The Saviour judged by the world. There were various opinions amongst the multitude. They cannot be indifferent to the work and teaching of Christ. "Some believed, and some believed not." Of those who did not believe all were in opposition to him. This circumstance was— I. A TRIBUTE TO THE INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE GOSPEL . II. IT ILLUSTRATED THE IMPOTENCY OF THE CARNAL MIND IN SPIRITUAL QUESTIONS . III . IT SUGGESTS THE PERILS ... read more
Blasphemy. Great men are often misunderstood by reason of their very greatness. Aims higher than those of others need other methods than such as are commonly employed by ordinary persons. How much more must this have been the case with the Son of man! His mission was unique—was altogether his own. He could not fulfill his ministry and do the work of him who sent him, without stepping aside from the beaten tracks of conduct, and so courting criticism and obloquy. He could not well... read more
The sin against the Holy Spirit. I. THE CHARGE AGAINST JESUS . He holds to Beelzebub, and by the chief of demons casts out demons. 1 . It was absurd; but absurd arguments readily satisfy passion and hate and those who have no care for the truth. They accused the Saviour, in short, of a self-contradiction in thought and action, which was a moral impossibility. 2 . It was wicked. It had the worst element of the lie in it—it denied the truth within them. II. THE WORST ... read more
Parallel passages: Matthew 12:22-37 ; Luke 11:14-23 .— Mistaken friends and malignant foes. I. MISTAKEN FRIENDS . 1 . The connection. Between the appointment of the apostles and the transactions here narrated several important matters intervened. There was the sermon on the mount, recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew, chs. 5-7; and an abridgment or modification of the same repeated in the Gospel of St. Luke, Luke 6:17-49 . Next followed the events recorded throughout... read more
They could not so much as eat bread - Their time and attention were so occupied that they were obliged to forego their regular meals. The affairs of religion may so occupy the attention of ministers and others as to prevent their engaging in their customary pursuits. Religion is all-important - far more important than the ordinary business of this life; and there is nothing unreasonable if our temporal affairs sometimes give way to the higher interests of our own souls and the souls of others.... read more
When his friends - Greek, “they who were of him.” Not the apostles, but his relatives, his friends, who were in the place of his nativity.Heard of it - Heard of his conduct: his preaching; his appointing the apostles; his drawing such a multitude to his preaching. This shows that by “his friends” were not meant the apostles, but his neighbors and others who “heard” of his conduct.They went out to lay hold on him - To take him away from the multitude, and to remove him to his home, that he might... read more
Mark 3:19-21. And they went into a house It appears, from the manner in which Mark here connects this with the names of the apostles, that it happened very quickly after their being chosen. The other evangelists, indeed, inform us of some previous events which happened in the meantime, but they might be despatched in a few hours. And the multitude cometh together Assembled again about the doors and windows of the house, and pressed so eagerly upon him; that they Christ and his... read more
53. Jesus and his family (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:20-21,Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21)The children of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus were James, Joseph, Simon, Judas and at least two daughters (cf. Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3). At first they did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, but thought he was suffering from some sort of religious madness (Mark 3:20-21; cf. John 7:3-5). Jesus must have been saddened to see such an attitude in his brothers and sisters, but he knew that more important than... read more
again. Referring back to Mark 3:7 . could not = . found themselves unable. not. Greek. me . App-105 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 3:20-21
Christ hindered by his friends. I. THROUGH IGNORANCE . Owing II. BY CHARGING HIM WITH MADNESS . They had so little of the spirit of self-denial in themselves that they could not understand enthusiasm which would not admit of his attending to his own wants, "so much as to eat bread." 1 . They feared also the consequences which might arise from the presence of his enemies. The scribes were there "from Jerusalem," on the alert to find accusation against him; and they... read more