Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

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THE GOSPEL OF MARK

CHAPTER THREE:
SABBATH GOODNESS, APOSTLES, AND RELATIVES

[“He is Crazy”]
Key word: Associations

Mark 3:1-6 – A Withered Hand Cured on the Sabbath

|| Matthew 12:9-14; 43 Luke 6:6-11
43 Matthew 12:9-14: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK3:1 Now Jesus entered the synagogue again and there was a man with a withered hand. MK3:2 Everyone was closely watching Jesus to see if he would heal on the Sabbath so that they might bring a charge against him. MK3:3 Then Jesus told the man with the withered hand: “Rise and approach!” MK3:4 Now Jesus asked the audience: “Is it lawful to do good or harm on the Sabbath? To save a life, or to kill it?” But, everyone remained silent and gave no answer. MK3:5 Then Jesus looked angrily over the whole audience, 44 grieved at the hardness of their hearts. 45 So he said to the man: “Stretch out your hand!” And the man reached out his hand and it was completely restored.
44 Jesus looked angrily over the whole audience: Or, an angry glance. The Greek word is ORGES and means “wrath.”
45 Hardness of their hearts: Or, obstinacy, minds were closed, callousness, indifference to human need.
MK3:6 Now the Pharisees walked out of the synagogue and went straight to a consultation with the Herodians 46 in order to plot against Jesus.
46 Herodians: See notes on Matthew 22:16. [Mark 12:13]

Mark 3:7-12 – Crowds Follow Jesus

|| Matthew 12:15, 16; 47 Luke 6:17-19
47 Matthew 12:15, 16: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK3:7 Now Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the seashore and a large crowd from Galilee and from Judea followed him. MK3:8 And because they had heard such great things about Jesus numerous people from Jerusalem, Idumaea, and from beyond the Jordan, and others from Tyre and Sidon – all these came to him. MK3:9 Jesus told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crush of the crowd. MK3:10 For Jesus had healed so many sick people that the crowds pressed in upon him just to touch him. MK3:11 When [people possessed by] unclean demons saw him they fell down at his feet and cried aloud: “You are the Son of the God!” 48
48 You are the Son of the God: Some see this has a reference to Christ’s pre-existence. [Proverbs 8:22-30]
MK3:12 So Jesus strictly commanded them not to reveal who he was.

Mark 3:13-19 – Formation of Group of the Apostles

|| Matthew 10:1-4; 49 Luke 6:12-16
49 Matthew 10:1-4: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK3:13 Then Jesus went up into the mountains and summoned those he wanted and they came to visit him. MK3:14 He appointed 50 twelve to be his close companions 51 and in order to send them forth to preach.
50 Appointed: Or, ordained.
51 Close companions: Or, be with him, associate with him. In Luke 12:32 Jesus calls these his “little flock.”
MK3:15 Also, they would have authority to heal sicknesses and exorcise demons. MK3:16 And Jesus appointed: Simon (also called Peter), MK3:17 James and John of Zebedee (he called them “Boanerges” meaning “Sons of Thunder”), MK3:18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon of Canaan, MK3:19 and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him. Then he went home.

Mark 3:20-30 – Accusations of Everlasting Sin

|| Matthew 12:24-32; 52 Luke 11:15-23
52 Matthew 12:24-32: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK3:20 And again the crowds gathered together so that there was not even the leisure time to eat. MK3:21 Now when his family 53 heard about it they all went out to restrain him. 54 For they said: “He is out of his mind!” 55
53 Family: Or, friends, relatives. Likely including his mother, brothers and sisters, and others.
54 To restrain him: Or, lay hold on him, seize him, take charge, take him into custody. They think he has gone out of his mind and needs other to save him from his course.
55 He is out of his mind: Or, beside himself, lost his senses, mad, crazy. Though this is a strong accusation, the one that follows is considerably worse.
MK3:22 But, the Bible Copyists that came down from Jerusalem said: “He is possessed by Beelzebub!” 56 And also, “It is by the ruler of the demons he exorcises demons!”
56 He is possessed by Beelzebub: A name used of the Devil. The charge is one of demon-possession.
MK3:23 So Jesus called all of them to him and in parables he spoke to them: “How can Satan exorcise Satan? MK3:24 If his kingdom is disunited then his kingdom could never stand. MK3:25 Also, if a house is disunited against itself that house could never stand. MK3:26 And if Satan rebels against himself and is disunited he could never stand and that is the end of him. MK3:27 No person can force his way into a strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he could plunder his property. MK3:28 I tell you this truth: Every sin will be forgiven human beings. Even whatever abusive things they speak. MK3:29 However, the person who speaks abusively against the holy Pneuma 57 shall never be forgiven, but is guilty of ageless condemnation.”
57 Speaks abusively against the holy Pneuma: See notes on Matthew 12:32.
MK3:30 (Jesus said this because they had said: “He is possessed by an unclean demon!”)

Mark 3:31-35 – Spiritual Brotherhood

|| Matthew 12:46-50; 58 Luke 8:19-21
58 Matthew 12:46-50: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK3:31 Again the brothers and mother of Jesus arrived, and standing outside they sent him a message. MK3:32 Now there was a crowd sitting around Jesus and they told him: “Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside looking for you.” MK3:33 Jesus responded to them, saying: “Who is my mother, or my brothers?” MK3:34 Then Jesus gazed intently at all those sitting around him, saying: “Behold, my mother and my brothers! MK3:35 For whoever does the will of the God is the same as my brother, or sister, or mother!”

Review Questions on Chapter Three

What made Jesus angry?
What group did Jesus form and why?
How many apostles can you name?
Of what was Jesus accused?
How serious was this charge?
Who were Jesus’ real family?

Mark Heber Miller