JESUS WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE AGAIN AND NOTICED A MAN WITH A DEFORMED HAND. 2. SINCE IT WAS THE SABBATH JESUS' ENEMIES WATCHED HIM CLOSELY. IF HE HEALED THE MAN'S HAND, THEY PLANNED TO ACCUSE HIM OF WORKING ON THE SABBATH.
The last time we hear of Jesus preaching in synagogues was Mark 1 39. This was Jesus teaching in many synagogues in the region of Galilee where he was casting out demons. Place then turns to Jesus having to go to secluded places because of the crowds and then a house in Capernium where he was staying Mark 2.
Next Mark 2.13 Jesus is walking by the lakeside, and after finding Matthew as a disciples, goes to his home for a meal. There follows several discourses on eating and fasting.
The time then shifts - an unknown quantity of time and indeterminate 'one Jesus was walking through some grainfields'. A shift from indoors to outdoors and a discussion on healing on the Sabbath occurs with the teachers of the laws.
In Mark 3, Jesus in 'again' in the synagogue. Once more both the time and the exact place are kept vague. The focus is on the regard of his 'enemies' - this is the first time the teachers have been elevated to such a status and thus the first time we realise Jesus is in danger. Once again it revolves around healing on the Sabbath with a man with a withered hand.
Following the narrative can be difficult because of the undefined nature of most of Jesus' encounters - they are deliberately kept vague to keep the focus on Jesus' actions and words and the actions and words of other protagonists. Description is very limited.
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment