Reading for January 15th

Read Mark 12.13-17 Paying taxes. 
See comment on Mt 22.15-22 (Lk 20.20-26).
In verses 18-27 Angelic bodies.
See comment on Mt. 22.23-33 (Lk 20.27-40).
In verses 28-34 The great commandment.
See comment on Mt 22.34-30 (Lk 10.25-28).
Comments or Questions...

Reading for January 14th

Read Mark 12.1-12 (Mt 21.33-46; Lk 20.9-19) The parable of the vineyard.
In Isa 5.1-7 the vineyard represents Israel.
In verse 6 beloved son echoes the baptism (1.11) and transfiguration (9.7).
In verse 7 a reference to the cross is unavoidable.
In verse 10 cites Ps 118.22-23 (Septuagint).
The chief priests, scribes, and elders recognize they are the "tenants."
Comments or Questions...

Reading for January 13th

Read Mark 11.27-33 (Mt 21.23-27; Lk 20.1-8; Jn 2.18-22) Temple teachings.
In verse 29 Jesus answers a question with a question and so avoids his interlocutors' trap
(see 12.13-17).
Jesus speaks not on the authority of his teachers (see 1.22) but on his own.
Comments or Questions...

Reading for January 12th

Read Mark 11.12-25
In verses 12-14 (Mt 21.18-20; Lk 13.6-9) Cursing the fig tree.
Mark may intend the tree to symbolize Jerusalem; its cursing and withering (11.20) frame Jesus' entry into the city.
Like the tree, the city fails to bear fruit; much of Jerusalem was destroyed during the war against Rome in 66-70 CE.
In verses 15-19 (Mt 21.12-17; Lk 19.45-48; Jn 2.13-25) The Temple protest.
See comment on Mt 21.12-13.
In verse 17 See Isa. 56.7; Jer 7.11.
The Temple was a house of prayer for all the nations; the scene is set in the Court of the Gentiles.
In verse 18 the crowds support Jesus; the chief priests are scribes replace the Pharisees as Jesus' opponents.
In verses 20-25 The dead fig tree.
The two-stage miracle (see 8.22-26) frames the entry into Jerusalem.
In verse 21 Rabbi means "my teacher."
In verses 24-25 Mark frequently highlights prayer (1.35; 9.29; 11.17); the verses echo the Lord's Prayer (see Mt. 6.9-13; Lk 11.2-4).
Comments or Questions...

Reading for January 11th

Read Mark 11.1-11 (Mt 21.1-11; Lk 19.28-38; Jn 12.12-18) Entering Jerusalem.
Mark does not specify whether Jesus had friends in Jerusalem or whether his command
was based on foreknowledge.
The colt recollects Zech 9.9 and thereby has messianic and royal implications.
In verse 10 On David, see comment on 10.47.
Comments or Questions...

Reading for January 10th

Read Mark 10.46-52 (Mt 20.29-34; Lk 18.35-43) Bartimaeus.
Bartimaeus means son of Timaeus; Mark explains the Aramaic formulation.
In verse 47 Son of David indicates Jesus' messianic kingship, which takes on
heightened political implications as Jesus nears Jerusalem.
In verse 48 here the crowd ironically invokes the secrecy motif.
Comments or Questions...

Reading for January 9th

Read Mark 10.32-45. 32-34 (Mt 20.17-19; Lk 18.31-34) The third passion prediction.
In verse 32 fear marks the disciples throughout the rest of the gospel.
In verses 35-45 (Mt 20.20-28; Lk 22.24-27) James and John.
The disciples have yet to learn Jesus' lessons of self-loss and humility;
Matthew protects their role by assigning the question to their mother.
In verse 45 ransom is paid to release captives and slaves; from whom or what
Jesus' death purchases release (Satan? sin?) is not specified (see comment on Mt 20.28).
Comments or Questions...