Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Mark » Chapter 3 » Verse 1-35

Mark 3:1-35 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And G2532 he entered G1525 again G3825 into G1519 the synagogue; G4864 and G2532 there was G2258 a man G444 there G1563 which had G2192 a withered G3583 hand. G5495

2 And G2532 they watched G3906 him, G846 whether G1487 he would heal G2323 him G846 on the sabbath day; G4521 that G2443 they might accuse G2723 him. G846

3 And G2532 he saith G3004 unto the man G444 which had G2192 the withered G3583 hand, G5495 Stand G1453 forth. G1519 G3319

4 And G2532 he saith G3004 unto them, G846 Is it lawful G1832 to do good G15 on the sabbath days, G4521 or G2228 to do evil? G2554 to save G4982 life, G5590 or G2228 to kill? G615 But G1161 they held their peace. G4623

5 And G2532 when he had looked round about G4017 on them G846 with G3326 anger, G3709 being grieved G4818 for G1909 the hardness G4457 of their G846 hearts, G2588 he saith G3004 unto the man, G444 Stretch forth G1614 thine G4675 hand. G5495 And G2532 he stretched it out: G1614 and G2532 his G846 hand G5495 was restored G600 whole G5199 as G5613 the other. G243

6 And G2532 the Pharisees G5330 went forth, G1831 and straightway G2112 took G4160 counsel G4824 with G3326 the Herodians G2265 against G2596 him, G846 how G3704 they might destroy G622 him. G846

7 But G2532 Jesus G2424 withdrew himself G402 with G3326 his G846 disciples G3101 to G4314 the sea: G2281 and G2532 a great G4183 multitude G4128 from G575 Galilee G1056 followed G190 him, G846 and G2532 from G575 Judaea, G2449

8 And G2532 from G575 Jerusalem, G2414 and G2532 from G575 Idumaea, G2401 and G2532 from beyond G4008 Jordan; G2446 and G2532 they about G4012 Tyre G5184 and G2532 Sidon, G4605 a great G4183 multitude, G4128 when they had heard G191 what great things G3745 he did, G4160 came G2064 unto G4314 him. G846

9 And G2532 he spake G2036 to his G846 disciples, G3101 that G2443 a small ship G4142 should wait on G4342 him G846 because G1223 of the multitude, G3793 lest G3363 they should throng G2346 him. G846

10 For G1063 he had healed G2323 many; G4183 insomuch that G5620 they pressed upon G1968 him G846 for to G2443 touch G680 him, G846 as many as G3745 had G2192 plagues. G3148

11 And G2532 unclean G169 spirits, G4151 when G3752 they saw G2334 him, G846 fell down before G4363 him, G846 and G2532 cried, G2896 saying, G3004 G3754 Thou G4771 art G1488 the Son G5207 of God. G2316

12 And G2532 he straitly G4183 charged G2008 them G846 that G3363 they should G4160 not G3363 make G4160 him G846 known. G5318

13 And G2532 he goeth up G305 into G1519 a mountain, G3735 and G2532 calleth G4341 unto him whom G3739 he G846 would: G2309 and G2532 they came G565 unto G4314 him. G846

14 And G2532 he ordained G4160 twelve, G1427 that G2443 they should be G5600 with G3326 him, G846 and G2532 that G2443 he might send G649 them G846 forth G649 to preach, G2784

15 And G2532 to have G2192 power G1849 to heal G2323 sicknesses, G3554 and G2532 to cast out G1544 devils: G1140

16 And G2532 Simon G4613 he surnamed G2007 G3686 Peter; G4074

17 And G2532 James G2385 the son G3588 of Zebedee, G2199 and G2532 John G2491 the brother G80 of James; G2385 and G2532 he surnamed G2007 G3686 them G846 Boanerges, G993 which is, G3603 The sons G5207 of thunder: G1027

