What does Mark 3:7 mean?

The Sabbath and the synagogue protect Jesus, to an extent, despite the controversies He's caused (Mark 1:21–28; 3:1–6). On the Sabbath, The Jews' travel is highly restricted. In the synagogue, space is limited and courtesies must be observed. But when Jesus takes His disciples to the Sea of Galilee during the week, the growing crowds follow.

Galilee is the region east and south of Syro-Phoenicia and west of the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee and Decapolis. Samaria, to the south, separates Galilee from Judea. Although Galilee doesn't have the advantage of direct access to the Mediterranean, it does have several major trade roads maintained by the Romans. At this time, it is managed by Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great (Matthew 2).

Judea is what comes to mind when most modern westerners think of Israel. It sits south of Samaria, bordered by the Jordan River and the Dead Sea on the East and the Mediterranean and Philistia on the west. Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Bethany are in Judea. It is roughly the same as the land held by the Old Testament southern kingdom of Judah.

Although Jesus was born in Judea (Luke 2:4–7) and travelled there, both as a child (Luke 2:41–42) and an adult (Mark 1:9), most of His followers come from Galilee. Now the accounts of His healings and exorcisms is spreading, and He is beginning to get attention from a much wider area.