S – But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to local courts,^, and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them. ¹⁰ And it is necessary that the gospel be preached to all nations

Mark 13:9–10 CSB

O – Commentary:

The second watch out! warns of persecution that was to come upon Christians (see 6:11; 8:34–38; 10:30; see 4:17). Jewish Christians would be brought before local councils of Jewish leaders, who had authority over Jewish communities. We read of such a council in Matt 10:17 and probably in Matt 5:22 (see also Acts 4:1–22). • beaten in the synagogues: Paul’s beatings in 2 Cor 11:24–25 were probably inflicted in the local synagogue. • The followers of Jesus would also be susceptible to trial before governors and kings (see Acts 23:24; 24:10–27; 25:1–26:32). Such trials were due to their being followers of Jesus (13:9, 13), not on account of real wrongdoing (see 1 Pet 4:14–16). • But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me: Or But this will be your testimony against them. The Greek can be interpreted either way

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Jesus warned his disciples how the disciples would preach the gospel.  Would you accept the assignment?  He is sending them to a life of pain and rejection…all to get the gospel out.  Yet, we preach the gospel daily with our words and actions in everyday environments. Daily, people judge the gospel by how we share and model our faith in Christ.  Each day is our opportunity to tell them.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Creator of all.  Empower us in our testimony to share a genuine love and faith in you.  Let our words and actions share who you are and your desire for relationship with us.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us today in all environments and situations.

S – Jesus answered, “The most important is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.^{,, 31} The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself.^, There is no other command greater than these.”

Mark 12:29–31 CSB

O – Commentary:

He began with the opening words of the Shema (from Heb., “Hear!” [šema‘], the first word of Deut. 6:4). This creed (Num. 15:37–41; Deut. 6:4–9; 11:13–21) was recited twice daily—morning and evening—by devout Jews. It asserted the basis of Jewish faith: The Lord (Heb., Yahweh), namely, our God, Israel’s covenant-keeping God, the Lord is One, that is, unique (cf. Mark 12:32).

The command, Love (lit., “you shall love”) the Lord your God (Deut. 6:5), calls for a volitional commitment to God that is personal, comprehensive, and wholehearted. This is emphasized by the repeated words with (ex, “out of,” denoting source), all (holēs, “the whole of”), your (sing.), and the various terms relating to the human personality—heart (control center; cf. Mark 7:19), soul (self-conscious life; cf. 8:35–36), mind (thought capacity), and strength (bodily powers). The Hebrew text does not mention “mind”; the Septuagint omits “heart”; but Jesus included both terms, stressing the comprehensive nature of the command (cf. 12:33; Matt. 22:37; Luke 10:27).

Jesus then spoke of a similar commitment to one’s neighbor by quoting a second inseparable (cf. 1 John 4:19–21) and complementary command. Love (lit., “you shall love”) your neighbor (plēsion, “one who is nearby,” a generic term for fellowman) as, in the same way as, yourself (Lev. 19:18). The love a person has naturally for himself is not to focus solely on himself—a constant tendency—but should be directed equally toward others

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – What would our lives look like if we excelled at these commandments?  Our love for God would be genuine, seeking depths we cannot fathom. Our love for others would be filled with courage, grace and compassion.  We can do this.  We must choose both.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Empower us today to love you and others at the highest level.  Forgive us of our pride and stubbornness that causes us to remain distant.  We choose to love and honor you above all.  We choose to love others genuinely with a heart of courage and compassion.

S – The chief priests and the scribes heard it and started looking for a way to kill him. For they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was astonished by his teaching.

Mark 11:18 CSB

O – Commentary:

When the religious leaders (cf. comments on 8:31; 11:27; 14:1, 43, 53) heard about this, they began seeking (cf. 12:12; 14:1, 11) the best way to kill Him without creating a major uprising. Mark alone explained (gar, for) that they were afraid of Him because of His authoritative appeal to the crowds. The whole crowd of Passover pilgrims from all parts of the ancient world was amazed (exeplēsseto, “astounded, struck out of their senses, overwhelmed”; cf. 1:22; 6:2; 7:37; 10:26) at the content of His teaching (cf. 1:27). His popularity with the people kept the Jewish authorities from arresting Him immediately.

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – It is amazing that Jesus’ words and actions brought fear to one group because of his authority and amazement to another group. Fear is a good emotion until it becomes unhealthy…which it does quickly.  It is right to notice this is different or challenging.  Unfortunately, the leaders shifted to authority and how it challenged their rights as the religious leaders.  That insecurity caused them to want to eliminate him. The people found it different and difficult and stepped toward it.  They wanted to be closer to him.