18 And G2532 Andrew, G406 and G2532 Philip, G5376 and G2532 Bartholomew, G918 and G2532 Matthew, G3156 and G2532 Thomas, G2381 and G2532 James G2385 the son G3588 of Alphaeus, G256 and G2532 Thaddaeus, G2280 and G2532 Simon G4613 the Canaanite, G2581

19 And G2532 Judas G2455 Iscariot, G2469 which G3739 also G2532 betrayed G3860 him: G846 and G2532 they went G2064 into G1519 an house. G3624

20 And G2532 the multitude G3793 cometh together G4905 again, G3825 so that G5620 they G846 could G1410 not G3361 so much as G3383 eat G5315 bread. G740

21 And G2532 when his G846 friends G3844 heard G191 of it, they went out G1831 to lay hold G2902 on him: G846 for G1063 they said, G3004 G3754 He is beside himself. G1839

22 And G2532 the scribes G1122 which G3588 came down G2597 from G575 Jerusalem G2414 said, G3004 G3754 He hath G2192 Beelzebub, G954 G3754 and G2532 by G1722 the prince G758 of the devils G1140 casteth he out G1544 devils. G1140

23 And G2532 he called G4341 them G846 unto him, and said G3004 unto them G846 in G1722 parables, G3850 How G4459 can G1410 Satan G4567 cast out G1544 Satan? G4567

24 And G2532 if G1437 a kingdom G932 be divided G3307 against G1909 itself, G1438 that G1565 kingdom G932 cannot G3756 G1410 stand. G2476

25 And G2532 if G1437 a house G3614 be divided G3307 against G1909 itself, G1438 that G1565 house G3614 cannot G3756 G1410 stand. G2476

26 And G2532 if G1487 Satan G4567 rise up G450 against G1909 himself, G1438 and G2532 be divided, G3307 he cannot G3756 G1410 stand, G2476 but G235 hath G2192 an end. G5056

27 No man G3762 can G3756 G1410 enter G1525 into G1519 a strong man's G2478 house, G3614 and spoil G1283 his G846 goods, G4632 except G3362 he will G1210 first G4412 bind G1210 the strong man; G2478 and G2532 then G5119 he will spoil G1283 his G846 house. G3614

28 Verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 G3754 All G3956 sins G265 shall be forgiven G863 unto the sons G5207 of men, G444 and G2532 blasphemies G988 wherewith G3745 soever G302 they shall blaspheme: G987

29 But G1161 he G3739 that G302 shall blaspheme G987 against G1519 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 hath G2192 never G3756 G1519 G165 forgiveness, G859 but G235 is G2076 in danger G1777 of eternal G166 damnation: G2920

30 Because G3754 they said, G3004 He hath G2192 an unclean G169 spirit. G4151

31 There came G2064 then G3767 his G846 brethren G80 and G2532 his mother, G3384 and, G2532 standing G2476 without, G1854 sent G649 unto G4314 him, G846 calling G5455 him. G846

32 And G2532 the multitude G3793 sat G2521 about G4012 him, G846 and G1161 they said G2036 unto him, G846 Behold, G2400 thy G4675 mother G3384 and G2532 thy G4675 brethren G80 without G1854 seek for G2212 thee. G4571

33 And G2532 he answered G611 them, G846 saying, G3004 Who G5101 is G2076 my G3450 mother, G3384 or G2228 my G3450 brethren? G80

34 And G2532 he looked G4017 round about G2945 on them which G3588 sat G2521 about G4012 him, G846 and said, G3004 Behold G2396 my G3450 mother G3384 and G2532 my G3450 brethren! G80

35 For G1063 whosoever G3739 G302 shall do G4160 the will G2307 of God, G2316 the same G3778 is G2076 my G3450 brother, G80 and G2532 my G3450 sister, G79 and G2532 mother. G3384

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Mark 3

Commentary on Mark 3 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 3

In this chapter, we have,

  • I. Christ's healing a man that had a withered hand, on the sabbath day, and the combination of his enemies against him for it (v. 1-6).
  • II. The universal resort of people to him from all parts, to be healed, and the relief they all found with him (v. 7-12).
  • III. His ordaining his twelve apostles to be attendants on him, and the preachers of his gospel (v. 13-21).
  • IV. His answer to the blasphemous cavils of the scribes, who imputed his power to cast out devils to a confederacy with the prince of the devils (v. 22-30).
  • V. His owning his disciples for his nearest and dearest relations (v. 31-35).

