Mark 12:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: this was the Lord 's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?"

NIV: the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ ?"

NASB: THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE Lord, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’?'

CSB: This came about from the Lord and is wonderful in our eyes?"

NLT: This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’ '

KJV: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

NKJV: This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

This continues a quote from the Septuagint version of Psalm 118:22–23. It describes how the people reacted to God's providence in taking a stone that was rejected for the construction of the temple sanctuary and making it essential for the temple porch. This is an example of a literal, historical event having symbolic meaning. The "stone," in Judaism, represents Abraham, David, or the Messiah. Some thought the "builders" represents the scribes who are experts in the law.

This is a key point in how God acts in human history. There was nothing noteworthy about Abraham that earned God's favor. God chose to bless him as the father of His people because of His good grace. David was a shepherd boy, the youngest of a large family, nowhere near the line of King Saul, when God chose to anoint him as king. Similarly, the Messiah was described as having no majesty or beauty that would automatically attract others to Him (Isaiah 53:2).

It is the same for us. "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. It is all a gift of God, possible through Jesus' sacrifice (Ephesians 2:8–9). Only when we accept that we are powerless can we enter God's kingdom (Mark 10:15).

Despite all law and tradition, God chooses "what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God [chooses] what is weak in the world to shame the strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27). Despite our initial doubts and skepticism of that plan, if we truly follow Him, we will find His plan "marvelous."

Mark 12:1–12 takes place days before the crucifixion, while Jesus is in the temple courtyard, teaching. Chief priests, elders, and scribes—representatives of the Sanhedrin—have demanded to know the source of Jesus' authority to cleanse the Temple (Mark 11:27–28, 15–19). After exposing their hypocrisy, Jesus tells at least three additional stories that show how God will replace falsely-pious religious leaders with sinners who truly follow Him (Matthew 21:28—22:14). The second of these three stories is recorded here, in Matthew 21:33–46, and in Luke 20:9–19.

This chapter contains lessons taught by Jesus in various circumstances. He explains the eventual destruction of traditional Judaism, the relationship between secular and sacred obligations, the nature of the resurrection, and the most important of God's commandments. Jesus also expounds on Messianic statements in the Old Testament. Jesus also condemns the glory-seeking shallowness of the scribes, and extolls the virtues of sincere, faith-based giving.

Days before, Jesus has entered Jerusalem, hailed as a hero by the people (Mark 11:1–11). While teaching in the temple courtyard, Jesus shows superior understanding of Scripture over the chief priests, scribes, and elders (Mark 12:27–33), the Pharisees and Herodians (Mark 12:13), the Sadducees (Mark 12:18), and the scribes again (Mark 12:35, 38). Sadly, even in the instance where a scribe does understand Scripture, that is no guarantee he will follow it to its logical conclusion: Jesus (Mark 12:28–34). In contrast, a humble widow exemplifies the faithfulness and piety the leaders lack (Mark 12:41–44). Jesus leaves the temple for the last time to teach the disciples on the Mount of Olives (Mark 13). In Mark 14, He prepares for the crucifixion.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.