Marcos 2
Thomas Constable · Citado em PreceptAustin
Marcos 2
Constable - Judaism had become old, and Jesus was going to set up a new form of God’s kingdom on earth that would be similar to a new garment. A garment symbolized the covering of man’s sinful condition in Old Testament usage (ED: compare the New Garment of Salvation below). The Jews were to lay aside the old garment of the Mosaic dispensation and put on the new of the messianic age. (Expository Notes) Garments of Salvation Genesis 3:21+ The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. Isaiah 61:10+ I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Gal 3:27+, For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Ro 13:14+ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Marcos 2
Constable - Judaism had also become rigid and inflexible because of the traditions that had encrusted it, like old goatskins that contained wine. Jesus’ kingdom could not operate within those constraints. It would be a new and more flexible vehicle for bringing joy (wine) to humanity. (Expository Notes) No one puts new wine (oinos) into old (palaios) wineskins (akso) otherwise the wine (oinos) will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well - The wineskins were usually goatskins with the rough part inside and new wine would ferment and crack the dried-up old skins. The question is what do new wine and old wineskins symbolize. The old wineskins are Judaism including all the added rules and regulations over the centuries. The new wine represents in essence Christianity, the new way to approach God. Jesus was saying that the old wineskins of ritualistic, legalistic Judaism could not contain His new wine of the Gospel of grace (Acts 20:24+). Legalism does not mix beneficaly with grace, and only results in ruin. Jesus "wine" would result in formation of a new entity, the church, which would bring Jew and Gentile together in one new body (Ephesians 2:16+). But one puts new wine (oinos) into fresh wineskins - Luke's version adds "And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’”(Lk 5:39+) Matthew 9:17+ adds the phrase "and both are preserved (suntereo)." Wiersbe sums up Jesus' teaching on new wine - Jesus came to usher in the new, not to unite with the old. The Mosaic economy was decaying, getting old, and ready to vanish away (Heb. 8:13). Jesus would establish a New Covenant in His blood (Luke 22:19–20). The Law would be written on human hearts, not on stones (2 Cor. 3:1–3; Heb. 10:15–18); and the indwelling Holy Spirit would enable God’s people to fulfill the righteousness of the Law (Rom. 8:1–4). By using this illustration, Jesus refuted once and for all the popular idea of a compromising “world religion.” Well-meaning but spiritually blind leaders have suggested that we take “the best” from each religion, blend it with what is “best” in the Christian faith, and thus manufacture a synthetic faith that would be acceptable to everybody. But the Christian faith is exclusive in character; it will not accept any other faith as its equal or its superior. “There is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Salvation is not a partial patching up of one’s life; it is a whole new robe of righteousness (Isa. 61:10; 2 Cor. 5:21). The Christian life is not a mixing of the old and the new; rather, it is a fulfillment of the old in the new. There are two ways to destroy a thing: you can smash it, or you can permit it to fulfill itself. An acorn, for example, can be smashed with a hammer, or it can be planted and allowed to grow into an oak. In both instances, the destruction of the acorn is accomplished; but in the second instance, the acorn is destroyed by being fulfilled. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies, types, and demands of the Law of Moses. The Law was ended at Calvary when the perfect sacrifice was once offered for the sins of the world (Heb. 8–10). When you trust Jesus Christ, you become part of a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), and there are always new experiences of grace and glory. How tragic when people hold on to dead religious tradition when they could lay hold of living spiritual truth. Why cherish the shadows when the reality has come? (Heb. 10:1ff) In Jesus Christ we have the fulfillment of all that God promised (2 Cor. 1:20). (Borrow Be diligent) NET Note explains "The meaning of the saying new wine into new ("FRESH") wineskins is that the presence and teaching of Jesus was something new and signaled the passing of the old. It could not be confined within the old religion of Judaism, but involved the inauguration and consummation of the kingdom of God." Wine (3631)(oinos - for more discussion of wine see oinos) means wine and is translated that way in all 32 uses in the NT with most having the literal meaning of wine for drink. Oinos describes recently pressed grape juice, either ready for fermentation or just having begun to ferment. The mention of the bursting of the wineskins (Mt 9:17; Mk 2:22; Lk 5:37), implies fermentation (see bubbling of fermentation). Distillation had not yet been developed, so wine could only achieve a certain level of alcoholic content, and it was always consumed