Jesus went back into the temple and a man with a deformed hand was there. The Pharisees were watching Jesus to see if he would heal the man on the holy day so they could accuse him.
Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come to the middle.”
Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it allowable to do good or bad on the holy day? Save lives or kill?” The Pharisees were quiet.
Looking at them bitterly, sad at their hard hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch your hand.” The man stretched, and his hand was healed.
The Pharisees left with the Herodians and plotted against Jesus and how they could kill him.
Jesus left with his disciples to the sea. A large crowd from Galilee followed. From Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, across the Jordan River, around Tyre and Sidon, a large crowd came to him, hearing everything he did. Jesus told his disciples that a boat should be ready for him so the crowds wouldn’t crush him because he healed many people and everyone who was sick pushed into him so they could touch him.
The demon spirits, when they saw him, were bowing in front of him and yelling, “You are God’s son!”
He warned them many times not to reveal who he was.
Jesus went up a mountain and called for whom he wanted. They came to him. He nominated twelve to be with him and to be sent out to teach and have the power to send out demons.
So, he had appointed the twelve: He renamed Simon, Peter. John and James, sons of Zebedee, he named them Boanerges which means ‘Sons of Thunder’. There was also Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (Alphaeus’ son), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
Jesus went home and the crowd gathered again. They couldn’t even eat their food.
His relatives heard about this and went to control him. They said, “He’s confused.”
The law experts who came from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul with him; he sends out demons using the demon ruler.”
Jesus called the law experts to him and said to them using quotes, “How can Satan send out Satan? If a kingdom is divided on itself, the kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided on itself, the house cannot stand. If Satan rebels against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but would finish.
But not one can enter the house of a strong man to steal his things unless they first tie up the strong man. Then they can steal everything from his house.
I’m telling you, all the sins and the slander of the sons of men will be forgiven, no matter how much they slander, but whoever slanders the Holy Spirit will not ever be forgiven but guilty of eternal sin, because they say, “He has a demon spirit.”
Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived and stood outside. They sent a message for him to come.
A crowd, sitting around him, told him, “Look, your mother and brothers are outside, looking for you.”
Jesus replied, “Who are my mother and brothers?”
He looked around at everyone sitting with him. “Here are my mother and my brothers. Because whoever does God’s desire is my brother and sister and mother.”
Mark Chapter 3 Summary
Jesus begins by healing a man with a deformed hand on a holy day, causing the Pharisees to plot against Him. He draws large crowds as he heals the sick, and even demon spirits acknowledge Him as God’s son. Jesus calls twelve disciples to teach and cast out demons, giving some of them new names. At home, so many people gather that Jesus and his disciples can’t even eat. His relatives think he is confused, while some law experts accuse Him of using demons to do miracles. Jesus disagrees with these claims, warning about eternal sins of slander. When His mother and brothers arrive, He declares that whoever does God’s will is His family.
Mark Chapter 3 Bible Study Questions and Answers
- What is the importance of Jesus healing on the holy day, and what does this teach us about care versus legalistic?
Answer: Jesus’ healing on the holy day reveals that care and doing good should always be prioritised over legalistic use of the law. It teaches Christians to value mercy and goodness above rules. - What can we learn from Jesus’ selection of His twelve disciples?
Answer: Jesus’ selection of ordinary people shows that anyone can be called to serve God’s purpose. It highlights the importance of obedience, faithfulness, and the willingness to follow Him. - How does Jesus respond to the accusations of using demons, and what lesson can Christians learn from this?
Answer: Jesus answers the accusations with wisdom and logic, teaching Christians to respond to accusations with kindness and truth, grounded in understanding. - What does Jesus mean when He says that whoever does God’s will is His family, and how can this be applied to Christian living?
Answer: This statement underlines the spiritual family that is formed through faith in Christ. It encourages Christians to see each other as brothers and sisters in faith. - Why does Jesus warn about the eternal sin of slandering the Holy Spirit, and what is its relevance today?
Answer: Jesus’ warning highlights the serious problem of attributing God’s work to evil. It reminds Christians to approach spiritual matters with careful thought, recognising and respecting the work of the Holy Spirit.
Mark Chapter 3 Explained
In Mark Chapter 3, the story covers major events in Jesus’ works. Starting with the healing of a deformed hand, Jesus goes against the religious leaders’ interpretation of the holy day law. This act isn’t just about physical healing but serves as an important lesson on the priority of care and kindness. The Pharisees’ outrage shows their hard-heartedness and inability to understand God’s true ideas behind the laws.
As Jesus continues His ministry, crowds gather, and His fame spreads. The acknowledgment of Jesus by the demon spirits proves His divine power. His warning to the spirits not to reveal His identity might seem puzzling but reflects His desire to reveal His plans at the right time and in the right way.
The appointment of the twelve disciples is another central theme. These ordinary men from various backgrounds are chosen to carry on Jesus’ mission. They’re not just followers but partners in His work, showing that anyone can be used by God.
Back home, Jesus is confronted with misunderstandings from His family and accusations from the law experts. His response to these challenges is thoughtful and wise. The accusation that He works with demons is met with a logical argument, but also a warning about slandering, or blaspheming, the Holy Spirit, a sin He describes as unforgivable.
Lastly, Jesus’ declaration about His spiritual family redefines relationships within the context of faith. It’s a beautiful idea for the Christian community, bound together not by blood but by commitment to God’s desires.
Mark Chapter 3 is full of lessons about care, wisdom, calling and unity. These teachings continue to touch Christians today, guiding and inspiring faithful living.
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Continue exploring Mark 3
If you’d like to read Mark 3 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Mark 3 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Mark 3 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Mark 3 in the Contemporary English Version.
If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
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For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version
If you’d like to explore Mark in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
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Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Mark
Mark (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Mark (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)
Not My Life 