Mark (Holman New Testament Commentary | HNTC)

Top Highlights

“No, because parables are more than illustrations; they are also spiritual tests. They hide the truth from those who do not seek truth, but they reveal truth to those who seek it.” (Page 67)

“Compare Bartimaeus’s devotion in casting away his cloak with the rich young ruler, who could not bring himself to cast away anything he owned to gain what he wanted.” (Page 173)

“Jesus’ parable is clear. The religious system of the day had plenty of leaves but no fruit. Its surface piety was seen in tithes and prayers and fasts (cf. Matt. 5–7), in the ritual purity that kept out women, lepers, blind beggars, and those possessed by demons. The foliage of the religious leaders offered much promise but no fulfillment. As the figless tree could not satisfy Jesus’ appetite, so the religious system could not satisfy the spiritual hunger of the people.” (Page 187)

“But Jesus point was, How do children receive gifts? They receive with anticipation. They receive joyfully and thankfully. They receive without believing they did anything to deserve the gift.” (Page 166)

“The wilderness in Israel’s history symbolized rebellion and disobedience.” (Page 7)