Mark 3
World English Bible
WEB1He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there whose hand was withered. 2They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him. 3He said to the man whose hand was 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; then he will plunder his house. 28“Most 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 is my brother, my sister, and mother.”
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
Mark Chapter 3 presents a powerful depiction of Jesus' ministry and the growing opposition He faced. The chapter begins with Jesus healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, which incites the anger of the Pharisees. This act emphasizes Jesus' authority over the Sabbath and His mission to bring healing and restoration, as seen in verses 1-6. The Pharisees' response reveals their hardened hearts and unwillingness to accept Jesus as the #Messiah, leading them to conspire against Him. This conflict sets the stage for the ongoing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of the time.
As the chapter progresses, we see Jesus' popularity grow, attracting large crowds from various regions. In verses 7-12, He demonstrates His power over unclean spirits, commanding them to be silent about His identity. This highlights His authority not only over physical ailments but also over spiritual forces. Jesus then appoints the twelve disciples in verses 13-19, giving them authority to preach and cast out demons. This selection of the twelve, including #Peter, #James, #John, and #Judas Iscariot, signifies the establishment of a new community of believers who will carry forth His mission.
The chapter concludes with a poignant moment where Jesus redefines family in verses 31-35. When told that His mother and brothers are outside seeking Him, Jesus responds by indicating that those who do the will of God are His true family. This radical statement emphasizes the importance of spiritual kinship over biological ties, inviting all who follow Him into a deeper relationship with God. Overall, Mark 3 encapsulates the essence of Jesus' ministry, His authority, and the call to discipleship.
Referenced by
- Matthew 10:1v14Matthew 10:1 describes Jesus giving authority to His disciples over unclean spirits and to heal diseases, which is paralleled in Mark 3:14-15 where Jesus appoints the twelve and gives them authority.
- John 9:16v1In John 9:16, the Pharisees are divided over Jesus healing on the Sabbath, similar to the reaction in Mark 3:1-6 when Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, highlighting the tension between Jesus' works and the Pharisaic interpretation of the law.
Topics in this chapter
- Sabbath
- Apostles
- Discipleship
- Community
- Holy Spirit
- Authority
- Blasphemy
- Compassion
- Family
- Jesus
- Mercy
- Mission
- Obedience
- Healing
- Misunderstanding
- Opposition
- Pharisees
- Calling
- Disciples
- Faith
- Family of God
- Forgiveness
- Galilee
- Miracles
- Prayer
- Spiritual Kinship
- Unity
- Accusations
- Authority of Jesus
- Balance
- Beelzebul
- Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
- Capernaum
- Christian Art
- Compassion Over Law
- Conflict
- Crowds
- Demons
- Discernment
- Divine Mission
- Divinity
- Edom
- Evangelism
- Gentile Mission
- Hardness of Heart
- Healer
- Healing on the Sabbath
- Herodians
- Hymn
- Idumea
- Inclusivity
- Integrity
- Intercession
- Jerusalem
- Jesus' Authority
- Jesus' Ministry
- Judea
- Kingdom of God
- Lordship
- Love Over Law
- Messiah
- Ministry
- New Covenant
- Peace
- Political Opposition in the Bible
- Prophecy Fulfillment
- Reconciliation
- Religious Leaders
- Rest
- Restoration
- Righteous Anger
- Sea of Galilee
- Service
- Sidon
- Sin and Forgiveness
- Solitude
- Spiritual Family
- Spiritual Recognition
- Spiritual Relationships
- Teamwork
- The Church
- The Will of God
- Theology
- Tradition
- True Family
- Truth
- Tyre
- Unbelief
- Unforgivable Sin
Related chapters
- Matthew 12BeelzebulTrue FamilyUnforgivable Sin
- Luke 6Jesus' AuthorityJudeaHealer
- Luke 8Spiritual FamilyDemonsJesus' Authority
- Mark 2Sea of GalileeAuthority of JesusCapernaum
- Matthew 8DemonsJesus' AuthoritySea of Galilee
- Matthew 9TraditionSea of GalileeAuthority of Jesus
- Luke 5Sea of GalileeAuthority of JesusCapernaum
- Mark 1SolitudeAuthority of JesusCapernaum
- Matthew 10ApostlesGalileeDisciples
- John 7JudeaReligious LeadersJesus' Ministry
- Matthew 15TraditionSea of GalileeGentile Mission
- Luke 4SolitudeDivine MissionCapernaum
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