COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 93
“ Mark 8:37 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. 9:1 And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.”
(Mark 8:38-9:1; Matt 16:32-33; Lk 9:26-27)
ASHAMED OF JESUS AND HIS WORDS
INTRODUCTION
We are now in a period of Christ’s ministry where He is preparing Himself and His disciples for the laying down of His life. There is a different tone to His teaching – one that is attended by heightened sobriety and a sense of urgency. Something is coming during that very generation that will turn the direction of humanity, revealing hitherto unknown resources to those who would believe on Christ. It was an era that would be the result of Christ’s vicarious death and justifying resurrection. As it is written, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Rom 4:25). This time is referred to as “the day of salvation,” “the accepted time”(2 Cor 6:2), and “the acceptable year of the Lord” (Lk 4:19). It was a time when “repentance and remission of sins” would be “preached” (Lk 24:47). In our text, Jesus declares that men will be judged by their response to the Gospel that announces that time has come. The Gospel will be a message that proclaims the fact and Divinely appointed results of Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and enthronement. It will announce how heaven has reacted to the voluntary death of Jesus, and what He is doing upon earth, working from heaven. How men react to that message will determine precisely how the Lord Jesus reacts to them in the day when everything will be revealed – the day of His return. It will be exceedingly apparent from this text that we are speaking of matters of the greatest gravity. The knowledge of a God who “is love” (1 John 4:8,16), and that Christ is a “meek and lowly” Savior (Matt 11:29) must not lead anyone to imagine that either the Father or the Son are tolerant of those who are ashamed or Jesus, recoiling at His demands, or blushing because His words.
ASHAMED IN AN ADULTEROUS AND SINFUL GENERATION
“ Mk 8:38a Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation”
WHOSOEVER. Other versions read “whoever,” NKJV “anyone,” NASB and “those.” NRSV The idea is that anyone falling into this category will experience the specified reaction of Jesus. No persons committing this infraction will escape the stipulated judgment because of who they are, the name they wear, or their religious identity. Their past life will not offset their present condition. Should this sin be found in a person, any former start in the faith will not cause it to be erased, or move God and His Son to forget it. This is involved in God being no respecter of persons. As it is written, “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). This applies to receiving those who “worketh good” – “But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God” (Rom 2:11). It also applies to receiving for any “wrong” that has been done – “But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons” (Col 3:25). We are living in a generation in which these things have not been powerfully proclaimed.
ASHAMED OF ME. One version reads, “has a feeling of shame because of Me.” BBE All other versions read the same: “ashamed of Me.” It should be apparent from the text itself that the word “ashamed” is a very weighty one. The word is not as easy to define as one might think. It involves embarrassment, hesitation, reluctance, humiliation, fear, and a lack of courage. FRIBERG It also involves being disgraced. LOUW-NIDA The English word “ashamed” means “feeling inferior” and “restrained by the anticipation of shame,” MERRIAM-WEBSTER “embarrassed, troubled by guilt feelings.” OXFORD
The phrase “ashamed of Me,” means being embarrassed because of an association with Jesus, as though He was in some way inferior, or identity with Him was in some way unacceptable. The person who is “ashamed” of Jesus will not let it be known that he desires to be connected with Him. There may be some inward inclination toward the Lord, and some measure of appreciation for Him, but it is not strong enough to elicit a confession, or the acknowledgment that the person is one of Jesus’ followers, or disciples. These are people who, like some of the “chief rulers” of the Jews “did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43).
While Jesus was gentle with such souls prior to His enthronement, now that He has been confirmed to be “the Son of God with power,” such toleration has come to an abrupt end. In this saying, Jesus is speaking of “the day of salvation” that was upon them – the time following His death, resurrection, and enthronement. Once the Savior was received back into heaven, there would be no more leniency toward those who were ashamed of being associated with Him. That is precisely why Paul wrote, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha” (1 Cor 16:22).
Matthew associates this shame with denying Christ, or refusing to confess Him before men. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, Him will I confess . . . But whosoever shall deny me before men” (Matt 10:32-33).
This is based upon the enthroned Savior sending forth the Holy Spirit, who would “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8-11). Following that, those who were ashamed of Jesus (which presumes they are knowledgeable of Him) were those who had quenched and grieved the Holy Spirit, resisting His convicting ministry.
