The Slave-Savior ministered in His gospel service for over three years in the despised region of Galilee (see note Mark 1:14^1d par. 2), far from the holy temple and the holy city, the place where He had to die for the accomplishing of God's eternal plan. As the Lamb of God (John 1:29), He had to be offered to God at Mount Moriah, where Abraham offered Isaac and enjoyed God's provision of a ram as a substitute for his son (Gen. 22:2, 9-14) and where the temple was built in Jerusalem (2 Chron. 3:1). It had to be there that He would be delivered, according to the counsel determined by the Trinity of the Godhead (Acts 2:23), to the Jewish leaders (Mark 9:31; 10:33) and be rejected by them as the builders of God's building (Mark 8:31; Acts 4:11). It had to be there that He would be crucified according to the Roman form of capital punishment (John 18:31-32 and note; John 19:6, 14-15) to fulfill the type concerning the kind of death He would die (Num. 21:8-9; John 3:14). Moreover, according to Daniel's prophecy (Dan. 9:24-26), that very year was the year that Messiah (Christ) was to be cut off (killed). Furthermore, as the Passover lamb (1 Cor. 5:7), He had to be killed in the month of the Passover (Exo. 12:1-11). Hence, He had to go to Jerusalem (v. 33; 11:1, 11, 15, 27; John 12:12) before the Passover (John 12:1; Mark 14:1) that He might die there on the day of the Passover (Mark 14:12-17; John 18:28) at the place and the time foreordained by God.

See note Mark 1:21².

For vv. 2-12, see notes in Matt. 19:3-9.

See note Mark 2:6¹.

Lit., release. So in the succeeding verses.

Some MSS omit, and shall be joined to his wife.

This expressed the genuineness of the Slave-Savior's humanity. See note Mark 3:5¹.

The Slave-Savior's not despising or neglecting the little ones again expressed His humanity. See note Mark 10:21^1b and note Mark 9:36¹.

See note Matt. 19:14¹.

For vv. 17-31, see notes in Matt. 19:16-30.

This too expressed the Slave-Savior's humanity. See note Mark 10:14² and note Mark 10:49¹.

Some MSS add, taking up the cross.

Some MSS omit, for those who trust in riches.

Some MSS read, to Him.

See note Mark 9:43³.

The Slave-Savior had predicted His death and resurrection twice already (Mark 8:31; 9:31). Since the time for His death was at hand (see note Mark 10:1¹) He went to Jerusalem willingly, even going before His followers with a speed and boldness that amazed them (v. 32). This was His obedience to God unto death (Phil. 2:8), according to the counsel of God (Acts 2:23), for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan (Isa. 53:10). The Slave-Savior knew that through His death He would be glorified in resurrection (Luke 24:25-26) and that His divine life would be released to produce many brothers for His expression (John 12:23-24; Rom. 8:29). For the joy set before Him, He despised the shame (Heb. 12:2) and volunteered to be delivered to the Satan-usurped leaders of the Jews and to be condemned by them to death. For this, God exalted Him to the heavens, seated Him at His right hand (16:19; Acts 2:33-35), bestowed on Him the name which is above every name (Phil. 2:9-10), made Him both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), and crowned Him with glory and honor (Heb. 2:9).

See note Mark 2:6¹.

See note Matt. 20:18^1a.

For vv. 35-45, see notes in Matt. 20:20-28.

Both the cup and the baptism refer to the Slave-Savior's death (John 18:11; Luke 12:50). The cup signifies that His death was the portion given to Him by God, the portion He took to redeem sinners for God. Baptism denotes that His death was ordained by God as the way for Him to pass through for the accomplishing of God's redemption for sinners. For us He willingly drank this cup and was baptized with this baptism.

This is the strongest expression stating that the Slave-Savior, as the Son of Man in His humanity, was a Slave of God to serve sinners even by giving His life.

Or, soul.

This indicates that even the Slave-Savior's redemption was His service rendered to sinners for God's plan.

See note Mark 8:22¹.

See note Matt. 20:30^1b.

Although many were rebuking the pitiful, blind beggar, the Slave-Savior charged them to call him. Again, His humanity was expressed in His pity and sympathy toward the miserable people. See note Mark 10:51¹ and note Mark 10:21^1b.

What open love toward the needy one! It expressed the Slave-Savior's humanity to an unimaginable extent. See note Mark 10:49¹.

See note Mark 1:31¹ and note Mark 5:28¹.