September 10 / Mark 12:1-12

Mark 12:1-12

Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty.

“Notice what you notice.” We are back to the Parable of the Tenants, after having Matthew’s Parable of the Wedding Feast in between. I think I’ll rearrange these readings for the next time we do this (next year?) so that we have all three Synoptic accounts of this parable back to back.

One item that I noted in Matthew’s account was that Jesus asked His listeners for a response to His parable, as to what the owner of the vineyard would do to the tenants. In Mark He does not ask for their reply – He simply provides the owner’s action as part of His parable. Different, but not a big item…

My Study Bible pointed out two items that I had not considered. First it says, “The parable exposed the planned attempt on Jesus’ life…”. Although that item is clearly contained in the parable, I had not thought of this fact – that Jesus knew the Jewish leaders’ plans and forthright told them that He knew!! Yet He continues day by day directly in their presence in the temple. He knew that His time had come!

Second, my Study Bible pointed out that “Jewish law provided that a piece of property unclaimed by an heir would be declared ‘ownerless’ and could be claimed by anyone. The vine-growers assumed that the son came as heir to claim his property and that if he were slain they could claim the land.” I had always wondered how the tenants could think that they could simply claim the property if they killed the heir. But that clearly fits if the son came to claim the property and not to receive some of the fruit of the land (verse 2). Therein there is also the necessary assumption on the part of the tenants that the son’s father (the owner) had died. In Jesus’ closure to the story that is not the case – the owner is still alive, and He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. (v. 9)

So, two new revelations for me…! These short readings are blessing me beyond measure!!

Slava Bohu!