ASHAMED OF MY WORDS. Other versions read, “and what I say,” GWN “and My message,” NLT and “My teachings.” WEYMOUTH Christ’s “words” refer to His teaching, His doctrine, His message. In summary, that message is referred to as “the Gospel of the Kingdom” (Matt 4:23), and “showing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God,” Lk 8:1). Speaking of His own matchless preaching and teaching, Jesus said, “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it” (Luke 16:16). That message was a marked departure from the teaching of the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Lawyers. To embrace His message, men would find themselves at variance with the accepted teachers of the day. To be ashamed of the words of Jesus is to avoid the conflict they produced by simply not acknowledging their truth and superiority. Such people would continue to speak in the religious jargon of the day. Jesus leaves no doubt about how He will react to such conduct.
THIS ADULTEROUS AND SINFUL GENERATION. Other versions read “false and evil generation,” BBE “unfaithful and sinful,” GWN “faithless and sinful,” NAB “unbelief and sin,” LIVING and “adulterous (unfaithful) and [preeminently] sinful generation.” AMPLIFIED An “adulterous” generation is one in which the heart that to be given to the Lord is given to someone or something else – spiritual prostitution. This is a generation that is intimately involved with this present evil world – its ways and its wisdom. A “sinful” generation is one that expresses its wayward desires – a generation that sees itself as being preeminent.
THE PERSON OF WHOM JESUS WILL BE ASHAMED
“ 38b . . . of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
OF HIM. This it the individual who was embarrassed by an association with Jesus. It is the one who would not take the words of Jesus into his mouth before the world – the person who did not prefer to obtain and keep those words at all cost. Convenient explanations may be offered for being ashamed of Jesus and His words, but Jesus will not receive them, and neither should we. This does not mean we do not make every effort to influence such people for Jesus. This is a word delivered to those who are ashamed. Sometimes, we may be the ones who have to deliver it.
THE SON OF MAN BE ASHAMED. Matthew says of this occasion, “But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven” (Matt 10:33). That is, the Son will refuse to be associated with such a person in the hour when His approval will determine the eternal destiny of the individual. The words are frightening to consider, and every sober person will do whatever is necessary to avoid this experience. Elsewhere the Lord expressed being ashamed of a person in these words, “I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt 7:23). Again the affirmation is seen as being said to five foolish virgins, “I know you not” (Mat 25:12). Luke records the Lord saying to such people, “I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity” (Luke 13:27). Oh, the dread of the very thought of Jesus being “ashamed” of any person!
Now, in this “day of salvation,” grace has provided a means of Jesus NOT being “ashamed” of us. It is written, “For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He that sanctifieth [Jesus] and they who are sanctified [believers] are all of One [the Father]: for which cause He [Jesus] is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Heb 2:10-11). Those who “are sanctified” are the ones Jesus is bringing to glory. They are the ones who are being changed from one increasing stage of glory to another (2 Cor 3:18) – the ones who are pursuing the Captain, who is leading them to glory. Of such, Jesus will not be ashamed. However, those who are ashamed of Him or His words are removed from that number, for Jesus will not lead anyone to glory who is ashamed of Him in the world from which He has deliver them.
WHEN HE COMES. The shame of which Jesus speaks is not experienced in this world. Men can only speculate about Jesus being ashamed of any person here. In fact, men may claim to have been received by Jesus. Or, as men are wont to say, they may claim they have received Him into their hearts. It may not be clear what Jesus thinks of them now. However, Jesus is speaking of a time when there will be no speculation on this matter.
This is not speaking about a secret coming – a doctrine that manages to bring comfort to some. Jesus never referred to such a coming. When Jesus leaves the Throne room, it will be the end of His intercession, and will induct the conclusion of the present heavens and earth (2 Pet 3:10; Rev 20:11). At that time, when “the Son of man shall come in His glory,” “before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats” (Matt 25:31-32). It is then that Jesus will “be ashamed” of those who were “ashamed” of Him in an unfaithful and sinful generation.
IN THE GLORY OF THE FATHER. To further clarify His coming, Jesus says it will be when He comes “in the glory of His Father,” a description He provided elsewhere (Matt 16:27). Luke says of that return, “He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26). Matthew says He will come “in great glory” (Matt 24:30). Again, “the Son of man shall come in His glory” (Matt 25:31). Again, He will come “with great power and glory” (Mk 13:26). And again, “with power and great glory” (Lk 21:27). Paul writes that when He comes believers will “appear with Him in glory” (Col 3:4). Peter says His coming is a time when “His glory shall be revealed” (2 Pet 4:13).
Try as you may, you cannot find a word of Scripture that suggests Jesus will at any time appear without glory! That was the manner of His first appearing, and that is why men were not able to perceive Him. But “the second time” will not be without glory. That is why “every eye shall see Him” – when He comes “with clouds,” as the angels said, when Jesus was ascending into heaven (Rev 1:7; Acts 1:11). There are six other references to Jesus’ coming “with clouds” (Matt 24:30; 26:64; Mk 13;26; 14:62; Lk 21:27; 1 Thess 4:17). This is the very next time He will come.
