Download: Anointing and Last Supper

This section of Mark initiates the Passion narrative and is rich with irony, contrast, and prophetic fulfillment. Jesus is surrounded by plots of betrayal, yet he remains composed and purposeful. Acts of devotion (the anointing) are set against treachery (Judas’s betrayal), and the Last Supper becomes both a moment of intimate fellowship and the announcement of looming failure among the disciples

Narrative Function in the Gospel of Mark

Mark 14:1-31 functions as the emotional and contextual setup for Jesus’ subsequent arrest and crucifixion.

Religious leaders scheme to arrest and kill Jesus but want to avoid doing it during the Passover festival to prevent unrest in Jerusalem.

Narrative Contribution:

At a meal in Bethany, an unnamed woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume. Some present criticize her for waste, but Jesus defends her, saying she has anointed him for burial.

Narrative Contribution:

Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, seeks out the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus for money.

Narrative Contribution:

Jesus sends two disciples ahead to prepare the Passover meal, giving them specific instructions that unfold just as he said they would.

Narrative Contribution:

At the table, Jesus announces that one of the Twelve sitting there will betray him. The disciples are distressed and begin asking if it is them. Jesus confirms the betrayer is one “dipping bread into the bowl” with him.

Narrative Contribution:

During the meal, Jesus takes bread and wine and redefines them as his body and blood—symbols of the new covenant.

Narrative Contribution:

After singing a hymn, Jesus predicts that all his disciples will fall away (quoting Zech. 13:7). Peter insists he will remain faithful, even to death, but Jesus prophesies Peter’s threefold denial before the rooster crows twice.

Narrative Contribution:

Download: The End Times

Mark 13 records Jesus’ final and most extended teaching in the Gospel, delivered privately to four of his disciples (Peter, James, John, and Andrew) on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the temple. It is apocalyptic in tone, echoing Old Testament prophetic texts (especially Daniel) and anticipating both the destruction of Jerusalem and Jesus’ future return. This chapter transitions the narrative from public confrontation to private instruction, preparing the disciples for coming tribulations.

Mark 13 serves as both a prophetic warning and a discipleship manual:

As the disciples marvel at the grandeur of the temple, Jesus stuns them by predicting its total destruction—“not one stone will be left on another,” which could be seen as a reversal of Haggai’s rallying cry, “one stone was laid upon another” (Hag. 2:15-19).

Narrative Contribution:

Jesus warns of false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, and persecution—but calls these “the beginning of birth pains.” He urges disciples to stay faithful, proclaim the good news, and endure.

Narrative Contribution:

Jesus references a defiling event (“abomination of desolation”) in the holy place, urging for people to flee when they see it. These days will be marked by great distress, deception, and danger.

Narrative Contribution:

The Son of Man will come “in clouds with great power and glory” to gather his elect.

Narrative Contribution:

Jesus uses a parable about fig trees to teach discernment—when you see signs, you know that “it” is near.

Narrative Contribution:

Jesus declares that only the Father knows the exact timing of the end of the age—not even the angels or the Son. Therefore, he exhorts his disciples to stay awake, like servants awaiting the master’s return.

Narrative Contribution:

Download: Parables and Confrontation

Mark 12:1–44 is a dense and powerful chapter that continues Jesus’ final public teachings in Jerusalem during Holy Week, just days before his crucifixion. Each section contributes both to the escalating tension with the religious leaders and to Mark’s overarching themes: the authority of Jesus, the rejection of religious hypocrisy, and the redefinition of true faithfulness to God.

Mark 12 acts as a climactic moment in Jesus’ public ministry:

Jesus tells a parable about a vineyard owner (God) who leases the vineyard (Israel) to tenants (religious leaders). When he sends servants (prophets) to collect fruit, they’re beaten or killed. Finally, he sends his son (proleptically Jesus), who is also killed. The owner will destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution to Mark:

Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus by asking if it’s lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Jesus replies, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution to Mark:

Sadducees (who deny resurrection) pose a hypothetical question about marriage in the kingdom as an attempt to discredit the belief in the resurrection. Jesus responds by affirming the resurrection and correcting their misunderstanding about Scripture and God’s power.

