The Judas Syndrome: Mark 14:10-11
“10) Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11) They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.” Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬-‭11‬
Judas became a fulfillment of James 3:13-16. He was full of greed, selfish ambition and jealousy. After being exposed by Jesus because of his degrading of Mary’s act of worship in the previous few verses, Judas became angry and bitter and decided on a course of revenge. (Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-11)
James warns; “15) This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” (James‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16‬) The life of Judas ended in demonic torment and suicide. Back to the story as recorded my Mark.
Immediately, Judas Iscariot left the gathering at the home of Simon the leper and went to the chief priests to make arrangements for betraying Jesus. In doing so, he calcified his wicked heart of hypocrisy.
Think about this, Judas rebuked Mary for worshipping Jesus with perfume worth 300 danarij, but then He betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. (See Matthew 26:6-16) the money was intended for self consumption. There was no thought or compassion for the poor.
But there is an ire twist to his story. According to Matthew 27:1-10, after returning the money in an attempt to sooth his inner agony, the priests took the money and bought the potters field as a burial place for strangers. In a sense, his blood money ended up going to the poor. God holds you to your words.
So what is the moral lesson we learn from the pitiful life of Judas? Be careful not to make money your god. It can corrupt your soul. Beware of what you become in the pursuit of what you want! He got his money, but in the process became a traitor. I call it “The Judas Syndrome.”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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Contrast Between Mary and Judas: Mark 14:3-9
“3) While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4) But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5) For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. 6) But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. 7) For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. 8) She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9) Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”” Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬-‭9‬ ‭
This story was also recorded in Matthew 26:6-23 and John 12:1-8. John adds some important details to the story. First, he gives the identity of the woman. It was non other than Mary, the sister of Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
The very costly perfume of pure nard may have been purchased for the burial of her brother Lazarus. It was used to cover the stench of death.
Second, John also identifies Judas as the one who complained about not selling the perfume. John also disclosed the true motive of Judas. He was embezzling the money from the money bag. He was a thief. Greedy people always try to control the way others spend their money.
Third, the three gospels all point out that the alabaster vial of pure nard was very expensive. John 13:5 pointed out that Judas had valued the nard at 300 denarii. I repeat, it was very valuable. Yet Mary broke it and anointed both the head and feet of Jesus with the perfume. Breaking the vial indicated she used it all on Jesus.
Furthermore, John added the detail that Mary used her hair to wipe the feet of Jesus with the perfume. She was bowed at the feet of Jesus in the posture of worship.
What a contrast to the testy demeanor she displayed toward Jesus as recorded in John 11:32-34 at the grave of her brother. She now valued Jesus more than any earthly treasure. Keep in mind, the meal was at the home of Simon the leper. Mary came prepared to worship! She brought the vial of perfume with her.
From this text we are also forced to wrestle with poverty. Judas stated the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus acknowledged the poor were always present, but He Himself would remain for just a short while longer.
Mary got it right! Jesus and not money is the best solution for poverty. No force on earth has come close to the work of Jesus Christ over the centuries through His church to help the poor and combat poverty.
Finally, Jesus pointed out that Mary was preparing His body for His coming burial. She was the only one present who understood and heeded His many prophetic warnings about His coming death, burial and resurrection. She alone was processing the gospel message which was about to be fulfilled. She was worshipping Jesus as the Savior of the world.
There are many applications to be gained from this story. The foremost might be the stark contrast between Mary and Judas. Mary focused on Jesus. Judas focused on the money. Both were fixated on their true God/god.
Be honest. What is your primary focus?
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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The Home of Simon the Leper: Mark 14:3
“3) While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, …” Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬a
This is a short phrase, but it is so meaningful. So, who was Simon the leper with whom Jesus and His disciples spent the evening in Bethany? Let’s make a few observations.
First, he was obviously no longer a leper. He was not self isolated from people as the law would require if he was still a leper. He owned a house and was welcoming guests.
Second, he was known by name. The text calls him “Simon.” After his healing, he had become a devoted follower and friend of Jesus and His disciples.
Third, Jesus spent His final evening before the Passover with His disciples at the home of Simon the leper. Some of the people Jesus touched during His public ministry became close friends and associates. We sometimes miss this significant point.
Finally, though his exact identity is a guessing game, but we are pressured to look back to Mark 1:40-45 as the man who became known as Simon the leper. (See also Matthew 8:1-4)
He is the most likely choice. When Jesus was coming down from the mountain after giving His famous sermon, he was blocked by a leper bowing down before Him and saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
The leper made it clear that his healing by Jesus was not a question of power or ability. It came down to the will of Jesus. So, what is the will of Jesus related to healing?
