Mark Vol. 3 - Week 2 (12:1-12)
Mark 12:1-12
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The King's Patience
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Mark 12:1-12 〰️ The King's Patience 〰️
In Mark 11, as they set out from Bethany, Jesus and His disciples came upon a fig tree. As they approached the tree, Jesus found it to be without fruit, only bearing leaves. At the sight of this, Jesus cursed the fig tree, saying, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" (v14). When they later returned to the tree, the disciples found it withered (v21). This portion of Mark takes place before and after Jesus' cleansing of the Temple when He overturns the tables of the moneychangers and vendors. Jordan Penley broke down this passage at the beginning of the year, and if you haven't had the chance, I encourage you to listen to it here (Spotify | Apple Podcast). The core message of 11:12-26 is that the holy temple of the Lord is not fulfilling its purpose. As with the fig tree, it appears to be healthy with leaves but is not producing fruit. What good is a fruit tree if it does not yield fruit? And so the temple and God's people have become like the barren fig tree, possessing the markings and appearance of a healthy community and synagogue, all while being plagued by cancer disease: sin. Individuals and religious leaders profit from the Law that God gave to draw His people closer through sacrifice and repentance. Instead, the temple has become a "den of theives." (Jer. 7:11).
And so that brings us to this week's passage, Mark 12:1-12. Again, as we go through God's Word, we must remember that when reading it in portions, we can easily miss parts of the author's intended continuity. The chapters and section headings are not from the original authors but are part of our contemporary parsing to aid in the reading and studying Scripture. This passage follows the story of Jesus and the fig tree. This story ends with Jesus' words, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." (11:33). In this parable in chapter 12, Jesus tells a parable about an owner who entrusts his vineyard to tenant farmers. The owner sent a servant to collect some of the fruit, but the tenants beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed.
All in all, the owner sent three servants to collect the fruit, but the first two were beaten and the last killed (v2-5). Finally, the owner sends his son. In this parable, we can understand the owner's son as our Lord, Jesus. As He concluded His last teaching by saying, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things" (11:33), we see Jesus teaching about His authority. Jesus plainly parallels the vineyard owner's son and Himself, condemning the religious leaders as the poor tenants. Jesus then asks those listening: "What then will the owner of the vineyard do?" He continues, saying, "[The owner] will come and kill the farmers and give the vineyard to others" (v9).
"This was a strong appeal for those plotting His death to consider the serious consequences of their actions. He saw Himself as the "only Son" sent by God (John 3:16). The rejection of the owner's son was really a rejection of the owner who would come with governmental authority and kill the murderous tenants and give the vineyard to others. Likewise the Jewish leaders' rejection of John the Baptist and of Jesus, God's final Messenger, was a rejection of God Himself. This would inevitably bring His judgment on Israel and would transfer their privileges to others temporarily," specifically the Gentiles (Romans 11:25, 31).¹
When we read passages like this, it can be hard to hear, causing some confusion among those of us who are younger in our walk with Jesus. We see so many stories and passages of the love of Christ, a very true and real part of God's character, but where there is conditionless love, there is also wrath. Jesus never shied away from the reality that life separated from God in sin (something we are born into) and rejecting God leads to punishment and atonement for that sin (Matt. 25:46, John 3:36). When we read that the vineyard owner "will come and kill the farmers and give the vineyard to others," it can be jarring, but we have to remember that we serve and obey a God of justice, and justice necessitates punishment for wrongdoing. Within this, we hold God's word to be infallible, or inerrant, that is, free of error (1 Pet. 1:19, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). So, as we read God's Word collectively and individually, we must do so with hearts ready to receive correction and guidance. As the saying goes, "The only theologian I'll completely agree with is myself."
As we close out of this passage, the hope we have is the reminder that God is patient and slow to anger!
"The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and fourth generations." (Numbers 14:18)
We serve a God who is patient with His children but will not be so forever. We can also rest comfortably in the knowledge that Christ died for our sins. Christ bore the wrath of God so we can be reunited with Him (Rom. 5:9).
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from the passage?
Does anything in this passage remind you of another part of Scripture?
Do you have any questions?
Why do you think Jesus always taught in parables rather than speaking plainly?
How did the religious leaders respond to Jesus teaching this parable? How is it different from previous parables or teachings?
Read Numbers 14:18. How does this passage connect to Mark 12:1-12?
How does this display God's patience towards us?
In what ways do you reject Jesus or forget the good nature of God?
1. John D. Grassmick, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 161.