True Family: Disciples and Immediate Family
Text: 3:7-35
Comments:
1. 3:7-12, Leaving
the great crowd behind. Beginning from this point Jesus will concentrate
His effort on His disciples. We used to think that He was available to anyone
at any giving moment. Looks like Mark’s records identify the limits on Savior’s
time with the crowds. On one hand, we see that all who had diseases were trying
to touch Him (v. 10); on the other hand, Jesus ordered His disciples to get the
boat ready (v. 9) – sounds like a story from a spy or detective movie. This
creates a contrast or juxtaposition between His fame that covers a wide range
of territories: Galilee [North] – for sure, He was raised there, that’s
where the first miracle appeared; Judea and Jerusalem [Center] – people
from the capital and capital region: that’s a pleasant surprise; Idumea [South]
– that’s the country of Herod’s origine: a real surprise; looks like the real
people recognized who is the real King of the Jews; beyond the Jordan [East]
– He re-unites the 12 tribes, like no one before, cp. Numbers 32 and Joshua 22;10-35;
and [the final ones on the list] Tyre and Sidon [West] – this is the
lands that provided the cypress trees for the Temple building project. Now,
they send people to acknowledge Messiah.
2. 3:13-19, Selection
of 12 apostles. Three things: (1) He calls them to the mountain and on the
mountain; (2) the list of names; (3) the purpose of calling them or
apostleship. So, the first. Notice the order: He goes to the mountain, then
calls the ones He desires, they come. This is important in at least two aspects
– Jesus reveals Himself as the LORD, as YHWH (once more). It is obvious (for
example) from the title of the Book of Leviticus. Va-yikra – and He called (to
Moses). Second, He is in charge, He calls, as later we will see the purpose of
the call.
Names: We
have 3+8+1 structure: Simon (comment on his name change), James and John (John
is identified by his brother – interesting, right?), they are called brothers
of Thunder. Three main guys Jesus will involve in His ministry, see Mark 9:2-8.
Even though we know that Andrew is the brother of Simon, in Markian account he
is detached from the higher leadership, from the brother… He is in the same
list as the 8: Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of
Alpheus, Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot. The final guy – Judas Iscariot, who
betrayed Him.
The purpose
(v. 14-15): so He can send them – they represent Him, like ambassadors, they
don’t “play” on their own accord. They will be sent out to preach and have
authority over demons – just like Jesus. Cp. John 20:21-23.
3. 3:20-21, Family
thinks He is off. Knowing that James (the brother of the LORD) converted
(apparently, after resurrection 1 Corinthians 15:7), it’s interesting to see
that initially all the members of the family (including the Mother) thought
that He was mad… Overall, the passage is too complicated…
4. 3:22-30,
Scribes are accusing Him being demon possessed
There is an
interesting structure to the passage:
|
vv. 22-30 overall: |
Block b., 23-27 |
|
a. 3:22, Beelzebul b. 3:23-27,
separation of the kingdom and the house b’. 3:28-29,
the ultimate sin a’. 3:30, unclean spirit |
a. 23, satan b. 24,
kingdom c. 25,
house a’. 26, satan c’. 27,
house |
Main idea –
unity within the house/home. See how the word is used. Therefore, the ultimate
sin is an attempt to separate the work and persons of the Holy Trinity.
