Bible Commentaries

Chapter 3

1. In the synagogue. The man with the withered hand healed. (Mark 3:1-6. Matthew 12:9-14; Luke 6:6-11.)

2. The Withdrawal of the Servant. Many healed. (Mark 3:7-12. Matthew 12:15-21; Luke 6:17-19.)

3. On the Mountain calling the Twelve. (Mark 3:13-19. Matthew 10:1-4; Luke 6:12-16.)

4. The interrupted meal. (Mark 3:20.)

5. The Servant charged with madness. (Mark 3:21.)

6. The Blasphemy of the Scribes; His Warning. (Mark 3:22-30. Matthew 12:22-32; Luke 11:14-23.)

7. Old relationship disowned and a new relationship announced. (Mark 3:31-35. Matthew 13:46-50; Luke 8:19-21.)

1. In the Synagogue. The Man with the withered hand healed. Mark 3:1-6

This incident stands in closest relation to the preceding chapter. In their blindness they watched Him, if He would heal on the Sabbath. “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath day, or to do evil; to save life or to kill?” He answered the question by healing the sufferer. Note the addition by Mark, which is not found elsewhere. “When He had looked round about them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts.” It was a righteous wrath when He saw them in their wicked and wilful hardness. His service was rendered in the deepest emotions of His holy soul. He did good, but Pharisees and Herodians were ready to destroy Him.

2. The withdrawal of the Servant. Many healed. Mark 3:7-12

The sudden departure of the Lord is not without meaning. Not alone did He withdraw Himself from the hatred of the Pharisees and Herodians to continue His ministry of love and power elsewhere, but His withdrawal indicates that the nation Israel was to be set aside dispensationally. He withdrew Himself to the sea. The sea is symbolical of the Gentile nations. Again they crowd about Him--a great multitude from the border land of the Gentiles ( Tyre and Sidon ). Satan’s power was likewise manifested. Unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him. These were demon possessed persons. They had to own and confess the Glory of the Servant. But He did not want their witness and forbade them to make Him known.

3. On the Mountain calling the Twelve. Mark 3:13-15

In Matthew we find all these events and actions of our Lord in a different setting. In vain do we look in our Gospel for the Sermon on the Mount. It is not reported and only given in full in the Gospel of Matthew. The Sermon on the Mount is the proclamation of the King concerning His Kingdom. Mark, describing Him as the ministering One, had to omit the utterances of the King. If we look for a place in Mark where the Sermon on the Mount belongs chronologically, it is at this point. For the peculiar arrangement of the events in the Gospel of Matthew see “Exposition of Matthew.” He ordained the twelve to be with Him and endowed with supernatural power to be sent forth by Him. In Luke we read He prayed all night. The calling of the Twelve was for the extension of His loving ministry. Notice also the giving of names. “Boanerges” for the sons of Zebedee is only found here.

4. The interrupted Meal., Mark 3:20

This is likewise mentioned by Mark exclusively (see Mark 6:31). It shows that the Servant was ever ready to minister, forgetting his own physical need.

5. The Servant charged with madness., Mark 3:21

This is also a characteristic statement in Mark’s Gospel. It shows that His own relations were ashamed of Him. They looked upon Him as being out of His mind. Thus His perfect service of love, the untiring labor, never ceasing toil, was judged by them.

6. The Blasphemy of the Scribes. His Warning., Mark 3:22-30

Still worse, the Jerusalem Scribes attributed His Divine power to Satan. What an awful accusation! They could not deny the power, but refused to believe that it was the power of God. Under Satanic impulses they called the Holy Spirit a demon power. But the perfect wisdom of the Lord silenced their blasphemy. The power He manifested was a power in the most blessed mercy to man, the prey of Satan and his demons. If it were Satan’s power then his kingdom is divided. This is the unpardonable sin. No forgiveness for this sin. The words “is in danger of eternal damnation” are better rendered by “is guilty of an eternal sin” (see 1911 Bible).

7. The Old Relationship disowned and a new Relationship announced., Mark 3:31-35.

He refused to see His relations. This refusal indicates the broken relationship with Israel. He no longer recognizes His own, and speaks of a new relationship, founded upon obedience to the will of His Father. It was spoken in anticipation of the present dispensation.