Author Archives: jack

In your Bible it may have something telling you Mark 16:9-20 are not in the earliest copies of Mark’s book. If you want, ask your leaders some other time about what this means. But what is important today is that … Continue reading →

Some followers of Jesus went to the tomb where Jesus was buried early in the morning on the first day of the Jewish week. (Mark 16:1-8.) They had waited for the Sabbath to end, according to the Old Testament Law, … Continue reading →

There is also a lot going on in today’s passage! (Mark 15:33-47.) Darkness, more Old Testament Scripture being fulfilled, and other symbolic events all occur in the story of Jesus’ death and burial. The main point is that Jesus suffered … Continue reading →

Crucifixion was a nasty process. It has been said that it was one of the worst forms of torture and death anyone could experience. If you want to learn more about such things, perhaps talk to your leaders, or pick … Continue reading →

Mark 14:66-72 is a bit of an emotional passage. In this reading, Peter denies Jesus. Remember that it was Peter who said to Jesus that even if all would fall away, he would not. Peter said that even if he … Continue reading →

As we read the events of Mark 14:43-65 we must remember that God is in control. The Bible teaches clearly that God is sovereign (in control) over everything – even the events leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. He … Continue reading →

There is a great amount of meaning to the events in Mark 14:22-42. It starts with a special meal called “the Lord’s Supper”. It points back to the Passover meal from the Old Testament. In that meal, the people ate … Continue reading →

While staying at a place called Bethany (Mark 14:3-21), Jesus was with His disciples. Then a woman came and anointed Him with expensive perfume. In fact, from what the disciples said, the perfume was worth more than the money a … Continue reading →

In yesterday’s reading, the main point was to be alert and watchful, in order that we are not deceived about Jesus and His coming. Building on this, the main point in today’s reading (Mark 13:14-31) is to know that the … Continue reading →

In Mark 12:35-44 Jesus makes an exciting point. He more or less says that Christ is not the Son of David, but is the Son of God (verse 37). This is because the Lord spoke to David’s ‘Lord’ (see Psalm … Continue reading →

After the debates Jesus had been engaged in, one teacher of the law who was listening, after hearing Jesus give a good answer, asked Him which commandment was the greatest (Mark 12:28-34). It is interesting that Jesus’ answer is not … Continue reading →

While He was in Jerusalem, some of the Jews came to try and trap Jesus in what He said, so that they would have a reason to accuse Him (Mark 12:13-27). But Jesus knew what they were trying to do. … Continue reading →

In chapters 12 and 13 of Mark, Jesus gives a sort of teaching ‘intermission’. He came to Jerusalem telling His disciples He will be handed over to the Gentiles and will die, and rise again three days later. But while … Continue reading →

When Jesus returned to the temple (Mark 11:15-33), He taught the people once again. But He also forced out the people who were selling and exchanging money (verses 15-17). After this, the chief priests, teachers of the law and elders … Continue reading →

The Old Testament contains a lot of predictions about Christ. When Jesus enters Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-14), He rides on a colt while the crowds about Him sing praises to God (“hosanna” means “save”). This fulfils the Old Testament prediction that … Continue reading →

In Mark 10:46-52, Jesus is travelling to a place called Jericho. When He arrives, there is a blind man sitting on the road. Since He was blind, He would have been unable to work, and they didn’t have many means … Continue reading →

Today we read a beautiful passage (Mark 10:35-45), which begins with a request by James and John (who were brothers – “the sons of Zebedee”). They came to Jesus and asked Him to grant them permission to sit at His … Continue reading →

In Mark 10:17-34, Jesus says some important things about the how to be saved. A man had ran up to Jesus to ask what he must do in order to ‘inherit eternal life’. Jesus answers by reminding him of the … Continue reading →

In Mark 10:1-16, Jesus makes two important points about life. One is a teaching on divorce (verses 1-12). The second, which we will look at today, is when Jesus teaches about faith in the story of the little children (verses … Continue reading →

Sometimes there are little sayings or proverbs that people may quote which are meant to be a wise saying on some aspect of life (Mark 9:33-50). Jesus was full of them, since He came to teach us the way to … Continue reading →

When Jesus and His three disciples return from the top of the mountain (Mark 9:14-32), they find the other disciples arguing with the teachers of the law (verse 14). A man had brought his son, who was controlled by a … Continue reading →

In Mark 9:2-13, Jesus takes three of His disciples up a mountain, and then He was “transfigured” in front of them (verse 2). Transfiguration means to change form or appearance. In this story, Jesus’ clothes became “whiter than anyone in … Continue reading →

In Mark 8:27-9:1 there is a famous passage (verses 34-9:1). If you know it or are already familiar with it, great! But don’t let that stop you reading it. It is good that this passage is well-known. But we still … Continue reading →

By now you probably know that Jesus speaks often in parables. (If not, that’s okay – from today you will know!) In today’s reading (Mark 8:14-26), Jesus speaks again using a parable or comparison. He talks to His disciples, teaching … Continue reading →

At this point in the gospel (Mark 8:1-13), Jesus has said and done many things. Many people know about Him. Travel was took a lot longer back in Jesus’ time, so news travelled slowly as well. So it was no … Continue reading →

By this time in His life, many people knew about Jesus and knew of His power (Mark 7:24-37). At a place called Tyre, a woman whose daughter was controlled by an evil spirit came and fell at His feet (verse … Continue reading →

In yesterday’s reading, we looked at the problem the Pharisees had with their traditions. Today (Mark 7:14-23), Jesus tells us how God really views us. See, Jesus called the crowd to Him because He was about to say something important, … Continue reading →

You may know that the Pharisees were a sect or group of the Jews who strictly held to the Law. But they also did lots of other things, which they passed on as traditions (Mark 7:1-13). These included washing their … Continue reading →

Have you ever had the conversation with your friends, asking what kind of super power you would want (if you could only have one)? Well, not that it is really relevant to this passage, but it is interesting to think … Continue reading →