Study Desk

And He ^(*)came ^(F1)(C1)home, and the ^(C2)crowd ^(*)gathered again, ^(C3)to such an extent that they could not even eat ^(F2)a meal.

And when ^(C1)His own ^(F1)people heard about this, they came out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, "^(C2)He has lost His senses."

The scribes who came down ^(C1)from Jerusalem were saying, "He ^(F1)is possessed by ^(F2)(C2)Beelzebul," and "^(C3)He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons."

^(C1)And so He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in ^(C2)parables: "How can ^(C3)Satan cast out Satan?

"And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

"If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

"And if ^(C1)Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but ^(F1)he is finished!

"^(C1)But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

"^(C1)Truly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons and daughters of men, and whatever blasphemies they commit;

but ^(C1)whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"—

because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit."

^(C1)Then His mother and His brothers ^(*)came, and while standing outside they sent word to Him, calling for Him.

And a crowd was sitting around Him, and they ^(*)said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You."

Answering them, He ^(*)said, "Who are My mother and My brothers?"

And looking around at those who were sitting around Him, He ^(*)said, "^(C1)Here are My mother and My brothers!

"For whoever ^(C1)does the will of God, this is My brother, and sister, and mother."