Title: Conflict and Argument
1Conflict and Argument
2The Paralysed Man (21-12)
This Means
- Jews in the time of Jesus believed that
disease/illness was caused by - Demons, Sin, Punishment by God
- This is why Jesus connects the mans cure to the
forgiveness of sin. - (v.5)
- The Jews believed that only God could forgive
sins.
3The Paralysed Man (21-12)
- This caused conflict because
- The teachers of the law who thought that by
claiming to forgive sins, Jesus was committing
blasphemy. - This was because he was claiming to have power
that belonged to God alone. - Jesus says Son of Man has authority to forgive
sins.
4Christians Today
- Through this miracle Christians see that a
persons sins can be forgiven. - This forgiveness is offered through Jesus. Jesus
has the authority from God to forgive sins. - Christians believe that through forgiveness a
person can become closer to God and to other
people. - Christians today see God as a loving God who
would not punish people by making suffer eg
through illness.
5Disagreements about the Sabbath (223-36)
- Sabbath Corn (223-28)
- The story of creation and the ten commandments
taught that the Sabbath day was holy. - No work could be done on the Sabbath. (sowing,
reaping, preparing food, lighting a fire.) - The Pharisees accused Jesus and his disciples of
breaking the Sabbath law. They had picked the
corn and rubbed it in their hands. - He referred to the OT hero, King David.
- V.27 human need is more important than Sabbath
law - V.28 Jesus as Gods representative had the
authority to break the Sabbath law.
6Sabbath Corn (223-28)
- This caused conflict because
- Jesus allowed his disciples to break the Sabbath
law. - Jesus was claiming to be equal to King David. He
claimed the Sabbath was for man. - Jesus is saying that Gods representatives had
the authority to break the Sabbath law.
7Social and Community Cohesion
- Different communities in society getting along
with each other is very important today. At the
time of the Gospel respecting people who
disagreed with you was not important this is a
more modern idea. - Pharisees and scribes come across as heartless
and bigoted which may be a little unfair, but is
the way Mark presents them.
8Social and Community Cohesion
- Arguments about the Sabbath could be applied
today by saying religious laws should not divide
people. Human beings are mre important than
rituals. - Points for discussion
- How might this story be used today to promote
good relations between communities? - Does this story show two views that are totally
opposed to each other?
9Social and Community Cohesion
- The early Christians and Jews of that time did
not like each other. Different religions should
respect each others views and try to get on well
with each other. What do you think?
10Social and Community Cohesion
- Respecting people from different religions is a
good thing, but its silly to pretend that there
are no differences, and that all religions are
the same. What do you think?
11Disagreements about the Sabbath (223-36)
- Man with a paralysed hand (31-6)
- Pharisees were in the synagogue waiting to trap
Jesus - They had special seats at the front and would
have a good view - Jesus does not avoid the situation, but faces his
critics. - He deliberately challenges the Pharisees by
asking the man to come to the front. - V.4 Jesus means what is the Sabbath law about,
rules and regulations or doing good? - The rules are very clear healing work, unless
emergency - This mans life was not in any danger.
- Jesus was angry because of their attitude and
healed the man - The Pharisees and Herodians, who hated each
other, join forces to plot Jesus death.
12Man with a Paralysed Hand (31-6)
- This caused conflict because
- Jesus claimed that the Pharisees Laws were
second to his command to do good and to save
life. - Jesus put human need above religious rules.
- Mark wants his readers to understand that the
coming of the Kingdom of God has started to
change the rules.
13Man with a Paralysed Hand (31-6)
- This caused conflict because
- Pharisees are clinging to old ways as even when a
man is healed in front of them, they only worry
about the rules. - It is this refusal to accept the arrival of the
Kingdom that leads them first to hate and finally
to plot to kill Jesus.
14Christians Today
- Sometimes Christianity is misunderstood today,
partly because not all Christians interpret
Jesus teachings in the same way. - Some people think of Christians as being like the
Pharisees. They think Christians live by a
strict set of rules and regulations (No divorce
no abortion no contraception). - They see Christianity as something negative.
- This can be the impression from the outside, but
for many Christians this is false and has little
to do with Christianity.
15Christians Today
- Christians believe that the message of Jesus is
that every individual is of value to God and to
each other. - It is a positive message in which proper
behaviour becomes a vital part of the
relationship with God and with each other. - The relationship is based on love.
