Mark lesson 26
Read Mark 11:27-12:12 – https://www.bible.com/bible/59/mrk.11.esv


Mark 11:27-33
Jesus' bold actions in the temple stirred opposition. The Jewish leaders thought that the temple belonged to them, so they questioned Jesus' right to come into it and make such drastic revisions. Jesus replied to their challenge with a question. He asked whether John's baptism came from God or men. They consulted among themselves and decided that it would be politically unwise to answer. Their refusal demonstrated that they were not sincerely seeking truth. Therefore, Jesus refused to answer their question.


Note -­‐-­‐ Jesus asked the Jewish leaders an outstanding question: Did John's baptism come from God or man? This is the question that we should ask about every religious practice. Anything that originates in man should be rejected; all that God commands should be carefully observed. There is an easy way for us to determine whether a given teaching or activity comes from God or man. Everything that comes from God is in the Bible. If a particular doctrine or practice is not in the Bible, it is not from God. We should verify everything we do by this simple test: Does it come from God or from man?


1. When Jesus asked the Jewish leaders about John's baptism, what two choices did He give for its origin? Answer. He asked whether it came from _____ or from _____
2. Why did Jesus refuse to answer the Jewish leaders' question? Answer: They proved they were dishonest because they refused to _____ His question.


Mark 12:1-12
Jesus told about a man who planted a vineyard, equipped it with first-­‐class installations and then rented it out. His rent was to be a share of the crop. When the harvest time arrived, he sent servants to collect, but the renters beat, mistreated and even killed them. Finally the owner of the vineyard sent his son to demand payment, but they killed him too. How outrageous! The owner would undoubtedly destroy his tenants and rent the vineyard out to others. The story meant this: God was the owner of the vineyard; the Jews were the renters. God blessed the Jews greatly and expected them to bear the fruit of righteousness, truth, mercy, etc. He sent prophets to collect this "fruit," but they were mistreated and killed. Finally He sent His son, Jesus, whom they murdered. God would certainly destroy the Jewish nation and give His blessings to others. The religious leaders understood that Jesus had spoken this story against them (12:12).


Note-­‐-­‐ God's stone: Jesus spoke of the stone the builders rejected which God used as His chief cornerstone (12:10-­‐11). H e was speaking of Himself, rejected by the Jewish leaders, but selected by God as the foundation of His great building. These words were being fulfilled as Christ spoke. The Jewish authorities, intent on building their own religion, decided Jesus was unsatisfactory-­‐-­‐He wasn't suitable for their building. God often reverses human values, however. That which men rejected, God chose and exalted above all (see Philippians 2:5-­‐11).


3. What did the renters not do to the ones sent to collect the fruit? a) mistreat, b) beat, c) kill, d) give the fruit. Answer: _____
4. Jesus spoke this parable to rebuke whom? a) His disciples, b) the religious leaders of the Jews, c) Old Testament prophets, d) no one. Answer: _____
5. In the Scripture about the stone rejected by the builders, the stone referred to whom (see also Acts 4:11)? Answer. The stone was _____ who was rejected by the Jews' religious leaders.