Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem
Mark 8:31–10:52
Preparation
First Prediction of Death and Resurrection (8:31).
The Kingdom is Near (1:15; 9:1)
Final Events in Galilee (8:31–9:50).
Second Prediction of Death and Resurrection (9:31)
Kingdom Has Small Beginnings (4:3-32; 10:29-31)
At Judean Borders (10:1-31).
Third Prediction of Death and Resurrection (10:33-34).
Beware Herod & Pharisees (8:15; 10:33-34)
Journey to Jerusalem (10:32-52).
Third Prediction (10:32-34).
Positions of Authority (10:35-45).
The question (10:35-37).
Ignorant questions (10:38).
Jesus’ prediction (10:39-40).
Displeased disciples (10:41).
Greatness in serving (10:42-45).It appears that the disciples were still under the impression that leadership in Jesus’ kingdom was going to be like that of civil kingdoms.
As we noted, they would continue to believe that even until His ascension.
In a sermon a few weeks ago, we considered the idea of leadership and rulers in the church, but this Greek word for “ruler” is not the same as that word.
The earlier one meant “to stand” or “to be placed before.”
This one is ἄρχω, which as a prefix precedes priest, translated as chief priest. It also might precede angel, translated archangel.
It literally means “to be first,” the precise thing Jesus was telling them not to be.
Such rulers are, as we discussed in that sermon, bosses. They order people around, having no concern for their wishes or desires.
As we see, this kind of ruler (to be first) is not the kind of people we are to be in the church. Our leaders are simply those placed before, not those who desire to be first.
There are certain denominations that have leaders in their churches with “arch” in the title (e.g. archbishop). While bishop (or overseer) is a biblical office, the archbishop is, again, the exact opposite of what we are supposed to strive for.
In fact, since the overseer is the same office as a shepherd, we note there is only one Arch, or Chief Shepherd, ἀρχιποίμην (1 Pet. 5:4).
We are to serve one another as a leader (if we are leaders), not to rule over one another as a boss or a king.
And no matter what our role is, service is our mission, as we see it was Jesus’ mission. And who is a better example for us than He?
That brings us to the thematic verse of Mark.
Even Jesus came to serve, not to be served. And if that’s good enough for Jesus, isn’t it good enough for us?
He is God on this earth! Do we think we are better than He? So let us serve as He served!
And following His example, He did so tirelessly, as we have seen throughout this book, going from place to place with hardly a chance to rest.
In this section of Mark, we see this transition from the servant to the suffering servant.
Such suffering is predicted three times in this section, and the perhaps is mentioned here, “to give His life a ransom for many.”
A ransom for many.
When we think of a ransom, what do we typically think of? Someone has been kidnapped, and you can get them back for a sum of money. That money is called the ransom.
If we are the ones being ransomed, and if Jesus paid the ransom (or was Himself the ransom), to whom did He pay that ransom?
There is this idea out there that Satan had humanity in his grasp, and Jesus’ sacrifice was a ransom paid to him to release us. Origen from the 3rd century believed this. Does this theory make sense?
No, because this puts Satan on the same level as the Lord, perhaps even at the mercy of Satan. Think of a man paying a ransom. He might say, “Please don’t hurt my loved one. Here’s some money, please let them go!” He becomes a beggar. Can you imagine God saying anything like this to Satan like a beggar?
This Greek word for “ransom” is used only twice in the NT, but 21 times in the LXX and is often a reference to the releasing of slaves or captives or redeeming property.
The root word for this means “to loose” or “to set free.” When we become a Christian, what are we set free from? Sin! (Rom. 6:17-18, 22).
You see, God is holy, and He cannot be around sin. His nature, His holiness will not permit it, Satan notwithstanding.
In fact, when Christ rose from the dead, He defeated Satan and the grave (1 Cor. 15:55-56).
“The strength of sin is the law,” and His death redeemed us from the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13-14).