- It is not a relationship in which rules are kept
because of either fear or the belief that such
actions will bring some reward.
16Social and Community Cohesion
- If Jesus said he was Lord of the Sabbath,
Christians should be able to do what they like on
Sundays. Do you agree? - Shops should be closed on Sunday in the UK so
that Sunday is kept as a special day. Do you
agree?
17Meaning of the law (71-23)
- Ritual Cleanness
- The Pharisees were angry because Jesus disciples
had not washed their hands in the traditional
way. - There were complicated religious rules about
washing - Jesus said - God does not care how people wash
their hands - What really matters are the
things which come out of a person (what's in our
hearts) - Jesus says that because the Pharisees focus on
keeping the rules, they have forgotten whats
important.
18Meaning of the law (71-23)
- This caused conflict because
- Jesus was saying that all Jewish food laws were
unnecessary. Mark thinks that all food laws
should be abolished. - Jesus was not afraid to challenge the teaching of
our ancestors. - Jesus says that God is interested in what is in a
persons heart Pharisees have got it wrong.
19Meaning of the law (71-23)
- Teaching on Corban (79-13)
- The Pharisees had developed the practice of
CORBAN - Corban something which is given to God
- Jesus uses the example of honour you father and
mother you should take care of your parents. - A Pharisee might swear that his belongings were
Corban and it was not possible to use his
money/possessions to help his parents. - They used Corban, (a religious rule) to get off
what God really wanted them to do. - They had replaced the law of Moses (the Ten
Commandments) with the law of the scribes.
20Teaching on Corban (79-13)
- This caused conflict because
- Jesus calls them hypocrites, they ignore Gods
rules to obey human instructions. - No one likes being called a hypocrite so this
would have caused conflict. - Pharisees had been caught out!
21Christians Today
- Christians today sometimes deserve criticism for
being very observant of Sunday worship but
neglecting the needs of their neighbour. - Christian behaviour arises from the observance of
the great commandments of love of God and of
neighbour. - To follow the teaching of Jesus which means being
good from the heart demands more than the mere
observance of external rules of religious purity.
22Christians Today
- The reasons why these actions are wrong is the
same today as it was at the time of Jesus. - They are all things that abuse another person.
- Christians believe that their faith is concerned
with the value of human dignity and the worth of
every human relationship. - It has nothing to do with those things that use
or abuse another person for ones own desire,
profit or greed. - Such things are wrong because they separate
people from God and from each other.
23Social and Community Cohesion
- Today there are generally good relations between
Jews and Christians but in the time of Mark there
was not the same acceptance of other peoples
views the concept of community cohesion would
have been anachronistic. - The Christians in Rome, many of whom were Gentile
converts, did not observe the Jewish religious
customs any more and there was much disagreement
among the early Christians as to whether Jewish
practices such as circumcision/keeping food laws
should be followed by Gentile/ non-Jewish
Christians.
24Social and Community Cohesion
- Jesus teaching points to the importance of the
spirit of religious observance, not the letter of
the law. - This approach, in a modern setting would allow
for greater social cohesion as it might not lead
to conflict between groups. - On the other hand keeping strict religious laws
eg food laws could mean that religious groups
could not come together to eat the same food and
which would stress their differences, cause
conflict and not lead to social cohesion.
25Social and Community Cohesion
- Jesus teaching that it was right for good Jews
to eat with sinners showed that different groups
should respect each other and should respect each
other and socialise together. - Jesus teaching that it is what is inside you
that counts, not the appearance, showed that
outer differences such as dress, skin colour, for
example, are irrelevant for judging people.
26Social and Community Cohesion
- Jesus teaching on Corban shows that cultural
traditions should not be used to divide people
from each othe. - Jesus teaching that nothing that gies into
people from the outside can defile them shows
that different ethnic/religious groups can mix
together and work together without causing any
problems for God.
27Social and Community Cohesion
- Christians today have no food laws. Jews,
Muslims and to some extent Hindus do. How might
this cause problems between people of different
faiths? - How could they try to overcome such problems?
- Can you think of any religious laws that could be
used by Christians today in a hypocritical way?
