Marcos 12
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
Marcos 12
Utley - The parallel in Matt. 22:34–35 seems to imply ulterior motives, but Mark’s Gospel implies he was truly interested in the theological question. On the other hand Hiebert says "The sequel shows that he did not ask his question with a malicious motive, but rather intended to “test” Jesus’ skill in answering this much debated question." (The Gospel of Mark: An Expositional Commentary)
Marcos 12
Utley - It is impossible to love God and hate those made in His image (cf. 1 John 2:9–11; 3:15; 4:20). Joseph Alexander - “Self-love, as being an original principle of our nature, and therefore not subject to the caprices of the will, is wisely made the standard of men’s love for one another, which would otherwise be ever sinking far below the level of our natural regard for our own welfare. Daniel Akin - Some hear the phrase “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” and wrongly think how narcissistic. Jesus, the unselfish one, actually tells me to selfishly love myself. How do we make sense of this? First, there is a healthy kind of self love that is cognizant of the truth that we are the objects both of the “creating” and “redeeming” love of our God. To hate myself is actually an offense to God and calls into question His wisdom and goodness. Second, the love a person naturally 7 has for himself is now “turned out” toward others. The object of my affection and concern moves from me to others (cf. Phil 2:3-5). Third, the fact that this is a command makes clear that the primary focus is on our actions and not our feelings or emotions. Fourth, there is certainly a mysterious paradox in all this, for the same Jesus who tells us to love ourselves also tells us to deny ourselves and die to ourselves (Mark 8:34). In other words the more I truly love myself the more I will deny myself and love others. To love my neighbor as myself means I will serve the needs of others with all the energy, passion and zeal with which I serve and attempt to meet my own needs. However, only by loving my God supremely will I be able to love others, “all others,” genuinely. And, as I love others genuinely I demonstrate that I love my God supremely. No wonder Jesus said, “There is no greater commandment than these.” Akin adds that "Don Carson preached a wonderful sermon at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Feb. 2012 at a large college conference that really helped us see what it means to love others genuinely. He also taught all of us a good lesson in hermeneutics or biblical interpretation. He encouraged us to examine the context in which Lev. 19:18 was located. There you discover that loving your neighbor as yourself means a lot! Among other things it means that you will 1) care for the poor (Lev 19:10), 2) not steal (Lev 19:11), 3) not lie (Lev 19:11), 4) be fair in business dealings (Lev 19:14), 5) care for the deaf (Lev 19:14), 6) care for the blind (Lev 19:14), 7) deal justly with all (Lev 19:15), 8) avoid slander (Lev 19:16), 9) not “jeopardize” (HCSB) the life of your neighbor (Lev 19:16), 10) not “hate your brother in your heart” (Lev 19:17), 11) rebuke your neighbor when necessary for his and your good (Lev 19:17), and 12) not 8 take revenge or bear a grudge against others (Lev 19:18). Wow! God does not leave it to our imaginations as to what He means when He tells us to love our neighbors as yourself. Neighbor (Near) (4139)(plesion from pélas = near, near to or from plesios = close by) literally means near (literal use only in Jn 4:5), quite near, nearby = position quite close to another position. Figuratively, plesion means to be near someone and thus be a neighbor. Generally, plesion refers to a fellow man, any other member of the human family. TDNT explains that "Ho plesion" is the "neighbor," the person next to one" then more generally the “fellow human being.” Eight of 17 uses of plesion occur in a citation of or allusion to Leviticus 19:18: “You shall love your neighbor (Hebrew translated in Septuagint with plēsion) as yourself” (Mt 5:43; 19:19; 22:39; Mk 12:31; Luke 10:27; Ro 13:9; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8). It should be noted that the TDNT entry states that "there is allusion to Lev. 19:18 in 12 instances." All uses of plesion - Matt. 5:43; Matt. 19:19; Matt. 22:39; Mk. 12:31; Mk. 12:33; Lk. 10:27; Lk. 10:29; Lk. 10:36; Jn. 4:5; Acts 7:27; Rom. 13:9; Rom. 13:10; Rom. 15:2; Gal. 5:14; Eph. 4:25; Jas. 2:8; Jas. 4:12 There is no other commandment (entole) greater than these - Notice Jesus uses "commandment" singular even though He has quoted two "commandments." There is no grammatical error because the two commandments are intimately related to each other. In short, the inevitable proof of our love for God is our love for men (especially fellow believers) (1 John 2:9-10; 3:17; 4:8, 12). To fulfill these commands is to fulfill all others. --Grassmick Paul writes "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Ro 13:10) One's love for people reveals the degree of his love for God -- Gilbrant
Marcos 12
Utley - The Talmud taught that one is required to stand in the presence of a rabbi. These men liked this special treatment (i.e. distinctive prayer shawls, respectful greetings, best seats in worship, and place of honor at meals). They had it all, but missed Christ! Brian Bell - They loved their uniform because it indicated their office wherever they went! (Commentary) (Are the any parallels today? Rhetorical question of course!)
