Approved Workmen

A Bible Exposition of Mark 14:27-31

“It is a night that Peter will never forget… All week the feeling of

danger, the sense of threat, has been growing. Now, while those strange

words at the Passover table are still ringing in their ears, Jesus leads

them out of the city to camp under the trees. Outside the city gates, they

splash their way through the Kidron stream and make their way towards the

Mount of Olives. Numbers of others are doing the same—there just isn’t room

for all the festival crowds to stay within the city. Finally, at the foot

of the hill, perhaps twenty minutes’ walk out of the city, they arrive at

[the Mount of Olives]… an unforgettable night is about to take another

dramatic turn.”

Surely this night is unforgettable. That word hardly does justice as we

know what events are going to unfold. But at this point in the evening we

find ourselves in the middle of yet another argument. 

This time it isn’t the twelve disciples arguing with one another—it is

Jesus on one side and Peter on the other.

Each one is making a prediction. 

Jesus predicts failure, and Peter predicts success. Like two announcers

debating over who will win the big game, Jesus and Peter are at odds in

their conflicting predictions about the future. I called our outline a duel

because that’s what happens here—a back and forth.

4 Declarations from a Duel of Conflicting Predictions (27-31)

1. Jesus predicts the men’s defection and reinstatement (27-28)

He tells them all they are on the brink of a moral failure.

2. Peter pledges his devotion despite the others defecting (29)

Peter responds by elevating himself above the others. So, Jesus has to go

over-the-top.

3. Jesus portrays Peter’s downfall in painfully specific detail (30)

Rather than humbling him into silence or teachability, Peter digs in

deeper.

4. Peter promises utter dependability along with the others (31)

Mark 14:1–11—1Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 2for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people.”

3While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5“For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. 6But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. 7“For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. 8“She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9“Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

10Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

Mark 13:32-37

32“But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 33“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 34“It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. 35“Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’ ”

Jesus Gives 3 Urgings to Watchfulness in Light of His Immanent Return (32-37)

1. Be ready (33-34)

2. Be ready (35-36)

3. Be ready (37)

Jesus Finally Gives Three Details About the Day We’re All Waiting For (13:24-32)

1. The cosmic occasion of my return (24-27)

2. The clear indicators of my return (28-30)

3. The complete certainty of my return (31-32)

24“But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, 25AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26“Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. 27“And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

28“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29“Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30“Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

32“But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

33“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. 34“It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. 35“Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’ ”