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 June calendar. Welcome, friends, we're so glad you're journeying with us. Let's grow together!

Our notes on Mark 12 include:

An Overview: Topic, Themes, and Summary.
An Outline of our thoughts and questions.
Explore what else is marvellous in God's eyes.
A Reflection on vineyards and purpose.
An Invitation to Respond to a God who wants all of you.

Mark 12

Autumn Leaves by Moritz320 at Pixabay.

Overview

General Topic

Jesus continues to redirect people to the expectations God sets instead of those set by man.

Key Themes

Dispute resolution. Stewardship. Greater than choices.

Summary

Jesus uses the parable of the vineyard to illustrate that God entrusts His people to us and expects an increase. The chief priests, fearing the crowd, don't arrest Jesus here for dishonoring them with the parable, but instead send people to argue with Jesus about taxes, resurrection, and the greatest commandment. Jesus settles each dispute definitively. He reiterates that He is God, not man. Then, again, teaches that God wants all of you as you are. He does not want the act of your perfection.

Thoughts, Questions, and Connections

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

On Wicked Tenants (Mark 12:1-12)

Read Matthew 21:1-9 for another perspective. (See our Matthew 21 notes.)

A man carefully prepared his vineyard, leased it to tenants, and left.

x Let me sing for my beloved a love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He digged it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes...For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, a cry! Isaiah 5:1-2, 7 RSV (See our Isaiah 5 notes.)

When he was ready to collect, he sent a servant. The tenants beat the servant and sent him away with nothing.

* The tenants are the priests.
* In many of these parables the master is leaving the servants.

"Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3 RSV
For thus the LORD said to me: "I will quietly look from my dwelling like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest." Isaiah 18:4 RSV (See our Isaiah 18 notes.)

It took four years for a vineyard to yield fruit. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

A second servant came whom they wounded in the head and treated shamefully.

x But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house; and they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them." Genesis 19:4 RSV

The third servant, they killed.

x Again he sent other servants, saying, "Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriages feast.' But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. Matthew 22:4-6 RSV (See our Matthew 22 notes.)

And on, and on, until the landowner sent his son, whom he believed they would treat respectfully.

x And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." Mark 9:7 RSV (See our Mark 9 notes.)

But, the tenants beat and killed him too, hoping that they would acquire his inheritance.
So now, the landowner will destroy the tenants and give the land to another.

*In that day. Soon. (See research on "that day" in our Isaiah 2 notes.)

Jesus then reminds listeners that the scriptures speak of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone because of God and how marvelous it will be to our eyes.

Jesus here quotes from Hallel, or Psalm 113-118. More specifically Psalm 118:22-23. This is a song they always sing at Passover, so they would know it. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
x I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14 KJV

The chief priests, knowing the story was about them, tried to arrest Jesus but feared how the crowd would react.

*Popularity, or favor of the crowd, was clearly an idol for the priests.

On Paying Honor where it is Due (Mark 12:13-17)

Read Matthew 22:15-22 for another perspective. (See our Matthew 22 notes.)

Instead of arresting Jesus, the Pharisees sent people to argue with Him. In every case, He bested them.

They were trying to catch Him being treasonous; a revolutionary move. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

First, they challenged Him with paying taxes.
Because Jesus regards God as greater than man, does He even recommend we pay taxes.
Jesus asks them whose image is on the coin. Then explains that because the coin bears Caesar's image, it should be returned to him.
But they should give to God the things that bear God's image.

x So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 RSV
x I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 RSV

On Resurrected Life (Mark 12:18-27)

Read Matthew 22:23-33 for another perspective. (See our Matthew 22 notes.)

Second, they questioned Jesus about resurrected life.
Trying to disprove its existence, they posed a situation with an impossible answer. If a woman were to marry 7 men but bore no children, to whom would she be married after resurrection.

x If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside the family to a stranger; her husband's brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his brother who is dead, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. Deuteronomy 25:5-6 RSV

Jesus simply explained there is no need for procreation after resurrection so there would be no marriage.

! Jesus' response would deeply insult the well-studied Sadducees. He questioned their knowledge of the scriptures, which they prided themselves on, and referenced a common prayer, which they would all know, that said God's power is witnessed by the resurrection of the righteous. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

Furthermore, He challenged their doubt on resurrection by reminding them that God is God of the living, not of the dead.

x For Sheol cannot thank thee, death cannot praise thee; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for thy faithfulness. The living, the living, he thanks thee, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children thy faithfulness. Isaiah 38:19-20 RSV (See our Isaiah 38 notes.)