WITH THE ANGELS. The holy angels will accompany Jesus when He returns. This is stated no less than seven times in Scripture (Matt 16:27; 24:30-31; 25:31; Mk 8:38; 13:27; Lk 9:26; 2 Thess 1:7). Jesus will send forth the holy angels to gather out of the Kingdom all those who offend (Matt 13:41). He will send them to “gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matt 24:31). The angels, Jesus said, “will sever the wicked from among the just” (13:49). At that time, those of whom Jesus is ashamed, will not be confessed “before the angels of God,” who are “the reapers” (Lk 12:8; Matt 13:39).
THE KINGDOM COMING WITH POWER
“ 9:1 And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.”
SOME THAT STAND HERE. At this time, Jesus is speaking to all of the people, not just “the twelve.” Mark says He had “called the people unto Him with His disciples” (Mk 8:34). Luke says, “He said to them all” (Lk 9:23). Now Jesus addresses a word to them, speaking of things that some of them will see before they leave this world. It was up to the people to ponder what He was saying, and make some judgment about the importance of Christ’s words. Jesus is not speaking to them to merely convey information, for “the Kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power” NASB (1 Cor 4:20). He rather speaks this word so that when the time comes of which He is speaking, they will be able to say, “This is that.”
NOT TASTE OF DEATH. Other versions read, “taste death,” NKJV “in no wise taste of death,” ASV “will not die,” NLT “experience death,” NET “will live to see,” LIVING “will certainly not taste death,” WEYMOUTH “will certainly live,” WILLIAMS and “will in no way taste death.” AMPLIFIED
In Scripture, the word “taste” is a synonym for experience. Thus we read of tasting and seeing that “the Lord is good” (Psa 34:8), tasting of the “heavenly gift” (Heb 6:4), tasting the “good word of God” (Heb 6:5), and tasting “that the Lord is gracious” (1 Pet 2:3). In this case, whatever is “tasted” passes from the domain of theory into the realm of experience.
This word is similar to the one delivered to Simeon. “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ” NKJV (Luke 2:26).It was impossible for death to claim the people of whom Jesus spoke, until they had seen the occasion of reference come. Satan could not take their lives any more than he could have taken Job’s life (Job 2:6). The times of men are in the hands of the Lord (Psa 31:15).
I do not doubt that there are Divine appointments for us also – times that have not been revealed to us, yet which are as sure as those of our text. Perhaps, at times, the Lord will give His children a sense of what is ahead. There is no firm word on this. However, for those who choose to walk close to the Lord, it is written that “the secret of the Lord is with them” (Psa 25:14). Who knows the marvelous extent of that word? It is something that is vouchsafed only to those who have this single desire – “that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple” (Psa 27:4).
TILL THEY SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD. “ . . . till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” Luke reads, “til they see the Kingdom of God” (Lk 9:27). This is a marvelous word! John the Baptist had preached, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2). Jesus had preached the same thing: “Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). When He sent out the twelve, He told them to preach, “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 10:7).
It is true that Jesus had also said the Kingdom of God was within, or among, the very people to whom He preached, and among whom He worked. “And when He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). He did not mean that the Kingdom was within those Pharisees that asked Him of the Kingdom. He rather meant that it was within the circumference of that generation – “among” them, NRSV or “in your midst.” NASB He also said, “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you,” or “has come to you” NRSV (Luke 11:20). This was different from the statement of our text.
The “Kingdom of God” has to do with Divine power, Sovereignty, and rule. It relates to the subjugation of enemies, and the deliverance of those oppressed by them. All of this was introduced in the ministry of Jesus. However, His healings and deliverances were not the ultimate fulfillment of the Kingdom, but only an debut of it. Here Jesus is speaking of the Kingdom under His heavenly administration – the kingdom “with power.”
This would be the fulfillment of the word of Daniel: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Dan 2:44). It was a Kingdom established for the salvation of men from beginning to end – from deliverance from the power of darkness to an entrance into “the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (Col 1:13; 2 Pet 1:11). This would be the uninterrupted rule of the exalted Christ “in the midst of His enemies” (Psa 110:2).
In this text, Jesus is referring to the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured forth. After His resurrection, the Lord told them this would occur “not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). That was the time when “the day of salvation” was launched, and the “Captain” of salvation commenced bringing “many sons to glory” (Heb 2:10).