Mark 4-8 Flashcards
(8 cards)
Mark 4:21–25 – Lamp on a Stand
Prompt: What does this passage teach about revealing the truth of the Kingdom and how we respond to God’s word?
21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?
22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”
24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.
25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
Analysis:
Jesus uses the image of a lamp to emphasize that the truth of the Kingdom of God is not meant to remain hidden, but will be revealed over time. Like a lamp that belongs on a stand to give light to all, the truth that God plants in the hearts of believers through Scripture and personal study is meant to shine forth. It may begin as something internal, concealed in private devotion, but at the right time and in the right way—especially through both words and actions—it should emerge in public witness. To keep Jesus hidden in our hearts without letting Him affect our lives and others around us is like hiding a lamp under a bed: it’s unnatural and counter to its purpose.
The passage also stresses spiritual attentiveness. Verse 23’s call to hear is more than physical listening—it’s an appeal to intentional and responsive hearing. Not everyone who claims to follow Christ truly listens to His voice. In verse 24, Jesus challenges believers to think critically and carefully about the messages they receive—what we take in influences how we live. The principle of “the measure you use” reinforces that our openness to God’s Word directly impacts how deeply He continues to reveal Himself. If we hunger for His truth, He will give us even more; if we neglect it, even our small spiritual insights can fade away.
Finally, verse 25 connects this to the earlier Parable of the Sower. Those who receive the Word in good soil—whose hearts are open, who obey, and who cultivate God’s truth—will grow and flourish. In contrast, those who do not engage with or respond to the Word risk losing even what little faith they began with. This is a stark warning: spiritual growth isn’t automatic; it depends on our posture toward God’s Word. This passage calls for active faith—letting the light shine, listening attentively, and stewarding spiritual truth well.
Mark 5:1–20 – Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man
Prompt: What does this powerful encounter reveal about Jesus’ authority, spiritual restoration, and the believer’s call to witness?
Mark 5:1–20 (NIV)
They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Analysis:
This passage dramatically showcases Jesus’ unmatched authority over the spiritual realm. Even before a word is exchanged, the legion of demons within the man recognize who Jesus is—“Son of the Most High God”. This confirms that spiritual forces, no matter how dark or numerous, are subject to Christ’s supreme power. They plead not to be tortured, highlighting that Jesus is not just a healer of physical ailments but the absolute ruler over the spiritual world. His dominion brings freedom where nothing else could.
The possessed man’s condition is deeply tragic: isolated in tombs, uncontrollable, self-harming, and feared by society. He represents the human soul in its most broken, tormented, and alienated form—beyond what human restraint or intervention can repair. But in a stunning moment of grace, Jesus restores him completely. The man is described as “sitting there, dressed and in his right mind”—a picture of physical, emotional, and spiritual wholeness. This transformation testifies to the depth of restoration Christ offers. He doesn’t just fix symptoms—He renews the entire person.
Importantly, the demons are not free to act as they wish. They beg Jesus for permission to enter the pigs, a reminder that all evil—even when allowed to exist—is under the jurisdiction of Christ. Jesus allows them to enter the swine, likely as a deliberate choice: pigs, unclean animals by Jewish standards, are a fitting host for unclean spirits. But their immediate destruction shows the ultimate end of demonic influence—death, chaos, and ruin. Their nature is exposed: they only destroy. It also visibly confirms the man’s deliverance to the watching community.
Ironically, the townspeople, rather than rejoicing over the man’s healing, are disturbed. They plead with Jesus to leave—not out of hatred, but fear. The economic loss from the drowned pigs possibly challenged their priorities, showing they were more comfortable with demonic torment (as long as it was predictable) than divine disruption. This challenges us today: are we ready to accept the cost of Jesus’ power in our lives, even if it overturns our comfort zones?
Finally, Jesus gives the healed man a mission. Though the man longs to follow Him physically, Jesus tells him to “go home to your own people” and proclaim what the Lord has done. This marks a turning point: the man becomes the first Gentile evangelist in Mark’s Gospel. His testimony, rooted in mercy and transformation, stirs amazement among those who hear it. Jesus values authentic, lived-out witness as a powerful form of evangelism.
