Mark Chapter Three
A Man with a Withered Hand Healed
[Text parallels Matthew 12:9-14 and Luke 6:6-11]
3:1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
Jesus enters a synagogue somewhere in the Galilee region on a Sabbath day. He is still being closely observed by the scribes and Pharisees, hoping to see something to accuse Him with. In both Mark and Luke it is recorded that they were watching to see if He would heal on the Sabbath. The concept of healing on the Sabbath being considered ‘work’ is another indicator that the scribes and Pharisees were so depraved that they could not see that Jesus’ healing was from God.
Jesus asked the man with the withered hand to come to Him. Then He turned and spoke directly to those watching, saying, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” They did not respond. Jesus, knowing their hearts, grieved over their hardness, their unwillingness to accept the evidence right in front of them. He looked at them with anger and then told the man to stretch out his hand. As he was stretching out the hand, the hand was healed.
There is no record of any response from the scribes and Pharisees. Luke, however, does record that they were “filled with fury” (see Luke 6:11). Mark records that the Pharisees went out and immediately met with the Herodians[1] that were against Jesus, to see if they had any ideas as how to stop Him. The word Mark used that is translated here as ‘destroy’, is ‘apolesōsin’,[2] meaning to wholly destroy, to put to death. The disdain and hatred of Jesus was so intense that the Pharisees were now thinking of murder, which of course would also be a violation of the law. This hypocrisy further indicates that there was far more going on in the minds of the Pharisees than just wanting to accuse Jesus of not following the law. It was now personal, Jesus was pointing out that their beliefs, and way of life, was wrong. Blinded by their own hardness of heart, they proceed to plot a way to kill Jesus.
Considerations
Mark notes that Jesus looked at the scribes and Pharisees with anger. Their unwillingness to see the truth about Jesus was not a ‘spiritual’ matter but one of a strong, but incorrect, worldview.[3] People develop views about life based on a large number of influences and learning experiences that eventually become ‘absolutes’ that are then stubbornly defended. The Pharisees refused to accept the teachings of Jesus even though He offered tangible evidence that He was God. While these barriers in their minds are mostly the result of their own making, we need to remember that nearly every ‘religion’ (if not every alternate religion) has been influenced and fueled by Satan. Jesus looked at these men with anger because He knew that regardless of any evidence or proof, they would still refuse the truth. Mark also records that Jesus was grieved over their hardness of heart. How could Jesus be both angered and grieved at the same time? To begin, they perceived God’s law as being so rigid that compliance was above compassion, completely misrepresenting the nature of God. Secondly, we know that the character of God is revealed to us through His Word, perhaps best summarized in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God wants all to repent and be saved, that is His desire, but is grieved that since man has free will, many will not accept Jesus and ultimately will perish. The nature and character of God is love, something the Pharisees completely missed.
The influence of people’s worldviews is still a major barrier in accepting Jesus today. Perhaps more so today than any other time in the past as science has risen to be the ultimate provider of answers and therefore many conclude that there is no longer a need for God. The truth is that Christianity is a reasonable faith, there is no need to empty the brain of modern-day facts or accept the teachings of the Bible blindly. To ‘challenge’ the Word of God is not only appropriate, it is encouraged, as the Holy Spirit will lead you to a deeper understanding of Scripture. Bible study should be part of every Christian’s daily life.
A Large Crowd Follows Jesus
[Text parallels Matthew 12:15-21]
3:7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.
Jesus is now a “full-fledged celebrity,” someone people had to come see and listen to, even if not in need of healing. People from the regions of Galilee and Judea, from Jerusalem and Idumea (further south and east), from “beyond the Jordan” (a Biblical reference that always refers to being east of the Jordan River), and from Tyre and Sidon (mostly populated by Gentiles, both cities were on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, northwest of Galilee). Even without the aid of technology, news about Jesus quickly spread and now the people from this sizable area came to Galilee to see Him.
His disciples prepared a boat for Him so that everyone could listen to Him without crushing Him. Jesus healed many, including those that came to simply touch Him. During this time He also casted out several unclean spirits,[4] who recognized Him and would fall down before Jesus saying, “You are the Son of God.” Jesus ordered those spirits to not reveal His identity.[5]
The Twelve Apostles
[Text parallels Luke 6:12-16]
3:13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus went up a mountain with His “inner circle” of disciples. There He appointed them to be with Him, undoubtedly to learn from Him and then one day be ready to be sent out to preach and have the authority to cast out demons. Some manuscripts omit “whom he also named apostles,” which is why those words, even though true (see Luke 6:13) may have potentially been the result of a copyist error and therefore they are presented in parentheses.
Mark lists the twelve as being Simon, later named Peter; James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were given the nick-name of Boanerges (an Aramaic phrase) that means “Sons of Thunder;” Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew (also known as Levi); Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus (also known as Judas, the son of James); Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who will later betray Jesus.
