The Gospel according to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary) by Edwards Jr. James R

Author:Edwards Jr., James R.
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0802837344
Publisher: Eerdmans Publishing Co - A
Published: 2009-10-05T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Jesus and the Sanhedrin

MARK 11:27–12:44

This section continues and contributes to the larger theme of Mark 11–13 that is defined by Jesus’ opposition to and rejection of the temple. Mark 11:1-26 adumbrated the end of the temple system, which, in the person and work of Jesus, was “withered from the roots” (11:20). Beginning in 11:27, Mark presents a series of seven conflict stories between Jesus and the religious leaders. These conflicts extend to the end of chap. 12 and resemble the conflict stories of 2:1-3:6. As in the earlier Galilean controversies, in the Jerusalem controversies Jesus acts with incomparable authority, providing both hearers and readers with glimpses of his messianic and filial consciousness; but unlike the Galilean controversies, the Jerusalem controversies are all set in the temple and in opposition to the powerful religious authorities housed there. In the present section Mark moves from Jesus’ opposition to the temple complex to the religious leaders themselves. The religious authority that Jesus opposes is centered in the Sanhedrin, the influential judicatory of seventy-one leaders that dominated Jewish religious and even political life to some degree. The Sanhedrin is presupposed in the controversy in 11:17-33 and in the parable in 12:1-12. Three subsequent stories are targeted to Pharisees (12:13-17), Sadducees (12:18-27), and scribes (12:28-40), the three groups that comprised the Sanhedrin. Traps are laid and snares are set to catch the Galilean teacher. Even more remarkable than their cleverness are Jesus’ responses. He does not mount a counterstrategy of evasion and escape. Rather, he joins the field in a final attempt to reveal himself rather than defend himself to those who would judge him rather than understand him. The section concludes with a story of a powerless and penniless widow in 12:41-44 whose faith moved her to give her whole life, an ironic but crowning contrast to the powerful but faithless religious authorities.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.