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In his sermon on Mark chapters 9 through 11, Dr. McGee begins by examining the Transfiguration in Mark 9, highlighting Mark’s detailed account and suggesting it reveals Christ’s perfect humanity rather than primarily his deity, which is John’s focus. He connects this event to Peter’s later testimony as an eyewitness of Christ’s power and coming. Dr. McGee explains Jesus taking Peter, James, and John to the mountain, not as favoritism, but perhaps due to their spiritual immaturity. The appearance of Moses and Elijah signifies the law and the prophets testifying to Jesus. Despite this glory, the disciples fail to cast out a demon at the foot of the mountain, illustrating the contrast between heavenly glory and earthly struggles. Dr. McGee emphasizes that the Transfiguration itself doesn’t save; it points towards the necessity of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Continuing in Mark 9, Dr. McGee interprets the disciples’ failure as a reflection of the church’s present-day ineffectiveness in a world he describes as troubled and even “demon possessed”. He criticizes the church for engaging in various activities while neglecting the primary task of bringing people to Jesus. Jesus’ rebuke of a “faithless generation” and his statement “bring him unto me” are central to this point. The disciples’ subsequent inability to cast out the demon is attributed to a lack of prayer. Dr. McGee also touches upon Jesus’ second announcement of his death and resurrection, the disciples’ misunderstanding and argument about greatness, and Jesus’ teaching against a sectarian spirit after John forbids an outsider from casting out demons in Jesus’ name. He notes Jesus’ stern warning against offending little ones and his direct teaching about hell.
Moving into Mark 10, Dr. McGee discusses marriage and divorce, noting the Pharisees’ attempt to entrap Jesus. Jesus shifts the focus from divorce back to God’s original design for marriage as a union of one flesh created at the beginning. He explains that divorce was permitted due to the “hardness of your heart” but was not God’s ideal. Dr. McGee addresses adultery in the context of remarriage and clarifies why Mark’s account of divorce differs slightly from Matthew’s, considering Mark’s Roman audience. He then examines the blessing of the little children, highlighting their importance and suggesting adults should embrace a childlike faith. The encounter with the Rich Young Ruler is analyzed as an example of someone relying on outward obedience to the law while lacking a true relationship with God, hindered by his wealth. Jesus’ teaching on the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom is explained, emphasizing that salvation comes through God, not human effort or riches.
Finally, in Mark 10 and 11, Dr. McGee addresses Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem, including his repeated predictions of his death and resurrection. He interprets James and John’s request for positions of power and Jesus’ response about those places being prepared by God. The core of Jesus’ mission is emphasized: to minister and give his life as a ransom for many. Dr. McGee briefly mentions the healing of blind Bartimaeus. Transitioning to Mark 11, he describes Jesus’ public entry into Jerusalem as a presentation of himself as the Messiah, which ultimately led to rejection. He suggests this entry occurred over three days and was not a triumphal procession in the worldly sense. The cursing of the fig tree is interpreted as a symbol of Israel’s fruitless religious outward appearance. The cleansing of the temple is depicted as Jesus purging a corrupt religious system. This event leads to a discourse on the power of prayer through faith in God, clarifying that this power is for spiritual strength rather than literal miracles, and emphasizing the importance of forgiveness. The sermon concludes with Jesus’ skillful handling of the chief priests and elders who question his authority, using a counter-question about John the Baptist to silence them.
The audio on this video is the property of Thru the Bible. It is offered free of charge. If you wish to make a donation, do not send it to us. Visit http://www.ttb.org for information. The audio is attributed to Dr. J. Vernon McGee and Thru the Bible. Intellectual property rights are those of Thru the Bible. Please contact us if you feel our understanding of the terms of use are in error. Copyright information obtained from https://ttb.org/about/copyright-policy
Dr. J. Vernon McGee introduces the Gospel of Mark as chronologically the first Gospel written and emphasizes that its author, John Mark, was not an apostle but had close associations with key figures like Paul, Barnabas (his uncle), and Peter (his spiritual son). Mark’s Jewish name was John, and Mark was his Latin surname. His mother, Mary, was a prominent Christian in Jerusalem whose home served as a meeting place for the church. Mark initially accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey but turned back, causing a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, with Barnabas later taking Mark to Cyprus. However, Mark eventually redeemed himself, becoming profitable for the ministry later in Paul’s life. Dr. McGee also notes the early church tradition, supported by figures like Papias, that Mark’s Gospel is essentially Peter’s account.
