For vv. 1-12, see notes in Matt. 21:33-46.

See note Mark 2:6¹.

In Matt. 22:35 he is called a lawyer. Scribes is a wider term that includes the lawyers, who were Mosaic jurists, interpreters of the law.

See note Mark 2:6¹.

Dead knowledge of the Scriptures causes people to dispute with the Lord. How terrible!

For vv. 13-17, see notes in Matt. 22:15-22.

The corner of the church as God's building (Eph. 2:20). This is an indirect reference to the church.

The Jewish leaders, as the builders of God's building, rejected the Slave-Savior, who was the stone that became the head of the corner of the building of God (v. 10). Because of this, God rejected them and gave His building work to others — the church. In this Gospel this is the only direct indication regarding the church.

Lit., it does not matter to You concerning anyone.

Lit., face.

For vv. 18-27, see notes in Matt. 22:23-33.

Referring to physical strength. We love the Lord our God with all our being, that is, from our heart, through our soul, our mind, to our body.

See note Matt. 22:40¹; James 2:8 and notes.

For vv. 35-37, see notes in Matt. 22:41-45.

See note Mark 1:21².

The scribes spoke according to the letter. Their speaking differed from the speaking in v. 36, which was in the Holy Spirit.

Or, punishment, condemnation.

The Slave-Savior was God living in His humanity. As such, He was concerned to observe how God's people expressed their loyalty in their offering to Him. By this kind of observation He praised the widow's loyalty to God. The Slave-Savior's observation is more penetrating than man's.

Lit., copper; referring to copper money.

Equal to a fourth of a penny.

In the type, the Passover lamb was examined for four days before it was killed (Exo. 12:3-6). The Slave-Savior also, as the real Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7), was examined for four days before He was killed. He came to Bethany six days before the Passover (John 12:1; Mark 11:1). On the next day He came into Jerusalem and went back to Bethany (John 12:12; Mark 11:11). On the third day He came to Jerusalem again (11:12-15) and began to be examined according to the Jewish law by the leaders of the Jews (Mark 11:27-33; 12:1-37; 14:53-65; John 18:13, 19-24) and according to the Roman law by Pilate, the Roman governor (John 18:28-40; 19:1-6 see note Mark 15:1^2e). He was examined until the day of the Passover, when He was crucified (Mark 14:12; John 18:28 see note Mark 14:12²). This insidious and ensnaring examination, coming from many angles, took exactly four days, and He passed, proving that He was fully qualified to be the Lamb required by God for the accomplishing of His redemption, that He may pass over the sinners, both Jews and Gentiles. See note Mark 15:1², note Matt. 26:2^1a, and note John 18:13¹.