Jesus Begins His Final Journey to Jerusalem On The Road To The Cross and Spends Much Time in Teaching His Disciples And Disputing With His Enemies In Readiness For That Event, For He Is Giving His Life As A Ransom For Many (9:33-12:44).
Having returned to Capernaum Jesus now has His face set towards Jerusalem, and in Mark 9:33-50 He will lay the foundation by pointing out the fact that all must look to and respond to His Name, and the dangers inherent in not doing so. Then He will advance into Judaea, and by Mark 10:32 His journey to Jerusalem is clearly well under way. He will, of course, continue to prepare His disciples for what lies ahead, but it does not mean that He will neglect seekers. Crowds will still gather to hear Him and He will minister to them (Mark 10:1). And then once He reaches Jerusalem and enters in triumph (Mark 11:1-17) the opposition will become loud and clear as He refutes and puts to flight His opponents (Mark 11:27 to Mark 12:44). But He is well aware that their rejection of Him can only mean one thing. They will determine to put Him to death (Mark 11:18).
Analysis of 9:33-12:44. Jesus' Ministry from Capernaum to Jerusalem.
a The disciples are caught out discussing which of them is the greatest, and learn that those who would be greatest must be the servant of all, being receptive even of little children in His Name (Mark 9:33-37).
b They must receive those whose successful activity in His Name proves their genuineness even though they do not directly follow them (Mark 9:38-40).
c One who gives a cup of cold water to a disciple because he bears the Name of the Messiah will not lose his reward (Mark 9:41).
d Jesus describes those who are especially displeasing to God. It is those who cause others who believe in Jesus to sin, and He emphasises the necessity of avoiding such behaviour at whatever cost, for such people are bound for Gehenna (Mark 9:42-50).
e Jesus speaks about marriage and divorce. Faithfulness in marriage is a creation ordinance binding in this world and must be restored (Mark 10:1-12).
f Those who do not receive the Kingly Rule of God like a little child will not enter it. The example is given of the rich young man, and the danger of riches, which must be put completely at God's service, is emphasised (Mark 10:13-31).
g Jesus will be rejected, arrested, sentenced and executed, but will rise again (Mark 10:32-34).
h God's servants prove to be self-seeking. First James and John, and then all the disciples, reveal that their motives concerning the Kingly Rule of God are wrong, and learn that they should be true servants like the Son of Man Who came to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 9:35-45).
i Jesus heals a blind man who recognises Him as the son of David and reveals His authority by entering Jerusalem on an asses' colt, where the crowds also hail Him as the son of David, but Jerusalem is blind to His true worth (Mark 10:46 to Mark 11:10).
j Jesus looks round the Temple, and then looks at the fig tree (a symbol of the Temple) and declares it fruitless. No one will ever eat fruit of it again (Mark 11:11-14).
k Jesus cleanses the Temple because it is meant to be a House of Prayer for all nations, and arouses the hostility of the Chief Priests (Mark 11:15-19).
j The fig tree is found to be withered and Jesus speaks of casting a mountain into the sea, symbolic of judgment on Jerusalem which has ceased to fulfil its purpose (Mark 11:20-26).
i Jesus is asked concerning His authority and demonstrates the hypocrisy of the question by demonstrating the blindness of the Sanhedrin concerning John the Baptiser (Mark 11:27-33).
h The parable concerning the false servants who are blind to the truth and who fail to render their due and therefore kill the son because they do not want to submit to him (Mark 12:1-11).
g The stone which the builders rejected will be made the chief cornerstone. They try to arrest Jesus, but fail (Mark 12:12).
f The question of payment of tribute raises the question of the need to give to God what is His and of the right use of riches (Mark 12:13-17).
e Jesus is challenged on a matter concerning marriage. In the resurrection world there is no marriage (Mark 12:18-27).
d Jesus describes those who are totally pleasing to God because they love God and their neighbour. People who see and respond to this enter the Kingly Rule of God (Mark 12:28-34).
c Jesus cites a Psalm of David in order to demonstrate that the Messiah is David's lord (Mark 12:35-37).
b They are to beware of those who make much of themselves and put on a pretence of piety (Mark 12:38-40).
a The widow who gives her all, even though it be a pittance, gives more than all who give bountifully from their riches (Mark 12:41-44).
Note that in ‘a' it is those who are humble in His Name who are the greatest, and in the parallel the widow who gives two small coins is the greatest giver. In ‘b' they must receive all who genuinely operate in His Name and in the parallel they are to beware of those who instead make much of themselves. In ‘c' even to give a cup of cold water in the Name of the Messiah will be rewarded, and in the parallel the Messiah is seen to be David's Lord. In ‘d' those who cause little ones who believe in Him to sin will receive the greatest condemnation and enter Gehenna, while in the parallel those who truly love God and their neighbour will enter the Kingly Rule of Heaven. In ‘e' marriage is reinstated on earth, and in the parallel it does not take place in Heaven. In ‘f' response to God must come before wealth, and in the parallel men must give what is due to God. In ‘g' Jesus declares that He will be rejected, arrested, sentenced and executed, but will rise again, and in the parallel the stone which the builders rejected is to be made the chief cornerstone and an attempt is made to arrest Him which fails. But their intent is clear. In ‘h' the eyes of the disciples need to be opened to what their true responsibilities are and to Who He is, and in the parable the wicked tenants also fail to recognise their responsibilities and are blind to Who He is. In ‘i' Jesus reveals His authority by riding into Jerusalem on an asses' colt, and in the parallel He is questioned concerning that authority and rebuts His questioners. In ‘j' Jesus looks round the Temple, and then at the fig tree, and recognises that both are fruitless, and in the parallel the fruitless fig tree has withered and the mountain will be cast into the sea. Centrally in ‘k' the Lord suddenly comes to His Temple. He cleanses the Temple in order that it might be a house of prayer.