Dr. McGee explains that the Gospel of Mark was specifically written for the Romans, catering to the Roman mind which valued strength and action. He contrasts this with Matthew, written for the nation of Israel and the religious man; Luke, for the thinking man; and John, for the wretched man. The Romans, while bringing peace, justice, and order, did so through force, representing active human power and a tendency towards dictatorship. Mark presents Jesus not as the king (like in Matthew) but as God’s servant, a man of action, with “Flaming headlines” like “Jesus came” and “He is risen”. The style of Mark is described as brief, blunt, pertinent, pithy, and action-oriented, evident in the frequent use of the connective “and”. Unlike Matthew, Mark does not include a genealogy because Romans were more concerned with a servant’s ability to do the job than their lineage.
Moving into Mark chapter 1, Dr. McGee highlights the beginning of the Gospel, which focuses on Jesus’ coming into the world, his public ministry, death, and resurrection. He discusses John the Baptist as the messenger preparing the way for the Lord, baptizing not for the remission of sins but “unto the remission of sins,” preparing people for Jesus’ arrival. Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River marked his identification with mankind, accompanied by the Trinity appearing with the Spirit descending like a dove and the Father’s voice declaring, “Thou art my beloved Son”. Immediately after, the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days where he was tempted by Satan, alongside wild beasts, while angels ministered to him. Following John’s imprisonment, Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, calling his first disciples (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) to become “fishers of men”.
Dr. McGee describes a typical busy day in Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum, starting on the Sabbath where he taught with authority, astonishing the people. The first recorded miracle in Mark is the casting out of an unclean spirit in the synagogue, demonstrating Jesus’ power in the spiritual realm. This was followed by the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law who had a fever. That evening, the entire city gathered, and Jesus healed many who were sick and cast out demons, who recognized him. Despite his busy schedule, Jesus made time to pray early in the morning and then decided to move on to other towns to preach. The chapter concludes with the healing of a leper, emphasizing Jesus’ compassion as he touched and cleansed him. Jesus instructed the man to remain silent but to show himself to the priest according to Mosaic law; however, the man disobeyed and publicized his healing widely.
Matthew 25-28 – The audio on this video is the property of Thru the Bible. It is offered free of charge. If you wish to make a donation, do not send it to us. Visit http://www.ttb.org for information. The audio is attributed to Dr. J. Vernon McGee and Thru the Bible. Intellectual property rights are those of Thru the Bible. Please contact us if you feel our understanding of the terms of use are in error. Copyright information obtained from https://ttb.org/about/copyright-policy
Dr. McGee’s sermon covers Matthew chapters 25 through 28, focusing on his interpretations of the parables, the events leading to the crucifixion, the crucifixion itself, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In chapter 25, Dr. McGee discusses the parable of the ten virgins. He refutes the idea of a partial Rapture based on this parable, stating that he believes every believer will be taken in the Rapture by God’s grace, not merit. He argues that the ten virgins refer to the nation of Israel, not the church. He also touches upon the parable of the talents, emphasizing the principle of using whatever gifts God has given until Christ’s return. Dr. McGee then interprets the Judgment of the Nations in Matthew 25 as occurring during the Great Tribulation, where nations will be judged based on their treatment of Christ’s brethren (the 144,000 sealed messengers). He believes the terms “sheep” and “goats” refer to ethnic groups or nations, not individual lost or saved people.
Moving into chapter 26, Dr. McGee narrates the events leading up to Jesus’s crucifixion. He highlights Jesus’s repeated predictions of his death during the Passover. He describes the anointing of Jesus at Bethany by a woman (identified as Mary in John’s Gospel), emphasizing the significance of her act as an anticipation of his burial. He recounts Judas’s betrayal for 30 pieces of silver and the institution of the Lord’s Supper during the Passover meal. Dr. McGee also discusses Jesus’s prediction of Peter’s denial and the events in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he believes Jesus won the victory over the horror of bearing the sins of the world. He continues with the betrayal by Judas, the arrest of Jesus, and his trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, including Peter’s denial.
Chapter 27 details the crucifixion of Jesus. Dr. McGee mentions Judas’s remorse and suicide after Jesus’s condemnation. He recounts Jesus’s trial before Pontius Pilate, the crowd’s choice of Barabbas over Jesus, and Pilate’s reluctant decision to have Jesus crucified. He describes the mockery and suffering Jesus endured at the hands of the Roman soldiers before his crucifixion. Dr. McGee notes that the Gospel writers do not give graphic details of the crucifixion itself, suggesting a divine reverence for this event. He highlights the supernatural events that occurred at Jesus’s death, including the tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom (symbolizing open access to God) and the earthquake. He also mentions the burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. The chapter concludes with the sealing of the tomb and the setting of a guard by the chief priests and Pharisees who remembered Jesus’s prediction of his resurrection.
