Matthew Henry Commentary Mark 12
Matthew Henry Commentary
Mark 12
Matthew Henry Commentary
Mark 12
"And he began to speak unto them in parables. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a pit for the winepress, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruits of the vineyard. And they took him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and him they wounded in the head, and handled shamefully. And he sent another; and him they killed: and many others; beating some, and killing some. He had yet one, a beloved son: he sent him last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him forth out of the vineyard. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. Have ye not read even this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvellous in our eyes? And they sought to lay hold on him; and they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spake the parable against them: and they left him, and went away." — Mark 12:1-12 (ASV)
Christ showed in parables that he would set aside the Jewish church. It is sad to think what contemptible treatment God's faithful ministers have received in all ages from those who have enjoyed the privileges of the church but have not produced fruit in keeping with them. Finally, God sent his Son, his Well-beloved. It might have been expected that the one whom their Master loved, they also should respect and love. But instead of honoring him because he was the Son and Heir, for that very reason, they hated him.
But the exaltation of Christ was the Lord's doing; and it is his doing to exalt him in our hearts and to set up his throne there. If this is done, it will certainly be marvelous in our eyes. The Scriptures, faithful preachers, and the coming of Christ in the flesh call on us to render due praise to God in our lives.
Let sinners beware of a proud, carnal spirit; if they revile or despise the preachers of Christ, they would have done the same to their Master, if they had lived when he was on earth.
"And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, that they might catch him in talk. And when they were come, they say unto him, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and carest not for any one; for thou regardest not the person of men, but of a truth teachest the way of God: Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why make ye trial of me? bring me a denarius, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar`s. And Jesus said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar`s, and unto God the things that are God`s. And they marvelled greatly at him." — Mark 12:13-17 (ASV)
The enemies of Christ wanted to appear eager to know their duty, when really they hoped that whichever side he took on the question, they might find an opportunity to accuse him. Nothing is more likely to ensnare the followers of Christ than leading them to meddle in disputes about worldly politics. Jesus avoided the snare by referring to the submission they had already made as a nation; and all who heard him marveled at the great wisdom of his answer. Many will praise the words of a sermon, who will not be governed by its doctrines.
"And there come unto him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Teacher, Moses wrote unto us, If a man`s brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed; and the second took her, and died, leaving no seed behind him; and the third likewise: and the seven left no seed. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. Jesus said unto them, Is it not for this cause that ye err, that ye know not the scriptures, nor the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as angels in heaven. But as touching the dead, that they are raised; have ye not read in the book of Moses, in [the place concerning] the Bush, how God spake unto him, saying, I [am] the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living: ye do greatly err." — Mark 12:18-27 (ASV)
A right knowledge of Scripture, as the fountain from where all revealed religion now flows, and the foundation on which it is built, is the best safeguard against error. Christ refuted the objection of the Sadducees, who were the scoffing unbelievers of that day, by setting the doctrine of the future state in a true light. The relationship between husband and wife, though established in the earthly paradise, will not be known in the heavenly one.
It is no wonder if we confuse ourselves with foolish errors when we form our ideas of the world of spirits by the affairs of this world of sense. It is absurd to think that the living God should be the portion and happiness of a man if he is forever dead. Therefore, it is certain that Abraham's soul exists and acts, even though it is now temporarily separated from the body.
Those who deny the resurrection err greatly and should be told so. Let us seek to pass through this dying world, with a joyful hope of eternal happiness, and of a glorious resurrection.
"And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all? Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Of a truth, Teacher, thou hast well said that he is one; and there is none other but he: and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is much more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question." — Mark 12:28-34 (ASV)
Those who sincerely desire to be taught their duty, Christ will guide in judgment and teach His way. He tells the scribe that the great commandment, which indeed includes all, is that of loving God with all our hearts. Wherever this is the ruling principle in the soul, there is a disposition to every other duty.
Loving God with all our heart will commit us to everything by which He will be pleased. The sacrifices only represented the atonements for people's transgressions of the moral law; they were of no power unless they expressed repentance and faith in the promised Savior and led to moral obedience. And because we have not loved God and man in this way, but have done the very reverse, we are therefore condemned sinners; we need repentance, and we need mercy.
Christ approved what the scribe said and encouraged him. He was in a good position to advance further, for this knowledge of the law leads to conviction of sin, to repentance, to the discovery of our need for mercy, and to understanding the way of justification by Christ.
"And Jesus answered and said, as he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that the Christ is the son of David? David himself said in the Holy Spirit, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. David himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he his son? And the common people heard him gladly. And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and [to have] salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts: they that devour widows` houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation." — Mark 12:35-40 (ASV)
When we pay attention to what the Scriptures declare regarding the person and offices of Christ, we will be led to confess him as our Lord and God; to obey him as our exalted Redeemer. If the common people hear these things gladly, while the learned and distinguished oppose them, the former are happy, and the latter are to be pitied. And as sin, disguised with a show of piety, is double iniquity, so its doom will be doubly heavy.
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