On the Greatest Choice (Mark 12:28-34)

Read Matthew 22:34-40 for another perspective. (See our Matthew 22 notes.)

Third, they test Jesus on what the greatest commandment is.
To which He responds with what they should already know well: love God and love people.

The first commandment, to love God, was already widely known and recited daily. It is called the Shema. (Read more at GotQuestions.)
Listen to the "Jesus Shema" which includes these two commandments. Created and shared by The BEMA podcast.
x When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. I Samuel 18:1 RSV

The inquiring scribe agrees and adds that love for God and love for people are greater than offerings and sacrifices.
Jesus tells this scribe that because he understands this, he is truly close to the Kingdom of God.
The conversation ends with stunned silence and the questioning comes to an end.

* Jesus answers decisively and with authority.
The best speakers could silence and shame their opponents because such teachers could make hostile questions look foolish. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

On Jesus' Lineage (Mark 12:35-37)

Read Matthew 22:41-46 for another perspective. (See our Matthew 22 notes.)

Jesus asks the crowd to explain how He could be the son of David when even David calls Him Lord.
The crowd responds with gladness (*because His argument proves that Jesus is God.)

On the Truth about the Scribes (Mark 12:38-40)

Read Matthew 23:1-7 for another perspective. (See our Matthew 23 notes.)

Then, Jesus warns His audience to beware of the scribes who act for vainglory.

x They demand special treatment and dress haughtily, yet Isaiah warns: "Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Every one loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them." Isaiah 1:23 RSV (See our Isaiah 1 notes.)
x They devour widows' houses, yet God says "You shall not afflict any widow or orphan." Exodus 22:22 RSV (See also Deuteronomy 10:18, Isaiah 10:2, Jeremiah 7:6, Jeremiah 22:3)
x They make a show of elaborate prayers, yet Jesus said, "And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matthew 6:7 RSV (See our Matthew 6 notes.)
! The Israelites were trained to keep the vulnerable in the middle so they would be protected. The BEMA podcast

They will get their reward.

x Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them...you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 6:1 RSV (See our Matthew 6 notes.)
when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you as the hypocrites do...that they may be praised by men...they have received their reward. Matthew 6:2 RSV (See our Matthew 6 notes.)
when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to...be seen by men...they have received their reward. Matthew 6:5 RSV (See our Matthew 6 notes.)

On Giving Greatly (Mark 12:41-44)

Jesus watched as people brought their offerings to the temple.
He remarked that the woman who brought all she had, though not much, made the greatest sacrifice.

Explore

What else is marvellous?

Verse of Reference

Have you not read this scripture: "The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Mark 12:10-11 RSV

God's Works

I praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14 KJV
Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. Habakkuk 1:5 RSV
The man answered, "Why, this is a marvel! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. John 9:30 RSV
...we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God" And all were amazed and perplexed saying to one another, "What does this mean?" Acts 2:11-12 RSV
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.' Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Acts 2:32-36 RSV
Then I saw another portent in heaven, great and wonderful, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is ended. Revelation 15:1 RSV
And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and wonderful are thy deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are thy ways, O King of the ages! Revelation 15:3 RSV
Works like God giving Sarah a baby in her old age (Genesis 18:14), like delivering the Israelites from Egypt Exodus 3:20, like driving the foreigners out of the promised land Joshua 3:5-10, and like an angels appearing wondrously Judges 13:19.

God's Wisdom

And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! Mark 6:2 RSV
Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were amazed at him. Mark 12:17 RSV
"If any case arises requiring decision between one kind of homicide and another, one kind of legal right and another, or one kind of assault and another, any case within your towns which is too difficult for you, then you shall arise and go up to the place which the LORD your God will choose, and coming to the Levitical priests, and to the judge who is in office in those days, you shall consult them, and they shall declare to you the decision. Deuteronomy 17:8-9 RSV
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 RSV (See our Isaiah 40 notes.)
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. I Corinthians 1:25 RSV