R- Heavenly Father, you are the One, true God.  We know life will bring challenges and things that cause a healthy fear.  Please empower us to move toward you in those situations.  Help us to put the fear aside and seek your presence and heart in these situations.

S – Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive^, the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them. 

Mark 10:15–16 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Whoever will not receive God’s kingdom as a gift now with the trustful attitude of a child will never (emphatic negative, ou mē, “by no means”) enter it. He will be excluded from its future blessings, specifically eternal life (cf. vv. 17, 23–26). God’s kingdom is not gained by human achievement or merit; it must be received as God’s gift through simple trust by those who acknowledge their inability to gain it any other way (cf. comments on 1:15).

10:16. Jesus’ loving action (cf. 9:36) vividly illustrated that His blessing is freely given to those who receive it trustingly. The intensive compound verb blessed (kateulogei, imperf., occurring only here in the NT) emphasizes the warmhearted fervor with which Jesus blessed each child who came to Him.

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – I love how Jesus used a child as the illustration and blessed the children.  It is a great picture for us to recognize the simplicity of knowing Christ and the importance of our faith.  We can make it harder than it needs to be.  Also, he reminds us to bless our own children. We have every ability to do that today.

R – Heavenly Father, you are unlimited in power and mercy.  Remind us what you desire most in our relationship with you.  Empower us to focus on the fundamentals of our relationship.  We are grateful for the blessings you give us each day.

S – A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him!” 

⁸ Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. 

Mark 9:7–8 CSB

O – Commentary:

Listen to Him (pres. imper.), actually means, “Be obedient to Him.” This reflects the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15 (cf. Deut. 18:19, 22 also) and serves to identify Jesus as the new and final Mediator of God’s rule in its present and future form (cf. Ps. 2:4–7; 2 Peter 1:16–19). Jesus succeeded Moses and Elijah, who suddenly disappeared leaving no one except Jesus. Their work was done and they were superseded. Jesus, not Moses or Elijah, is now God’s authorized Ruler and Spokesman.

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him… ¹⁹ I will hold accountable whoever does not listen to my words that he speaks in my name

Deuteronomy 18:15, 19 CSB

A—God transitions from the prophets to the Messiah. He validates Jesus as the new way to have a relationship with God. When the others disappear, Jesus alone is our way to Him. “Listen to him” becomes more important. Jesus is God’s spokesman, and we are accountable for what he says to us. Our actions will indicate our ability to hear and obey God’s voice.

R – Heavenly Father, we esteem you and lift up your name today.  Please help us to hear your voice and obey.  We are grateful for what Jesus did on the cross, which allowed us to have a relationship with you.  We invite the Holy Spirit to lead us through all we have before us.

S – For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Mark 8:38 CSB

O – Commentary:

To be “ashamed” of Jesus is to reject Him (cf. 8:34–35a) and to retain allegiance to “this generation” because of unbelief and fear of the world’s contempt. In return, when Jesus comes in glory as the awesome Judge, He will refuse to claim those as His own (cf. Matt. 7:20–23; Luke 13:22–30), and they will experience shame

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Do we associate more with what the world than with Christ?  We can boldly declare we love God but do our thoughts, words and actions align with the world?  We must align all of us with Him.  We must genuinely desire relationship with our God and allow that to be evident in every aspect of our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, you are faithful and true.  Please forgive us when our hearts and lives don’t align for you.  We surrender all of ourselves to you.  We are not ashamed of our relationship with Jesus and the gospel.  

S – Well into the night, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. ⁴⁸ He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Very early in the morning he came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. ⁴⁹ When they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out, ⁵⁰ because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

 Mark 6:47–50 CSB

O – Commentary:

Jesus continued praying well past midnight. Meanwhile the disciples had made little headway out on the lake because a strong north wind blew against them. In the dim light of early dawn, the fourth watch of the night (by Roman reckoning, 3 to 6 a.m.; cf. 13:35), Jesus saw them straining at the oars and went out to them, walking on the choppy water’s surface. The words He was about to pass by them do not mean He was going “to bypass” them. He intended “to pass beside” them in the sense of an Old Testament theophany (cf. Ex. 33:19, 22; 1 Kings 19:11; Mark 6:50b) to reassure them.

  “Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

“Pass” parĕrchŏmai, par-er´-khom-ahee; to come near or aside, i.e. to approach (arrive), go by (or away)

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

A – We all go through “storms.” Jesus commanded his disciples to go to the other side and they still had problems.  They strained and worked to do what he said.  This is a lot like our journey today.  We are obedient and putting in the effort.  We are challenged and pushed against from “the other side.”  God is working on our faith, perseverance and character.  Also, he is present and with us in the journey.  Do we invite him closer or continue trying to do it alone?

