Jesus Taught

Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them (Mark 2:13).

How did Jesus teach? Did He lecture or prefer dialogue? Did He pronounce truth in categorical terms, or paint pictures of truth like an artist working on a canvas?

Surely Jesus used stories to teach (the Bible calls them parables), and He also used places to best advantage. While Jesus often spoke in synagogues or homes, He also taught groups of people on hillsides (Matthew 5:1) or on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The hillsides and sloping shoreline of the Sea of Galilee provided a convenient place for large crowds to gather, sit comfortably, and listen to the teacher standing at the foot of the hill, on the shore, or sometimes on a boat moored in the water (as in Luke 5:3). While the crowds followed, Jesus always taught.

He wasn’t afraid to teach concepts that would only be understood much later (concerning His death and resurrection, for example), and He kept his focus. We have no record that He lectured on questions such as “What language did Adam and Eve speak?” Or, “Where did Cain’s wife come from?” We have every reason to believe (based on the Bible’s record) that Jesus treated His listeners as intelligent, responsible human beings.

Parents who use these teaching methods with children are apt to get a more attentive audience, as are pastors with congregations and Sunday school expositors with their freshly washed cherubs. Teaching is hard work. Following Jesus’ example will not necessarily make it easy, just more successful.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.