20 And come together again doth a multitude, so that they are not able even to eat bread; 21 and his friends having heard, went forth to lay hold on him, for they said that he was beside himself,
22 and the scribes who 'are' from Jerusalem having come down, said—'He hath Beelzeboul,' and—'By the ruler of the demons he doth cast out the demons.' 23 And, having called them near, in similes he said to them, 'How is the Adversary able to cast out the Adversary? 24 and if a kingdom against itself be divided, that kingdom cannot be made to stand; 25 and if a house against itself be divided, that house cannot be made to stand; 26 and if the Adversary did rise against himself, and hath been divided, he cannot be made to stand, but hath an end. 27 'No one is able the vessels of the strong man—having entered into his house—to spoil, if first he may not bind the strong man, and then his house he will spoil. 28 'Verily I say to you, that all the sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and evil speakings with which they might speak evil, 29 but whoever may speak evil in regard to the Holy Spirit hath not forgiveness—to the age, but is in danger of age-during judgment;' 30 because they said, 'He hath an unclean spirit.'
31 Then come do his brethren and mother, and standing without, they sent unto him, calling him, 32 and a multitude was sitting about him, and they said to him, 'Lo, thy mother and thy brethren without do seek thee.' 33 And he answered them, saying, 'Who is my mother, or my brethren?' 34 And having looked round in a circle to those sitting about him, he saith, 'Lo, my mother and my brethren! 35 for whoever may do the will of God, he is my brother, and my sister, and mother.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 3:20-35
Commentary on Mark 3:13-21
(Read Mark 3:13-21)
Christ calls whom he will; for his grace is his own. He had called the apostles to separate themselves from the crowd, and they came unto him. He now gave them power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. May the Lord send forth more and more of those who have been with him, and have learned of him to preach his gospel, to be instruments in his blessed work. Those whose hearts are enlarged in the work of God, can easily bear with what is inconvenient to themselves, and will rather lose a meal than an opportunity of doing good. Those who go on with zeal in the work of God, must expect hinderances, both from the hatred of enemies, and mistaken affections of friends, and need to guard against both.
Commentary on Mark 3:22-30
(Read Mark 3:22-30)
It was plain that the doctrine of Christ had a direct tendency to break the devil's power; and it was as plain, that casting of him out of the bodies of people, confirmed that doctrine; therefore Satan could not support such a design. Christ gave an awful warning against speaking such dangerous words. It is true the gospel promises, because Christ has purchased, forgiveness for the greatest sins and sinners; but by this sin, they would oppose the gifts of the Holy Ghost after Christ's ascension. Such is the enmity of the heart, that unconverted men pretend believers are doing Satan's work, when sinners are brought to repentance and newness of life.
Commentary on Mark 3:31-35
(Read Mark 3:31-35)
It is a great comfort to all true Christians, that they are dearer to Christ than mother, brother, or sister as such, merely as relations in the flesh would have been, even had they been holy. Blessed be God, this great and gracious privilege is ours even now; for though Christ's bodily presence cannot be enjoyed by us, his spiritual presence is not denied us.