The Biblical Teaching of Disciples--15

Mark 9-16 contains 19 references to disciples, most of which are also in Matthew, and many of which are grouped together in paragraphs. Here we will look at each text in its context.

1-3--Healing of a boy with a spirit--Mark 9:14-29 [parallel to Matthew 17:14-21]. After the transfiguration, Jesus, Peter, James, and John came to the other twelve apostles, where Jewish scribes were arguing with them. Jesus asked them what they were arguing about. A man stepped forward, explaining that he had brought his son who could not speak, and the spirit dashes him down ; he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; this man asked Jesus' disciples to cast out this spirit from his son, but they could not. Jesus brought the man's son and cast the spirit out of him. When Jesus and his disciples went into the house, his disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast out the spirit. Jesus explained: "This kind can come out only through prayer." Disciples constantly have much to learn from Jesus. This is always the case.
4--Jesus foretells his death and resurrection--Mark 9:30-32 [parallel to Matthew 17:22-23]. Jesus went through Galilee with his disciples telling him that he would die on the cross and be raised from the dead.
5--After Jesus taught the biblical message about divorce, he and his disciples went into a house, and his disciples asked Jesus about this--Mark 10:2-12 [parallel to Matthew 19:1-9]. Jesus told them: "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."
6--Jesus blesses little children--Mark 10:13-16 [parallel to Matthew 19:13-15]. People brought their children to Jesus so that Jesus could touch him, but Jesus' disciples spoke sternly to them. Jesus rebuked his disciples, and told them that to such as these little children that the kingdom of God belongs. Disciples always have much to learn. Disciples are learners from Jesus.
7-8--Jesus and the Rich Man--Mark 10:17-31 [parallel to Matthew 19:16-30]. A rich man came to Jesus asking him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told them to keep the Ten Commandments. He told Jesus that he had kept all these commandments. Does he lack anything else. Jesus said: Sell what you have and give it to the poor. The rich man was grievous because he had many possessions. Jesus told his disciples that it is hard for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus' disciples were perplexed at Jesus' message. Jesus told them that no one can enter the kingdom of God without God's grace. Disciples keep growing in faith by learning from Jesus.
9--Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus--Mark 10:46-52 [parallel to Matthew 20:29-34].When Jesus and his disciple came to Jericho, they met blind Bartimaeus, and Jesus healed him.
10--Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem--Mark 11:1-11 [parallel to Matthew 21:1-11]. When Jesus and his disciples approached the Mount of Olives, Jesus told two of his disciples to Bethany and find a colt that had never been ridden and bring it to Jesus. They did so, and Jesus rode on the colt into Jerusalem.
11--Jesus curses the fig tree--Mark 11:12-14 [Matthew 21:18-19]. Jesus left Betheny and was hungry. He came to a fig tree but it had no figs, so he cursed the fig tree. Jesus' disciples hear this.
12--Jesus praises the poor widow--Mark 12:41-44 [no parallel in Matthew]. Jesus sat beside the Jerusalem treasury and saw a poor widow casting in two small copper coins. Then Jesus called his disciples to him and told him that this poor widow put in more than all the other people who put money into the treasury. This poor widow put in everything she had. Jesus is trying to teach his disciples by her example.
13--Jesus tells one of his disciples that the Jerusalem temple will be destroyed--Mark 13:1-2 [parallel to Matthew 24:1-2.
14-17--Jesus prepares his twelve disciples to initiate the Lord's Supper--Mark 14:12-16 [Matthew 26:17-25]. On the first day of Unleavened Bread when the Passover Lamb is sacrificed, Jesus told his disciples where they were to go in the upper room and prepare for the Lord's Supper.
18--Jesus prays in Gethsemane--Mark 14:32-42. Jesus went with his disciples to go to Gethsemane and told them to sit there while Jesus would go further to pray. Peter, James, and John went along further with Jesus, and then Jesus went on alone to pray. When Jesus returned his disciple were asleep. Jesus was greatly disappointed because they did not realize the importance of this event.
19--Three women tell the disciples that God had raised Jesus from the tomb--Mark 16:1-8 [parallel to Matthew 28:1-10]. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome came to the tomb early Sunday morning and met an angel who told them that Jesus had been raised from the dead, and they must tell the twelve disciples and Peter that Jesus would meet them soon.

All of these texts emphasize that true disciples are constantly learning. They are not rulers or leaders, but disciples, which means they are learners and followers and servants of Jesus. God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord is our only true leader. When we learn this great important message, we will become true disciples of Jesus.

Share YOUR ideas and concerns and experiences and questions and reversals with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis