THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK
LESSON 4
JESUS FOUNDS HIS CHURCH
MARK 3:1-35
Introduction:
“Although Mark leads us into the same main thought as Matthew, closing with Israel at the end of this chapter as Matthew at the end of the twelfth, and then in each the Sower, yet there is a great difference besides the leaving out the birth, and the like. There is no dispensational development. It is historical, to the same effect of what was then taking place, but no developed principles of relationship, nor what will be true in the last days. You have no Kingdom, as it is now developed, after the parable of the Sower, but we have Christ personally active at the beginning, and, at the end, the harvest… It is much more historical [than the other Gospels]. We have the facts as they then occurred, with their then bearing on His rejection, and Israel’s state.” —Eclectic Notes for the Gospel of Mark.
I. THE SERVANT DISPLAYS HIS DEITY. vv. 1-12
A. The Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand. vv. 1-6
1. He entered the synagogue, perhaps in Capernaum where he had before cast out the unclean spirit; but not on the same day, v. 1a; Luke 6:6, “And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.”
2. The withered right hand is typical of the sinner’s INABILITY to work for God, v. 1b.
Note: “Withered” or dry; the juices were dried up, the nerves and sinews contracted, so that it was of no manner of use to him: Luke says, it was his right hand, which was so much the worse; and means not only his hand, but the whole arm. —John Gill’s Expositor.
3. As the CRITICS WATCHED Jesus,
a. They ALSO WATCH BELIEVERS today, v. 2; Psalms 37:32, “The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.”
b. They watched TO SEE IF He would HEAL on the Sabbath day, Luke 6:7, “And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.”
Note: They were “watching” on the sly “that they might find HOW to accuse him,” so the use of the Greek terms. “They were determined to make a case against Jesus. They felt sure that their presence would prevent any spurious [phony] work on the part of Jesus.” —A. T. Robertson’s Word Pictures of the NT.
4. Knowing their thoughts the Lord calls the man, v. 3; Luke 6:8, “But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.”
a. Thus the sinner MUST HEAR and OBEY the WORD of the Lord, v. 3;
b. Now the attention of the people is on the man with the withered hand.
5. A TWO-PRONGED QUESTION the critics could NOT answer, v. 4;
a. If a man have a sheep fallen into a pit on the Sabbath, Matthew 12:11-12, “And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.”
b. Another occasion where the Lord shames His critics, Luke 13:15-17, “The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.”
6. His anger at their hardness of heart, v. 5a; Ephesians 4:26, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”
a. Jesus found HARDNESS of heart among the COMMON people, John 12:37-40, “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.”
b. And He found hardness of heart among His OWN DISCIPLES also, Mark 6:52, “For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.”
7. Notice the humility and faith of this man, v. 5b. Consider the order of the man’s healing:
a. Stand forth, v. 3.
b. Stretch forth, v. 5.
c. Restored whole, v. 5. The Greek aorist tense indicates immediate healing.
8. The conspiracy to destroy Christ, v. 6.
a. The Pharisees went out and held a council against the Lord, Matthew 12:14, “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.”
b. They were filled with madness, Luke 6:11, “And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.”
Note: Herodians — Upholders of the Herodian dynasty, regarding it as the safeguard against direct pagan rule which the Jews loathed, and also as the best compromise between the ancient faith and pagan civilization. Hence they were said to look upon Herod the Great, Antipus, and Agrippa successively as Messiah. Thus, those of the Herod Dynasty forerunners of the coming antichrist, and like the Old Testament antichrist, Antiochus Epiphanes, {Daniel 8, 11} they paved the way to apostasy by an introduction of Greek refinements, theaters, etc., and a blending of honours to pagan gods along with the recognition of Jehovah and the law. —Fauset’s Bible Dictionary.
The Pharisees and Herodians were actually enemies, but against Jesus they unite. The Herodians were more of a political party, as they wanted a return of the reign of the Herods. —E. L. Bynum.
B. The Healing of the Multitudes. vv. 7-12
1. Jesus withdrew to the sea, v. 7a.
2. Multitudes follow because of His mighty works, vs. 7b-8.
3. Preparation was made for large crowds, v. 9. A number of times Jesus spoke to large crowds from a ship. The water makes a good sounding board.
4. The crowds PRESS in for healing, v. 10.
5. The UNCLEAN SPIRITS recognize Him, v. 11. 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
6. The unclean spirits charged not to make known who he was, v. 12. The crowds that followed him might make the Roman government to think he was leading a revolution.
II. THE SERVANT ESTABLISHES HIS CHURCH. vv. 13-21; Matthew 10:1-4
A. The Place of the Calling, v. 13; Luke 6:12, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”
1. It was in a mountain, v. 13a. Near Capernaum, being solitary, and a place of recess and retirement, He went “to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”
2. After praying all night Jesus extended a SOVEREIGN CALL, v. 13b, “whom He would.”
Note: Whether by personal invitation or through the disciples Jesus invites or calls to himself a select number out of the vast crowds by the sea, those whom he really wished to be with him.
3. It was an EFFECTUAL CALL, v. 13c “they came unto Him.”
B. The PURPOSE of the Calling. vv. 14-15
1. To ORDAIN twelve “APOSTLES” [Gr. “to send”] thus, “missionaries,” v. 14a, Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
Note: Why he chose twelve we are not told, probably because there were twelve tribes in Israel. It was a good round number at any rate. They were to be princes in the new Israel, Matthew 19:28, “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” —A. T. Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament.
