1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and [from] beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.
13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth [unto him] whom he would: and they came unto him.
14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;
17 And James the [son] of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.
20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
21 And when his friends heard [of it], they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
23 And he called them [unto him], and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Overview of Mark Chapter 3
Mark Chapter 3 presents a series of events that highlight Jesus’ ministry, including his healing miracles, the calling of his disciples, and the growing opposition from religious leaders. This chapter emphasizes themes of authority, compassion, and the nature of true kinship.
Key Events in Mark Chapter 3
- Healing on the Sabbath (Verses 1-6)
- Jesus enters a synagogue and encounters a man with a withered hand.
- He questions the Pharisees about the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath.
- Despite their silence, Jesus heals the man, demonstrating his authority over the Sabbath.
- The Pharisees conspire with the Herodians to destroy Jesus after witnessing this miracle.
- Jesus Heals Many (Verses 7-12)
- Jesus withdraws to the sea with his disciples, where a large crowd follows him.
- He heals many, and unclean spirits recognize him and fall before him.
- Jesus instructs the spirits not to reveal his identity, emphasizing his control over his ministry.
- Appointment of the Twelve Apostles (Verses 13-19)
- Jesus goes up a mountain and calls those he wants to be with him, appointing twelve apostles.
- The twelve are chosen to preach and have authority to cast out demons.
- The names of the apostles are listed, establishing their significance in the early church.
- Accusation of Being Possessed (Verses 20-30)
- Jesus’ family comes to restrain him, believing he is out of his mind.
- Religious leaders accuse him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul.
- Jesus responds with a parable about a kingdom divided against itself, asserting that his power comes from the Spirit of God.
- He warns against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, indicating the severity of rejecting divine authority.
- True Family of Jesus (Verses 31-35)
- Jesus’ mother and brothers seek him, prompting a teaching moment.
- He redefines family, stating that those who do the will of God are his true family.
Thematic Analysis
- Authority of Jesus
Throughout this chapter, Jesus demonstrates his authority over physical ailments, spiritual forces, and societal norms. His healing on the Sabbath challenges the rigid interpretations of the law upheld by the Pharisees.
- Compassion and Healing
The chapter showcases Jesus’ compassion for those suffering. His willingness to heal the man with the withered hand illustrates his mission to restore and uplift the marginalized.
- Opposition and Misunderstanding
The growing hostility from religious leaders and the misunderstanding from his family highlight the challenges Jesus faced. This opposition foreshadows the eventual conflict that leads to his crucifixion.
- Redefinition of Kinship
Jesus’ declaration about his true family emphasizes a spiritual kinship based on obedience to God rather than biological ties. This radical redefinition invites followers into a deeper relationship with him.
Conclusion
Mark Chapter 3 serves as a pivotal moment in the Gospel, illustrating the multifaceted nature of Jesus’ ministry. It presents a clear picture of his authority, the compassion that drives his actions, the opposition he faces, and the call to a new understanding of community and family among his followers.