Finally, chapter 28 focuses on the resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission. Dr. McGee emphasizes that the death and resurrection of Christ are the two great pillars of the Gospel. He describes the women coming to the tomb, the earthquake, the angel rolling back the stone, and the angel’s announcement that Jesus had risen. He recounts Jesus’s appearances to the women and later to the eleven disciples in Galilee. Dr. McGee then discusses the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, seeing it as having an application for today, as well as a future fulfillment during the Great Tribulation and the Millennium. He notes the omission of the Ascension in Matthew’s Gospel, suggesting it is because Matthew focuses on the kingdom being upon the Earth and the King remaining. Dr. McGee concludes by affirming that Jesus was born a king, lived as a king, died a king, rose again a king, and will return as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The audio on this video is the property of Thru the Bible. It is offered free of charge. If you wish to make a donation, do not send it to us. Visit http://www.ttb.org for information. The audio is attributed to Dr. J. Vernon McGee and Thru the Bible. Intellectual property rights are those of Thru the Bible. Please contact us if you feel our understanding of the terms of use are in error. Copyright information obtained from https://ttb.org/about/copyright-policy
In chapter 11, Dr. McGee begins by noting that after Jesus enunciated his ethic, performed miracles, and sent out his disciples, the reception of his message was rejection. This chapter marks a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Even John the Baptist, in prison, sent two disciples to ask Jesus, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?”. Dr. McGee finds this a logical question, as John might have expected Jesus to have assumed power by this time. Jesus did not rebuke John but told his disciples to report what they had seen and heard – the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, lepers cleansed, the deaf hearing, the dead raised, and the poor having the gospel preached to them. These were the credentials of the Messiah prophesied in Isaiah. Jesus then defended John to the multitudes, emphasizing that John was not a “reed shaken with the wind” but a strong voice. He was rugged and more than a prophet, being the forerunner prophesied in Malachi 3:1. Jesus stated that there had not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist among those born of women, yet the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he because of being in Christ. Dr. McGee interprets the difficult verse about the Kingdom of Heaven suffering violence as referring to both external forces seeking to destroy it and the wholehearted commitment needed to enter it. He notes that John is the Elijah who was to come if they had received Christ. Jesus then likens that generation to spoiled children who were never pleased. They criticized John for his austerity and Jesus for eating and drinking. A significant change occurs as Jesus begins to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works were done because they did not repent, pronouncing judgment on Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, stating it would be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, and even Sodom, in the day of judgment than for them due to the greater light they rejected. Jesus then thanks the Father for hiding these things from the wise and prudent and revealing them to babes. He declares that all things are delivered to him by the Father and invites all who labor and are heavy laden to come to him for rest, offering his easy yoke and light burden, which Dr. McGee identifies as the burden of sin.
Chapter 12 marks open conflict with the religious rulers. The conflict begins when Jesus’ disciples pluck and eat corn on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees accuse them of harvesting. Jesus defends his disciples by referring to David eating the showbread and the priests working in the temple on the Sabbath, claiming that “in this place is one greater than the temple” and that “the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day”. This claim of superiority leads to greater bitterness from the Pharisees. In the synagogue, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, further provoking the Pharisees who then take counsel to destroy him. Despite this, great multitudes followed Jesus, and he healed them all, charging them not to make him known, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about his servant. A man possessed by a demon, blind and dumb, is brought to Jesus, and he heals him, causing the people to wonder if he is the Son of David. However, the Pharisees accuse him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus refutes this, warning that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand and that if he casts out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come. He speaks of the unpardonable sin as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which occurred when they attributed his works to Satan despite the Holy Spirit’s power. Dr. McGee clarifies that this specific sin cannot be committed today, but resisting the Holy Spirit’s work in offering forgiveness still leads to a lack of remedy. Jesus then rebukes that generation as vipers, stating that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. When the scribes and Pharisees ask for a sign, Jesus says the only sign will be the sign of Jonah – three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, a resurrection sign. He contrasts their rejection with the repentance of the men of Nineveh and the wisdom-seeking of the Queen of Sheba, both of whom will condemn that generation. He gives the parable of the unclean spirit returning with seven more wicked spirits to an empty house, illustrating that reformation without true conversion is insufficient and leaves one in a worse state. Jesus then emphasizes that the strongest relationship is the spiritual one with Christ and fellow believers, not blood ties.
