124: “Do not Defraud” — the Rich Man’s Challenge (aposterein) (Mark 10:19)
When Jesus responds to the question of the rich man in Mark 10:18-19, he reviews five of the ten commandments. However, where we would expect the wording of the tenth commandment to occur (“do not covet”), Mark’s narrative incorporates entirely different wording. Jesus’ query includes the prohibition “do not defraud (aposterēsēis),” which is then followed [...]
113. The Spirit is Willing (promuthos, Mark 14:38/Matthew 26:41)
One of the last things that Jesus says to some of his disciples prior to the cross is found in Mark 14:38/Matthew 26:41. The text is identical in both Gospels. Jesus has just finished the Passover meal with his disciples, led them outside of Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives, and then into the garden [...]
107. What’s the Difference? Diastolē in Paul’s Letters and Diastellō in Mark’s Gospel.
Three times in his letters Paul used the noun diastolē (Romans 3:22; 10:12; 1 Corinthians 14:7). This noun is translated in the New International Version (NIV) as “difference” or “distinction” The cognate verb diastellō occurs more frequently in the New Testament, but primarily in the middle voice with the sense “give orders to, instruct strictly.” [...]
103. “Lording it Over” (katakurieuō) in Mark 10:42 and 1 Peter 5:3
When you read Jesus’ words in Mark 10:42-45 you probably think that Jesus is contrasting the abusive leadership of national leaders with the serving leadership he demands in his Kingdom. However, it is probable that Jesus is not commenting on abusive leadership, per se, but rather the absolute power of lordship that national leaders had and is contrasting that with the serving, slave-minded attitude of his Kingdom leaders.
101. Jesus’ Sorrow in Gethsemane (Mark 14:33-36)
Jesus’ actions in Gethsemane hold many mysteries. Expositors normally account for Jesus’ grief and sorrow by relating it directly to his personal angst over the imminent horror of the crucifixion. I have no doubt that the cross contained more then enough grief to overwhelm anyone, and in Jesus’ case his punishment for human sin made [...]
100. The “Spirit (pneuma) of Jesus” in Mark’s Gospel (Mark 2:8; 8:12)
The Gospel writer, Mark, used psychological terms sparingly and carefully in reference to Jesus. For example, the word kardia is never applied to Jesus because the human heart is “evil” (Mark 7:19,21), “hardened” (3:5; 6:52; 8:17) and “disputatious” (2:6,8; 11:23), “far from God” in Isaiah’s language (Mark 7:6 quoting Isaiah 29:13). The term psuchē tends [...]
93. “Astonishment” or “Bewilderment” – ekstasis in Mark’s Gospel (Mark 5:42; 16:8)
Mark 16:8 is regarded by many as the closing verse of that Gospel, with verses 9-20 considered a later addition to bring Mark’s story of Jesus into conformity with those written by Matthew and Luke, i.e. to include stories of resurrection and commission. The interpretation of this verse then, if it is the verse that Mark intended [...]
79. Casting Out Demons – A New Authority (ekballō Mark 1:34)
Ten times (twelve if we add the references in 16:9,17) Mark’s Gospel describes the exorcisms accomplished by Jesus or his follows as “casting out (ekballein) a demon (or demons).”1 In a short note Graham Twelftree2 says that this is “the first time it [ekballein] is used in relationship to exorcism.” Matthew used similar language thirteen [...]