Thirdmill Study Bible

Notes on Mark 8:29-15:47

The Christ, the Messiah - Mark 8:29

Jesus asked his second question. He emphasized the word you, focusing on the disciples. Peter boldly confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah. Mark began his Gospel in 1:1, The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since that time no one had called Jesus, the Christ. Powerful words and miracles drew crowds and enemies from miles away, but no one called him Christ. At Caesarea Philippi Jesus knew that it was important to draw this confession out of the disciples because he was soon heading for Jerusalem and the cross to suffer. The disciples had to be sure that he was the Christ, the Messiah, before he could teach them that he was a suffering messiah.

Tell no one - Mark 8:30

Jesus warned them to tell no one else that he was the Messiah. Until they understood that he was a suffering messiah instead of a politically conquering messiah it would only complicate his ministry if the truth was widely proclaimed.

The Suffering Messiah - Mark 8:31–15:47

Judaism had never developed the connection of the glorious royal Messiah of Psalm 2 and the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 42–53. The voice from heaven at Jesus' baptism had used both of these images. It is in this second half of the Gospel that those connections were explained more and more clearly to the disciples. Then Jesus lived out those verses for the entire world to see.

The Messiah's Journey to Jerusalem - Mark 8:31-10:52

On his way to Jerusalem Jesus predicted his death three times. These three predictions create a somber atmosphere for the entire journey. Each prediction is followed by evidence that the disciples had not yet fully understood Jesus' message. There is also an attempt by Jesus to make it clear that following a suffering messiah will bring serious demands upon the disciples' lives.

Suffering Messiah - Mark 8:31-9:29

The Lesson of the Suffering Messiah.

Son of Man - Mark 8:31

Mark reported that Jesus began this new emphasis in his teaching at this time. Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man. This was Jesus favorite way to refer to himself. See the article on the Titles of Christ. Jesus said that he must suffer. The necessity was not because Jesus was compelled by powers stronger than himself. He was compelled by the divine plan to save his people. The suffering of the Messiah had been prophesied in Isa. 52–53. The elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes were all aligned against Jesus. This was a broad coalition of all the members of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of Judaism. The elders were respected lay leaders. The reigning high priest led the Sanhedrin. The plural description chief priests included the reigning high priest and any former high priests who still exerted considerable influence.

Jesus explained clearly. - Mark 8:32

Jesus explained this clearly to his disciples in contrast to his teaching in parables. The Greek word that is translated clearly can also be translated boldly. Peter understood Jesus and tried to talk him out of a plan that involved his death.

Get behind me Satan - Mark 8:33

In the clause, Get behind me Satan, the Greek verb that is translated get is the same word that is used in Matt.4:10 ("Satan, go"). Peter had not yet fully understood what kind of a Messiah Jesus really was. Just like Satan, Peter tempted Jesus to be a Messiah without suffering.