with meals watered-down. The alcoholic content was a necessary antiseptic in the water of that day which was not always potable like modern treated drinking water. In a very clear spiritual analogy Paul compares being drunk with wine with being filled with (controlled by, "drunk with") the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18+). Old (3820) see note on palaios Wineskins (779)(akso) refers to an animal skin that forms a bag, usually for holding and dispensing wine or other liquids. Akso gives us the word ascidium, botanical term for pitcher-shaped plants or leaves. Wineskins were dehaired skins of small animals, such as goats, which were sewn together to hold water (Gen 21:15), milk (Judg 4:19), and wine (Josh 9:4, 13). See picture and description of ancient "skin bottle." See also ancient bottles. In the NT akso is used only in Jesus illustrations of new and old wine in Matt. 9:17; Mk. 2:22; Lk. 5:37; Lk. 5:38 Burst (4486)(rhegnumi) means to cause to separate abruptly and in this context meaning to burst from internal fermentation, usually suddenly and with force. Lost (622)(apollumi from apo = away from or wholly + olethros = state of utter ruin) basically describes that which is no longer usable for its intended purpose. Sadly this word describes every soul who rejects salvation by grace through faith in Christ (cf Mt 10:28 = destroy; Mt 16:25 = will lose; etc). They will NOT be annihilated (contrary to what even some "evangelical" teachers say)! The will exist forever and forever be unable to fulfill the purpose for which they were created which is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! New (3501)(neos) signifies new in respect to time (contrast kainos = new in respect to quality) and describes that which has recently come into existence but for a relatively short time. Neos means recent in time, and kainos means a new kind. The Messianic kingdom would be new both in time and in kind. Fresh (2537)(kainos) refers to that which is new kind (unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of). It relates to being not previously present. Vine adds that kainos "denotes “new,” of that which is unaccustomed or unused, not “new” in time, recent (Greek = "neos"), but “new” as to form or quality, of different nature from what is contrasted as oldMark uses kainos again in Mk 2:22 to describe "new wine." Mt 9:17 uses kainos to describe "fresh (kainos) wineskins." For more discussion of the distinction from another Greek word for new (neos) see New - Trench's Synonyms of the New Testament. Mark 2:23 And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. NET Mark 2:23 Jesus was going through the grain fields on a Sabbath, and his disciples began to pick some heads of wheat as they made their way. GNT Mark 2:23 Καὶ ἐγένετο αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς σάββασιν παραπορεύεσθαι διὰ τῶν σπορίμων, καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἤρξαντο ὁδὸν ποιεῖν τίλλοντες τοὺς στάχυας. NLT Mark 2:23 One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. KJV Mark 2:23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. ESV Mark 2:23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. NIV Mark 2:23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. ASV Mark 2:23 And it came to pass, that he was going on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears. CSB Mark 2:23 On the Sabbath He was going through the grainfields, and His disciples began to make their way picking some heads of grain. And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields: Mt 12:1-8 Lu 6:1-5 picking the heads of grain: Dt 23:24,25 Parallel Passages Mk 2:23–28—Mt. 12:1–8; Lk 6:1–5 Matthew 12:1+ At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. Luke 6:1+ Now it happened that He was passing through some grainfields on a Sabbath; and His disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the grain. Fruiting Heads of Wheat IT JUST HAPPENED TO HAPPEN! It is interesting that Mark only records 5 SABBATH SCENES (Mk 1:21-28, Mk 2:23-28, Mk 3:1-6, Mk 6:2-5, Mk 16:1 "When the Sabbath was over" = the resurrection) and Matthew only 3 SABBATH SCENES (Mt 12:1-8, Mt 12:9-14, Mt 28:1 "after the Sabbath" = the resurrection). When one compares Luke's account, he records SEVEN SABBATH SCENES (including the resurrection). For a more complete discussion of these SABBATH SCENES see commentary on Luke 6:1ff. And it happened - As discussed in the these SABBATH SCENES in the commentary on Luke 6, this grainfield happening is Jesus' third SABBATH SCENE. Notice the phrase And it happened. which is found in the NAS translation. The NJB has "it happened that." The KJV and ASV are similar with "And it came to pass." Most of the other translations (NET, ESV, NIV, CSB NRS, miss this phrase (it happened) which is in a sense a "time phrase." The Greek reads literally "And it came to pass." Here is the point of making such a fuss over this phrase -- one can read and it happened and miss the fact that things don't just "happen" by chance. Jesus and His disciples weren't in the grainfields by chance. They were not hungry by chance. The Pharisees were not watching by chance. God is sovereign