ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Mark 3

Mark 3:2 The scribes believe that healing is a form of work and thus is not permitted on a Sabbath. Accuse is a technical term which means they are looking for legal evidence against Jesus.

Mark 3:3–5 To do good on the Sabbath would not violate the OT law, but it would violate the opponents’ Pharisaic tradition. Their tradition misses the point of the Mosaic law: to love God and one’s neighbor (see 12:29–31). Stretch out your hand. See note on Luke 6:10.

Mark 3:6 The Pharisees were quite different from the Herodians, who were friends and supporters of the Herodian family dynasty (see note on Matt. 22:16). However, these two groups held counsel together (see Ps. 2:2) in order to destroy Jesus, who was their common enemy (Mark 14:1–2).

Mark 3:7–8 Idumea. The region south of Judea. beyond the Jordan. The region east of the Jordan River. Tyre and Sidon. The region north of Galilee. All of these regions had belonged to Israel during the time of the judges, and descendants of the 12 tribes had resettled in the area following the Babylonian exile.

Mark 3:11–12 Jesus forbids unclean spirits to speak about him, so that they will not reveal his true identity before he wants to make himself known.

Mark 3:13–6:6 Jesus’ Later Galilean Ministry. Jesus appoints his disciples to teach what he teaches and to do what he does. Parables, nature miracles, and healings expand the range of his authority, which is met with rejection in Nazareth.

Mark 3:14–15 Jesus appointed the twelve, whom he called out of the larger crowd that had been following him (vv. 7–9). The Twelve have a specific task: (1) that they might be with him, and (2) that he might send them out (1:17; 9:37). This is why they were called apostles (which means “sent out”; see note on Rom. 1:1). They were to (1) preach about the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14; 39; 6:12), (2) cast out demons (1:34, 39), and (3) heal the sick (6:13). The fact that Jesus chose 12 apostles is probably related to the 12 tribes of Israel (Rev. 21:14).

Mark 3:16–17 The core group of three disciples (see 5:37; 9:2; 14:33) is mentioned first: (Simon) Peter, James, and John. See note on Matt. 10:2.

Mark 3:19 Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him is mentioned last.

Mark 3:20 Jesus returns home, that is, to the place where he stayed in Capernaum (see note on 2:1).

Mark 3:21 The members of Jesus’ earthly family believe he is out of his mind (see John 7:5) because of all that has happened. (Some of Jesus’ brothers did later believe in him; see note on 1 Cor. 9:4–5.)

Mark 3:22 Beelzebul. See note on Matt. 10:25. by the prince of demons he casts out the demons. See note on Matt. 9:34.

Mark 3:29 blasphemes against the Holy Spirit. Looking forward to the substitutionary atonement of Jesus, v. 28 emphasized that “all sins will be forgiven.” However, if a person persistently gives credit to Satan for what is actually done by the power of God—that is, if a person is convinced that the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Jesus is satanic—then such a person never has forgiveness. (See note on Luke 12:10.)

Mark 3:35 Those who follow Jesus are the true family of God: whoever does the will of God (see John 7:17; Rom. 12:2), he is my brother and sister and mother (see Heb. 2:11–12).