Mark 3 - Printer Friendly

What does Mark 3 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

In Mark chapters 1 and 2, Jesus established His authority over disease, injury, demons, and the Sabbath. In Mark chapter 3, He faces people's reactions as His ministry and influence continue to grow. Pharisees plot His death. His family thinks He's insane. Demons are compelled to worship Him. The mob wants to pilfer His healing power. And a small but growing core begin to understand He is the Messiah they have waited for.

Thus far, the Pharisees have been somewhat passive, observing and questioning Jesus but not taking direct action. In Mark 3, on a Sabbath in the synagogue, the Pharisees point out a man with a withered hand and ask Jesus if healing on the Sabbath is consistent with the Mosaic Law (see also Matthew 12:10). Jesus tries to explain that the Sabbath is for doing good as well as resting. The Pharisees' hard hearts don't accept this interpretation, which angers and grieves Jesus. He heals the man. Instead of confronting Him outright, the Pharisees draw in the Herodians, supporters of the king, to plot Jesus' destruction.

The crowds looking for healing from Jesus continue to grow. People come from all over Galilee, Judea, and Phoenicia, grasping for physical healing and release from demonic possession. Jesus goes to the shore of the Sea of Galilee to both give room and arrange for a boat to rescue Him if the press of the crowd turns dangerous. The mob pushes and shoves, trying to get a hand on Jesus, to draw out His power. Only the demons show respect and fear for the Son of God, although Jesus will not let them speak.

Out of this crowd, Jesus calls a total of twelve men to follow Him to a mountain. He appoints this group, referred to as "the twelve," as apostles, separating them from the mob for special training to heal (Matthew 10:1), cast out demons, and spread the gospel. Peter, James, and John begin to be identified as Jesus' close friends. In total, eleven of these men will be foundational to the early church. One, Judas Iscariot, will betray Jesus. Jesus' family, meanwhile, hears of the commotion in Capernaum. In fear for Jesus' sanity, they resolve to speak with Him, possibly intending to bring Him back to Nazareth (Mark 3:21).

When Jesus heals a blind and mute man from demon oppression, the people start to wonder if He is the prophetic figure referred to as the Son of David (Matthew 12:22–23). In response, Pharisees from Jerusalem arrive and counter that Jesus casts out demons by the power of Satan. Jesus first points out how illogical their arguments are: why would Satan work against his own purposes? Then He explains that the Pharisees' hardened hearts leave them in danger of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—the one sin that God won't forgive.

Finally, Jesus compares the reactions of His family to those who follow Him. His mother and brothers have come to take Him back to Nazareth. Some of these family members might think Jesus has lost His mind. Jesus looks over the group that has once again filled the house to listen to Him teach. He points out that those who do God's will are His true family. This extends to those of us who accept Jesus as Lord and follow God's Word, the Bible.

Mark 3 shows how taking Jesus at His word leads to truth while interpreting His words and actions through our own pride and prejudice leads us to destruction. We can't judge God or Jesus through our narrow lenses. We need to trust Him and allow Him to change our perspective to align with His.

Mark 3:1–6 relates a story of Jesus healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. Continuing from chapter 2, this passage is usually grouped as the last of five events which show Jesus' authority. This incident specifically reinforces His lordship over the Sabbath. At the same time, this event can also be considered the first of five stories about the different reactions people have to Jesus' early ministry, seen in chapter 3. Since the beginning of Jesus' ministry, the Pharisees' antagonism has slowly grown. Now, Jesus' provocative actions push the religious teachers over the edge, and the Pharisees ally with the Herodians to plot Jesus' destruction. Matthew 12:9–14 and Luke 6:6–11 record parallel accounts of these events.

Mark 3:7–12 is the second of five stories recording people's reactions to Jesus' growing ministry. Jesus' fame has spread across Israel. People from Sidon, fifty miles to the northwest, to Idumea, one hundred miles to the southwest, and almost everywhere in between have come for healing. The ever-present crowd keeps growing, to the point where Jesus has to plan an escape route to avoid being injured. Most people are intent on using Jesus' power for their own gain. Ironically, only the demons show Him proper fear and respect. This passage is mirrored in Luke 6:17–19 and possibly in Matthew 12:15–21.

Mark 3:13–21 is the third story about the reactions people had to Jesus' ministry. Here, we establish which men Jesus chooses to be in His inner circle. Jesus separates ''the twelve'' for special training so they can be equipped to heal (Matthew 10:1), cast out demons, and spread the gospel. Other than Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:30–31), there is no record that Jesus performed miracles of healing for them. But they have witnessed Jesus' power and authority, and are willing to dedicate themselves to His teaching. This is a stark contrast to Jesus' own family. This account is also recorded in Matthew 10:1–4 and Luke 6:12–16.

Mark 3:22–30 continues as the Pharisees from Galilee show their disapproval of Jesus (Mark 3:6). Here, in the fourth story about people's reaction to Jesus, scribes from Jerusalem join in. They have heard that Jesus healed a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute (Matthew 12:22–23). The scribes quickly judge that Jesus is performing miracles through the power of Satan. This stubborn belief, in the face of logic, leads Jesus to condemn their blasphemy and warn that if they continue along this vein, they will be damned forever. Matthew 12:22–32 and Luke 11:14–23 also record this confrontation; in Luke 12:10 Jesus talks similarly about blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 3:31–35 is this section's final account of the reactions people have toward Jesus' ministry. Here, Jesus redefines the concept of ''family.'' His mother and brothers, some thinking He is out of His mind, have come to bring Him back to Nazareth (Mark 3:21). In contrast, a large group fills a home, probably Peter and Andrew's, intently listening to Jesus teach. Jesus declares that it is this audience—those who do God's will—who are His family, not the people who are related by blood. This account is also found in Matthew 12:46–50 and Luke 8:19–21.

Chapter Summary:

The bulk of chapter 3 deals with how different people react to Jesus' teaching and His assumption of authority. The Pharisees' confusion transitions into plotting. The crowds that continually follow Jesus for healing become more frenetic and dangerous. Jesus' own family, afraid for His sanity, try to pull Him away. But true followers also show themselves. Twelve join together to become a core group, while a slightly bigger crowd, more interested in Jesus' teaching than miracles, earn the honor of being called His true family.

Chapter Context:

Mark chapter 3 continues in the same pattern as chapter 2, describing various teaching and healing encounters from the life of Jesus. These events are used to explain Jesus' overall message and demonstrate His power. They also serve to show how different people react to His teachings. Chapter 4 will focus more on Jesus' parables.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.

Accessed 5/3/2024 3:54:17 PM