was John the baptist, Jesus’ cousin, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, whilst the sent messenger of God so many times spoken off before, was coming to baptise the people in the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Pneuma or Holy Spirit) and in fire.

People from all the countryside of Judaea, and all the people of Jerusalem went out to this baptiser, to be baptised by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.

John the Baptist preached and gave notice that some one mightier would come after him, whose shoes he was not good enough to undo.

The men of God, called prophets, like Malachi and Isaiah, long ago wrote about it this way:

God said, ‘See, I send my man ahead of you to tell about you. He will make the way ready for you.

Malachi prophesied that before the great King should come unto Zion, a harbinger should come before him, to prepare his way.

John by his preaching turned the ears of the people to the sound of the gospel, and so prepared them for the coming Christ.

“29  The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptising with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”” (Joh 1:29-34 NIV)

The evangelist Mark tells us about that time when Jesus came from the town of Nazareth in the country of Galilee and asked John to baptise him in the Jordan River. In this text we also get already a signal about the baptism into death and the baptism of the Holy Spirit which are distinctly separate.

After the baptism of Jesus happened something which lots of Christians seem to forget (on purpose or not) or do not seem to understand God’s Words, though they very clearly declare who that man, standing in the River Jordan is.

As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, Jesus and the people around him, saw the sky opening. They could see God’s Holy Spirit come down on Jesus like a bird called a dove. And then sounded a voice from the sky which declared that this man standing in the water was His dear Son.

“13  Then Jesus *arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” 15 But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he *permitted Him. 16 And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”” (Mt 3:13-17 NAS)

So many, who call themselves “Christian” do not want to accept that Jesus is the son of God, but keep insisting that Jesus is God Himself, and not the one in Whom God is pleased. Though the Holy Scriptures gives a clear wording of God:

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying,

This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:17 AV)

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”” (Mt 3:17 NIV)

There is no reason at all that Jehovah would mislead people or would not tell the truth, because Jehovah God is a god of truth, not telling lies.

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Nu 23:19 AV)

“Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.” (Ps 89:35 AV)

“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” (Tit 1:2 AV)

In case Jesus would be God then when God would not be a liar He would have told the people that He was standing there. But Jehovah, the God above all gods said:

“And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” (Lu 3:22 AV)

Also on other occasions, we come to hear that Jesus is a servant chosen by god. The Bible nowhere tells us it would be God having come to be a servant of someone. In case Jesus would be God, than God’s Spirit is in Him always and then Jesus could not be killed, because man can do God nothing, and certainly can not kill God. But the God, Who cannot be seen by man, came over the Nazareen man who was seen by many, to give him authorisation. Jesus is not God but is the man who is loved by God and who received honour and glory from God.

“Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.” (Mt 12:18 AV)

“For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (2Pe 1:17 AV)

Throughout the rest of his gospel, the apostle Mark shows us what kind of Messiah this Nazarene man is. We also come to read in his gospel how people came to hear the words of Jesus, but did not want to agree with them. Also the words about his heavenly Father, the Only One True God, did not please them. About how to live life by following him was what many did not want and still do not want.

We should accept the words of God as the Words of Truth. As such we should see that beloved son of God in Jesus Christ and we should hear and listen to that beloved son of God.

“And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.” (Mr 9:7 AV)

We should “Listen to him!” (Mr 9:7 NIV) who was declared to be the son of God and who very well knew that God is much greater than him.

“”You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” (Joh 14:28 NIV)

“Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”” (Joh 20:17 NIV)

“Now I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” (1Co 11:3 NIV)

“When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” (1Co 15:28 NIV)

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,” (Php 2:6 NIV)

Therefore, let us always keep to the Words of God and believe Him Who does not tell lies. Today still too many people are blinded by the light of false human doctrines. They prefer to keep holding unto the human dogma of the Trinity. They also do not believe what the followers of Christ came to believe, like Peter did. Peter, after Jesus had asked him who he thought Jesus was, was convinced that Jesus is the Messiah or the Christ.

“29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”  (Mr 8:29 NIV)

A few days later Peter and his friends James and John are taken up a high mountain apart where they experience something incredible.

“1  And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Again we encounter a part in Scriptures which a lot of so-called Christians do not want to accept. Again there is God telling us that Jesus is His son, and again there are millions of Christians who ignore God’s saying.

7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

8 Suddenly, when they looked round, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”” (Mr 9:1-13 NIV)

When Jesus told that, he previously also had told about his coming end.

“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.” (Mr 8:31 NIV)

As such let us not only accept Jesus as the son of God, but let us also make his name and deeds be known all over the world, telling about the Good News he came to bring.

