Mark lesson 18
Read Mark 8:1-21 – https://www.bible.com/bible/59/mrk.8.esv
Mark 8:1-10
Huge crowds were constantly following Jesus. On this occasion, they had
been in a wilderness area and hadn't eaten for three days. Jesus didn't
want to send them home hungry for fear they would faint during the trip.
So He asked for a food inventory: there were seven loaves and a few
small fish. Jesus directed the multitude to sit down, and then began
serving the food. Miraculously, the supply didn't dwindle. Each loaf
generated a large basketful of leftovers besides feeding 4000 men.
Jesus' power could not be disputed.
1. How many men did Jesus feed on this occasion? (a) 4000, (b) 5000, (c) 12, (d) none. Answer: _____
2. How many baskets of food were taken up from the seven loaves and few fish (v8)? Answer. _____ baskets.
Mark 8:11-‐21. Despite much evidence of Jesus' power and authority, the Pharisees challenged Him to show a sign from heaven. He refused their request. They were simply blind to all evidence and no sign would ever be enough to convince them. Then Jesus and His disciples began to cross the sea by boat. Jesus warned about the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. The disciples thought He was criticizing them for having forgotten to bring extra bread. Jesus knew what they were saying to each other, and rebuked their hard-‐heartedness. After all, He had twice produced enough food to feed thousands with abundant leftovers. They should have known that He could handle problems with insufficient food. His warning wasn't about the leaven of bread, but about the false teaching and hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Herod. Bad attitudes spread like leaven, and He was warned the disciples to avoid being contaminated by them.
3. What request did the Pharisees make that Jesus refused to grant? Answer: They wanted Him to perform a _____ from heaven.
4. What warning did Jesus give to His disciples? Answer: They should beware the _____ of the Pharisees.
5. In saying this, what did Jesus mean by "leaven" (see also Matt.
16:12; Luke 12:1)? Answer: He referred to their false _____ and their
_____.