Chapter 13 is described as one of the high points of Matthew’s Gospel and key to understanding the Kingdom of Heaven. Dr. McGee asserts that the Kingdom of Heaven is not synonymous with the church but is Christendom, encompassing the church. He interprets the seven (or eight) parables in this chapter as revealing the mysteries or the condition of the Kingdom of Heaven during Jesus’ rejection. The first is the Parable of the Sower, which Dr. McGee considers the key to the other parables because Jesus himself interprets it. The sower is the Son of Man, sowing the seed, which is the Word of God, in the world. The wayside hearers are those from whom the devil snatches the word. The stony ground hearers receive the word with joy but lack root and fall away during tribulation. The thorny ground hearers are choked by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches. The good ground hearers understand the word and bear fruit. The next parable is the Parable of the Tares and Wheat, where an enemy (Satan) sows tares (false doctrine, children of the wicked one) among the wheat (children of the Kingdom). The householder (Jesus) instructs the servants not to pull up the tares prematurely, but to let both grow until the harvest (end of the age), when the angels will separate them. This illustrates the current state of Christendom. The Parable of the Mustard Seed describes the Kingdom of Heaven as a small seed that grows into a large tree where birds (evil, Satan) lodge, representing the outward growth of the organized church (Christendom) becoming influenced by evil. The Parable of the Leaven likens the Kingdom of Heaven to leaven (always a symbol of evil and corruption) hidden by a woman (a principle of evil in doctrine) in three measures of meal (the Word of God), signifying the corruption of the Word. Dr. McGee considers this a key verse in the Bible, illustrating how various isms and cults use and distort the Bible. Jesus interprets the Parable of the Tares and Wheat again for his disciples. The Parable of the Hidden Treasure in a field (the world) represents the nation Israel, hidden and scattered but to be bought (redeemed) by the man (Christ) who sells all he has. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price depicts the merchant man as Christ, seeking a goodly pearl (the church), who sells all he has (his riches, becoming poor, shedding his blood) to buy it, with the pearl formed by sin (foreign matter) being covered by Christ’s righteousness. The Parable of the Dragnet cast into the sea gathering all kinds of fish represents the end of the age when angels will separate the wicked from the just. Finally, the parable of the householder (every scribe instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven) brings forth things both new and old from his treasure (the Word of God). Dr. McGee concludes by noting the rejection Jesus faced in his own country, Nazareth, where their unbelief limited his mighty works. This unbelief can limit God’s power today as well. The sermon ends by introducing chapter 14, highlighting the growing antagonism towards Jesus, leading to the slaying of John the Baptist, and foreshadowing the ultimate crisis.
The audio on this video is the property of Thru the Bible. It is offered free of charge. If you wish to make a donation, do not send it to us. Visit http://www.ttb.org for information. The audio is attributed to Dr. J. Vernon McGee and Thru the Bible. Intellectual property rights are those of Thru the bible. Copyright information obtained from https://ttb.org/about/copyright-policy
In Matthew chapter 8, following the high ethical standards presented in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew introduces a series of miracles performed by Jesus. These miracles are not presented in chronological order but rather in a logical sequence to demonstrate that the King who gave the ethic also possesses the power to enable its accomplishment. Dr. McGee emphasizes that just as believers today can do nothing without Christ, these miracles reveal Jesus’ divine power. The chapter begins with Jesus descending from the mountain, followed by great multitudes, and proceeds to narrate six miracles showcasing his power over various realms.
The miracles in Matthew 8 illustrate Jesus’ comprehensive authority. He heals a leper through touch, signifying his power over human disease. He heals the Centurion’s servant from a distance, demonstrating his authority without physical contact and marveling at the Centurion’s faith. Jesus then heals Peter’s mother-in-law by touching her and casts out demons, moving into the supernatural realm. He further demonstrates his power over nature by stilling a storm. Finally, he casts out demons from two men, highlighting his authority over the spiritual realm and a particularly difficult case. These miracles are presented to show the multifaceted power of the King.
Moving into Matthew chapter 9, the theme of Jesus’ power continues with six more recorded miracles. Upon returning to Capernaum, Jesus heals a paralytic, notably connecting the healing with the forgiveness of his sins, a power exclusive to God. Matthew himself is called to be a disciple, and Jesus associates with publicans and sinners, emphasizing his mission to call the sick rather than the righteous. The chapter also includes the healing of a woman with a twelve-year issue of blood after she touched his garment, and the raising of a ruler’s daughter from the dead, marking the first instance of Jesus raising someone from death in the Gospels. Additionally, he heals two blind men and a dumb man possessed by a demon, further displaying his widespread healing power.
In Matthew chapter 10, having demonstrated his power through these twelve miracles, Jesus commissions his twelve disciples, now referred to as apostles, to go to the nation of Israel and preach the gospel of the Kingdom. He gives them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal all kinds of sickness and disease, providing them with the same credentials he possessed. Their specific mission is directed towards “the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” and they are instructed to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out demons freely. Dr. McGee emphasizes that these instructions were specific to that time and mission to Israel, not necessarily a direct mandate for all Christians today.
While the specific instructions given to the apostles in Matthew 10 were for a particular context, Dr. McGee points out that the chapter also contains general principles applicable to all believers. Jesus warns them of coming persecution, instructing them to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. He tells them not to fear those who can kill the body but rather fear God. He assures them of God’s care and the importance of confessing him before men. The chapter concludes with a call for total commitment and the promise of reward for those who receive his messengers. Dr. McGee encourages listeners to interpret these instructions within their historical context while still recognizing the enduring spiritual truths they contain.
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