Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 12, 2019
“A Much-Married Wife and the Resurrection Life” Mark 12:18-27 Bible Study 05/12/19
I. Contextual Insights 18
• in Mark and Matthew preceded by taxes to Caesar and followed by great commandment.
• the context of Pharisee/Sadducee competition to undermine Jesus
• note the significant amount of dialogue/exchange in the text
• the Sadducees: wealthy, fewer, aristocratic, theologically liberal, materialistic
• note the dramatic present of verse 18: “There come to Him Sadducees.”
II. Concocted Illustration 19-23
• the illustration of a woman with 7 husbands
• a concocted story to ridicule faith in the resurrection of the dead
• this absurd account springs from Deuteronomy 25:5-6 and the concept of levirate marriage
• the Sadducees were selective inspirationists who valued the Pentateuch most
III. Convicting Illumination 24-27
• Interrogation: Is this…mistaken/deceive yourselves? planaomai-wander
• Observation: Deficient because you don’t know Scriptures or power of God
• Obliteration: Jesus obliterates their false assumptions
A. verse 25-not if but when
B. like angels not as angels
C. Jesus appeals to Moses-Exodus 3:3-6
D. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob live!
E. You blunder-verse 27
IV. Concrete Application
• Because God is the God of the living who testifies of Himself in inerrant Scripture, relish the reality of resurrection life.
1. A right knowledge of God’s Word preserves/protects against error.
2. Refuse to separate what the Bible holds together.
3. Both scoffing infidels and superficial exegetes dishonor God.
4. Affirm that you are not left to worms but to a glorious resurrection.
5. “Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my Resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer.” (John Paton)
