Jesus Questions the Messiah and Warns Against Scribes
Mark 12:35-40
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Mark.12.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- διδασκων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ιερω·Πως: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- λεγουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γραμματεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Δαυιδ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 22:41-46 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Jesus' question in the temple about how David can call the Messiah 'Lord' (verbal and narrative parallel to Mark 12:35-37).
- Luke 20:41-44 (verbal): Parallel version of the same teaching; Luke records Jesus' citation of Psalm 110:1 to challenge the scribes' designation of the Christ as 'son of David.'
- Psalm 110:1 (quotation): The Old Testament verse Jesus cites—'The Lord said to my Lord...'—is central to his argument that the Messiah is greater than David, and is quoted in Mark's pericope (Mark 12:36).
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (thematic): God's covenant promise to David about a lasting dynasty provides the background for Jewish expectations that the Messiah would be a 'son of David,' which Jesus engages and reinterprets in Mark 12.
Alternative generated candidates
- While Jesus was teaching in the temple he said, "How can the scribes say that the Messiah is David's son?"
- As Jesus was teaching in the temple he said, 'How do the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?'
Mark.12.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- Δαυιδ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αγιω·Ειπεν: ADJ,dat,sg,n
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- μου·Καθου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- δεξιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- εως: CONJ
- αν: PART
- θω: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- εχθρους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- υποκατω: ADV
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ποδων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
Parallels
- Psalm 110:1 (quotation): The source text quoted by Jesus here — 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand...' — which Mark cites as spoken by David in the Spirit.
- Matthew 22:44 (verbal): Parallel synoptic account where Jesus cites the same Psalm 110:1 in a debate with the Pharisees; wording and function are essentially identical to Mark's report.
- Luke 20:42-43 (verbal): Luke's parallel preserves the Psalm 110:1 citation in the context of Jesus' argument about the Messiah being more than David's son, matching Mark's use of the verse.
- Acts 2:34-35 (quotation): Peter quotes Psalm 110:1 at Pentecost to assert Jesus' exaltation and seating at God's right hand, applying the Davidic psalm to the risen Messiah.
- Hebrews 1:13 (quotation): The author of Hebrews cites Psalm 110:1 to demonstrate the Son's superiority and enthronement at God's right hand, echoing Mark's Christological use of the psalm.
Alternative generated candidates
- David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said, "The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."
- For David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, said, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'
Mark.12.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- Δαυιδ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ποθεν: ADV
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πολυς: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- οχλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ηκουεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ηδεως: ADV
Parallels
- Psalm 110:1 (quotation): The original OT text Jesus cites: 'The Lord said to my Lord…' — the source of the claim that David calls the Messiah 'Lord.'
- Matthew 22:41-46 (verbal): Synoptic parallel: Matthew records the same exchange where Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1 to challenge the Pharisees about the Messiah being David's son yet David's Lord.
- Luke 20:41-44 (verbal): Synoptic parallel in Luke: contains the identical argument (quotation of Psalm 110:1) used to show the Messiah's superiority to David.
- Acts 2:34-35 (quotation): Peter quotes Psalm 110:1 at Pentecost, applying the verse to Jesus' exaltation — paralleling Mark's use of the psalm to identify the Messiah as 'Lord.'
- Hebrews 1:13 (quotation): The author of Hebrews cites Psalm 110:1 ('Sit at my right hand') to argue Christ's supremacy, reflecting the same Messianic interpretation applied in Mark 12:37.
Alternative generated candidates
- David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son? And the great crowd listened to him with delight.
- David himself calls him Lord; so how is he his son? And the great crowd listened to him with astonishment.
Mark.12.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- διδαχη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ελεγεν·Βλεπετε: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg + VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- απο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- γραμματεων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- θελοντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- στολαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- περιπατειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- ασπασμους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- αγοραις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Matthew 23:5-7 (verbal): Parallel condemnation of scribal/Pharisaic behavior — making their deeds to be seen, broad phylacteries/long robes, loving places of honor and greetings in the marketplaces.
- Luke 20:46 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel to Mark 12:38–warning to beware the scribes who walk in long robes and love greetings and places of honor.
- Luke 11:43 (verbal): Woe addressed to Pharisees for loving best seats in synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces — similar language condemning public displays of status.
- Matthew 6:5 (thematic): Jesus criticizes hypocritical public piety (praying to be seen) — thematically connected to Mark’s warning about scribes seeking honor and visible status.
Alternative generated candidates
- In his teaching he said also, "Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes and to be greeted respectfully in the marketplaces,
- And in his teaching he said, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk about in long robes and to receive respectful greetings in the marketplaces,
Mark.12.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- πρωτοκαθεδριας: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- συναγωγαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- πρωτοκλισιας: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- δειπνοις: NOUN,dat,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 23:6 (verbal): Jesus condemns scribes who 'love the best seats in the synagogues'—virtually the same wording and criticism as Mark 12:39.
- Matthew 23:7 (verbal): Closely connected continuation in Matthew mentioning love of greetings in the marketplaces and places of honor at feasts, paralleling Mark's 'chief places at feasts.'
- Luke 20:46-47 (verbal): Luke's parallel passage repeats the warning about scribes who 'devour widows' houses' and seek 'chief seats in the synagogues,' closely matching Mark's portrayal.
- Luke 11:43 (thematic): An earlier woe against Pharisees that similarly criticizes their love of prominent seats in synagogues and public honor, echoing the same theme of seeking status.
Alternative generated candidates
- who choose the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,
- and the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,
Mark.12.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- κατεσθιοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- οικιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- χηρων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- προφασει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μακρα: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- προσευχομενοι·ουτοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m;PRON,nom,pl,m
- λημψονται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,pl
- περισσοτερον: ADV,comp
- κριμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Luke 20:47 (verbal): Almost identical saying in Luke's parallel account: accuses scribes of devouring widows' houses, making long prayers as a pretense, and receiving greater condemnation.
- Matthew 23:14 (verbal): In Matthew's woes against the scribes and Pharisees the charge appears (in many manuscripts): 'you devour widows' houses' — a close verbal and thematic parallel condemning religious hypocrisy.
- Exodus 22:22 (thematic): Old Testament law forbids wronging widows (and orphans); Mark's condemnation echoes the broader biblical prohibition against exploiting vulnerable persons.
- James 1:27 (thematic): James defines true religion as caring for orphans and widows, offering a theological counterpoint to the exploitation condemned in Mark 12:40.
Alternative generated candidates
- who devour widows' houses and, for show, make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."
- who devour widows' houses and, for a show, make long prayers. They will receive greater condemnation.'
While he was teaching in the temple he said, "How do the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?"
For David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.'"
David himself calls him 'Lord'; so how can he be his son? And the great crowd listened to him with delight. And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes: they like to walk about in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,
and to take the front seats in the synagogues and places of honor at feasts;
who devour widows' houses and for a show make long prayers—these will receive greater condemnation."