 |
| MARK |
| Explanatory Footnotes |
| 3:21 Out of His Mind? Jesus provoked a strong reaction in just about everyone. In this instance, Jesus' own family members questioned his sanity, and teachers of the law wondered about demon possession. He aroused the fiercest opposition among his own neighbors and among the religious "professionals" of his day. But, as Mark shows, throngs of other people were amazed by his authoritative teaching and his mircaulous powers. Personal contact with Jesus left virtually no one unmoved. 4:30 Scarce Parables Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark devotes little space to parables, the unique form of teaching Jesus often relied on. Yet Mark includes as many miracles as does any Gospel. Clearly, this book emphasizes action over words. 6:31 The Need to Get Away Mark graphically shows the press of the crowds around Jesus. Wherever he went, people followed, bringing him the sick to heal and challenging him with questions. In five separate places (3:7-9; 6:31; 6:45; 7:24; 9:30) Mark records that Jesus took his disciples aside to some quiet place, to escape the crush of the crowd. 7:3 Explaining Jewish Customs The parenthetical remark in verses 3-4 explains a common Jewish custom of ceremonial hand-washing. Such remarks as these indicate Mark was writing to a non-Jewish audience who needed background explanation. 8:29 Peter Learns Humility Most scholars believe that Mark got his eyewitness details from the disciple Peter. If so, the book reveals something about how Peter changed. Mark tells of three separate instances when Jesus rebuked Peter (see, for example, |