Mark 6:1–6 – Rejection at Nazareth
Prompt: What does Jesus’ rejection in His hometown teach us about how faith is tested in familiar spaces?
Mark 6:1–6 (NIV)
Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”
He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Analysis with Application:
In this passage, Jesus faces one of the most painful forms of rejection—not from strangers or enemies, but from the people of His own town, His neighbors, and likely extended family. The very people who watched Him grow up, who knew His earthly background, now allow their familiarity with His past to blind them to His divine identity. Their response is laced with cynicism: “Isn’t this the carpenter?” They couldn’t fathom that someone so familiar could be used mightily by God.
This exposes a powerful truth: familiarity can breed contempt, and unbelief often grows strongest among those who think they know you best. For many believers, the first opposition they’ll encounter won’t be from the world, but from those in their closest circles. People from your past may discredit your spiritual growth or question the authenticity of your calling. They may label you by your history rather than your transformation in Christ.
Yet, Jesus shows us how to respond: not with resentment or retreat, but with quiet perseverance. He doesn’t try to prove Himself or force their acceptance. Instead, He acknowledges the rejection, continues His mission, and leaves the outcome to God. He understands that hardened hearts often require more than explanation—they require revelation.
Even more sobering is the spiritual principle that follows: Jesus chose not to perform many miracles there because of their unbelief. Their lack of faith didn’t diminish His power, but it did limit what He allowed Himself to do among them. This shows that faith is not a passive ingredient in our relationship with God—it’s an active gateway to His transforming work.
🔸 For you, this means that when others reject your faith or spiritual journey—whether out of jealousy, doubt, or pride—you must stay focused on Christ. Don’t compromise your walk to gain their approval. Don’t let rejection shake your confidence. Instead, let your life serve as a silent, powerful witness. And most of all, guard your own heart: don’t become the person who misses the move of God because it came through someone you thought you already knew.
Mark 6:14–29 – The Death of John the Baptist
Prompt: What does John’s death reveal about the cost of truth and the danger of compromise?
Mark 6:14–29 (NIV)
King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”
But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”
For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.
The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”
“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.
At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.
On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Analysis with Application:
This passage is one of Scripture’s most sobering portraits of what it costs to stand for truth. John the Baptist openly rebukes Herod for his immoral and unlawful marriage to Herodias, fully aware of the danger it poses. Yet he refuses to be silent. He chooses truth over comfort, integrity over safety, and God’s approval over man’s applause—even though it leads to his imprisonment and ultimately, his death.
In contrast, Herod represents the tragic danger of compromised conviction. Deep down, he knows John is a righteous and holy man. He’s drawn to John’s words and even protects him at first. But Herod is more enslaved to his image, his pride, and the opinions of others than he is to what is right. When faced with the choice between doing what is godly and saving face in front of his guests, Herod chooses sin wrapped in popularity. His need for validation ultimately leads him to become complicit in the murder of a prophet.
Herodias, driven by bitterness and unrepentance, shows what unchecked resentment can do. Her grudge festers into manipulation and vengeance. Herod feared her voice more than he feared God’s. This shows how the fear of man—and even the influence of a loved one—can become destructive when it outweighs our reverence for the Lord.
🔸 Personally, this passage calls you to examine whether you’re living like John or like Herod. Are you willing to speak truth, even if it costs you your comfort, relationships, or reputation? Are you harboring any compromise because of fear—fear of being misunderstood, of being disliked, or of disappointing people you love?
It also serves as a warning not to nurse bitterness like Herodias. When corrected or called out, do you receive it with humility, or respond with resentment? Holding onto offense can distort your heart and lead to destruction—not just for you, but for those you influence.
In a world where truth is often silenced to preserve comfort, John reminds us: Faithfulness to God is more valuable than acceptance by man. He may have lost his life, but he kept his soul.
Mark 7:1–23 – That Which Defiles
Prompt: What does Jesus teach about the true source of impurity?
