The Gospel According to Mark: Jesus the Suffering ServantSample

In Jesus’ day, some religious leaders claimed to love the Lord, but lived in ways that weren’t loving. They claimed to know the Lord, but lived in ways that weren’t compassionate. They claimed to follow the Lord, but lived in ways that weren’t merciful.

That's hypocrisy at its worst.

Jesus hated hypocrisy. He called it out every time he encountered it. And he warned against it at every chance.

Following Jesus means living like Jesus.

Following Jesus means loving like Jesus.

Following Jesus means learning about Jesus.

Following Jesus means that our actions should match our words, should match our thoughts, should match our attitudes (see more about that in the rest of Mark chapter 12).

Jesus calls out hypocrisy back to back in Mark 12, first by telling a parable, then by giving an object lesson.

Both times, the guilty hypocrites knew he was talking about them. Both times, they failed to learn their lesson and change their hearts.

Followers of Jesus must always be on the lookout for hypocrisy in their own hearts and minds. We must ask Jesus to reveal it to us. We must be honest about what he shows us. And we must let him work inside us to transform us into people who are faithful followers, not half-hearted hypocrites.

Focused Reflection

It’s easy to spot hypocrisy in others. It’s harder to see and admit it in ourselves.

• What are some ways that your actions haven't always lined up with what you say and believe?
• What do you think causes hypocrisy?
• How can followers of Jesus protect against hypocrisy?

General Reflection

• What do you learn about Jesus from this passage?
• What do you learn about following Jesus from this passage?

Extra Info

• In Jesus’ day, tenant farmers​ were hired to work the farms and vineyards of wealthy owners. In this parable, the tenant farmers are the hypocritical religious leaders, the servants are the Old Testament prophets, and the owner’s son is Jesus.
• Pharisees​ were legal and religious leaders who were committed to keeping all of God’s laws — both the ones in the scriptures and the ones that religious leaders had expanded.
• Caesar​ was the Roman ruler. Rome was the occupying ruling government in Jesus’ world. Herod​ was a Jewish leader chosen by Caesar to keep the peace and to keep the Jewish people under control.
• Tiberius Julius Caesar​ Augustus (or just Tiberius) was the ruler of the Roman world during Jesus' earthly life.
• Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob​ are all important people in the history of Israel and major characters from the first five books of the Old Testament.