2. That they should be WITH HIM constantly, v. 14b.
NOTE: That they should be with him; constantly, in private and in public; be taken into his family, and reckoned such; be his familiars, and privy to all his affairs; HEAR all his discourses, and see his miracles; that so they might be TRAINED up and FITTED for the GREAT WORK he designed them for: —John Gill’s Expositor.
3. That He might SEND THEM forth as MISSIONARIES, vv. 14c-15.
a. They would be sent forth TO PREACH, v. 14d; Luke 9:2, “And he sent them TO PREACH the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”
b. They would have POWER TO HEAL and cast out devils, v. 15, Mark 16:20, “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”
Note: To have power to heal—and to cast out devils The business of a minister of Christ is, 1st. To PREACH the Gospel. 2dly. To be the PHYSICIAN of SOULS. And, 3dly. To WAGE WAR with the devil, and DESTROY his kingdom. —Adam Clarke’s Commentary.
4. That He might ESTABLISH His Church. Although it is not stated here, yet the Scriptures prove it, 1 Corinthians 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”
a. They were FIRST in the Church, and these same men are later associated with the Jerusalem Church.
b. There are MANY PROOFS that the Church was STARTED BEFORE the day of Pentecost.
5. This Church would then BE ABLE to carry out His work AFTER He went back to the heavenly Father, Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be WITNESSES UNTO ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
C. The PEOPLE of the Calling, vv. 16-19
1. They were apostles, but they DISCIPLES FIRST, Luke 6:13, “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.”
a. Disciple means a follower, learner or pupil of another, John 8:31, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”
b. Apostle means a messenger, one sent forth with orders, Luke 6:13, “And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;”
2. They were all saved EXCEPT JUDAS, John 12:4, “Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him,”
3. They were from DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS such as fishermen and a tax collector.
D. The Problems of the Calling, vv. 20-21.
1. Such a crowd came that there was no place for eating, v. 20; Mark 2:2, “And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.”
2. Friends misunderstood Him, v. 21; Greek: “They who were of Him.” Family.
3. They thought He was beside Himself, v. 21; 2 Corinthians 5:13, “For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.”
III. THE SERVANT TEACHES DOCTRINE vv. 22-35
A. Jesus Charged with Using Satan’s Power, vv. 22-30.
1. The accusation made, v. 22; Matthew 10:25, “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?”
a. Even His enemies could see that He cast out devils, Matthew 9:34, “But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.”
b. Beelzebub is a different spelling of Baalzebub, which means, “LORD OF FLIES,” 2 Kings 1:1-3, 6, 16, “Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. 2 And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease. 3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? 6 And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. 16 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.”
c. In v. 22, he is called the prince of devils. BEELZEBUB means, “lord of the house,” which is a name of Satan, the prince of evil spirits.
2. His answer is given in PARABLES, vv. 23-27; Psalms 49:4, “I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.”
a. He called the Jerusalem scribes to Himself as one desirous that they should be convinced and asked, “How can Satan cast out Satan?” v. 23.
b. If Satan was divided against himself, his kingdom could not stand, vv. 24-26; James 3:16, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
1) The strong man is Satan or devils, v. 27; Isaiah 49:24, “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?”
2) The house is the poor sinner who is possessed.
3) Christ BINDS the strong man. v. 27; Isaiah 49:25, “But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”
3. The awesome sin, vv. 28-30.
a. They committed this UNFORGIVABLE sin by saying that Jesus did His work by the POWER of an UNCLEAN SPIRIT.
b. They saw His person and His work, yet they BELIEVED NOT.
c. A saved person is SEALED and CANNOT COMMIT THIS SIN, Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are SEALED unto the day of redemption.”
d. This passage is not a refuge for the Charismatics, tongues speakers, and snake handlers.
1) They are FAKERS, FALSE TEACHERS, and HERETICS and are NOT doing the work of God at all.
2) It was a SIN to ATTRIBUTE the true work of the Holy Spirit TO SATAN.
3) IS IT NOT ALSO A SIN of the same magnitude TO DO SATAN’S WORK and THEN ATTRIBUTE THAT WORK TO THE HOLY SPIRIT?
B. Jesus Changes Relationships, vv. 31-35
1. His mother and half brothers were outside calling Him, vs. 31-32.
a. Friends had tried to hinder Him in v. 21.
Note: “Not his spiritual friends, his disciples and followers, that believed in him; but his kinsmen, …who were so according to the flesh; when they heard where he was, and what a crowd was about him, so that he could not so much as take the necessaries of life for his refreshment and support.” —John Gill’s Expositor.
b. Now His own fleshly relatives are there to hinder, whether they meant to do so or not.
Note: “A pathetic picture of the mother and brothers standing on the outside of the house thinking that Jesus inside is beside himself and wanting to take him home. They were crowded out.” —A. T. Robertson’s Word Picture of the New Testament.
2. Spiritual relationship is more important than physical relationship, vs. 33-35; Luke 2:49, “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”
3. Our DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES to Christ and His church are NOT TO BE NEGLECTED, just TO PLEASE FAMILY members. Many Baptists do not seem to understand this.
—Outline by E. L. Bynum; Revision by Art Davison
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Why were some in the synagogue watching Jesus?
2. How did He respond to their criticism?
3. Why was He angry with them?
4. Why did multitudes follow Him?
5. Why did He ordain the twelve?
6. Why do we believe that at this time He established the Church?
7. Where did the scribes say that He got His power?
8. How did Jesus answer their accusation?
9. Why cannot a saved person commit the unforgivable sin?
10. Who does Jesus say are His mother and brother?
11. Recite the memory verse.