Mark 12:11

This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Mark 12:11 (KJV)

Context

Mark 12:11 is the closing verse of the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen, which Jesus told in response to the chief priests, scribes, and elders who challenged His authority. In the parable, a landowner planted a vineyard, leased it to tenants, and went away. When he sent servants to collect his share of the fruit, the tenants mistreated and killed them. Finally, he sent his beloved son, whom they also killed.

In this verse, Jesus quotes Psalm 118:23, applying it to Himself. The quotation comes from a psalm of thanksgiving, where the psalmist acknowledges that the events described are the result of God’s intervention and providence, not mere coincidence or human effort. Jesus uses it to declare that His own rejection by the religious leaders and His exaltation are the Lord’s doing.

Meaning

The declaration “This was the Lord’s doing” emphasizes God’s sovereign authority. The religious leaders’ rejection of Jesus was permitted by God’s will, and His exaltation was also from God. The verse underscores that God is sovereign over both the rejection and the vindication of His Son.

The word “marvellous” points to the wonder of God’s plan. The marvelous nature of this work is that God brought salvation through the very stone that was rejected. The outcome, despite the wickedness of the tenants, showcases the wisdom and justice of God and serves as a warning about the seriousness of rejecting divine invitation and the inevitable judgment that follows.

Biblical connections

Jesus’ quotation of Psalm 118:22-23 connects the parable to the broader biblical theme of the rejected stone becoming the head of the corner. In its original context, the psalmist praises God for deliverance, emphasizing His steadfast love. In Mark, Jesus applies this to Himself: the stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This connection highlights the divine origin of Christ’s exaltation and the wonder of God’s plan of salvation, which confounds human expectation.

Application

Mark 12:11 reminds us to acknowledge and appreciate the Lord’s involvement in human affairs. Even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust, we can trust that God is in control, working out His purposes. When we recognize the marvelous work of God, it should inspire us to worship Him. The gravity of rejecting God’s messengers should lead to humility, reverence, and repentance before His authority.

The landowner’s sending of his beloved son represents Jesus Himself. This points to the sacrificial nature of Christ’s mission, highlights God’s love for humanity, and underscores the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Recognizing Jesus as the beloved Son sent to redeem humanity calls us to respond in faith and obedience.

Reflection

Mark 12:11 conveys both the divine authority and intervention of God and the serious warning against rejecting His messenger within the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen. It calls us to recognize and appreciate God’s marvelous work, respond in awe and worship, and acknowledge Jesus as the beloved Son sent to redeem humanity.