Mar 3:1-12

Here, as before, we have our Lord Jesus busy at work in the synagogue first, and then by the sea side; to teach us that his presence should not be confined either to the one or to the other, but, wherever any are gathered together in his name, whether in the synagogue or any where else, there is he in the midst of them. In every place where he records his name, he will meet his people, and bless them; it is his will that men pray every where. Now here we have some account of what he did.

  • I. When he entered again into the synagogue, he improved the opportunity he had there, of doing good, and having, no doubt, preached a sermon there, he wrought a miracle for the confirmation of it, or at least for the confirmation of this truth-that it is lawful to do good on the sabbath day. We had the narrative, Mt. 12:9.
    • 1. The patient's case was piteous; he had a withered hand, by which he was disabled to work for his living; and those that are so, are the most proper objects of charity; let those be helped that cannot help themselves.
    • 2. The spectators were very unkind, both to the patient and to the Physician; instead of interceding for a poor neighbour, they did what they could to hinder his cure: for they intimated that if Christ cured him now on the sabbath day, they would accuse him as a Sabbath breaker. It had been very unreasonable, if they should have opposed a physician or surgeon in helping any poor body in misery, by ordinary methods; but much more absurd was it to oppose him that cured without any labour, but by a word's speaking.
    • 3. Christ dealt very fairly with the spectators, and dealt with them first, if possible to prevent the offence.
      • (1.) He laboured to convince their judgment. He bade the man stand forth (v. 3), that by the sight of him they might be moved with compassion toward him, and might not, for shame, account his cure a crime. And then he appeals to their own consciences; though the thing speaks itself, yet he is pleased to speak it; "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, as I design to do, or to do evil, as you design to do? Whether is better, to save life or to kill?' What fairer question could be put? And yet, because they saw it would turn against them, they held their peace. Note, Those are obstinate indeed in their infidelity, who, when they can say nothing against a truth, will say nothing to it; and, when they cannot resist, yet will not yield.
      • (2.) When they rebelled against the light, he lamented their stubbornness (v. 5); He looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts. The sin he had an eye to, was, the hardness of their hearts, their insensibleness of the evidence of his miracles, and their inflexible resolution to persist in unbelief. We hear what is said amiss, and see what is done amiss; but Christ looks at the root of bitterness in the heart, the blindness and hardness of that. Observe,
        • [1.] How he was provoked by the sin; he looked round upon them; for they were so many, and had so placed themselves, that they surrounded him: and he looked with anger; his anger, it is probable, appeared in his countenance; his anger was, like God's, without the least perturbation to himself, but not without great provocation from us. Note, The sin of sinners is very displeasing to Jesus Christ; and the way to be angry, and not to sin, is it be angry, as Christ was, at nothing but sin. Let hard-hearted sinners tremble to think of the anger with which he will look round upon them shortly, when the great day of his wrath comes.
        • [2.] How he pitied the sinners; he was grieved for the hardness of their hearts; as God was grieved forty years for the hardness of the hearts of their fathers in the wilderness. Note, It is a great grief to our Lord Jesus, to see sinners bent upon their own ruin, and obstinately set against the methods of their conviction and recovery, for he would not that any should perish. This is a good reason why the hardness of our own hearts and of the hearts of others, should be a grief to us.
    • 4. Christ dealt very kindly with the patient; he bade him stretch forth his hand, and it was immediately restored. Now,
      • (1.) Christ has hereby taught us to go on with resolution in the way of our duty, how violent soever the opposition is, that we meet with in it. We must deny ourselves sometimes in our ease, pleasure, and convenience, rather than give offence even to those who causelessly take it; but we must not deny ourselves the satisfaction of serving God, and doing good, though offence may unjustly be taken at it. None could be more tender of giving offence than Christ; yet, rather than send this poor man away uncured, he would venture offending all the scribes and Pharisees that compassed him about.
