Bible Commentaries
Mark 3

Verse 1

1.

Then Jesus went back to the synagogue. Of Capernaum. [More complete notes are given on Matthew 12:9-14.]

Verse 2

2.

So they watched him very closely. The same critics as Chapter 2. They thought he should not heal on the Sabbath day.

Verse 3

3.

Come up here to the front. Jesus knew the thoughts of his critics. He calls this man to the front where all can see what he is about to do.

Verse 4

4.

What does our Law allow us to do? He does not ask what “Tradition” allows. His words imply that he wants to “save life,” while the critics want to “destroy” it.

Verse 5

5.

Jesus was angry. “Righteous indignation.” Anger is not sin, but can lead to it (Ephesians 4:26). Because they were so stubborn and wrong. Their attitude showed this to be true.

Verse 6

6.

Pharisees. See note on Matthew 3:7. Herod’s Party. A group of Jews who wanted one of Herod’s descendants to be king over them, rather than having a Roman Governor. They made plans. Jesus had “kicked” their Tradition. They were already the enemies of Jesus, and they look at every possible way to have him killed.

Verse 7

7.

Jesus and his disciples went away. [More complete notes are given on Matthew 12:15-21 about his popularity at this time.]

Verse 8

8.

Idumea. Edom. Southeast of the Jordan and south of the Dead Sea, a very rocky mountainous area between Palestine and Egypt. Esau’s descendants lived here. Herod the Great was an Idumean on his father’s side. Tyre and Sidon. See note on Matthew 11:21.

Verse 11

11.

Evil spirits in them. See note on Matthew 4:24.

Verse 13

13.

Then Jesus went up a hill. Be sure to read Matthew and Luke on this. This is their formal assignment. See notes on Matthew 10:1-4. [Matthew gives it out of sequence. This took place before the Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:13). ]

Verse 14

14.

I have chosen you to be with me. They are to be his “inner circle.” I will also send you. “Apostle” means “one sent out as a messenger.”

Verse 15

15.

(Jesus gave him the name Peter). John 1:42 tells about this.

Verse 16

16.

Boanerges. We are not told why Jesus called them this. It may have been their quick temper (Luke 9:54), or their forceful preaching.

Verse 20

20.

Then Jesus went home. Back to the house in Capernaum where they were staying.

Verse 21

21.

When his family heard about this. Since the brothers of Jesus did not believe in him at this time (John 7:5), they may have thought he had gone insane with an unhealthy excitement, when they hear of the crowds of people and all that was happening. (See Mark 3:31.)

Verse 22

22.

Some teachers of the Law . . . were saying. They were saying he used the Devil’s power. For notes on this, and the sin against the Holy Spirit, see notes on Matthew 12:22-37. From Jerusalem. These teachers of the Law were part of the group of Jewish leaders who would finally send Jesus to his death.

Verse 30

30. Some had said, “He has an evil spirit in him.” They were speaking against the Holy Spirit, saying it was an evil spirit who gave Christ power to do miracles. See notes on Matthew 12:31-32.

Verse 31

31.

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. These “brothers” were the sons of Mary, and “half-brothers” to Jesus. See notes on Matthew 13:55.

Verse 35

35. Whoever does what God wants. See notes on Matthew 12:48-49.