The answer from Jesus was simple but profound. He reached out and touched him, and said, “I am willing, be cleansed.” (Mark 1:41-42)
I don’t want to force the text, but throughout the public ministry of Jesus, healing was always His Will. I cannot not find one case in the four gospels where Jesus did not heal the sick or deliver the oppressed. Sickness, diseases, injuries and demons never beat Him. He prevailed over them all.
Apparently, it was always His will to heal. Why? Because He is the Great Physician and by His stripes we were healed. (See 1 Peter 2:24, Hebrews 12:13; James 5:15; Isaiah 53:5; Psalm 107:20)
I’m not sure where the phrase came from that closes a prayer for healing by saying; “if it be Thy will.” In Matthew 26:39-42, Jesus prayed that way as He headed toward the cross. But that settled the doubt; “by His stripes we were healed.” Part of the reason Jesus went to the cross was for our healing. Again, He was willing.
God does not want us to be double minded when praying for healing. He wants us to pray in faith knowing His compassion, power and provision for healing. James even calls it “the prayer of faith.” (James 5:15-16) James was the one who warned about being double minded when praying. (James 1:6-8)
I believe Jesus wants many stories like that of Simon the leper. These are the stories that help advance the gospel.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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The Passover Lamb: Mark 14:1-2
“1) Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 3) for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people.”” Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭2‬
Destiny was converging on Jerusalem. The Passover was at hand. In John 1:29, John the Baptist has introduced Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the people.”
The chief priest and the scribes were seeking to “seize to seize Him by stealth and kill Him.” (Mark 14:1) However, they wanted to avoid the festival, because they feared repercussions from the people.
Leadership was corrupt, but they had to play the game for the sake of public appearance. Soon events would expose them and force them into the middle of the spotlight and the public trial of Jesus.
They were about to fulfill the Passover which was the focus of Old Testament prophecy. (Read Isaiah 53 and Acts 2:22-24) They were key actors in a script written by Divine Providence. They could not change the Script. Human redemption was about to be fulfilled.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global

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The Sovereignty of God: Mark 13:28-32
““28) Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29) Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30) Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31) Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32) But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭28‬-‭32‬ ‭
Two things stand out in this passage. First, the emphasis is more on who He is than on what He is going to do! This holds true for all of Mark chapter 13. This passage is about the true identity of the Messiah! No one else could pull off these events. He is the Christ!
Second, no one knows the time of these events, but the Father alone. The reason may be because the timing may be a bit fluid.
There are numerous examples in the Old Testament where timing for judgment was changed because certain kings humbled themselves or Israel turned from their sin. Gods ultimate plan was fulfilled but the timing was altered.
That seems to be the tone behind 2 Peter 3:8-9. God’s highest priority is for people to be saved. The big events will happen according to His Word, but the timing is under His Sovereignty.
That is why it is foolish to set dates or try to figure out the exact time for future events. Prophecy tells the sequence of future events, but it does not establish exact times for the return of Christ or for the end of this age. Neither the angels nor the Son knows the exact time. That detail is under the Sovereign will of the Father!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global Sent from my iPhone

Jesus is Coming Again: Mark 13:24-27
““24) But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25) and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26) Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27) And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.” Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭24‬-‭27‬ ‭
Jesus now talks about His second coming to set up His earthly kingdom. According to Mark, He will return after the tribulation.
Technically, the three most popular views of the end times and the tribulation all hold to this view. Pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation and post-tribulation all teach that His literal return to set up His earthly kingdom happens after the Great Tribulation. The debate relates to timing of the rapture.
I do not argue over the timing of the rapture. The word is not even used in the Bible. I see verses that could be used to support numerous views. Matthew 24:31 and Mark 13:26-27 both lend support to a post tribulation description of Jesus gathering the elect from the earth. Matthew even included the Great Trumpet.
Let me stress, most views of the end times believe in a literal return of Christ to set up an earthly kingdom. Revelation 20 repeatedly talks about a thousand year reign of Christ. This is known as the millennial kingdom. I am biblically convinced of a literal millennial kingdom. I believe this event will end this present age, time or epoch.
Mark 13:24-25 and Matthew 24:29 both teach the return of Christ will be accompanied by astronomical signs and wonders. As the Creator steps into the created realm, the physical sky will be shaken. The sun, moon and stars will be radically affected.
The main thrust of the gospel writers is to be ready because Jesus is coming again. The emphasis is to be busy spreading the gospel until Jesus returns.
This is my passion and focus. While I am still here, I am going to be praying, writing, teaching, preaching and telling people about Jesus. I am going to be ministering to people in His Name every way I can. The time is short!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of
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