My study and observation of Mark 12. This chapter opens with Jesus teaching in Jerusalem. The chapter talks about the wicked farmer. He leased the land to vinedressers and went into a far country. The farm in the parable relates Israel to a vineyard. Depicted here is God as the owner of the vineyard. The religious leaders are those that look after the vineyard. Just as those in the parable are beaten and killed in the same way many of God’s prophets were killed from the times of the Old Testament even until John the Baptist. The religious leaders were about to reject Jesus and God was going to take away some advantages from Israel and reach out His hand to the Gentiles. Chapter 12 also covers Jesus talking to the Pharisees and Herodians saying that it is right to pay taxes to Caesar. It also talks about Jesus’ greatest commandment “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31”. In Mark the challenge to Jesus’ authority are all taking place during His visit to the temple. Mark 12:36 in reference to Jesus says, “For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.”.