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution to Mark:

A scribe asks Jesus which commandment is greatest. Jesus replies: love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. The scribe affirms Jesus’ answer.

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution to Mark:

Jesus asks how the Messiah can be David’s son if David calls him “Lord” (quoting Psalm 110).

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution to Mark:

Jesus denounces scribes for hypocrisy, pride, and exploitation—especially of widows.

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution to Mark:

Jesus observes people giving in the temple. A poor widow gives two small coins—all she has—while the rich give much out of abundance. Jesus praises her as giving more than all the rest.

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution to Mark:

Download: Arrival and Controversy in Jerusalem

Mark 11:1–33 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of Mark. It begins the final week of Jesus’ life (commonly called Passion Week), shifting the focus from Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee and surrounding areas to his confrontation with Jerusalem’s religious authorities. Here’s a breakdown of the major sections, their theological significance, and how they contribute to Mark’s overall narrative:

Mark 11 thus serves as a theological and narrative hinge. It dramatically launches the final act of the Gospel, transitioning from the revelation of who Jesus is to why he must suffer and die.

Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a colt, fulfilling messianic prophecy (Zech 9:9). The crowd welcomes him with shouts of “Hosanna!” and spreads cloaks and branches on the road in front of him.

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution in Mark:

Jesus curses a fig tree for not bearing fruit, even though it’s not the season for figs. Later, the tree is found withered.

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution in Mark:

Jesus drives out money changers and sellers, condemning the temple as a “den of robbers” instead of a “house of prayer for all nations.”

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution in Mark:

In response to the withered fig tree, Jesus teaches about the power of faith, the importance of prayer, and the necessity of forgiveness.

Theological Significance:

Narrative contribution in Mark:

Religious leaders challenge Jesus’ authority. Jesus counters with a question about John the Baptist’s authority, exposing their fear and hypocrisy.

Theological Significance:

Narrative Role:

Download: Discipleship and the Kingdom

As Jesus travels to Judea, the Pharisees test him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (v. 2). Jesus responds by pointing them back to creation, saying that God made male and female to become one flesh (vv. 6–8), and what God has joined, no one should separate (v. 9). Privately, he tells the disciples that divorce followed by remarriage is adultery (vv. 11–12).

People bring children to Jesus, but the disciples rebuke them. Jesus is indignant and says, “Let the children come to me… for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (v. 14). He says whoever doesn’t receive the kingdom like a child will not enter it (v. 15), and he blesses the children.

A man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life (v. 17). Jesus reminds him of the commandments, which he claims to have kept. Jesus tells him that he lacks something: Go and sell all he has, give to the poor, and come follow him (v. 21). The man goes away sorrowful because he has great wealth (v. 22). Jesus remarks how hard it is for the rich to enter God’s kingdom (v. 23), he but adds that “all things are possible with God” (v. 27). He assures the disciples that sacrifices for the kingdom will be rewarded.

This passage follows the encounter with the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17–22), who walks away sorrowful because he is unwilling to part with his wealth to follow Jesus. Seeing this, Jesus turns to His disciples and says:

As they go up to Jerusalem, Jesus again predicts his death: he will be mocked, flogged, killed, and rise after three days (v. 34). The disciples are amazed and afraid (v. 32).

James and John ask to sit at Jesus’ right and left in glory (v. 37). Jesus questions whether they can drink his cup and be baptized with his baptism (v. 38). They affirm, and he states that they, indeed, say so, but granting positions of honor is not his to give (v. 40). The other disciples are indignant. Jesus teaches that greatness comes through serving others (v. 43) and that even he came to serve and give his life as a ransom (v. 45).

As Jesus passes through Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v. 47). The crowd tries to silence him, but he cries out all the more. Jesus calls him over and asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus asks to see again, and Jesus heals him, saying, “Your faith has made you well” (v. 52). He follows Jesus on the way.

Download: The Christ Prediction of Death and Glory

As Jesus and his disciples travel to the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asks them, “Who do people say I am?” (v. 27). They answer with names like John the Baptist, Elijah, or a prophet. Jesus then asks, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replies, “You are the Christ” (v. 29). Jesus warns them not to tell anyone about him (v. 30).

