Mark 2 | The Wolfe Notes

 In 2025, we're working our way through the gospels and invite you to join us as we seek to learn from Jesus. Find all our notes, from this year and past years, at the Faith Food tab. And if you'd like ideas for suggested pacing, download our April calendar. Welcome, friends, we're so glad you're journeying with us. Let's grow together!

Our notes on Mark 2 include:

1. An Overview: Topic, Themes, and Summary.
2. An Outline Of our thoughts and questions.
3. Exploration Of who the sinners were.
4. A Reflection On Jesus in the modern day.
5. An Invitation to Respond To an expectation-breaking God.

Mark 2

Bottles of Wine by IsraelHergon at Pixabay

Overview

General Topic

Jesus does not confine Himself to our expectations. Instead, He raises them.

Key Themes

Forgiveness. Sabbath. Fasting.

Summary

Jesus is not the typical religious leader of the day. When a man obviously seeks physical healing, Jesus focuses on His spiritual health first. Fasting and Sabbath practices, Jesus teaches, are unnecessary as long as He reigns in our lives. In Him, we find forgiveness, fulfillment, and rest.

Thoughts, Questions, and Connections

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, and ! a connection. Researched answers are in italics. Behold requires our attention; it marks our partnership with God.

On Healing the Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)

Read Matthew 9:2-8 for another perspective of this story. (See our Matthew 9 notes.)

1. When news spread that Jesus has returned home, people gathered and crowded his home.
   
2. Four friends were trying to bring a paralytic man to be healed, but couldn't make it through.
3. So, they made an opening in the roof and lowered him down.
4. Jesus, seeing their faith, forgives the man's sins.
1. * Jesus is more concerned with our spiritual health (forgiveness) than our physical health (healing), and we should be, too.
2. x In Matthew, Jesus instructs the man to, "Take heart", "Be of good cheer", or "Do not fear", before He tells the paralytic that his sins are forgiven. *Oh, my soul, how I need to hear that, too. Believe it: your sins are forgiven. Matthew 9:2
5. The Pharisees immediately call Jesus a blasphemer, since only God forgives sins.
6. Jesus confronts them, asking which is easier, to forgive sins, or to heal?
7. Then, to prove His authority to forgive, He heals the paralytic man.
1. * Jesus requires our action, our partnership. He wants us to behold Him.
1. x In the story of the wedding feast, the man who didn't dress appropriately was kicked out. Matthew 22:12-14 (See our Matthew 22 notes.)
2. x In Psalm 101, David pens a list of God-honoring actions he commits to follow in his life:
1. "I will live with integrity of heart in my house. I will not even think about doing anything lawless;" Psalm 101:2-3 ISV
2. "I will not allow anyone with a perverted mind in my presence; I will not be involved with anything evil." Psalm 101:4 ISV
8. Everyone who witnessed the miracle was amazed and praised God.
1. ? Are you praising God for the miracles in your life? Are you entering His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4)? Do you remember that His gates and courts reside in you (I Corinthians 3:16)?
2. For more on your body being God's temple, listen to BEMA Podcast's episodes, "Falling on Joyful Faces" and "Creating a Space".

On Choosing Matthew (Mark 2:13-17)

Read Matthew 9:9-13 for another perspective of this story. (See our Matthew 9 notes.)

1. Jesus kept moving and teaching. 
2. When He saw Levi, He called on him to follow, even though he was a tax-collector. (Even though no other rabbi would.)
1. ? Why is Matthew called Levi here? 
3. Levi followed.
4. Many outcasts followed Jesus, and the Pharisees did not like it.
1. ? Who was considered a sinner then? Because, today, I think most Christians would say we all are. *R
5. They asked Jesus' disciples about the company He keeps.
6. Jesus responded by explaining that His audience is the sinners - the ones who know they've missed the mark of righteousness.
1. x In Matthew, Jesus reveals that He desires mercy over sacrifice. Matthew 9:13 (See also Hosea 6:6). *Which would be important for the Jews, a culture built on ritual sacrifices, to hear. God favors mercy to merit. 

On Rethinking Rituals (Mark 2:18-27)

1. People were also confused because Jesus' disciples never fasted, even though it was a common ritual. 
1. For more on rethinking fasting, read Matthew 9:14-17. (See our Matthew 9 notes.)
2. Jesus explained that when you're with the One your soul loves, there is no need to fast; it's when He leaves that fasting is necessary.
1. ? So is there ever a need to fast when we know our Bridegroom is always with us? *Perhaps when we feel that He has left us.
3. Then, Jesus uses metaphors to explain that we must change the way we are thinking so we can accept what He is offering.
4. Jesus taught that Sabbath rituals needed to be rethought, too. 
1. For more on rethinking Sabbath, read Matthew 12:1-8. (See our Matthew 12 notes.)
5. The Pharisees criticized Jesus' disciples for picking heads of grain on Sabbath and Jesus reminded them of David eating the Bread of Presence - though it was unlawful.
1. * Consider the Bread of Presence as what we use in communion. Now, we're reminded of His presence. He is with us, so there is no need to fast. And, we are eternally resting.
2. * Interestingly, in these short ritual reexamination lessons, bread, wine, and clothing are used. All three symbolize Christ in our lives.
3. x In Matthew, Jesus points out that the priests violate their own sabbath laws but are not held accountable. And reiterates that He values mercy over sacrifice, so there should be no condemnation. Matthew 12:5, 7.
6. Rest is to benefit us, not to rule over us. 
7. Jesus concludes by saying that in Him is ultimate rest.
1. Jesus reigns in our rest: In Him, our rest is best. To know Him, is to know rest.