28Predictions of the Passion (831-33)
- Messiah Jesus is a Messiah who is going to
suffer and die. These passages give a different
view of the Messiah from what the Jews and
particularly the disciples were expecting. They
find the view of the Messiah who is going to
suffer and die difficult to understand.
29Predictions of the Passion (831-33)
- Jesus calls himself Son of Man even though
Peter has just called him the Messiah. Jesus
prefers this title. - People at the time of Jesus thought that the
Messiah would be a victorious warrior-king but
Mark says that Jesus idea of being a Messiah is
completely different.
30Predictions of the Passion (831-33)
- Mark does not explain why Jesus has to suffer and
die. Jesus death is simply part of Gods plan,
which the disciples cannot understand. - Jesus will also rise to life. This is a new idea
at this time.
31Predictions of the Passion (831-33)
- Peter cannot understand what Jesus is saying and
does not like it when Jesus talks about his
suffering. He thought Jesus had a great future
ahead of him and all his hopes are dashed. - Peter tries to tell Jesus off (rebukes him) but
then Jesus tells him off. He calls him Satan
one who tempts people to do the wrong thing.
32Predictions of the Passion (831-33)
- Peter and the disciples have the secret of the
Kingdom of God and now they know that Jesus is
the Messiah. - They still dont fully understand what this
means.
33Predictions of the Passion (930-32)
- After Jesus has healed the boy with the evil
spirit, Jesus speaks about his death again. - This prediction is slightly different from the
first prediction. - Jesus adds that he will be handed over to the
people who will kill him, which suggests that
someone will betray him.
34Predictions of the Passion (1032-34)
- This is the third time Jesus speaks about his
death and it is the most detailed. - The disciples are confused and frightened.
- They know that Jesus is the Messiah but they
still do not understand what this means. - They thought that the Messiah would throw the
Romans out of Israel but they do not understand
that he has to suffer and die for others.
35Predictions of the Passion (1032-34)
- They are on their way to Jerusalem which is where
Jesus is going to die. He will be tortured and
killed by the Roman (Gentile) rulers of Israel. - However he will rise from the dead.
- Mark says that he was walking ahead of his
followers he knows what is going to happen but
he shows great courage by striding ahead of them
to Jerusalem, to his death.
36Christians Today
- Christians today can learn that Mark believes
that Jesus is the Messiah who will suffer and die
and then rise again. - Christians may identify with the disciples who
find it hard to accept that Jesus will suffer and
die. Peter does not accept that this is part of
Gods plan Mark tells us that Jesus will suffer
and die but does not explain why.
37Christians Today
- Christians who face persecution may be inspired
by Jesus courage as he goes to his death. - Christians will also be given the hope that
Jesus resurrection means that they too will
share in his resurrection.
38Entry into Jerusalem (111-11)
- Zechariah had predicted that the Messiah would
ride into Jerusalem Gentle and riding on a
donkeyHe will proclaim peace to the nations - The donkey/colt has never been ridden. Any animal
used in a Jewish religious ceremony had to be
kept especially for that purpose. So Jesus entry
into Jerusalem was sacred. - Jesus shows the type of Messiah he was. He rides
on a colt a peaceful animal, not a horse of war. - The people who welcome Jesus realise he is the
Messiah Blessed is the coming kingdom of our
father David.
39Entry into Jerusalem (111-11)
- This caused conflict because
- The religious leaders would have seen this public
display as a threat. - They did not understand what type of Messiah
Jesus was. - The Roman authorities would also have seen this
as a challenge to their authority in Jerusalem.
40Christians Today
- Christians have an annual celebration of Jesus
triumphant entry to Jerusalem as Messiah on Palm
Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, at the
beginning of Holy Week. - Christians learn that Jesus is a Messiah who is
going to suffer and die, who is not a warrior but
a peaceful Messiah.
41Christians Today
- Christians learn that Jesus chooses to go to his
death and that he is prepared to follow Gods
plan. - Christians may be inspired to follow Gods will
for them and have the courage to stand up for
what they believe in the way that Jesus does,
even though it causes conflict.
42Exam question
- Explain the importance of Jesus entry into
Jerusalem for Christians today. (8)
43Cleansing of the Temple (1115-17)
- The OT prophets Malachi and Zechariah both made a
prophecy that the Messiah would go into the
Temple to make sure that it was only being used
for worship. - Jesus goes into the Temple and says it has become
a hideout for thieves - Jesus is again claiming to be the Messiah on his
final visit to his Fathers house.
