The parable of the wicked tenants who kill the owner's servants and finally his beloved son indicts the religious leaders who understand they are the target and seek to arrest Jesus. Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees pose questions about tribute to Caesar, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment, with Jesus answering each masterfully and posing His own unanswerable question about David's Lord. The scribe who affirms the love commands receives commendation as not far from the kingdom, Jesus warns against the scribes' love of honor and devouring of widows' houses, and the poor widow's two mites are praised as giving more than all the wealthy contributors.
Read Mark Chapter 12 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
The Temple
View on MapThe Temple in Jerusalem was the permanent house of worship built by Solomon on Mount Moriah. Destroyed by Babylon, it was rebuilt by Zerubbabel and later greatly expanded by Herod. Jesus taught in the Temple courts, cleared it of merchants, and predicted its destruction, which occurred in 70 AD.
Position in Book
PreparationChapters 1:1-13
John the Baptist, Jesus' baptism and temptation.
Galilean MinistryChapters 1:14-8:26
Road to JerusalemChapters 8:27-10:52
Passion WeekChapters 11-16
Entry, temple, Olivet Discourse, death, resurrection.
Bible Bites
Mark Originally Ended with Fear
The earliest manuscripts of Mark end abruptly at 16:8 with the women fleeing the tomb in fear and saying nothing to anyone. The longer ending (verses 9-20) was added later by scribes who thought this ending too sudden.
Mark 16:8