Exploration

Who was considered a sinner? Because now, it's everyone. 

Referenced Verse

Later, he was having diner at Levi's house. Many tax collectors and sinners were also eating with Jesus and his disciples, because there were many who were following him. Mark 2:15 ISV

Commentary Notes

• Tax collectors were grouped with sinners because it offered them the opportunity for fraud and extortion.
• Generally, sinners were people who abandoned living according to a publicly-accepted, morally-appropriate character. They commonly sinned and were often excommunicated and shunned.
• Prostitutes are specifically mentioned in Matthew 21:31.

*Thoughts: Sinners referred to outcast groups of people known to be "dirty". The ones who would soil your reputation by being around them because they were known to be deceitful or tarnished. We still make this distinction today. Even though we say, "everyone is a sinner", there remain classes of people we refrain from associating ourselves with. Likely, these groups differ from person to person based on your personal experiences and who you consider irreputable. But, these irreputable people are precisely the ones whom Jesus would seek out to sit with.

Sources: Bible Hub commentary on Mark 2:15.

Reflection

It's hard to imagine Jesus in the modern day. I've heard that question asked a lot: "What do you think Jesus would say if He were here today?" And, as I think about this chapter, that's exactly what I find myself wondering. Questions like:

• How large of a crowd would Jesus have to attract to make His presence remarkable, to make people really notice?
• What disease would compare to the palsy that would require four friends to carry the afflicted to Jesus? What modern day obstacles would they have to overcome to reach Him?
• Where would He go? Would He still make His home in Israel?
• What rituals would He call us out on? For them, it was forgiveness, Sabbath, and fasting - what would it be for us?

Yet, as I wonder these things, I also realize that the question itself is irrelevant. See, Jesus is with us.

The crowd that follows Him is loud and difficult to ignore. We call ourselves Christians. We are a light on a hill, and as we live like Him, His presence is remarkable. People notice.

Countless injured and ill people are carried to Jesus daily, moment by moment, in our prayers, and we have witnessed His miracles.

The obstacles that block our way to Jesus are now spiritual and mental instead of physical - taking on the names of fear, doubt, and pride.

He goes where His chosen people are. He goes where He knows He's needed. He goes where people are willing to receive Him.

He calls each of us out on different rituals. To find yours, think of the thing in your life that needs changing - the OLD thing you're clinging to that you want to make NEW.

We don't have to wonder what Jesus would be like in the modern day because Jesus is here. What we must do is listen to what He's saying, ("You are forgiven. You need the healing I offer. Celebrate, for I am with you. Find your rest in Me."), trust that it is true, and follow Him.

Respond

Connect

God is not confined to our expectations.

Reflect

• What is your expectation of God in a current situation that you are facing?
• What would be a completely outside of the box response to your current situation that would still be in line with God's character? Would you be okay with it?
• How could God teach you forgiveness, healing, celebrating, and rest through your current situation? Consider using these four invitations God offers as a template for prayer. 

Act

• Arise! Know that your sins are forgiven.
• Arise! Ask for the healing you need from Jesus. 
• Arise! Celebrate because God is with you. He will never leave you.
• Arise! Rest in Him. He will work all things together for good.

In Closing

Father God, You don't meet my expectations, You exceed them. I cannot see the whole picture and get lost in the brokenness of the moment. I feel flawed, awkward, frustrated, and uncertain. But, God, I know I can trust You. I know You are working all things together for good. So when, from my perspective, things aren't going as planned, teach me to seek You for forgiveness, healing, celebration, and rest. This is what You want for me and what I truly need from You.

Ready for Mark 3?

Sample these related posts:

Mark 1 | The Wolfe Notes

Review Mark 1. Includes background information on Mark, outline of our thoughts, an exploration into seeking solitude and privacy, a reflection on the excitement of Jesus' ministry, and an invitation to respond to God's authority.

Matthew 7 & 8 | The Wolfe Notes

Reflect and respond to the God who heals us. Includes an outline of our thoughts on Matthew 7 and 8, an exploration on judging others, research on demons, and a reflection on inspecting ourselves while connecting with others.

Matthew 9 & 10 | The Wolfe Notes

Trade in your dusty, old wineskins for new and improved ones with us as we respond to an expectation-rattling God. Includes an outline of our thoughts on Matthew 9 & 10, research into workers for the harvest and Jesus' return, and reflections on callings and compassion.

Matthew 22 | The Wolfe Notes

What are God's expectations for you? Reflect on the celebration you're invited to and consider your response. Includes an outline of our thoughts and research on the greatest commandment.

Isaiah 56 & 57 | The Wolfe Notes

Take a deeper look at Sabbath in these Isaiah notes. Includes KJV/NCV version comparison, an outline of our thoughts, cross references of Isaiah 57:15, and an invitation to respond to God's caring nature.

Interested in more faith-related blogs? Then you're looking for Faith Food. At Faith Food, you'll find links to all our faith-related blogs and a short description of each.