      • (2.) He hath hereby given us a specimen of the cures wrought by his grace upon poor souls; our hands are spiritually withered, the powers of our souls weakened by sin, and disabled for that which is good. The great healing day is the sabbath, and the healing place the synagogue; the healing power is that of Christ. The gospel command is like this recorded here; and the command is rational and just; though our hands are withered, and we cannot of ourselves stretch them forth, we must attempt it, must, as well as we can, lift them up to God in prayer, lay hold on Christ and eternal life, and employ them in good works; and if we do our endeavour, power goes along with the word of Christ, he effects the cure. Though our hands be withered, yet, if we will not offer to stretch them out, it is our own fault that we are not healed; but if we do, and are healed, Christ and his power and grace must have all the glory.
    • 5. The enemies of Christ dealt very barbarously with him. Such a work of mercy should have engaged their love to him, and such a work of wonder their faith in him. But, instead of that, the Pharisees, who pretended to be oracles in the church, and the Herodians, who pretended to be the supporters of the state, though of opposite interests one to another, took counsel together against him, how they might destroy him. Note, They that suffer for doing good, do but suffer as their Master did.
  • II. When he withdrew to the sea, he did good there. While his enemies sought to destroy him, he quitted the place; to teach us in troublous times to shift for our own safety; but see here,
    • 1. How he was followed into his retirement. When some had such an enmity to him, that they drove him out of their country, others had such a value for him, that they followed him wherever he went; and the enmity of their leaders to Christ did not cool their respect to him. Great multitudes followed him from all parts of the nation; as far north, as from Galilee; as far south, as from Judea and Jerusalem; nay, and from Idumea; as far east, as from beyond Jordan; and west, as from about Tyre and Sidon, v. 7, 8. Observe,
      • (1.) What induced them to follow him; it was the report they heard of the great things he did for all that applied themselves to him; some wished to see one that had done such great things, and others hoped he would do great things for them. Note, The consideration of the great things Christ has done, should engage us to come to him.
      • (2.) What they followed him for (v. 10); They pressed upon him, to touch him, as many as had plagues. Diseases are here called plagues, mastigas-corrections, chastisements; so they are designed to be, to make us smart for our sins, that thereby we may be made sorry for them, and may be warned not to return to them. Those that were under these scourgings came to Jesus; this is the errand on which sickness is sent, to quicken us to enquire after Christ, and apply ourselves to him as our Physician. They pressed upon him, each striving which should get nearest to him, and which should be first served. They fell down before him (so Dr. Hammond), as petitioners for his favour; they desired leave but to touch him, having faith to be healed, not only by his touching them, but by their touching him; which no doubt they had many instances of.
      • (3.) What provision he made to be ready to attend them (v. 9); He spoke to his disciples, who were fishermen, and had fisher-boats at command, that a small ship should constantly wait on him, to carry him from place to place on the same coast; that, when he had despatched the necessary business he had to do in one place, he might easily remove to another, where his presence was requisite, without pressing through the crowds of people that followed him for curiosity. Wise men, as much as they can, decline a crowd.
    • 2. What abundance of good he did in his retirement. He did not withdraw to be idle, nor did he send back those who rudely crowded after him when he withdrew, but took it kindly, and gave them what they came for; for he never said to any that sought him diligently, Seek ye me in vain.
      • (1.) Diseases were effectually cured; He healed many; divers sorts of patients, ill of divers sorts of diseases; though numerous, though various, he healed them.
      • (2.) Devils were effectually conquered; those whom unclean spirits had got possession of, when they saw him, trembled at his presence, and they also fell down before him, not to supplicate his favour, but to deprecate his wrath, and by their own terrors were compelled to own that he was the Son of God, v. 11. It is sad that this great truth should be denied by any of the children of men, who may have the benefit of it, when a confession of it has so often been extorted from devils, who are excluded from having benefit by it.
      • (3.) Christ sought not applause to himself in doing those great things, for he strictly charged those for whom he did them, that they should not make him known (v. 12); that they should not be industrious to spread the notice of his cures, as it were by advertisements in the newspapers, but let them leave his own works to praise him, and let the report of them diffuse itself, and make its own way. Let not those that are cured, be forward to divulge it, lest it should feed their pride who are so highly favoured; but let the standers-by carry away the intelligence of it. When we do that which is praiseworthy, and yet covet not to be praised of men for it, then the same mind is in us, which was in Christ Jesus.

