Chapter 3

Read Mark 3:1-12, Jesus’ healings angered the Pharisees, but a large crowd followed Him

The Pharisees’ authority was starting to fade. Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath. Their rules say no “work” can be done on the Sabbath. They even set a limit of 2000 feet that a person could walk on the Sabbath. When Jesus healed the man, they could not see the miracle. They could only see “work” being done on the Sabbath. They were so angry they started plotting to kill Him.

However, the people saw the miracle and a great crowd started following Jesus. Verse 8 says…

⁸ When they heard about all He was doing, many people came to Him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.

There were so many people He had to get in a boat to keep from being overrun by the people. He healed many and when the unclean spirits saw Him, they cried out, “You are the Son of God”. As usual Jesus tells them to be quiet. I am always amazed when the unclean spirits recognize Jesus, but the religious leaders don’t. What does that say to you? What can we learn about the teaching we hear today? How do we “see” the truth? John 16:26 says…

²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Read Mark 3:13-19, Jesus Appoints His Disciples

¹³ Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him. ¹⁴ He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and to have authority to drive out demons. ¹⁶ These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), ¹⁷ James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), ¹⁸ Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot ¹⁹ and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.

These men were chosen by Jesus. The order they are listed is interesting to me. Remember, Peter is telling this to Mark. Peter is first, even though his brother Andrew and John were the first two to follow Jesus. James is listed next.  Peter and James were about the same age and, both being fishermen, were probably friends. James was the leader of the first church, and the first martyr of the twelve. Peter sees John as James’ younger brother. We see John as the great Apostle, the one that Jesus loved. We see him as the Apostle that wrote the Gospel of John, three letters and Revelation. But at Mark’s writing, none of that was written yet. John was just a pastor in Ephesus. 

It is also interesting to note that the first three listed, Peter, James and John, became Jesus inner circle and were there at Jesus’ transfiguration. Verse 18 has the next eight that at best have cameo appearances in the Gospels. The fact that Judas is alone in verse 19 and the note “who betrayed Him” is added also stands out. Peter was not telling the stories in chapter and verse. They were added later. However, the order shows clearly when placed in verses.

Think about what it must have been like for these men to walk with Jesus for three years and listen to His teaching day after day. To be present at the many miracles He performed. To watch the confusion of the Pharisees and not understand how they could be so blind. What an amazing three years that must have been. And yet, at the end of those amazing years, Judas betrayed Him. Think of Peter reflecting back on that thought, but on this side of the resurrection. The wonder of it all is Jesus knew Judas would betray Him from the beginning. God’s plan is always amazing to me. What He has taught me is I don’t have to understand everything, just believe what He says is true. If I need to understand someday, He will show me what I need to know.

Read Mark 3:20-35, Jesus family and Teachers of the Law doubt Him

Jesus family said in verse 21, “He is out of His mind”. This is Mary and her children that were raised with Jesus as their big brother. What were they thinking? Did Mary never tell them who He was? Also, the teachers said in verse 22, “He is possessed by Beelzebul”. Jesus then tells the teachers that Satan cannot oppose himself or he will come to an end.

Then Jesus makes a deep theological statement that almost gets lost in the rest of the text…

 ²⁸ Truly I tell you; people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, ²⁹ but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

This same thought is found in Matthew 12:31-32… 

³¹ Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. ³² And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Speaking against the Holy Spirit is the unforgiveable sin. Mark 3:30 explains they were saying Jesus had an impure spirit. What He actually had is the Holy Spirit. We may not always understand, but we can’t let our confusion turn into unbelief.

In verses 31-35 Jesus makes another strong distinction about who is in the family of God. When people said His family was outside looking for Him, He said in verse 35…

³⁵ Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”  

A very clear distinction of the family of God.