We discussed Jesus’ purpose statements in the past, but this is by far the greatest reason why He came. Because of Him, we all have the opportunity to be redeemed because He paid that ransom on Calvary.
He paid it for … many? Not for all? Do we have a problem with that?
We should not, since we know that not all will take advantage of His blessed offer. And based on other Scriptures, not even most people will. But many will, and I want to be one of those many.
Blind Bartimaeus Healed (10:46-52).
Location—Jericho (10:46).
Luke’s account places these events happening as they are approaching Jericho (Luke 18:35; Matt. 20:29), while Matthew and Mark place it as they are leaving the city.
There are, in fact, three locations today for a place called Jericho. Back then there were two.
There was an older one that was likely the ancient location of the city that was a ruinous heap.
The newer one was vibrant and full of activity, the city where Zacchaeus (the wee little man) lived (Luke 19:1-2).
The people—multitude and Bartimaeus (10:46).
Jesus was surrounded by a great many people.
It may be that by this point many people believed Jesus to be the Messiah.
Bartimaeus’ called Him the Son of David without much being made of it, which suggests that it may have been the general consensus of the people.
So they all follow Him to Jerusalem, ready to crown Him king, as we’ll see in His triumphal entry in Mark 11:1-11.
As for this blind beggar, Mark is the only one to name him. This suggests that he became a true disciple after this, becoming a Christian at the appropriate time.
Bartimaeus’ name literally means “son of Timaeus,” and Mark seems to translate that here for us.
His later request, that he may receive his sight, in Greek suggests he once had his sight. It could be translated, “That I may see again.” He was either injured or had some kind of illness that robbed him of his sight.
There wasn’t much for a blind man to do in that society but to sit by the road begging for charity.
While the OT Law made certain provisions for taking care of the poor and disenfranchised, the way things were by this time made it difficult to put much of it into practice.
Still, they could do as Lev. 19:14 says, and help this poor man, but instead they try to silence him.
The cry and the rebuke (10:47-49).
I can only imagine what this experience was like for this blind man.
He hears a commotion and is wondering what is going on.
Either someone tells him who is walking by or he overhears who it is.
So he cries out, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Later in Mark 12:35, we find out that the scribes called the Christ (Messiah) the Son of David.
So if Jesus is the Christ, then He is the Son of David, and this blind man recognized this reality!
No doubt he heard so much of what Jesus did, healing the blind, the deaf, and the lame.
In his mind, he no doubt thought, “If Jesus comes here, maybe He will heal me, too.” So he cries out to Him, begging for help.
Those around him tried to keep him quiet. Why do you suppose they wanted to silence him?
It doesn’t say why they wanted him quiet, but we can offer some possibilities. First, maybe he was too loud, and they wanted to hear what Jesus had to say if He were saying anything. Or maybe they didn’t want this blind beggar to bother Jesus asking for money.
In any event, those who rebuked Bartimaeus didn’t know Jesus very well and how He healed people just like him. And they weren’t present with Him or they didn’t understand when Jesus taught on receiving all manner of people and the attitude of service He just finished talking about.
But the blind man, he didn’t let a little thing as people shushing him get in between him and Jesus. In fact, he cries out all the more!
Jesus hears him, stops, and calls him to Him. And amazingly the people try to cheer him up, informing him that Jesus now calls to him.
Can you imagine being this man? You’ve been blinded and some point, resorting to begging. You hear about this Man who might be able to doing something about it. Then a once-in-a-lifetime event happens and He walks right by you. You cry out, not knowing if your voice is heard. People are shushing you, so you cry out louder. And then you hear people saying, that He wants to see you. Imagine the joy, the eagerness this man must have felt.
This is manifest in his immediate reaction, shoving his blanket aside, excitedly jumping up and running toward Jesus—as much as a blind man likely guided by others can run. In the NKJV, it simply says, “he rose,” but the Greek implies something closer to jumping or springing up. This man was so excited… and can you blame him?
