Barton's Bible Study Notes

Life of Christ: Unit 37 - Sections 133-135

Read Matthew 29:17-28, Mark 10:32-45 and Luke 18:31-34. Jesus has started back toward Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. This has caused some amazement and fear on the part of His disciples. They were well aware that the religious leaders were very opposed to our Lord and wished to have Him put to death. And yet Jesus went right back into their stronghold! The disciples also believed Him to be the Messiah meaning they expected Him to overcome His enemies and set up the glorious kingdom over which He would rule. But He showed no sign of raising an army yet. They were afraid, but because they knew His power having witnessed the miracles he performed, they began to believe that now was the time He would perform some miracle and claim the throne driving out all opposition. Perhaps they discussed this among themselves as they traveled.

1. What did Jesus warn them about as they journeyed?

2. According to Luke’s account, how well did they understand this warning?

3. Why, in your opinion, did they not understand what was stated in plain language?

4. What request did James and John make of Jesus?

5. What do you think it meant to sit at His right and left sides when He sat on His throne?

6. Why do you think James and John had their mother ask Jesus for this for them?

7. Jesus begins to answer James and John by telling them something and then asking them a question. What did He tell them? What did He ask them?

8. What do you think Jesus meant by the statement He made to them?

9. What was the answer of James and John to the question Jesus asked them?

10. Look up Luke 12:50 and 22:42. What do you think Jesus meant by baptism and the cup? What do you think James and John understood Him to mean?

11. What was the reaction of the other ten disciples when they found out what James and John had asked?

12. Why did they react like this?

13. What did the Lord try to teach these twelve at this time?

14. Did Jesus grant their request? Why or why not?

15. Would James and John ever get to sit with our Lord and Rule? (See Luke 22:29-30.)

Read Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52 and Luke 18:35-43. On the way to Jerusalem, they crossed the Jordan River and passed through or by Jericho. As they were leaving the city, two blind men were seated by the road. Mark and Luke only mention one of these men; Matthew tells us there were two. When they heard Jesus was passing, they made a request much like the mother of James and John had made. In both cases, Jesus asks, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

16. What was the request of these two blind men?

17. Did Jesus grant their request?

18. Do you see any differences in motivation between the request of the two blind men and the request of the two disciples?

The Applications:

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