Right after the affirmation of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah (“Christ”), Jesus teaches his disciples plainly that he must suffer, be rejected, killed, and then rise from the dead after three days (v. 31). Peter takes him aside and rebukes him. Jesus responds forcefully: “Get behind me, Satan!” (v. 33), accusing Peter of setting his mind on human concerns rather than God’s.

Jesus calls the crowd and disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him (v. 34). He warns that trying to save one’s life will lead to loss and asks what profit is there in gaining the world but forfeiting one’s own soul (v. 36). He also promises some will not taste death before seeing the kingdom having come with power (9:1).

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain, where he is transfigured—his clothes become dazzling white (v. 3). Moses and Elijah appear, speaking with him. A cloud overshadows them, and a voice says, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him” (v. 7). As they descend, Jesus tells them not to tell anyone until after his resurrection (v. 9).

Returning to the crowd, Jesus finds his disciples arguing with scribes. A man brings his demon-possessed son, whom the disciples could not heal. Jesus laments the unbelief of the generation (v. 19). The father cries, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (v. 24). Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, and the boy is healed. Jesus explains that this kind only comes out by prayer (v. 29).

Jesus again tells his disciples he will be delivered, killed, and will rise. They do not understand and are afraid to ask.

Jesus asks the disciples what they were discussing—though he knows they were arguing about who was greatest (v. 34). He tells them that true greatness is found in being the servant of all (v. 35). He takes a child in his arms, saying that welcoming a child is like welcoming Jesus—and even God.

John reports that someone was casting out demons in Jesus’ name and they tried to stop him. Jesus says not to hinder such a person—anyone doing a mighty work in his name will not soon speak evil of him (v. 39). He promises the certainty of a reward for anyone giving a cup of water to his followers in his name (v. 41).

Jesus warns that causing “little ones” (i.e., referring to Jesus’ followers) to sin is gravely serious (v. 42). He uses hyperbolic language—cutting off a hand or plucking out an eye—to emphasize the urgency of avoiding sin (vv. 43–48). He closes with cryptic sayings about being salted with fire and having salt among yourselves.

Download: Miracles and Misunderstanding

After feeding the 5,000, Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat while he prays alone. During the night, he walks on the water toward them, calms their fear, and joins them in the boat, astonishing them.

At Gennesaret, people bring the sick to Jesus, believing that even touching his cloak can heal them — and many are healed.

This episode underlines the spread of Jesus’ fame and the popular, almost superstitious, expectations around him. It’s a bridge scene showing how the crowds respond to his power.

God’s healing power works through Jesus, emphasizing his compassion. But it also raises questions about the crowd’s faith — are they seeking God or just the miraculous?

The Pharisees criticize Jesus’ disciples for eating with unwashed hands. Jesus rebukes them for focusing on human traditions while neglecting God’s commands. He teaches that defilement comes from within the heart, not through external things.

Jesus redefines purity, focusing on inner moral corruption rather than ritual observance. This prepares the way for the inclusion of Gentiles and a shift from old covenant practices to the new covenant, heart-centered righteousness.

A Gentile woman begs Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. At first, Jesus seems to refuse, speaking of Israel’s priority. But her persistent faith leads him to heal her child.

This episode challenges traditional Jewish-Gentile boundaries and anticipates the expansion of the good news and the power of God’s kingdom beyond Israel.

Faith, not ethnicity or genealogy, opens the door to God’s blessings. Jesus’ initial refusal tests the woman’s persistence, and her attitude and reply hints at the forthcoming inclusion of believing Gentiles as God’s people too.

In the Decapolis, Jesus heals a man who cannot hear or speak by touching the man and using a single word (“Ephphatha,” meaning “Be opened!”), leading to amazement among the people.

This healing reflects Isaiah’s prophecies (e.g., Isa. 35:5–6) about the coming Messianic Age when the deaf hear and the mute speak. It’s another sign pointing to Jesus’ messianic role and the power of God’s kingdom that is working through him.

Jesus fulfills messianic hopes and prophecies, showing the restorative power of God’s kingdom.

A large crowd gathers, and Jesus, moved with compassion, multiplies seven loaves and a few fish to feed them all, with leftovers.