44Cleansing of the Temple (1115-17)
- Why was Jesus so Angry?
- The traders were over charging for the animals
used in sacrifice, to make a huge profit. - The money changers were also charging too much
tax and made a large profit. - The Court of the Gentiles was for non-Jews (v.17)
Jesus included them in the KoG, but they couldnt
even get into their part of the Temple because of
the corrupt traders.
45Cleansing of the Temple (1115-17)
- This caused conflict because
- Jesus was speaking against the religious leaders
who had let such things go on. - Some of the religious leaders might have thought
that Jesus was behaving like the Messiah, which
was blasphemy.
46Christians Today
- Christians may be inspired to follow what Jesus
did and have the courage to stand up for what
they believe in the way that Jesus does, even
though it causes conflict. - Jesus feels so strongly about what is happening
in the Temple that he clearly shows his anger.
47Christians Today
- Christians may disagree over the way Jesus
behaved? Was Jesus violent? Does this show that
Jesus accepted the use of some violence or was he
just being aggressive? - In Johns Gospel it is suggested that Jesus uses
a whip to drive the people out, although Mark
does not include this.
48Christians Today
- (b) Do you think Jesus behaviour was acceptable?
Give two reasons for your point of view. (4) - Can you think of a modern situation when a
Christian might feel the use of violence is
acceptable? Give an example and reasons for your
answer. - Why do some Christians disagree with violence of
any sort?
49Social and Community Cohesion
- The Court of the Gentiles was for non-Jews (v.17)
Jesus included them in the Kingdom of God, but
they couldnt even get into their part of the
Temple because of the corrupt traders. (You have
already written this!) - Jesus shows that the Kingdom of God was for all
people, not just Jews, and this could be used in
a modern setting to show that people of different
religions should accept one another. Jesus did
not want anyone who loved God to be excluded from
the Kingdom.
50Social and Community Cohesion
- Jesus shows that there may be times when people
have to stand up for their beliefs even if this
leads to conflict. Christians are commanded to
love but also to hate what is evil. - Many religions, including Christianity, contain
extremists who are prepared to hate or even kill
for their beliefs. - While Christians should be concerned for the
welfare of people who have dangerous ideas,
theyre not called to tolerate those ideas. In
Mark, Jesus would not allow the abuses he saw in
the Temple.
51Social and Community Cohesion
- Martin Luther King used non-violent direct action
to try to end racism in the US and challenged the
authorities, which caused conflict, as he was
fighting against unjust laws and practices he
did not tolerate evil and challenged extreme
views.
52The Argument about Authority (1127-33)
- This incident happened after the disruption in
the Temple. - Jesus, a carpenter, has stopped people from
trading and now he has returned. Who does he
think he is? - They ask him, What right do you have to do these
things? - They are trying to trap Jesus.
- If he says God gives him the right, they will
arrest him for blasphemy. - If he says he is acting on his own authority,
they can arrest him as a mad man. (No sane
person would act in the way he did in Gods
Temple). - Jesus reply is clever. Instead of falling into
their trap, he tricks them.
53The Argument about Authority (1127-33)
- If they say John had authority from God Jesus
would ask why they didnt believe John and why
they killed him. - If they say from man, (which means not from
GOD), the people might riot because they believed
that John was a prophet, sent by God.
54The Argument about Authority (1127-33)
- This caused conflict because
- Jesus made fools of the religious leaders in
public (They gave the answer we dont know). - They would have been angry at losing such a
public argument and for being tricked by this
carpenter. - They did not see that Jesus had authority from
God and thought he was challenging their
authority.
55Christians Today
- Christians can learn that Jesus authority comes
from God. - Christians can learn that they should stand up to
the authorities if they believe that they are
wrong and going against what God wants. - Jesus on this occasion uses words, not violence
to thwart the authorities.
56Caesar and Taxes (1213-17)
- The Pharisees and Herodians who are enemies, join
forces to trap Jesus. - They try to put him in a good mood by flattering
him. - The Jews were forced to pay high taxes to the
Romans. - Many Jews hated the Romans because of the high
taxes and because it was a constant reminder that
Israel was an occupied country. - Tax was paid in Roman coinage, stamped with a
picture of Caesar and this was against the Torah
which did not allow any images. - For the Jews the real King of Israel was God, not
Caesar.
