And the scribes ... - See the notes at Matthew 12:24-32. The occasion of their saying this was, that he had healed a man possessed with a devil. The scribes, who came from Jerusalem to watch his conduct, charged him with having made a compact or agreement with the prince of the devils. read more
52. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-45; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 11:14-36)On one occasion when Jesus cast out demons, the Pharisees accused him of doing it by the power of Satan, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:22-24; Luke 11:14-16). Jesus replied that if the prince of demons used his own power to cast out demons, he would be creating civil war in his own kingdom. He would be destroying himself. The only way a strong man can be defeated is if a stronger man overpowers him. In casting out... read more
if a kingdom, &c. Implying what experience shows ( App-118 ). against . Greek. epi. App-104 . cannot = is not (Greek. ou. App-105 .) able to. read more
B. The increasing rejection of Jesus and its result 3:20-4:34As Jesus’ ministry expanded, so did rejection of Him as God’s anointed servant. Mark documented the increasing rejection that Jesus experienced (Mark 3:20-35) and then explained that Jesus taught the multitudes in parables as a result (Mark 4:1-34). read more
1. The increasing rejection of Jesus 3:20-35Mark again returned to the opposition theme (cf. Mark 2:1 to Mark 3:6). He directed his readers back and forth between Jesus’ acceptance on a superficial level by the multitudes, His disciples’ growing commitment to Him, and the increasing hostility of the religious leaders. This structural pattern highlights the contrasts between the three groups.In this section Mark used a chiastic structure to show two different kinds of opposition that Jesus... read more
The unbelief of Jesus’ enemies 3:22-30 (cf. Matthew 12:22-37; Luke 11:14-26)Evidently it was between the time that Jesus’ family left Nazareth to take custody of Him and the time they arrived in Capernaum (Mark 3:31) that this incident occurred. Mark’s account is shorter than Matthew’s and stresses the nature of the mounting hostility of the religious leaders. read more
Jesus replied to the charge against Him with parables (cf. Matthew 12:29; Luke 11:21-22). That is, He used comparisons. He pointed out that it was illogical for Him to cast out Satan’s agents if He was one of Satan’s agents. Satan would then be working against himself. Moreover since Jesus was really destroying Satan’s work, He must be stronger than Satan (Mark 3:27)."It may be enough to say that Mark 3:22-27 declares Jesus’ ministry, without specifying the ’when,’ to reflect the eschatological... read more
Choice of the Twelve1-6. The withered hand (Matthew 12:9; Luke 6:6). See on Mt. 6. Herodians] see on Matthew 22:16.7-12. Withdrawal of Jesus. Multitudes healed. See on Matthew 12:15-17. St. Mark’s account is much fuller. Observe here (a) the extraordinary sensation made by the appearance of Jesus, as shown by the great distances from which the multitudes were drawn; (b) the enormous number of cures, without any allusion to failures. Clearly the miracles recorded are only a very small proportion... read more
(22-30) He hath Beelzebub.—See Notes on Matthew 12:24-32. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 3:23-27
"How can Satan cast out Satan?" or, the logic of spiritual forces. The spirit of Christ's answer to this malicious attack is calm, fearless, and full of light. He meets the charge with convincing and irrefutable logic. I. THE DEFENCE . There are two elements in his argument: 1 . A demonstration. It is the familiar reductio ad absurdum , such as one might use with a schoolboy. It is so simple and trenchant that it straightway becomes an attack of the most powerful kind. He... read more