Read: Mark 3:13-35 NLT – Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles – Bible Gateway
“Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.” Mark 3:27 NLT
In last Sunday’s Biblical Insights Jesus was becoming a notable popular figure. People were coming from all over Israel and some from outside the nation to hear Jesus teach and witness His healing miracles. Many of them came to be healed themselves from whatever affliction they had. This week the teachers of the Law in Jerusalem, the hierarchy of the religious rulers, have begun to take notice as news about Jesus filtered down to them. They make the trip to Capernaum to defy Jesus. These religious rulers accuse Jesus of being in league with Satan stating it was by Satan’s power He was performing these miracles. Jesus uses a simple illustration to prove them wrong.
But first things first. Our reading this week begins with Jesus choosing the rest of His twelve disciples. “Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him.” (Mk.3:13 nlt) Jesus’ choosing of all twelve was according to His sovereign determined purpose, including Judas Iscariot. These disciples minus Judas would go on to set the foundation of the Christian church.
The crowds were continuing to follow Jesus who is now with His disciples. “One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.” (Mk.3:20 nlt) Most likely this was Peter’s and Andrew’s home where they often met. The news of Jesus’ activities apparently was heard in Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown. Jesus’ family had come to Capernaum to get Jesus away from the crowds for some rest. Evidently, they were concerned for His wellbeing. They had thought He had lost His mind. Unfortunately, this showed an attitude of unbelief from those who knew Him best. New Christians today who come to faith in Christ at times come across as crazy, or not in their right mind by those closest to them.
The religious leaders from Jerusalem having arrived try to reason with the crowd telling them, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.” (Mk.3:22 nlt) Jesus now uses His illustration to disprove the Jewish leader’s theory. Basically, Jesus is saying if He was working for Satan, why would he be casting out Satan’s demons. Besides, He asked them, “How can Satan cast out Satan? A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.” (Mk.3:23-24 nlt) Jesus added Satan would be fighting with himself and could not stand.
Jesus then clears up any misunderstanding there may be in His illustration. He refers to Satan as a strong man in his house (his domain). Jesus asks who is strong enough to enter Satan’s domain to tie him up and plunder his goods. There is only one who is stronger, Jesus, and He has come to do just that. Jesus was declaring the kingdom of God has arrived, and He is plundering Satan and releasing those who are under his control. Jesus is not in league with Satan but in combat with him.
When the religious leaders attributed Jesus’ miracles to Satan and that He was possessed by an evil spirit they were blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Jesus had something to say about that. “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.” (Mk.3:28-29 nlt) That may sound confusing, after all doesn’t God forgive all sin when confessed? Yes, He does. So, what’s the difference? What Jesus is saying is when one equates spiritual good (the Holy Spirit) with spiritual evil (Satan) it hardens the heart to the point of making repentance and forgiveness impossible. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes, “The essence of the eternal sin is the attitude of heart that underlies the act. This is a fixed, unrepentant state of mind that persist in defiant rejection of the Holy Spirit.” (1)
Chapter 3 closes with the changes in human relationships in the kingdom of God. Jesus’ mother and brothers who came to see Him sent word to Him inside requesting to come out and talk with them. Jesus responded, ‘“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ Then he looked at those around him and said, ‘Look, these are my mother and brothers.” (Mk.3:33-34 nlt) Jesus was not showing disrespect for His mother or brothers but was teaching us a very important truth about God’s kingdom. Those who know the Lord and are obedient to His will is God’s family. The relationship we have with Christ in the family of God is more important than our human family relationships. Jesus came to set us free from the power of Satan and provide us with eternal life for all who accept Him as their savior, and we are then placed in God’s family. That’s the gospel of Jesus Christ.
(1) Pfeiffer, Charles F., Harrison, Everett F. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1990. Pg 995
Word for the Soul 