57Caesar and Taxes (1213-17)
- The Pharisees and Herodians try to trick Jesus.
- If he says Yes, pay the tax people will stop
following him no Messiah would say yes and
support Roman taxes. - If he says No, dont pay, Romans could arrest
Jesus as a traitor. - Jesus gives a clever answer (verse 17).
58Caesar and Taxes (1213-17)
- In the first century, coins were officially the
property of the ruler who issued them. - The denarius bears the image of Caesar. Human
beings bear the image of God (Gen 1 27) - If people pay tax they are only giving to Caesar
what he owns.
59Caesar and Taxes (1213-17)
- People owe much more to God than they do to
Caesar. - Caesars kingdom will pass away but Gods Kingdom
will not.
60Caesar and Taxes (1213-17)
- This caused conflict because
- Jesus tricks the religious leaders in front of
the people. - He makes them look like fools while he still
looks good. - Jesus answer is clever because he could have
upset both the Jewish authorities and the Roman
authorities.
61Christians Today
- There have been tensions between Church and State
throughout history. - Most Christians today would accept that the
Church and State must exist side by side. - The state has the right to make demands on
Christians in such matters as taxes, but has no
right to make demands that are contrary to the
consciences of Christians. - If there is a conflict between duty to the state
and faithfulness to God, Christians would claim
that God and his demands must come first.
62Christians Today
- Some Christians believe that they should not
challenge authorities because this is what Jesus
meant by rendering to Caesar what is Caesars. - Some Christians think that this fits in with what
St Paul said about the civil authorities were
appointed by God. - Some Christian Churches have taught that
Christians should obey the authorities.
63Christians Today
- Discussion points
- Should Christians be involved in politics? Why?
Why not? - If God is a God of justice who demands that
people be looked after and treated well,
shouldnt Christians criticise politicians/governm
ent when they dont do this?
64Christians Today
- Discussion points
- Christians should take an interest in politics
and current affairs. - Christians should vote in elections.
- Politics is best left to the politicians.
- The UK is a Christian Country.
- (Every UK prime minister since the war has been a
practising Christian.)
65Social and Community Cohesion
- The present government is keen to promote social
and community cohesion, as the UK is a multi
cultural and multi faith society (eg included in
GCSE Specifications, money spent on promoting
understanding between different communities, laws
which make discrimination illegal.) - As Jesus teachings are against discrimination
and in favour of inclusion, perhaps Christians
should support the Governments policies. Do you
agree?
66Social and Community Cohesion
- Christians cannot cut themselves off from the
world and retreat into Christian ghettos so
that they are untouched by the wickedness of the
world. - They have to render unto Caesar what is Caesars
and take a responsible part in society.
67Question about the Resurrection (1218-27)
- The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection
because it was not mentioned in the Torah which
they studied every day. - The Sadducees believed only in laws from the
Torah. - The Pharisees did believe in life after death.
- The Sadducees ask Jesus a question based on a law
from the book of Deuteronomy which says that if a
married man dies and there are no children, his
brothers must marry the widow.
68Question about the Resurrection (1218-27)
- The Sadducees compose a story in order to show
that the whole thing is daft. - The Sadducees think it would be easier for Jesus
to say that there is no life after death than to
decide who the woman was married to. - Jesus insults the Sadducees by saying that they
do not know the Scriptures (v24) - Jesus is teaching that life after death is not
like life on earth, we will be like angels.
69Question about the Resurrection (1218-27)
- Jesus used a passage from Exodus (v26) to say
that there is life after death. - God says I am present tense, so although
Abraham /Isaac/ Jacob are dead, they are somehow
still alive. - God is too loving to allow his friends to be
destroyed by death.
70Question about the Resurrection (1218-27)
- This caused conflict because
- Jesus insulted the Sadducees when he said they
did not know the Scriptures they thought they
were experts. - He also took the side of the Pharisees against
the Sadducees so he caused conflict within the
Jewish community.
71Christians Today
- This shows ..
- Christians that life in heaven will be different
from life on earth. - that there is life after death and because of
Jesus resurrection Christians believe that they
will share in the resurrection. - that resurrection is taught in the Old Testament.
72Christians Today
- This implies ..