3:20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
Presumably returning to Capernaum (see Mark 1:21, 29; 2:1), the crowd began to gather around Jesus again (probably never left) and pressed in on Jesus and His disciples to the point they couldn’t even have a meal. When Jesus’ family heard about Jesus being a celebrity, they said, “He is out of His mind!” As His family still did not understand who He was. However, there is a good probability that they were also being pestered themselves by well-intended people thinking they might have some influence with Jesus.
Considerations
Jesus gave the two sons of Zebedee the nick-name ‘Boanerges,’ which means “Sons of Thunder.” Some point out that they were fishermen and therefore very strong, but what about the other disciples who were fishermen? The reference to thunder may imply being loud. Many believe that they were both “full of life,” always joking and laughing. Yet some believe it was a reference to how they were going to be used in the future.
It was the name given to James and John implying that they would be powerful instruments accomplishing mighty things for God by persevering in their inspired preaching and miraculous powers in spite of all opposition.[6]
Regardless of how the phrase is interpreted, it is clear that John did not deserve the Renaissance era implication that he was somewhat effeminate as depicted in much of the artwork produced during that time period.
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit is Without Forgiveness
[Text parallels Matthew 12:22-37]
3:22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” 23 And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.
Ignoring the healing, but seeing how effective Jesus was in casting out demons (and possibly jealous), the scribes who came down[7] from Jerusalem accuse Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul[8] (Matthew identifies the accusers as being Pharisees, perhaps this was a common insult used on a number of occasions). Jesus responds with a parable, beginning with the question, “How can Satan cast out Satan?” He then offers what has become a well-known adage, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” Essentially the equivalent of shooting oneself in the foot, not only is the effort not helpful, it will ultimately lead to destruction.
In regard to Him being able cast out demons, Jesus tells another quick parable. No one can enter a strong man’s house (Satan’s domain) and plunder his goods (demons and those under his influence) unless he first binds the strong man (restrain Satan). Jesus is saying that He is stronger than Satan.
3:28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30 for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Jesus announces that forgiveness is available for any sin and any blasphemies spoken, except one, blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. There are a number of potential barriers that can prevent someone from believing in Jesus, including: 1) believing there is no God, therefore there is no need to seek forgiveness; 2) believing that they are not a sinner; 3) belief that they are righteous on their own effort; 4) believing they are already saved (through their lineage, follow a different god, etc.); and 5) being ignorant. One of the many roles of the Holy Spirit is to convict people's hearts to understand they are indeed sinners and to bear witness about the salvation available through Jesus, namely the ability to believe in Him (see John 15:22-27). If a person rejects Jesus, for any reason, is then blaspheming against the Holy Spirit and is therefore condemned. We need to always remember, ”Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." (John 3:36) The Bible makes it clear that there is no in-between status, either black (no belief) or white (fully trust Jesus), no gray! That alone should be motivation to tell others about salvation through Jesus Christ.[9]
Jesus made this statement because they were implying that He was possessed by Beelzebul, an unclean sprit. Making it clear that the scribes (and undoubtedly the Pharisees too) had completely rejected Him as being sent from God. Their hearts were closed, therefore they were guilty of blaspheming the Holy Spirit and as a result, condemned for eternity.
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Wondering
[Text parallels Matthew 12:46-50 and Luke 8:19-21]
3:31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus’ family came to see Him, possibly to talk some sense into Him. From their perspective He had a relatively normal upbringing (with the exception of the events recorded in Luke 2:22-38, 41-51), and now He is a huge celebrity and everyone is talking about Him being the Messiah. As recorded earlier, they believe “He is out of His mind!” So they may have been there in an attempt to stop Him from continuing (see verse 21).
Instead of greeting His family, Jesus asks the crowd surrounding Him, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Looking around the room at those sitting there listening to Him, Jesus pronounces to them that they are His family, His mother and brothers. He then notes that whoever does the will of God (believing in Jesus as their Savior), it is them that are His brother, sister, and mother. Jesus is hinting at the future result of Him being victorious on the cross, that as believers, they all will be adopted as children of God (see Romans 8:12-17).
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[1] See commentary under Matthew 22:15-6 regarding the Herodians.
[2] Strong’s Greek 622.
[3] See Considerations under Matthew 18:5-6 "What is a Wordview?"
[4] See commentary and Considerations under Matthew 8:28-34 regarding "Demons."
[5] See Considerations under Matthew 9:27-31 "Tell No One."
[6] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
[7] See Considerations under Matthew 20:17-19 "Going Up."
[8] See commentaries under Matthew 9:32-34; 12:24-29 regarding Beedzubul.
[9] See also commentaries under Matthew 12:30-32; Luke 12:8-12 and Considerations under Matthew 12:33-37 regarding “Unpardonable?”