Barton's Bible Study Notes

Life of Christ: Unit 10 - Sections 49-52

Read Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22 and Luke 5:33-39. The Law only dictated one fast, once a year on the Day of Atonement. However, Jewish tradition dictated that all religious Jews observe certain fasts mourning past events in Israel’s history. These were: A fast in July (17th day of Tamuz) commemorating the capture of Jerusalem, in August (9th day of Ab) commemorating the burning of the Temple, in October (3rd of Tishri) commemorating the death of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar following the capture of Jerusalem, in January (10th of Tebeth) commemorating the beginning of the attack on Jerusalem and in February/March (13th of Adar) commemorating the plight of the Jews in Esther’s day. In addition to this, the Pharisees fasted regularly on the second and fifth day of each week. The disciples of Jesus were not observing at least one of these traditional fasts. This raised some questions on the part of the disciples of John and the religious leaders.

1. What was their question?

2. In answering this question, our Lord uses three analogies. What are they?

3. Luke adds another statement our Lord made regarding old and new wine, “And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’” What do you think He means by this statement?

4. What does our Lord mean by these three analogies?

Read Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28 and Luke 6:1-5. The Old Testament Law said that if someone was walking by or through your property and passed by a fruit tree or through a field of grain, they had the right to eat from it (Deuteronomy 23:24-25). One Sabbath, the disciples of our Lord passed through a grain field. While the older King James states it was a cornfield, it must be noted that the meaning of the word “corn” has changed since King James’ day. Then it was used of what we now call wheat. What the disciples picked was wheat, not what we call corn. They picked some grain and, by rubbing the ripened heads of grain between their palms, they removed the husks, then they ate it. This was observed by the Pharisees, who immediately thought they were breaking the Sabbath law. Their problem with the disciples was not so much their picking or eating the grain but their rubbing it between their palms to remove the husks. They thought this was thrashing grain and, thus, was work and forbidden on the Sabbath. It is important to note that God in His Word had not declared this to be wrong. It was man’s traditions, not God’s law, that was being broken here!

5. What answer did Jesus give the Pharisees when they asked Him why His disciples were breaking Sabbath Law?

6. What do you think Jesus means when He states, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”?

Read Matthew 12:9-21, Mark 3:1-12 and Luke 6:6-11. This was a trap. The religious leaders were waiting. They knew this man with a withered hand would be there and wanted to have the opportunity to accuse Jesus of working on the Sabbath when He healed this man. Again it should be noted that, in healing this man, Jesus would not be breaking any Old Testament law, only man’s traditional interpretation of that law. According to their interpretation of the Law, He could speak to the man on the Sabbath, but He could not physically touch the man in administering ointment or medication.

7. By asking the man to come forward, Jesus masterfully changed the center of focus away from Himself. Now the issue is this man and his need. What does the law say about doing good for this man? What questions did Jesus ask these religious leaders?

8. Why do you think Jesus was angry at this point?

9. Was it wrong or sinful for Jesus to be angry? Explain.

10. What was our Lord’s response to the opposition of these religious leaders?

The Applications:

What are the applications of these passages to our lives today? Identify as many as you are able.