Mar 3:13-21

In these verses, we have,

  • I. The choice Christ made of the twelve apostles to be his constant followers and attendants, and to be sent abroad as there was occasion, to preach the gospel. Observe,
    • 1. The introduction to this call or promotion of disciples; He goes up into a mountain, and his errand thither was to pray. Ministers must be set apart with solemn prayer for the pouring out of the Spirit upon them; though Christ had authority to confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost, yet, to set us an example, he prayed for them.
    • 2. The rule he went by in his choice, and that was his own good pleasure; He called unto him whom he would. Not such as we should have thought fittest to be called, looking upon the countenance, and the height of the stature; but such as he thought fit to call, and determined to make fit for the service to which he called them: even so, blessed Jesus, because it seemed good in thine eyes. Christ calls whom he will; for he is a free Agent, and his grace is his own.
    • 3. The efficacy of the call; He called them to separate themselves from the crowd, and stand by him, and they came unto him. Christ calls those who were given him (Jn. 17:6); and all that the Father gave him, shall come to him, Jn. 6:37. Those whom it was his will to call, he made willing to come; his people shall be willing in the day of his power. Perhaps they came to him readily enough, because they were in expectation of reigning with him in temporal pomp and power; but when afterward they were undeceived in that matter, yet they had such a prospect given them of better things, that they would not say they were deceived in their Master, nor repented their leaving all to be with him.
    • 4. The end and intention of this call; He ordained them (probably by the imposition of hands, which was a ceremony used among the Jews), that they should be with him constantly, to be witnesses of his doctrine, manner of life, and patience, that they might fully know it, and be able to give an account of it; and especially that they might attest the truth of his miracles; they must be with him to receive instructions from him, that they might be qualified to give instructions to others. It would require time to fit them for that which he designed them for; for they must be sent forth to preach; not to preach till they were sent, and not to be sent till by a long and intimate acquaintance with Christ they were fitted. Note, Christ's ministers must be much with him.
    • 5. The power he gave them to work miracles; and hereby he put a very great honour upon them, beyond that of the great men of the earth. He ordained them to heal sicknesses and to cast out devils. This showed that the power which Christ had to work these miracles was an original power; that he had it not as a Servant, but as a Son in his own house, in that he could confer it upon others, and invest them with it: they have a rule in the law, Deputatus non potest deputare-He that is only deputed himself, cannot depute another; but our Lord Jesus had life in himself, and the Spirit without measure; for he could give this power even to the weak and foolish things of the world.