and every "note" of this arrangement is orchestrated by our Great and Mighty God. God is in control of everything that happened to Jesus and is in control of everything that happens in our lives beloved. So let's do a short side-trip on HAPPEN. First note that we get the English verb happen from the word hap and the Webster's first entry is "to occur by chance." We commonly hear the phrase "it just so happened." Here our English mindset gives us an incorrect meaning of these opening words. They did not happen by chance. Not one thing Jesus did was by accident or chance and this SABBATH SCENE encounter was no exception. This was a divinely ordained confrontation of the traditions of the pseudo-pious Pharisees and the truth of the Lord of the Sabbath, also known in other contexts as Lord of the Sabaoth (of the armies of Heaven)! Matthew's parallel passage (Mt 12:1+) uses the Greek word kairos for time which speaks of an opportune time, much like our "window of opportunity." In other words, miss the time and you miss the "opportunity." (cf See Paul's exhortation for believers to Redeem the Time). Jesus was a Man on mission and did not miss opportunities (and as aside remember we are called to "imitate Him" - 1 Cor 11:1+, 1 Jn 2:6+, 1 Pe 2:21+. See Walking Like Jesus Walked! - How are you doing regarding your divine allotment of kairos moments! Don't waste your divine "allotment" of opportunities for they may never occur again! Benjamin Franklin said "early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" especially in regard to redeeming the time - are you going to bed early that you might wake up early and be ready to redeem the opportunities God gives you EVERY day?) In this case of course the "opportunity" was the right place, the right day, and the right actors, so that the stage was set for another confrontation between the Pharisees and Jesus (cf Luke's record of Jesus' first confrontation with religionists and note the time phrase "one day" reflecting once again God's providence - Lk 5:17-21+ - See another grainfield Providential Happening that changed the life of Ruth the Moabitess). It was the right "season" (kairos) for a "perfect storm" ordained by God Who is sovereign over His creation (including storms!), even allowing the creation (in this case the Pharisees) to question their Creator (Jesus)! Notice the irony here for the Hebrew word Sabbath means rest, but it is only by believing in the Person of Jesus that one can find true rest (cf Mt 11:28-30+). These Pharisees were in fact "restless," for they found no true spiritual rest in their plethora of external religious observances! Just as Jesus had taught in the Sermon on the Mount, keeping of external laws (much less man-made non-Biblical traditions) could never bring true rest internally (and eternally) and righteousness that pleases God (compare Jesus' way in Mt 5:6+ versus the Pharisees' way in Mt 5:20+), for true righteousness comes from the heart of the one who places his or her faith in Christ Jesus our Rest! (cf Ro 10:9-10+). Have you entered His perfect rest by grace through faith in the Lord of the Sabbath (Rest)? Play Kari Jobe's "Be Still My Soul - In You I Rest." That He was passing through the grainfields (sporimos) on the Sabbath (sabbaton) - When Israel came out of their bondage in Egypt, God had given them the Sabbath Day (Ex. 20:8–11; Neh. 9:14) and it was to be a special sign between the nation and Jehovah. God intended the Sabbath Day to be a blessing but the Pharisees had turned it into a burden. That is always the rotten fruit (pun intended) of legalism! The Jews did not call it "legalism" but used a euphemistic word "tradition," which sounds innocuous and even somewhat "patriotic." If you were a good Jew, you would want to keep the "traditions." The trouble was that the traditions added men's imperfect precepts to God's perfect, holy precepts, and the result was like "oil and water" which do not mix! THOUGHT - Legalism in any form negates the freedom believers have in Christ for legalism counteracts grace which is the "air" a believer needs to breathe to live in freedom. Legalism steals God's blessings and replaces them with burdens. Are you practicing legalism in your Christian life? This can be very subtle to very overt, but both will snuff out the power of grace in our lives. Do you have a list of things to do which you would consider "spiritual" (like a morning quiet time) and if you don't accomplish them for some reason you feel guilty or feel like God won't bless you that day? If so, you have fallen into the subtle trap of legalism. One of the best passages in the Bible to use to check our motives and actions in the spiritual life is Paul's rhetorical question "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal 3:3+). Paul's point of course is that keeping rules will not progressively sanctify you. It will not transform you from glory to glory (cf 2 Cor 3:18+). It will not make you more and more like Jesus, but actually make you less like Jesus, for He was the the antithesis of a legalist. We need a daily reminder, that we began this "race of grace" by faith and we are to daily run by faith, not by keeping rules! Ray