"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

Chapter Twelve

After being challenged by religious leaders in the temple, Jesus told a parable of the wicked vinedressers (1-12). Pharisees and Herodians tried to trap Jesus in words with a question about paying taxes (13-17). Sadducees presented an argument against the resurrection of the dead (18-27). A scribe asked what was the first commandment of the Law (28-34). Having easily answered their questions, Jesus then asked a question regarding the Christ as David's son, much to the delight of the common people. He followed with a warning about the practices of the scribes (35-40). Observing a poor widow giving two mites to the temple treasury, Jesus explained to His disciples how she in her poverty had given more than all others who had given to the treasury (41-44).

POINTS TO PONDER

• The meaning of the parable of the wicked vinedressers
• Paying taxes, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment
• How Christ is both David's son and David's Lord
• How the poor can actually give more than the rich

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The parable of the wicked vinedressers - Mk 12:1-12
   - Jesus questioned by Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees, and a Scribe - Mk 12:13-34
   - Jesus: How can Christ be both David's son and David's Lord? - Mk 12:35-37
   - Beware of the scribes - Mk 12:38-40
   - The widow's two mites - Mk 12:41-44
2. What is depicted in the parable of the wicked vinedressers? (1-12)
   - How the religious leaders rejected the prophets, would kill God's son, lose the kingdom
3. What did Jesus say that prompted Pharisees and Herodians to marvel? (17)
   - "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
4. What answers did Jesus give the Sadducees regarding the resurrection? (24-27)
   - Marital relations don't exist after death; Exo 3:6 proves the dead still exist
5. What were the first and second commandments of the Law? (29-31)
   - Love God with all your heart, soul, mind; love your neighbor as yourself
6. How can Christ be both David's son and David's Lord? (37)
   - His son by virtue of physical ancestry, his Lord by virtue of His deity
7. Against whom did Jesus warn? Who did Jesus commend? (38-40,41-44)
   - The hypocritical scribes; a poor widow who gave two mites into the treasury