    • 6. Their number and names; He ordained twelve, according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel. They are here named not just in the same order as they were in Matthew, nor by couples, as they were there; but as there, so here, Peter is put first and Judas last. Here Matthew is put before Thomas, probably being called in that order; but in that catalogue which Matthew himself drew up, he puts himself after Thomas; so far was he from insisting upon the precedency of his consecration. But that which Mark only takes notice of in this list of the apostles, is, that Christ called James and John Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder; perhaps they were remarkable for a loud commanding voice, they were thundering preachers; or, rather, it denotes the zeal and fervency of their spirits, which would make them active for God above their brethren. These two (saith Dr. Hammond) were to be special eminent ministers of the gospel, which is called a voice shaking the earth, Heb. 12:26. Yet John, one of those sons of thunder, was full of love and tenderness, as appears by his epistles, and was the beloved disciple.
    • 7. Their retirement with their Master, and close adherence to him; They went into a house. Now that this jury was impanelled, they stood together, to hearken to their evidence. They went together into the house, to settle the orders of their infant college; and now, it is likely, the bag was given to Judas, which pleased him, and made him easy.
  • II. The continual crowds that attended Christ's motions (v. 20); The multitude cometh together again, unsent for, and unseasonably pressing upon him, some with one errand and some with another; so that he and his disciples could not get time so much as to eat bread, much less for a set and full meal. Yet he did not shut his doors against the petitioners, but bade them welcome, and gave to each of them an answer of peace. Note, They whose hearts are enlarged in the work of God, can easily bear with great inconveniences to themselves, in the prosecution of it, and will rather lose a meal's meat at any time than slip an opportunity of doing good. It is happy when zealous hearers and zealous preachers thus meet, and encourage one another. Now the kingdom of God was preached, and men pressed into it, Lu. 16:16. This was a gale of opportunity worth improving; and the disciples might well afford to adjourn their meals, to lay hold on it. It is good striking while the iron is hot.
  • III. The care of his relations concerning him (v. 21); When his friends in Capernaum heard how he was followed, and what pains he took, they went out, to lay hold on him, and fetch him home, for they said, He is beside himself.
    • 1. Some understand it of an absurd preposterous care, which had more in it of reproach to him than of respect; and so we must take it as we read it, He is beside himself; either they suspected it themselves, or it was suggested to them, and they gave credit to the suggestion, that he was gone distracted, and therefore his friends ought to bind him, and put him in a dark room, to bring him to his right mind again. His kindred, many of them, had mean thoughts of him (Jn. 7:5), and were willing to hearken to this ill construction which some put upon his great zeal, and to conclude him crazed in his intellects, and under that pretence to take him off from his work. The prophets were called mad fellows, 2 Ki. 9:11.
    • 2. Others understand it of a well-meaning care; and then they read exesteµ-"He fainteth, he has no time to eat bread, and therefore his strength will fail him; he will be stifled with the crowd of people, and will have his spirits quite exhausted with constant speaking, and the virtue that goes out of him in his miracles; and therefore let us use a friendly violence with him, and get him a little breathing-time.' In his preaching-work, as well as his suffering-work, he was attacked with, Master, spare thyself. Note, They who go on with vigour and zeal in the work of God, must expect to meet with hindrances, both from the groundless disaffection of their enemies, and the mistaken affections of their friends, and they have need to stand upon their guard against both.