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Preceding

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:1-8 – The Beginning of the Good News

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:3-6 – John Preaches Baptism of Repentance

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Additional reading

1. Who do you say Jesus is
2. Jesus son of God
3. Jesus son of God or God the son
4. Thought for the Christmas time: A sense of history
5. The place where Jesus was brought up
6. When you believe Jesus is God: who do you think is the mediator? #1 Son of man
7. Truth, doubt or blindness
8. Trinity
9. Trinity – the Truth about God
10. Behind a False doctrine – the Trinity
11. Trinity matter
12. Trinity – history
13. Jesus Christ, his Mission, Life and Work

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John the Baptist baptizing in the Jordan River by Good News Productions International from FreeBibleImages.com (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Further related

1. The Rainbow and the Dove
2. The Baptism of Jesus
3. The Baptism of Jesus – the Revised Common Lectionar
4. The Baptism of Our Lord: To Fulfill All Righteousness
5. Baptism | Matthew 3:13-17
6. Sunday Reading: The Baptism of the Lord (Mark 1:7-11)
7. Baptism of the Lord, Yr B, 2021: Gospel Passage – We receive baptism, again
8. Following Jesus in Prayer
9. Indentification
10. By what Authority
11. The Son of God
12. My Beloved Son
13. Matthew 3: Repent of Your Sins and Trust Jesus or Face the Unquenchable Fire
14. The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus.
15. Read the instructions…
16. What is God
17. Potential Unleashed
18. Problem with Christians
19. Underwater
20. Feast of the Baptism – One with Us
21. The Heart’s Transformation
22. Metaphors for Baptism (Part 2): The Baptism of Jesus
23. Christ-Light Connections: The Baptism of Jesus & The Temptation of Jesus
24. No Regret This Time
25. Meeting Jesus In-Between

Matthew 17:10-13 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Elijah Has Already Come

Matthew 17:10-13 – Elijah Has Already Come

|| Mark 9:9-13

MT17:10 Now the disciples inquired of Jesus, asking, “Why do the Scribes[1] say it is necessary for Elijah[2] to come first?” [Malachi 4:5] MT17:11 Jesus answered them, saying: “Indeed, Elijah is coming[3] and will restore everything.[4] MT17:12 But, I tell you: Elijah has already arrived[5] and they did not acknowledge him;[6] rather, they treated him as they wished.[7] And just so the Son of Humankind is about to suffer because of them.”[8] MT17:13 Finally the disciples understood that Jesus spoke to them about John the Baptist.

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[1] Scribes: Search the word scribe for notes elsewhere. Or, NEB: teachers.

[2] Elijah: Likely this prophet is raised as a result of the vision. We may suppose only the three disciples were asking the question. On Elijah research the name for other notes.

[3] Elijah is coming: Judging from Jesus’ words may we suppose there are two “Elijahs”? One to appear before the desolation of Jerusalem (Malachi 4:5). And, still another before the Parousia of Christ (Revelation 11:4, 5). The Nazarene does not mean the literal prophet but something like him.

[4] Restore everything: Or, NEB: set everything right; GDSP: reform everything; RIEU: reestablish everything. Compare Acts 3:21. Malachi 4:6 foretold the result of Elijah’s coming:

“He must turn the heart of fathers back toward sons, and the heart of sons back toward fathers.”

If this be the ‘restoration’ it deals strongly with family relationships and involves love. If we were to also apply Isaiah 40:5 to the coming of Elijah then this also would be involved: “The glory of Jehovah will certainly be revealed, and all flesh must see it together.” Additionally, consider Malachi 3:1-4: “And suddenly there will come to His temple the [true] Lord, whom you people are seeking, and the messenger of the covenant in whom you are delighting. Look! He will certainly come,” Jehovah of armies has said. “But who will be putting up with the day of his coming, and who will be the one standing when he appears? For he will be like the fire of a refiner and like the lye of laundrymen. And he must sit as a refiner and cleanser of silver and must cleanse the sons of Le’vi; and he must clarify them like gold and like silver, and they will certainly become to Jehovah people presenting a gift offering in righteousness. And the gift offering of Judah and of Jerusalem will actually be gratifying to Jehovah, as in the days of long ago and as in the years of antiquity.” (NWT) The ‘restoration’ not only involves family relationships but also the true Temple and the cleansing of the People of God. Compare Revelation 11:1-12; 11:19.

[5] Elijah has already arrived: See notes on Matthew 11:14 and Matthew 16:14 and the name Elijah elsewhere.

[6] They did not acknowledge him: “They” includes the Scribes. Or, KJV: knew him not; RHM: they recognized him not.

[7] They treated him as they wished: Or, KJV: have done unto him whatsoever they listed; RHM: did with him whatsoever they pleased; MOF: they have worked their will on him; KNX: misused him at their pleasure. “They” imprisoned and then beheaded John the Baptist.

[8] Suffer because of them: This is the second of two times Jesus mentions his foretold ‘suffering.’ (see notes at Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 17:25) That the Messiah would “suffer” is foretold by Psalm 22:1+ and Isaiah 53:1+. Compare also Isaiah 50:6 and Daniel 9:26.

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Preceding

Matthew 17:1-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Transfiguration Vision

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Related

1. Will Elijah Come Again? No, Elijah has already come.
2. Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
3. Jesus talks about Elijah