Mark 14: 26 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 Jesus said to them, “All of you will fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” NHEB After leaving the Upper Room, they exited Jerusalem and walked across the Kidron Valley. They were walking and Read more…

Mark 14:36 He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire.” NHEB All four Gospels talk about Jesus’ prayer regarding the cup but only Mark has this “Abba” language. Abba is an Aramaic term that is akin to saying “Daddy”. It is a unique term of address that no Jewish person would ever use nor does it appear that Read more…

Mark 14:43 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” 45Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 46 Then the men seized Jesus and arrested Him. 47 And Read more…

Mark 14:53 They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him. 54 Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and Read more…

Luke 23: 1 The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that He himself is the Christ, a king.”…..6 But when Pilate heard it, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7When he found out that He was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also Read more…

Mark 15:16 The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort. 17 They clothed him with purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him. 18 They began to salute him, “Greetings, King of the Jews.” 19 They struck his head with a reed, and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him. 20 When they had mocked him, Read more…

Mark 15:33 Now when it was noon, there was darkness over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34Then at three in the afternoon Jesus called out with a loud voice, saying, “Elohi, Elohi, lema shabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” NHEB There are two schools of thought on Psalm 22 which Christ quotes in Mark 15:34. The traditional viewpoint is that the death of Jesus on Read more…

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. WEB When Peter and the rest begin proclaiming Christ, they had to work from the Old Testament as there is no New Testament for them to use. Within the Old Testament, there is no chapter that played a bigger role than Isaiah 53 in Read more…

Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. WEB This appears to be the same Mary that Mark mentioned in 15:40 that describes Mary as the mother of James the less and of Joses. Salome (also mentioned in Mark 15:40) is the name of James and John’s mother so this is likely her. The reference to James Read more…

As we have seen throughout his Gospel account, Mark doesn’t always provide many details and that is certainly true regarding the resurrection. The first thing to understand is that 1Corinthians 15 was written before Mark. As a result, he is writing against the backdrop of a church that already has an understanding of the resurrection from what Paul has written. The early church is already worshiping on Sundays – even those from Jewish backgrounds who Read more…