“Watch out for yourselves. They will hand you over to the courts. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will be arraigned before governors and kings because of me, as a witness before them. But the gospel must first be preached to all nations. When they lead you away and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say. But say whatever will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the holy Spirit. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved (Mk. 13:9-13).”
Jesus forewarns the disciples about the suffering and persecution they will experience. The courts they would be handed over to was the Sanhedrin. The governors and kings are a reference to Pontius Pilate (Governor of Judea) and Herod Antipas (King of Judea). The disciples would get opposition from both Jews and the Gentiles (Romans) who occupied Judea. In the early Church there was disagreement among the leaders as to whether the Gospel was to be preached to the Gentiles (Gal 2 & Acts 15) so the definitive statement “But the gospel must first be preached to all nations,” might not have been spoken by Jesus but inserted by Mark. The disciples are not to prepare beforehand what they will say when they are being persecuted but rely on the Holy Spirit to guide them and speak through them when the need arises. There will be great division even within families, but they must endure and persevere with patience.
Almighty God, your Son said, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” When he said that he is the bread of life some disciples stopped following him saying, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Strengthen us, O God, that we may be able to accept your teaching and withstand the hardship that comes with discipleship. Help us to persevere with patience until you call us to our heavenly home. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
Comments