Jesus Speaking Prophetically in Mark
One of the things that has stood out to me while studying Mark's account of Jesus' days before his resurrection is how Jesus knows what is coming. Jesus speaks prophetically - meaning he speaks regarding what is happening or what is about to happen with truthful accuracy.
(1) In Mark 11:1-7 Jesus tells his disciples to go into Jerusalem to get his ride for his entry into the city. of Jerusalem. Jesus describes with a pretty high level of detail where they are to find the colt, and how to respond to any inquiries. We're given the precise impression that Jesus speaks as a prophet of God. He speaks truthfully, accurately, and with authority.
If Mark 11 was the only instance of this, it would be worth noting, but not a pattern. We see throughout the rest of Mark's account of Jesus' last days before the cross that this is a pattern. Beyond a pattern, we can say that in almost all of the last 6 chapters of Mark, Jesus speaks of what will come, and then what Jesus said would happen, is precisely what happens. In sum, Mark gives us the words of Jesus as mostly future oriented in Mark 10-16.
(2) In Mark 11:12-14 we read of Jesus cursing a fig tree "May no one ever eat fruit from you again" (11:14). Jesus then spends the day in Jerusalem clearing out the temple (11:15-19). The next day Jesus and his disciples pass the same fig tree and notice "the fig tree withered from the roots" (11:20). Again, just like with the colt, we see Jesus speaking, and what he has said coming to pass.
(3) In Mark 13 Jesus states what will come to pass regarding Jerusalem and the earthly temple. Almost all of what Jesus then spoke about throughout Mark 13 occurred in 70 AD. The judgement of God came upon Jerusalem and the temple about which Jesus said, "not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down" (13:2). Jesus speaks of the immediacy and timeline of these events in 13:29-30 "Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened".
(4) In Mark 14 Jesus was at the house of Simon the Leper when a woman anointed Jesus with expensive perfume (14:3). Some object to this act of devotion, yet Jesus speaks a rebuke "The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial" (14:7-8). Here we see Jesus again speaking, and shortly after the thing he has spoken comes to pass. We know Jesus was in Jerusalem only a few days before Judas betrayed him. This gathering at Simon the Leper's home was only a few days before Jesus would be crucified (See the timeline mentioned in 14:1 and 14:12). Jesus spoke of his death and knew it was coming speedily.
(5) In Mark 14 were told about the preparations for the last supper (14:12-16). The disciples ask Jesus a very pragmatic question "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?" (14:12). Jesus responds regarding detailed future events again "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, 'the Teacher asks: where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." (14:13-15). We're then told that just as Jesus has said, the two disciples who were sent find the room and prepare for the Passover.
(6) In Mark 14 at the last supper (14:17-26) Jesus speaks that one of the twelve would betray him "While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, 'I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me - one who is eating with me'" (14:18). We're then told a few paragraphs later that "Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them; 'The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.' Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, 'Rabbi!' and kissed him" (Mark 14:43-44). Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, and even spoke regarding the arrival of the betrayer in 14:41-42 "The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!". Jesus knew earlier in the night and spoke of his betrayal, and then knew as the moment approached and spoke prophetically regarding what was about to occur.
(7) As the disciples and Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives (14:26) Peter is prophetically warned by Jesus "I tell you the truth...today-yes, tonight- before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times" (14:30). We're then told Jesus was arrested and taken before the Sanhedrin. Peter followed behind (14:54 & 66). Just as Jesus had spoken to Peter warning him, sure enough it happened just as Jesus said. In Mark 14:66-72 we read of Peter denying any affiliation or connection with Jesus three times.
In the midst of all this prophetic speech by Jesus we then have one of many horrible moments of cruel injustice. We just saw how at least seven times Jesus spoke prophetically in the last few days prior to his crucifixion (I think there may even be more occurrences of Jesus' prophetic speech such as in 15:61-62). We see the clear pattern of Jesus speaking as one who knows the will of God, who speaks the will of God, who submits to the will of God, and as one who follows the will of God. And then we come to 15:65:
Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, 'Prophesy!' And the guards took him and beat him. (Mark 15:65)
Oh the wicked irony. This is what Christ had been doing as he spoke for the last several days! He had been prophesying! He had been speaking the truth of God. What he had said had occurred just as he said it would. And now these brutes armed themselves with the weapons of this world to strike the very messiah of God. Of all the insults and mocking for them to engage in, they mock, but they mock in a strange way truthfully. Christ indeed was a prophet, he did prophesy, but he did not prophesy in response to the commands or murderous threats of this world. Christ spoke only as God called him to speak.
For the last week Jesus had been in Jerusalem and the surrounding towns prophesying. Had there been any genuine desire from these unholy torturers to witness Jesus prophesy they should have been listening and paying attention! No amount of beating could persuade the blessed Holy One to open his mouth. This is another amazing testament to the divinity of Jesus. Had he been ONLY a human, he surely would have broken under the torture. Christ exercised a tremendous amount of power as he was self-controlled and restrained, even in the midst of horrendous pressure.
What a savior this Jesus is! What a prophet who spoke truly the Word of God!
Jesus speaking prophetically is such a dominant theme, that this is now becoming my default position when reading the 2nd half of Mark's Gospel. When I read of Jesus speaking, I now am doing double takes expecting what Jesus says to come to pass in the next sentence, paragraph, or chapters.
I hope this has been edifying to you and causes you to see a depth of our Lord which stirs your heart to praise and worship of Christ who is worthy of all praise!