Chapter # 4 Paragraph # 1 Study # 3
January 28, 2020
Moss Bluff, Louisiana
(Download Audio)
(137)
Thesis: Mark's double emphasis in
4:2-3 makes it imperative that we carefully consider Jesus' actions (teaching/saying) and words (Listen/Behold).
Introduction: In our study last time we looked into the biblical concept of a "parable" and discovered that it is a verbal way of laying two things side by side - one "known" and one "unknown" - so that the "unknown" can begin to become "known" by a careful and discriminating comparison of the two. We also saw that there is a problem inherent in the use of "parables": How does one decide which of the attributes of the "known" are to be attributed to the "unknown", and which are to be ignored as insignificant? By way of illustration we used the "Sea of Galilee" as a "known" and the "Mediterranean Sea" as an "unknown" and argued that if we take the shape of the shorelines and the dimensions of the seas as "significant", we would be dreadfully led astray. Thus, Jesus' use of "parables" to teach "many things" is problematic from the "get-go".
However, Jesus would not have used "parables" to "teach" if no one was going to learn from them. Thus, we are going to take a further look into Mark's presentation of this part of Jesus' approach to His "discipleship" program.
- I. There is a Double-Double in Mark's Introductory Words.
- A. The first "double" is the one is 4:2.
- 1. There are two "imperfect, indicative, active" verbs here that are "apparently" redundant.
- a. "Teaching" is pictured as a past, on-going, activity that is heavily emphasized in Mark and serves as a fundamental way of saying that Jesus was "communicating truth" to His audiences.
- b. "Saying" is pictured in the same way to the same end.
- c. The actual fact that they are not "redundant" is seen once we look below the "general action" which both words describe.
- 1) "Teaching" is used by Mark when he wanted "communicating truth" to be viewed as "a communication of doctrine" as 4:2 makes clear by use of "teaching" as both verb and noun (teaching/doctrine in the Authorized Version; teaching/teaching in the NASB).
- 2) "Saying" is used both by Mark and multiple other authors of inspired Scripture when "a communication of truth" is to be viewed as "absolute Truth" as multiple examples of the use of "Verily, verily, I say unto you..." reveal: a double emphasis upon "Truth" coupled to the verb lego.
- 2. This first "double" is made even more emphatic by the historical setting in which people are ignoring many lesser calls upon their "values" in order to be where Jesus is so that they may "hear" His absolutely critical "Truth".
- B. The second "double" is the one in 4:3.
- 1. There are two "imperatives", back-to-back, which insist that the audience pay attention.
- a. The first of these is "Listen" ("Hearken" in the Authorized Version) and it becomes even more crucial in the light of 4:9 and 12 as well as the uses within the interpretation given in verses 15, 16, 18, and 20.
- b. The second is "Behold" (which, by accent is sometimes viewed as an imperative and other times as an interjection -- which boils down to the same thing: give me your attention).
- 2. As a second "double", Mark's point is made: Jesus is such a critical figure in Israel that He simply must be taken very seriously because of the eternal down-line consequences that will develop.
- C. This "double-double" is Mark's summons to his readers to "adjust" their own "value system" so that "Truth" is more crucial than most of the rest of the "values" that call for our attention day by day.
- 1. By way of implication, this is a two-pronged reality.
- a. Those "giving attention" must be searching to know "Truth".
- b. Those "teaching/saying" must be "truthful" (pablum, cliches, inaccurate illustrations, and untrue dogmatic statements are completely out of bounds).
- 2. The "crowds" that were constantly gathering around Jesus were large and insistent, but not always for the right reasons.
- a. Mark introduced Jesus as an "authoritative" communicator of "new" teaching.
- 1) This "new" teaching was introduced as "the Gospel of the Kingdom of God" (1:14).
- 2) This "new" teaching had three parts: a declaration that the "timing" was right; an announcement that the Kingdom of God was "at hand"; and a double imperative that included "repent" and "believe".
- b. Mark then recorded multiple historical records of Jesus' "authority" without revealing very much "content" of His actual "teaching".
- 1) This "authority" was revealed by exorcisms and healings.
- 2) This "method of revelation" produced two distinct "groups" within the large crowds: some actually sought to hear Jesus' "Truth"; others simply wanted "deliverance" from what ailed them.
- 3. Mark's record is of Jesus turning away from the "group" within the crowds that were adjusting their "value systems" simply to obtain a more pleasant physical experience.
- a. In the records of the New Testament there is a great host of declarations/teachings/instructions that reject "value systems" that place "ease of present experience" above all other considerations.
- b. It is an indisputable fact that "repentance" and "faith in the Gospel" are presented as major causes of great difficulties as long as this present world exists.
- c. God is not unaware of the false motivations of men and does not respond with "salvation" just because the "words" sound right (this is even more true when the "words" do not sound right).