R – Heavenly Father, you are Holy.  Thank you for your presence and power in all of our daily challenges.  You have equipped us, and we are doing our best.  Yet, sometimes the storms are challenging and you feel distant.  Empower us today to align with your will and rest in your ability to accomplish your purposes.

S – As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged him earnestly that he might remain with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him but told him, “Go home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and they were all amazed. 

Mark 5:18–20 CSB

O – Commentary:

Jesus told him to go to his home (immediate family) and family (lit., “to yours,” your own people) from whom he had been estranged and report to them all that the Lord, the Most High God (cf. 5:7; Luke 8:39) had done for him and how He had shown mercy on him. The man obeyed and began to proclaim (cf. Mark 1:4, 14) in the Decapolis (a league of 10 Gr. cities all but one east of the Jordan) the wonderful things Jesus (cf. “Lord,” 5:19) had done for him. Those who heard him were amazed (ethaumazon, cf. “astonished”; 6:6a; 12:17; 15:5, 44).

Since this man was a Gentile and his preaching activity was confined to a Gentile area where Jesus was not welcome, Jesus did not give His usual injunction to silence 

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The transformed man wanted to remain close to Jesus and he was sent back to his own people.  God positioned the man to be most effective.  He was a Gentile and would not be accepted by the Jewish people.  Yet, in his realm used by God to share the good news.  Where are we positioned today to share the gospel with others most effectively?  

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Thank you for delivering us from our sin and way of life that does not honor you.  Please help us recognize the opportunities to share the good news with others.  Give us the courage to share authentically and with your heart of compassion.

S – He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ Then he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 

⁴¹ And they were terrified^, and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”

Mark 4:39–41 CSB 

O – Commentary:

Jesus rebuked His disciples for being afraid (deiloi, “cowardly fear”) in a crisis. Despite Jesus’ tutoring (vv. 11, 34) it still had not dawned on them that God’s authority and power were present in Jesus. This is what He meant by His second question, Do you still have no faith? (cf. 7:18; 8:17–21, 33; 9:19)

In stilling the storm Jesus assumed the authority exercised only by God in the Old Testament (cf. Pss. 89:8–9; 104:5–9; 106:8–9; 107:23–32). That is why the disciples were terrified (lit., “feared a great fear”) when they saw that even the forces of nature did obey Him. The verb “terrified” (from phobeomai, “have awe;” cf. deilos, “cowardly fear,” in Mark 4:40) refers to a reverence that overtakes people in the presence of supernatural power (cf. 16:8). However, their question to one another, Who is this? indicated that they did not fully comprehend the significance of it all.

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Whatever “storm” we are facing, God is in it with us.  We are not alone.  He is in the boat with us. Faith can stop the storm or God can continue to allow it to happen.  But, he is still with us.  Our confidence needs to be in his presence and not his deliverance.  Jesus knew there was so much more for him and all of his disciples to accomplish.  He didn’t fear the storm because he knew that all were going to make it and survive. We can put our faith in God that He knows and holds all of our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Peace.  Help us recognize your presence in our challenges.  We want our faith to grow where there is genuine confidence in your ability to lead us through the situations and model your power and love. 

S – Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against him, how they might kill him. 

Mark 3:6 CSB

O – Commentary:

This verse climaxes the section on Jesus’ conflicts in Galilee with the religious establishment (2:1–3:5). It is Mark’s first explicit reference to Jesus’ death, which now began to cast its shadow over His mission. The Pharisees conspired immediately (euthys; cf. 1:10) with the Herodians (cf. 12:13), influential political supporters of Herod Antipas, in an unprecedented common effort to destroy Jesus (cf. 15:31–32). His authority confronted and overwhelmed their authority, so He must be killed. Their problem was how.

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Recognize that God allowed two opposing forces to come together to kill Jesus.  The Pharisees were the “keepers” of Jewish law and custom and the Herodians kept people in alignment with Rome.  Both needed each other to accomplish the task.  It was extremely rare for them to work together.  What looks extremely bad and impossible was part of God’s overall plan for our salvation.  We must recognize in our own lives that God is working when things are challenging and not “good.”

R – Heavenly Father, you are all powerful and use every aspect in our life for our good.  Please help us to grow in our faith when it is tough.  We know you love us and have a purpose.  Let us discern and see your actions in all aspects of our lives.