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Contrasting Reactions to the Person of Jesus[a]

20 The Concern of Jesus’ Relatives.[b] Jesus then returned home,[c] and once again such a great crowd collected around them that they did not even find it possible to eat. 21 When his relatives heard about this, they went out to take charge of him, saying, “He has gone out of his mind.”

22 The Blasphemy of the Scribes.[d] Meanwhile, the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 3:20 In these verses, which are peculiar to Mark’s Gospel, the author highlights contrasting reactions to the person of Jesus. The crowds search him out. His relatives think he is out of his mind and understand nothing about his mission; they want to take him by force and bring him back to his own town.
  2. Mark 3:20 The foundation of the eschatological community is followed by this passage, which recounts the failure to comprehend even on the part of relatives and above all the hostile refusal of the leaders of Judaism to accept him.
  3. Mark 3:20 Home: i.e., Matthew’s house (see Mt 2:15).
  4. Mark 3:22 See notes on Mt 12:22-32 and 12:32.

Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law(A)(B)

20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered,(C) so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.(D) 21 When his family[a] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”(E)

22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem(F) said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul!(G) By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”(H)

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 3:21 Or his associates