Marcos 12
Utley - This may be metaphorical language referring to (1) the burden of alms-giving that these leaders required of all the people or (2) the practice of convincing widows to give their inheritance (i.e. livelihood) to the temple. This thereby refers to the manipulative fundraising techniques of the religious leaders. Geddert - “These impressive-looking scribes,” says Jesus, “are hypocrites. They pray long public prayers, but it is all a sham. They act pious, yet secretly commit one of the sins most viciously condemned by the prophets: defrauding the poor.” Widow’s houses may refer to the property of those for whom they act as legal representatives. Instead of protecting the rights of their clients, they find ways of robbing them. When the Lord suddenly comes to his temple (Mal. 3:1; see previous section), among those judged will be those oppressing widows (Mal. 3:5). “Don’t be fooled,” Jesus warns his hearers, especially his disciples (12:43). “Things are not always as they seem. The scribes are highly respected; they seem to have earned it with their superior piety. Yet underneath a beautiful exterior is hypocrisy and deceit.” This theme continues through the next several episodes. “Don’t be fooled! Some gifts look impressive, but it is the widow’s gift, worth a penny, that truly pleases God” (12:41–44). “Don’t be fooled! The temple looks impressive and indestructible, but it will soon be a heap of rubble” (13:1–4). “Don’t be fooled! Messianic pretenders and apocalyptic deceivers will soon be making extravagant claims, but you must guard yourselves against their deceptions” (13:5–22). Daniel Akin - “They devour” and take advantage of the vulnerable, in this context widows. Like some televangelist and religious charlatans in our own day they preyed on the weak exploiting the generosity of others for their own profit. Taking the meager means of a widow’s Social Security check did not faze them or trouble their conscious one wit. “More for me” was their motto. There is “money to be made in ministry” was their philosophy. The prophets condemned in the strongest terms those who took advantage of widows and orphans (Isa 10:2; Amos 2: Micah 3) and Jesus joined their chorus. Had they not read Lev 19:18?! Did they not hear Jesus when He spoke of the 2 great commandments, the 2 great loves? (Mark 12:35-40 Turning Theologians On Their Head) John
Marcos 12
Utley - They prayed to be seen by others, not heard by God. Their religion was an outward show (cf. Isa. 29:13; Matt. 7:21–23; Col. 2:16–23), but they did not recognize God’s greatest gift! They prayed to be seen by others, not heard by God. -- Bob Utley Brian Bell on long prayers - Samuel Chadwick (minister during the late 1800’s & early 1900’s) said when he went away from his home, he wrote every day to his wife. And when he was going a short journey their letters were short; and the further away he went, the longer his letters were; & that reminded him of some people. He thought “some people must be a long distance from God because their prayers were so long!” The inspiration of all their activity was self-centered. God is seeking servants, not celebrities; He sees the heart! Listen,…those people who seem “too spiritual to be true”…usually aren’t! (Commentary)