- that life after death is not dependent on
Christian belief as resurrection was happening
before Jesus was raised. - This implies .. that resurrection happens
immediately after death, not on the Last Day (as
God is the God of the living).
73The Anointing at Bethany (143-9)
- The anointing of Jesus takes place in the house
of Simon the leper. - The story is symbolic and the anonting is
significant because - Kings were anointed at their crowning
- Priests were anointed on taking office
- Bodies were anointed after death for burial.
- The Messiah and Christ mean anointed one.
Jesus is the Messiah.
74The Anointing at Bethany (143-9)
- Jesus is the Anointed One but he hasnt been
anointed yet. - The Jews expected Elijah to be the one to anoint
the Messiah and yet here an ordinary woman
anoints Jesus in the house of an outcast. - Jesus is anointed by the type of person he had
spent his time with.
75The Anointing at Bethany (143-9)
- The Messiah is anointed not at the beginning of
his life but at the end of it but his mission is
to die. - A funeral rite is carried out on a living person,
instead of a dead body, but this emphasises that
Jesus death is an absolute certainty.
76The Anointing at Bethany (143-9)
- Therefore, Mark is using this story to show that
Jesus, as Messiah, was about to suffer and die.
77The Anointing at Bethany (143-9)
- This caused conflict because
- Jesus mixes with outcasts and once again ignores
the Law. - Jesus treatment of the woman was not how the
Messiah was supposed to behave and the woman
should not have been that familiar with a rabbi. - It has been suggested that this was the last
straw for Judas as he felt Jesus should not
behave in this way, and so he betrayed Jesus. - People believed that the woman was wasting money
and that her actions were open to
misinterpretation. (In Lukes Gospel it is
implied that she was a prostitute, but not in
Mark.)
78Christians Today
- Christians can learn that Mark believes that
Jesus is the Messiah who is going to suffer and
die. - Christians can learn that they should accept
others in the way that Jesus accepts the woman
she seems to understand who he is, unlike the
others. - Christians can learn that Jesus did not consider
anyone unclean eg Simon the leper.
79The Plot to kill Jesus (141-2 10-11, 17-21)
- 14 1-2
- The chief priests and teachers of the law were
trying to find a way to get rid of Jesus, without
upsetting the people and causing a riot. - 14 10-11
- Judas went to the Chief Priests who promised him
money to hand over Jesus.
80The Plot to kill Jesus (141-2 10-11, 17-21)
- 14 17-21 (Also set text for Death and
Resurrection) - Jesus is going to die and Mark wants to put
across that Jesus is going to his death with his
eyes open. - Jesus predicts that Judas will betray him to the
Sanhedrin. - Jesus knows what will happen to him but the other
disciples do not seem to have suspected him.
81The Plot to kill Jesus (141-2 10-11, 17-21)
- In v 21 Jesus shows that he knows that is death
will not be a wasted tragedy as God has spoken of
it in the scriptures. - Jesus goes on to say that it would be better if
his betrayer had never been born. - Matthews Gospel says that Judas was so
distressed that he committed suicide although
this is not mentioned in Mark.
82The Plot to kill Jesus (141-2 10-11, 17-21)
- Judas was so upset by Jesus actions at Simon the
lepers house, he betrayed him to the
authorities. - Mark blames the Jewish people and Judas for the
death of Jesus. - This view has caused much misery but Jewish
Christian relations have improved in modern times
and this view is no longer held.
83The Plot to kill Jesus (141-2 10-11, 17-21)
- Scholars dont really know why Judas betrayed
Jesus. The Gospel writers are not very
sympathetic towards Judas, who betrayed the Son
of God. - Why did Judas betray Jesus?
- For the money
- Judas had once been a Zealot and was disappointed
when Jesus did not turn out to be the sort of
Messiah he wanted. - Judas was trying to force Jesus to be the Messiah
he expected. If Jesus was arrested the people
would hopefully riot to free him and Jesus would
lead the Jews against the Romans. - Judas was helping Jesus to have the opportunity
to declare that he was the Messiah.
84The Plot to kill Jesus (141-2 10-11, 17-21)
- Exam question
- Judas should not have betrayed Jesus. In your
answer you should refer to Marks Gospel. - Do you agree? Give reasons for your
opinion. (3) - Give reasons why some people may disagree with
you. (3)