This second feeding miracle (after the feeding of 5,000) emphasizes Jesus’ care for Gentile crowds (in the Decapolis region). It mirrors God’s provision in the wilderness for Israel during the time of the exodus from Egypt.

Jesus provides abundantly for all people (not just Israelites), foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan. It also reinforces Jesus’ identity as the new Moses, providing “bread” for God’s people.

Pharisees demand a sign from heaven to test Jesus. He refuses, sighing deeply at their lack of faith, and then just departs and leaves them.

The Jewish religious leaders demand proof from heaven, but all the while when Jesus is teaching and doing miracles, they are remaining spiritually blind. This reflects the opposition Jesus faces and sets up the growing tension with the religious authorities.

True faith does not come from signs but from humility to perceive what God is doing. Jesus critiques their hardened hearts that demand miracles while ignoring God’s clear work right in front of them.

In the boat, Jesus warns the disciples about the “yeast of the Pharisees and Herod” — their corrupting influence. The disciples misunderstand Jesus; they think he’s talking about bread, revealing their spiritual dullness too.

This scene functions as a metaphorical teaching moment. “Yeast” (or “leaven”) symbolizes the spreading, corrupting influence of unbelief and hypocrisy, which the Pharisees and Herod exemplify.

Thus, Jesus calls his followers to spiritual alertness. Even his own disciples are slow to understand, showing that insight comes not automatically, but by truly listening and seeing what God is doing through Jesus’ teaching and ministry.

In Bethsaida, Jesus heals a blind man in two stages: in the first stage, the man receives partial sight; then in the second stage, full sight.

This is the only two-stage miracle in the Gospels. It acts as a living parable of the disciples’ gradual spiritual understanding. It symbolizes that spiritual vision comes in stages. Just as the man moves from partial to full sight, so the disciples are slowly moving toward recognizing Jesus’ true identity — climaxing in Peter’s confession which follows this episode.

Download: Rejection and Commission

Third in a series of incidents where people question Jesus:

Jesus is called a “prophet,” and he is rejected like all those before him. Highlighting a biblical theme — a prophet is without honor in his own country. Jesus’ rejection exemplifies how God’s messengers are often resisted not by strangers but by those closest to them. This reinforces the biblical pattern of Israel’s rejection of God’s prophets.

Verse 5 says Jesus “could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.” This doesn’t mean Jesus lost power but shows that faith matters in the relationship between God and humans. Mark consistently ties miracles to faith (though not in a mechanical way), and here the town’s unbelief creates a situation where only a few receive healing.

Mark emphasizes the “ordinariness” of Jesus — the townspeople are scandalized that someone they grew up with now claims authority from God and does miracles.

This episode anticipates the broader rejection Jesus will face, especially in Jerusalem, leading to his crucifixion. It reminds readers that even when people see God directly working through Jesus, people can and do reject him.

After this rejection, Jesus expands his mission — in the following verses, he sends out the Twelve. The rejection at Nazareth underscores that the gospel will go beyond familiar or expected audiences, eventually extending to the Gentiles and the ends of the earth.

Jesus gives the apostles authority over unclean spirits, extending his own kingdom mission and power to them. This shows that Jesus’ ministry is not meant to be a one-man operation — it’s delegated and shared. The apostles act as his representatives, preparing them for their future roles after his death and resurrection.

Jesus instructs them to travel light: no bread, no bag, no money — just a staff, sandals, and one tunic. This symbolizes radical trust in God’s provision and dependence on the hospitality of others, reflecting the values of the kingdom rather than worldly security.

The disciples are to stay in one house when they come to a town; they are not to move around seeking better accommodation. This emphasizes their focus and urgency: the message matters more than personal comfort or status. It models a simplicity and singleness of purpose in advancing God’s kingdom.

Their core message is repentance — turning back to God — and they are told to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against any town that reject them. This act symbolizes judgment because rejecting them means rejecting and rebelling against God’s kingdom.

This passage foreshadows the apostolic mission after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, when the Twelve and later disciples will go into all the world preaching the gospel, healing, and casting out demons.