7 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a])
5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”
6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
“‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b]
8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[c] your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[d] and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[e] 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” [16] [f]
17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)
20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
This passage reveals a powerful truth: external rituals cannot produce internal holiness. Jesus confronts the Pharisees for obsessing over ceremonial handwashing—an invented tradition—not because cleanliness is bad, but because they had elevated man-made customs above God’s Word. Their hands may have been clean, but their hearts were filthy.
Jesus uses Isaiah’s prophecy to expose a deeper issue: spiritual hypocrisy. The Pharisees looked religious but were spiritually dead. They honored God with their lips, yet their hearts were far away. This passage becomes a mirror for us today: do we look holy while secretly harboring sin? Do we quote verses while ignoring the call to love, forgive, and remain humble?
Jesus flips the religious world upside down when He declares that nothing from the outside can defile a person—not food, not dirt, not even unwashed hands. Instead, what comes out from the heart—evil thoughts, arrogance, envy, deceit—is what truly corrupts. These inner sins, especially envy, slander, and pride, are often invisible to others but completely visible to God.
You’ve noted your own struggles with envy and arrogance—this passage affirms that those heart-level sins matter deeply to Jesus. Envy, in particular, is not just a passing feeling; it’s a symptom of comparing yourself to others rather than trusting God’s timing and provision. It echoes Satan’s own envy of God, reminding us of its destructive spiritual roots.
Jesus is calling you to root out these inner sins, not just mask them with religious language or performance. He desires a pure heart over public piety. The Pharisees looked impressive but were spiritually blind. You are reminded that God doesn’t care about how many verses you can recite or how often you attend church if your heart is far from Him.
The solution? Like David in Psalm 119, hide God’s Word in your heart so that sin has no place to grow. Read Scripture, not to impress, but to transform. Worship, not with your mouth alone, but with your life. And remember: God would rather your silent obedience than loud religiosity.
Mark 7:24–30 – Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith
Prompt: What does this story teach about faith, humility, and God’s mercy for outsiders?
24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[a] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”
30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
At first glance, this encounter between Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman seems troubling—Jesus refers to Gentiles as “dogs” and initially appears to reject her. But understanding the cultural and symbolic meaning behind His words opens the door to the richness of this lesson.
In verse 27, Jesus says:
“First let the children eat all they want… It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
Here, “children” refers to the Jews—God’s chosen people. “Bread” symbolizes God’s blessings, healing, and spiritual nourishment. “Dogs” (not wild animals, but more like household pets in this Greek usage) refers to Gentiles—those outside the Jewish covenant. Jesus is essentially saying: “My mission is first to Israel. The time for the Gentiles will come, but not yet.”
Instead of being offended or discouraged, the woman displays extraordinary faith and humility. She accepts her position in the story, yet boldly claims her place in God’s mercy:
“Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
This response shows she understood something many others missed: God’s mercy is abundant, overflowing even to those on the margins. Her deep faith, her refusal to give up, and her recognition of Jesus’ divine power moved Him to act. Without laying hands or speaking further, Jesus healed her daughter from a distance.
This story is one of the most powerful demonstrations of unrelenting faith and spiritual insight in all the Gospels. A non-Jewish woman not only believes Jesus can help, but understands the heart of His mission—and Jesus praises her for it.
In your own life, this passage teaches that your background, status, or “eligibility” doesn’t limit God’s grace. What matters is the posture of your heart—one of humility, persistence, and trust. Just like the woman, even when you feel distant, unworthy, or ignored, you must cling to Jesus in faith. God’s mercy isn’t just for the “insiders”—it’s for anyone who believes.
The woman’s bold humility is a model for your prayer life: come to Jesus boldly, but with reverence; knowing that His power is limitless, and His grace reaches even those at the table’s edge. Her story teaches you to never underestimate the power of a humble, trusting heart, and to know that God’s crumbs are more powerful than the world’s feast.
Mark 8:14–21 – The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod
Prompt: What spiritual dangers does Jesus warn against, and how can we remain aware?
14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”
21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
This passage is a moment of both warning and disappointment. The disciples, physically hungry and without bread, miss the deeper meaning in Jesus’ words. When He says, “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod,” He’s not talking about baking—He’s using yeast as a symbol for corrupting influence.
