Read through the passage in a few different translations, jot down notes and questions, and then check out some commentaries. Revise your notes and questions if necessary, and then go through the questions below:
- Current events were circulated by word-of-mouth in that day, so the report in verse 1 isn't unusual or surprising in a sense. It's even expected since everyone knew Jesus was from Galilee and would think He'd want to know. So why do you think He responds so negatively?
- Jesus hears their report and begins challenging a belief that "things happen in proportion to the degree of sin of the people who suffer in it". Jesus instead puts everyone in the same "sin-bucket". Why do you think people would believe that sin drives the degree of suffering?
- Jesus says, "repent or perish", this sounds pretty strong and in the context, people actually died. So, what do you think Jesus meant by this warning?
- What do you think it means to "repent"?
- In the context of the report, Jesus simply tells people to repent, but doesn't explicitly tell them from what (except the belief that suffering is directly related to the degree of sinfulness in a persons' life). What do you think Jesus had in mind for them to repent from and to?
- The parable of the fig tree happens in a vineyard. In their day this wasn't that unusual, and vineyards often are imagery for Israel, so what do you think the fig tree represented in parable?
- Who is the vineyard owner? Who is the vinedresser/vineyard keeper/gardener/vineyard worker?
- If the tree has one more year, what do you think this means for the "fig tree"?
- So, if the problem the fig tree has is producing figs, what do you think this means for those needing to repent? What do you think they need to do to survive after the year?
- If (and I believe it does) the parable related to the need for repentance, then what do you infer from it about repentance? What do you think it teaches about what repentance means? What do you learn about repentance for your own life?
- Immediately it's the Sabbath, and Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. What do you think it means that Jesus is allowed or asked to teach in a synagogue? Why do you think He would be allowed to do that when His popularity with the religious leaders is on the decline?
- Jesus sees a woman who is bent over and it is from spiritual oppression. He heals her, but not with the wording associated with casting out demons. So, what do you think was going on with the woman?
- Jesus calls her over to Him (up front), declares her healed, and then touches her. Why do you think He healed her this way?
- The synagogue leader cites the law about abstaining from your occupation on the Sabbath. What do you infer about what he believes about Jesus' occupation? What do you think is Jesus' occupation?
- The synagogue leader doesn't address Jesus, he addresses the crowd. Who do you think he had a problem with?
- Jesus wastes no time in calling out the legal problem. Do you think the leaders would have considered animals more important than this woman? So why would such exceptions be made for animals but not for people? What sort of "healing" was going on besides Jesus that they would have prohibited its exercise on the Sabbath?
- Jesus points out the problem of priority in the oral tradition or explanation of the law. What do you think God intends for the Sabbath? What is it supposed to be about?
- His "opponents" were humiliated. What does that tell you about those in attendance?
- Why do you think the crowd would be so favorable when the leaders were humiliated? Why wouldn't that bother the crowd?
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