(chapter 4 will follow in the next issue)
Observe the Text to understand the author’s meaning:
Read 3:1-6. What day is it? Where does Jesus go? Whose domain is this? Why do you think the man with the withered hand is there? What is the attitude of the scribes and Pharisees?
Read Ex 20:8-11, 23:12, 31:12-18, 34:21, 35:2-3; Lev 23:3; Deu 5:12-15. What is God’s law regarding the Sabbath? What was the purpose of the laws regarding the Sabbath? Did God’s law say that healing was considered work and could not be done on the Sabbath? Whose “law” defined healing as work and in violation of the Sabbath?
What is the priority of the scribes and Pharisees? What is their concern? If Jesus obeyed their law, what would Jesus do? What does Jesus do?
What should the reaction of the scribes and Pharisees have been to Jesus’ miracle? How do the scribes and Pharisees interpret Jesus’ action? When Jesus breaks the law of the scribes and Pharisees what is their response? Do they seek his repentance and restoration? What do they seek?
Read 3:7-12. What is the response of the people to Jesus? Look at a map to locate the cities they are coming from. What are they responding to? Why are they coming to Jesus?
What is the response of the unclean spirits to Jesus? What do they do in his presence? Do you see this as a royal act—bowing before the king? What do they cry out? Compare this to Mk 1:1. Who is the first to acknowledge who Jesus is? Contrast this with the attitude of the scribes and Pharisees? What is the response to Jesus of the unclean spirits? the people? the scribes and Pharisees?
Read 3:13-19. Jesus “summons” those whom he wanted. What is the author saying by using the word “summons” instead of “called” or “suggested” or “asked”? In a similar way how do you interpret the word “appointed.” Who sends them to preach? Who gives them “authority?” to do what? Although the disciples are given authority whose authority are they under? Explain. Jesus very intentionally appoints those whom he summons. How do you explain the summons and appointment of Judas, “who also betrayed him?” Do you think Judas is appointed because Jesus was unaware he would betray him? Any other explanation?
Read 3:20-21. What does Jesus’ own people, perhaps his family, think of his popularity? If you were part of Jesus’ family or close friends what in the text might cause you to react the same way? What was their measure of sanity? What was Jesus’ measure of appropriate behavior?
Read 3:22-30. Notice where these scribes are from. These are the senior, “high-up” scribes. What comment do the scribes now confront Jesus with? They acknowledge Jesus’ ability to cast out demons but who do they say is the source of Jesus’ authority to do this? What does it mean when Jesus replies, “Can Satan cast out Satan?” Then in that context, what does it mean when Jesus says, “A house divided against itself cannot stand?” Explain. Now relate that to the sentence about a one entering a strong man’s house. What is Jesus saying? Jesus uses logic here beginning with the fact that brokenness is not caused by God. Read Isaiah 49:24-26.
The demons call Jesus, “Son of God.” The scribes say he is acting on authority of Satan. What are the scribes doing?
Jesus has been identified with the Holy Spirit. It is by the Holy Spirit, by the authority of God that Jesus heals. But, instead of seeing Jesus’ works and attributing them to the Holy Spirit, who do the scribes and Pharisees attribute the good works to? Now explain in light of vs 22-27, what it means to “blaspheme the Holy Spirit?” Why is that an eternal sin? See Isaiah 5:20.
Read 3:31-35. Notice his mother and brothers recently arrived looking for Jesus. Twice it mentions the multitude who “were sitting around Him” in vs 32 and 34. Would you agree that Jesus is not rejecting his mother and brothers but is “adopting” those who come to him as adopted brothers and sisters. Read Rom 8:12-17, Gal 4:4-7, Eph 1:5.
Interpret the Text
1) What do we learn about “authority” in this chapter?
2) What is the response to Jesus of the people? of the scribes and Pharisees? of his family? of the disciples?
3) Two eternal statements are made: some will be guilty of eternal sin and others will be Jesus adopted brother, sister and mother. What are the characteristics of the two groups?
Bible Study Notes
(Compare these notes to your thoughts after you have looked at the passages and answered the questions yourself)
Mark 3:1-6. The man no doubt came to the synagogue to worship God and seek his mercy. Jesus brings healing and restoration to the man. Yet, the reaction of the scribes and Pharisees is not joy at this display of God’s power, authority and mercy. Instead, they seek to destroy Jesus.
While the multitudes are described as “amazed” and recognize Jesus’ authority and are drawn to him, the scribes and Pharisees have a killing hatred of him and want him dead. The very ones entrusted to bring people to God and his mercy instead stand ready to destroy Jesus to protect their own authority and power.
Calvin writes, “It is a fearful monstrosity that the leading doctors of the Law, at the helm of the church, should act like bandits ready for murder. But this is bound to happen when men’s malice breaks out; they want to kill whatever thwarts their desires, even if it is of God.”
The Herodians were probably Jews who supported Herod and therefore Roman rule. The scribes and Pharisees join with those who would normally be their enemy in order to oppose Jesus.
Mark 3:7-12. People come literally from north and south, east and west to see Jesus. The word “multitude” is used three times in vs 7-9. Jesus is a celebrity with a large following.
Jesus perhaps silences the unclean spirits because although they recognize him, they are not to be his witnesses.
Mark 3:13-19. Jesus in a royal act as king “summons” those whom he “appoints” and grants them “authority” to do his work.
Jesus no doubt knew that Judas would betray him. Calvin suggests that Jesus appointed him a disciple to show us that the future of the church does not depend on us and our faithfulness but rather on Jesus and his work. Even when Jesus’ own disciple betrays him, God will cause that sinful act to submit to his purpose and plan of redemption.
Mark 3:20-21. The people were concerned with practical issues of eating. Jesus was concerned with doing the will of his Father and healing the people.
Mark 3:22-30. Jesus uses logic to clearly show the scribes the fallacy of their argument. The scribes would say that Satan causes people to be demon possessed. But if Satan causes demon possession why would Satan give Jesus authority to cast out those demons. Jesus observes that Satan’s kingdom cannot prosper if Satan undermines his own work. Then Jesus goes on to say, if Satan, the ruler of demons, causes people to be demon possessed, for Jesus to cast out demons, he must be more powerful than Satan. To undo Satan’s work, he must first, “bind” Satan. Therefore, his authority is greater.
While the demons of Satan recognize Jesus as the Son of God, the scribes—the religious leaders—who should recognize Jesus as the Son of God, instead claim he is Satan’s agent. They attribute Christ’s authority to Satan and claim God’s authority for themselves.
To blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to attribute God’s actions of healing and redemption to Satan. Repentance and forgiveness require that we recognize God’s will and work and repent of having turned away from them. The scribes and Pharisees have turned the norm upside down—they reject God’s will and adhere to their own. There is never repentance for turning from Jesus because they have rejected him as being from Satan.
This study first appeared in Theology Matters, Vol. 1, No. 4 (May/Jun 1995).