Yeast spreads quietly and thoroughly through dough, just as false teaching, pride, and hypocrisy can seep into our hearts and minds without us realizing. The Pharisees represent religious arrogance and spiritual blindness. They demanded signs but never truly believed. Herod represents worldly compromise, moral corruption, and political fear. Both groups opposed God’s truth—just in different ways.
Jesus is telling His disciples (and you): Don’t let these attitudes infect your heart. It starts small—a little spiritual laziness, a little compromise, a little comparison. But it grows until it replaces faith with fear, humility with pride, and love with judgment.
The disciples’ response reveals how easy it is to miss spiritual truth when we’re too focused on material needs. Jesus had miraculously fed thousands with just a few loaves—yet they’re still worried about lunch. His rebuke (“Do you still not understand?”) comes from a place of grief, not just frustration. They had witnessed miracles but still didn’t see Jesus clearly.
This passage challenges you to stay spiritually alert. Don’t let physical distractions, worldly voices, or religious traditions drown out God’s Word. Like the disciples, you’ve seen Jesus work in your life before—don’t forget His provision when new needs arise.
Guard your heart from becoming hardened. Spiritual blindness doesn’t come all at once—it creeps in slowly when you stop seeking, stop praying, or stop remembering God’s goodness. This is a call to wake up. Your life will always be surrounded by influences—social media, culture, even other believers with false teachings. Be careful what you let in.
Jesus doesn’t want shallow followers who can quote miracles but forget their meaning. He wants disciples who live in constant remembrance, discernment, and trust. So don’t let the yeast of pride, fear, or distraction grow in you. Guard your heart, stay rooted in His Word, and let every experience remind you: Jesus is your provider, teacher, and protector—always.
Mark 8:34–38 – The Cost of Discipleship
Prompt: What does Jesus teach about following Him and the value of the soul?
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Expanded Analysis:
This powerful passage confronts the heart of discipleship. Jesus makes it clear: following Him isn’t about convenience or comfort—it requires self-denial, sacrifice, and spiritual courage. To “take up your cross” in Jesus’ time meant something far more intense than hardship. It meant embracing the path of suffering, rejection, and even death, just as He would on the cross.
The call to deny yourself isn’t about denying your identity or worth. It’s about putting God’s will above your own, daily. It’s recognizing that your life isn’t ultimately yours—it belongs to Jesus. Trying to “save” your life—by clinging to comfort, control, or the world’s approval—will ironically lead to losing it. But surrendering your life to Christ, even at a cost, leads to true life—eternal life.
Verse 36 strikes a deep warning:
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
In a culture obsessed with success, popularity, and material gain, Jesus draws a stark line: your soul is more valuable than anything else in existence. Everything we chase—fame, money, power, even relationships—will one day fade. But your soul is eternal. You cannot buy it, barter for it, or replace it. And once it’s lost, nothing can repay that loss.
This is where your earlier reflections on Ecclesiastes come full circle. That book reminds us that much of life is “vanity”—fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. Jesus is saying the same here: you can gain the whole world, but if you lose your soul, you’ve lost everything. And paradoxically, you find your true self not by pursuing self-fulfillment, but by laying your life down for Jesus.
Verse 38 delivers a sobering but essential truth:
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words… the Son of Man will be ashamed of them…”
Jesus doesn’t want secret admirers—He wants bold followers. You mentioned times where you’ve hesitated to speak up about your love for Him, fearing judgment or rejection. This verse encourages you to stop hiding your faith. The world may see it as “cringey,” but God sees it as beautiful obedience.
Jesus was not ashamed to love you publicly—He was beaten, mocked, crucified for you. So you must not be ashamed to love Him back, openly and daily. Your faith shouldn’t be a private footnote—it should be a defining characteristic of your life. Not forced or boastful, but unapologetic, bold, and clear.
The world will always try to make you feel embarrassed about following Christ. But Jesus reminds you: if you are faithful now, He will stand by you on the day of judgment, in glory. That’s a reward greater than any earthly gain.