Their acts of healing and exorcism are not just signs but participation in God’s restoration of the world — a foretaste of the kingdom breaking into human lives, undoing the damage of sin and evil.

John’s fearless stance against Herod’s unlawful marriage (calling out sin at great risk) models the dangerous, costly road of proclaiming God’s truth — something Jesus’ followers must also be ready for.

Why include the story about John the Baptist:

Mark places John’s death here not just as historical reporting but to thematically foreshadow Jesus’ own rejection and crucifixion.

In verse 34, Jesus has compassion on the crowd “because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” This echoes Old Testament imagery (e.g., Ezekiel 34) where God promises to shepherd his scattered people. Jesus is the shepherd that God has sent to care for, feed, and guide his people — a direct fulfillment of God’s shepherding role in the OT.

The miracle shows God’s abundant provision through Jesus. From five loaves and two fish, thousands are fed, with twelve baskets of leftovers — symbolizing not just sufficiency but overflowing abundance. It recalls God providing manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16), linking Jesus to God’s past acts of provision through Moses.

In Jewish expectation, the Messiah’s coming was often imagined as a great banquet (Isaiah 25:6). This feeding points forward to that messianic feast.

This passage shows that the kingdom of God is not just about spiritual teaching but about meeting human needs holistically — body and soul. Jesus’ compassion drives him to heal, teach, and feed, showing the integrated nature of God’s saving work.

Jesus doesn’t just perform the miracle alone — he tells the disciples, “You give them something to eat” (v. 37). This emphasizes the disciples’ role in participating in Jesus’ mission and sharing in his provision, a model for the church’s ministry.

Download: The Power of the Kingdom

Jesus and his disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee when a fierce storm arises. The disciples panic, fearing for their lives. Jesus, asleep in the boat, is awakened by them. He rebukes the wind and commands the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Immediately, the storm stops, and a great calm follows.

Theological Significance:

In the region of the Gerasenes near the east side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus encounters a man possessed by many demons (named “Legion”). The man lives among the tombs and is so strong that he cannot be restrained. Jesus commands the unclean spirits to leave. But they plead with Jesus to be sent into a herd of pigs, which then subsequently rush down into the lake, and they all drown. The man is restored to his right mind and becomes a witness to Jesus and the power of Kingdom in the Decapolis.

Theological Significance:

Jairus, a synagogue leader, begs Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. While Jesus is on his way to heal Jairus’ daughter, a woman who has suffered from a bleeding condition for twelve years secretly touches his cloak, believing it will heal her. Immediately, her bleeding stops. Jesus, aware that power has gone out from him, calls out to learn who touched him. The woman confesses, and Jesus commends her faith and tells her she is healed.

Theological Significance:

While Jesus is delayed by the incident with the woman and the issue of bleeding, Jairus receives news that his daughter has died. Jesus tells him not to fear but believe. And so they continue to Jairus’ home. At the house, Jesus takes the girl by the hand and says, “Talitha koum” (“Little girl, , arise”). And she rises up from the bed immediately, alive and well.

Theological Significance:

Download: The Kingdom in Parables

A sower sows seed on four types of ground:

Jesus interprets the parable for his disciples. Each type of soil represents a different condition of the human heart and how people respond to hearing the message of the Kingdom.

Theological Significance:

A lamp is not meant to be hidden under a basket or bed but put on a stand to give light. Jesus adds that hidden things will be revealed, and that how people respond will determine how much more they receive.

Theological Significance:

A person scatters seed on the ground. The seed grows by itself—the sower doesn’t know how. Eventually, it ripens and is harvested.

Theological Significance:

The mustard seed is tiny when first planted, but then it eventually grows into a large tree-like plant, big enough for birds to build nests in its shade.

Theological Significance:

Mark closes the section noting that Jesus spoke many parables like these, as much as people could understand. But he explained everything privately to his disciples.

Jesus used parables both to reveal and conceal truth so as to invite those who desire to seek truth would find deeper understanding, and to hide truth from the hard-hearted and uncaring.

Private instruction for disciples highlights the importance of relational, ongoing learning in Christian growth. It also reveals that for those following Jesus, they gained understanding about the kingdom and God’s plan.

Taken together, these parables show that the Kingdom of God: