Author Archives: Don Merritt

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s … Continue reading →

Mark 5:1-20 Parallel Texts: Matthew 8:28-33; Luke 8:26-39 Right after Jesus completed His teaching in parables, He and His disciples began to make their way across the Sea of Galilee, where they encountered a fierce storm that threatened to swamp … Continue reading →

Mark 4:35-41 Parallel Texts: Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25 Right after Jesus wrapped up His teaching in parables, He was tired and ready to leave, so the disciples joined Him in the boat, and they began to cross to the other … Continue reading →

Mark 4:21-25 Parallel Text: Luke 8:16-18  This brief section contains two more short parables, the Parable of the Lampstands and the Warning for Hearers. First, let’s talk about lamps… Lamps and lampstands are used several times in the New Testament … Continue reading →

Mark 4:1-20 Parallel Texts: Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:1-15 With the beginning of chapter four, we see a shift in Mark’s narrative to a battery of parables. Parables are interesting things, little stories that teach a moral lesson. They are not … Continue reading →

Mark 3:7-12 Parallel Text: Matthew 12:13-21 With the plot to kill Him underway, Jesus and His disciples go to the Sea of Galilee, followed by ever-growing crowds of people. Many, maybe hundreds pushed to be close to Him, hoping to … Continue reading →

Mark 2:23-28 Parallel Texts: Matthew 12:1-8; Luke 6:1-5 Mark has shifted the scene to the countryside. Jesus and the disciples, and apparently some Pharisees, are walking through grain fields on the Sabbath. They are hungry and the disciples pluck a … Continue reading →

I don’t know about you, but for me, the idea of God as our shepherd is one of the most comforting and inspiring images of being in relationship with Him. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep … Continue reading →

Mark 2:1-12 Parallel Texts: Matthew 9:2-8; Luke 5:17-26 In this passage, Jesus has returned to Capernaum from His Kingdom Tour, and the people are excited to have Him back in town. During this period, Capernaum is His ‘home base’. As the crowd … Continue reading →