God's Partnership

And he said, "Behold, I make a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been wrought in all the earth or in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD; for it is a terrible thing that I will do with you. Exodus 34:10 RSV
And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down." Mark 13:1-2 RSV (*It's not a building, it's people joined in Jesus.)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. I Peter 2:9 RSV (*Called, chosen, renewed.)
And when any one offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD, to fulfil a vow or as a freewill offering, from the herd or from the flock, to be accepted it must be perfect; there shall be no blemish on it. Leviticus 22:21 RSV (*We are to give Him ourselves completely - a perfect sacrifice. What's more, though we are not perfect, Jesus made a way for us in His perfection. What a partnership! He fulfills the debt that the Father requires.) See also Numbers 15:3.
"Say to the people of Israel, When a man makes a special vow of persons to the LORD at your valuation. Leviticus 27:2 RSV (*It is marvelous that we are highly valued by the LORD. What's more, is when we cannot fulfill our vow, Jesus pays the debt for us.) See also Numbers 6:2-3.
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. II Samuel 1:26 RSV (*When we experience true God-bonded partnerships within the Kingdom of God, we marvel at the beauty of that relationship.)
The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground; for the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statues which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. For this commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. Deuteronomy 30:9-11 RSV

Thoughts: Regarding the Mark 12:10-11 verse specifically, the stone the builders rejected becoming the corner stone, or Jesus becoming our firm foundation, reminds me of the story of David's anointing. Though Samuel would not have chosen him, David is who God chose. Though others would not choose me, God did. Though we would not, and did not, choose Jesus to rescue us, He is what we need. That is indeed marvellous in my eyes.

We are marveled by what God does, by His Miracles, His signs and wonders, His turning of things upside down, His enduring commitment, His boundless grace, His unfailing love, His compassion, His understanding. We are marveled by Him. Behold! We are marveled by His partnership with us. That He makes His Son the chief cornerstone so that we can become part of His kingdom.

Sources:

Mark 12:11 at Bible Hub
"Marvelous in His Eyes" at Open Bible

Reflection

God cares for His vineyard. We are God's vineyard. Isaiah sets a scene of God meticulously laying out His vineyard, much as the landowner does here. Jesus, In John, says we are all part of the same vine, which God, the Gardner, tends. How does knowing you are in God's vineyard shape your understanding of relationship with God, self, and others?

God positions people to tend His vineyard, like kings and priests. People in authority who are charged with making choices in our best interest. What vineyard does God charge you with tending?

God sends people to hold those in authority accountable. He leased them the land, expects return, and will come to collect. Just as He expected profit from the men who were entrusted with talents, just as He expected the fig tree to bear fruit, He expects us to provide Him with an increase, too. What work are you doing in your vineyard to ensure a profitable yield?

God employs people in His family business. The servants were sent to gather wedding guests, the businessmen were given money to invest, other servants were sent to collect yield. The work He has us do is not easy, comfortable, or safe, but it is ours to do because He gave it to us. How do you struggle in the work that God has given you to do?

God will reward us according to our choices. We cannot escape judgment. We may think we are sidestepping consequences, but we are really only delaying them. What message are you trying to ignore, kill, or beat down? What criticism do people give you that is hard to hear, yet you know there is truth to it? What is God asking you to do that you keep pushing aside?

Respond

Connect

God wants all of you, your everything.

Reflect

Love God with all your heart, which here we will interpret as emotions. What emotions of yours are out of control? How can you use your emotions, even the out-of-control ones, to show a love of God?
Love God with all your soul. Do you live in confidence that your soul is His? Do you live in a way that shows you have no questions about where you came from, whose you are, and where you are going?
Love God with all your mind. Are your thoughts God-honoring? Do you hold captive the thoughts that are not? Do you use what you learn to serve God and people better?
Love God with all your strength, your very, with every effort you make. How often, when you push, are you pushing for God? For God's Kingdom? For God's ways? To manage your vineyard better? To be a good Kingdom citizen? To elevate God's ways and not your own?
Love your neighbor as yourself. Do you treat every other person like they bear God's image, too? Are you treating them like you would treat Jesus?

Act

Arise to love the Lord your God in all your emotions, in all your identity, in all your thoughts, and in all your efforts.
Arise to love your neighbor as yourself.

In Closing

Father God, we get so short-sighted and react to things we cannot control. We forget whose we are and pour our energy into the wrong goals. We get lost thinking and arguing about things that don't really matter. We think only of ourselves and miss the hurt of our neighbors. Oh God, remove our blinders, our pride, our barriers, our justifiers. Remind us to give You everything we have, always. And from surrender, let us arise knowing we can strengthen our brothers. This is our purpose, our role in the family business, and we thank You for it.

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Mark 12 | The Wolfe Notes