Big Idea: In contrast to the crowds, the leaders begin to oppose Jesus’s ministry because he ignores the requirements of their oral tradition. Jesus, however, conducts his ministry not to satisfy rules but to bring sinners to forgiveness. His authority to forgive sins is proof of his divine sonship.

Understanding the Text

Jesus’s authority continues from Mark 1, but now with a polar opposite reaction: rejection rather than wonder. This begins five episodes (2:1–12, 13–17, 18–22, 23–28; 3:1–6) that center on the leaders; in each one Jesus’s opponents make disparaging comments and ask him challenging questions regarding his deliberate ignoring of the law. He responds with dominical sayings and aphorisms that highlight his authority. In 1:21–45 Jesus’s popularity with the crowds grew expone…