Mark 3:1-35 King James Bible KJV

Healing on The Sabbath, Appointing of the Twelve Apostles, Beelzebul, and Jesus’ True Family

Mark 3:1-35 King James Bible KJV. Mark 3 highlights the growing opposition to Jesus from religious leaders and the misunderstandings of those around him, including his own family. The chapter emphasizes Jesus’ authority over spiritual and physical realms, the establishment of his core group of followers, and the definition of true discipleship as doing the will of God. It also touches on the seriousness of rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit and the inclusivity of Jesus’ spiritual family..

Mark 3:1-35 King James Bible KJV
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Healing on the Sabbath – verses 1-6

Jesus enters a synagogue, where there is a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees watch closely, looking for a reason to accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath law. Jesus asks, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill?” He then heals the man, but the Pharisees plot with the Herodians to kill Jesus. This proves Jesus’ authority over the Sabbath and his focus on the spirit of the law rather than its strict letter. It shows that doing good and saving life take precedence over rigid legalism. The Pharisees’ response highlights their growing hostility toward Jesus.

The Great Crowds Follow Jesus – verses 7-12

Large crowds from various regions follow Jesus because of the miracles he has performed. Jesus withdraws to a boat to avoid being crushed by the crowd. People with unclean spirits recognize Jesus as the Son of God, but he orders them not to reveal his identity.

This illustrates the widespread popularity of Jesus due to his miraculous works. It also highlights his identity as the Son of God, recognized even by demons, though Jesus controls the revelation of this truth. The overwhelming response of the crowds shows the power and draw of his ministry.

Jesus Appoints the Twelve Apostles – verses 13-19

Jesus goes up on a mountain and appoints twelve apostles to be with him, to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons. The twelve include Peter, James, John, and others, including Judas Iscariot, who later betrays him. This signifies the formal establishment of Jesus’ closest group of followers, the twelve apostles. These men are chosen for a special mission to continue Jesus’ work, highlighting the importance of discipleship and the spread of the Gospel.

Jesus and Beelzebul – verses 20-30

Jesus returns home, and the crowd gathers so much that he and his disciples can’t even eat. His family thinks he is not of sound mind and tries to take charge of him. Meanwhile, the scribes accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus refutes this by explaining that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand and that he drives out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit. He warns that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin.

This addresses the misunderstandings and opposition Jesus faces. The accusation that Jesus is working with demonic powers is refuted by Jesus’ logic and teaching about the Holy Spirit. The warning about blaspheming the Holy Spirit underscores the seriousness of rejecting the work of God through the Spirit.

Jesus’ True Family – verses 31-35

Jesus’ mother and brothers arrive and send someone in to call him. Jesus responds by saying that whoever does the will of God is his brother, sister, and mother. This passage redefines what it means to be part of Jesus’ family. It is not about biological ties but about spiritual kinship—those who follow God’s will are considered Jesus’ true family. This shows the importance of spiritual obedience and the inclusive nature of Jesus’ community.

Mark 3:1-35 King James Bible – KJV

1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of theirhearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judæa,
8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumæa, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.
14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;
17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus, and Simon the Canaanite,
19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
22 ¶ And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.
23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

31 ¶ There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.
32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.
33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.