Mar 3:22-30

  • I. Here is, The impudent impious brand which the scribes fastened upon Christ's casting out devils, that they might evade and invalidate the conviction of it, and have a poor excuse for not yielding to it. These scribes came down from Jerusalem, v. 22. It should seem they came this long journey on purpose to hinder the progress of the doctrine of Christ; such pains did they take to do mischief; and, coming from Jerusalem, where were the most polite and learned scribes, and where they had opportunity of consulting together against the Lord and his Anointed, they were in the greater capacity to do mischief; the reputation of scribes from Jerusalem would have an influence not only upon the country people, but upon the country scribes; they had never thought of this base suggestion concerning Christ's miracles till the scribes from Jerusalem put it into their heads. They could not deny but that he cast out devils, which plainly bespoke him sent of God; but they insinuated that he had Beelzebub on his side, was in league with him, and by the prince of the devils cast out devils. There is a trick in the case; Satan is not cast out, he only goes out by consent. There was nothing in the manner of Christ's casting out devils, that gave any cause to suspect this; he did it as one having authority; but so they will have it, who resolve not to believe him.
  • II. The rational answer which Christ gave to this objection, demonstrating the absurdity of it.
    • 1. Satan is so subtle, that he will never voluntarily quit his possession; If Satan cast out Satan, his kingdom is divided against itself, and it cannot stand, v. 23-26. He called them to him, as one desirous they should be convinced; he treated them with all the freedom, friendliness, and familiarity that could be; he vouchsafed to reason the case with them, that every mouth may be stopped. It was plain that the doctrine of Christ made war upon the devil's kingdom, and had a direct tendency to break his power, and crush his interest in the souls of men; and it was as plain that the casting of him out of the bodies of people confirmed that doctrine, and gave it the setting on; and therefore it cannot be imagined that he should come into such a design; every one knows that Satan is no fool, nor will act so directly against his own interest.
    • 2. Christ is so wise, that, being engaged in war with him, he will attack his forces wherever he meets them, whether in the bodies or souls of people, v. 27. It is plain, Christ's design is to enter into the strong man's house, to take possession of the interest he has in the world, and to spoil his goods, and convert them to his own service; and therefore it is natural to suppose that he will thus bind the strong man, will forbid him to speak when he would, and to stay where he would, and thus show that he has gained a victory over him.
  • III. The awful warning Christ gave them to take heed how they spoke such dangerous words as these; however they might make light of them, as only conjectures, and the language of free-thinking, if they persisted in it, it would be of fatal consequence to them; it would be found a sin against the last remedy, and consequently unpardonable; for what could be imagined possible to bring them to repentance for their sin in blaspheming Christ, who would set aside such a strong conviction with such a weak evasion? It is true, the gospel promiseth, because Christ hath purchased, forgiveness for the greatest sins and sinners, v. 28. Many of those who reviled Christ on the cross (which was a blaspheming of the Son of man, aggravated to the highest degree), found mercy, and Christ himself prayed, Father, forgive them; but this was blaspheming the Holy Ghost, for it was by the Holy Spirit that he cast out devils, and they said, It was by the unclean spirit, v. 30. By this method they would outface the conviction of all the gifts of the Holy Ghost after Christ's ascension, and defeat them all, after which there remained no more proof, and therefore they should never have forgiveness, but were liable to eternal damnation. They were in imminent danger of that everlasting punishment, from which there was no redemption, and in which there was no intermission, no remission.

Mar 3:31-35

Here is,

  • 1. The disrespect which Christ's kindred, according to the flesh, showed to him, when he was preaching (and they knew very well that he was then in his element); they not only stood without, having no desire to come in, and hear him, but they sent in a message to call him out to them (v. 31, 32.) as if he must leave his work, to hearken to their impertinences; it is probable that they had no business with him, only sent for him on purpose to oblige him to break off, lest he should kill himself. He knew how far his strength would go, and preferred the salvation of souls before his own life, and soon after made it to appear with a witness; it was therefore an idle thing for them, under pretence of his sparing himself, to interrupt him; and it was worse, if really they had business with him, when they knew he preferred his business, as a Saviour, so much before any other business.
  • 2. The respect which Christ showed to his spiritual kindred upon this occasion. Now, as at other times, he put a comparative neglect upon his mother, which seemed purposely designed to obviate the prevent the extravagant respect which men in aftertimes would be apt to pay her. Our respect ought to be guided and governed by Christ's; now the virgin Mary, or Christ's mother, is not equalled with, but postponed to, ordinary believers, on whom Christ here puts a superlative honour. He looked upon those that at about him, and pronounced those of them that not only heard, but did, the will of God, to be to him as his brother, and sister, and mother; as much esteemed, loved, and cared for, as his nearest relations, v. 33-35. This is a good reason why we should honour those that fear the Lord, and choose them for our people; why we should be not hearers of the word only, but doers of the work, that we may share with the saints in this honour, Surely it is good to be akin to those who are thus nearly allied to Christ, and to have fellowship with those that have fellowship with Christ; and woe to those that hate and persecute Christ's kindred, that are his bone and his flesh, every one resembling the children of a king (see Jdg. 8:18, 19); for he will with jealously plead their cause, and avenge their blood.