Mark 3
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1He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered. 2They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him. 3He said to the man who had his hand withered, “Stand up.” 4He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” But they were silent. 5When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other. 6The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. 7Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea, 8from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him. 9He spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn’t press on him. 10For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him. 11The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, “You are the Son of God!” 12He sternly warned them that they should not make him known. 13He went up into the mountain, and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him. 14He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach, 15and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: 16Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17James the son of Zebedee; and John, the brother of James, (whom he called Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder); 18Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot; 19and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Then he came into a house. 20The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him: for they said, “He is insane.” 22The scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons.” 23He summoned them, and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can’t stand, but has an end. 27But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will plunder his house. 28Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme; 29but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.” 30—because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.” 31His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him. 32A multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, “Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside looking for you.” 33He answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! 35For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”
World English Bible (public domain)
“For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
Mark 3:35
Summary
In Mark chapter 3, Jesus continues His ministry amidst growing opposition from the Pharisees. As He heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, the Pharisees begin to conspire with the Herodians against Him. Despite this, Jesus' ministry flourishes as large crowds follow Him. He appoints twelve apostles, symbolically reflecting the twelve tribes of Israel, demonstrating the foundation of a new community of God's people. Jesus is confronted by His own family who misunderstand His mission and suggests that true kinship is defined not by blood but by obedience to God's will. The chapter underscores the tension between Jesus' revolutionary actions and traditional religious boundaries.
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Chapter outline
How Mark 3 unfolds
Mark 3:1–6 Healing on the Sabbath
Jesus enters a synagogue and heals a man with a withered hand, despite the Pharisees watching to accuse him, which intensifies hostility towards him.
Mark 3:7–12 Crowds and Demons
Jesus withdraws to the sea, attracting huge crowds due to his healings, while unclean spirits acknowledge him as the Son of God, which he silences.
Mark 3:13–19 Appointment of the Twelve
Jesus appoints twelve apostles, symbolizing a new Israel, giving them authority to preach and heal, establishing a foundational community.
Mark 3:20–21 Family Misunderstanding
As Jesus’ ministry draws large crowds, his family believes he is out of his mind and seeks to restrain him.
Mark 3:22–30 Accusations from Scribes
Scribes accuse Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebul, prompting Jesus to explain the illogic of such claims and warning against blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Mark 3:31–35 True Kinship Revealed
Jesus’ family arrives, but he redefines kinship as those who do God’s will, indicating a shift in his community’s identity.
Key verses
Mark 3:35Mark 3:35 emphasizes the redefinition of family as those who follow God's will, central to the chapter's themes.
Main themes in Mark 3
Authority of Jesus
The authority of Jesus is evident when he heals a man on the Sabbath, as seen in verses 1-5. His actions provoke anger from the religious leaders, illustrating the conflict between his divine authority and their established laws. This theme highlights the challenge Jesus presents to traditional religious boundaries and expectations.
Opposition to Jesus' Ministry
Opposition arises as the Pharisees and Herodians conspire to destroy Jesus after witnessing his healing on the Sabbath in verses 2 and 6. This chapter develops this theme by showing how Jesus' actions attract hostility, leading to escalating conflict with religious leaders. It foregrounds the tension between Jesus' transformative mission and the resistance he faces.
Redefinition of Kinship
In Mark 3:33-35, Jesus addresses the crowd and challenges the conventional understanding of family by asserting that those who do God’s will are His true brothers, sisters, and mother. This declaration redefines kinship, placing a higher value on spiritual relationships and communal faith than on biological ties. Through this teaching, the chapter illustrates the formation of a new community that prioritizes obedience to God, thus reshaping how believers understand their connections with one another.
Foundation of a New Community
The appointment of the twelve apostles in verses 14-19 signifies the establishment of a new community that mirrors Israel’s twelve tribes. This foundation is further emphasized by Jesus’ call to these apostles to preach and heal, creating a new identity for God's people. It marks a pivotal shift in the narrative towards a collective mission.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Mark 3
- Matthew 12This passage echoes the theme of Jesus healing on the Sabbath and the ensuing conflict with the Pharisees.
- Luke 6This connects by illustrating Jesus' authority over the Sabbath and his healing ministry amidst opposition.
- Luke 11This develops the theme of accusations against Jesus, particularly regarding the source of his power over demons.
- Mark 1This echoes the early stages of Jesus' ministry, showing the consistent pattern of healing and public response.
- Matthew 10This develops the theme of commissioning disciples, paralleling the appointment of the twelve apostles in Mark.
- Mark 6This connects by highlighting the ongoing opposition and misunderstanding Jesus faces in his ministry.
Study questions
Questions for studying Mark 3
- What was the reaction of the Pharisees to Jesus healing on the Sabbath?
- How does Jesus demonstrate his authority through healing and teaching?
- What does the appointment of the twelve apostles signify in this chapter?
- How do the crowds respond to Jesus’ ministry in this chapter?
- What does Jesus say about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
- How does Jesus redefine kinship in relation to doing God's will?
Mark 3: frequently asked questions
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