|
In this lesson:
Jesus picks His twelve. Was Jesus possessed? Study Tip: It helps tie the Bible together if you go back and review past lessons. |
Jesus and His twelve disciples
By an unknown artist |
Who was -
Thomas -
One of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:2-3), Thomas was also called Didymus, (Greek for twin). Despite saying he was willing to die with Jesus (John 11:16), Thomas fled with everyone else when Christ was arrested (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). When the other disciples told Thomas that they had seen the resurrected Jesus, Thomas didn't believe them (John 20:24-25). This is where the term "Doubting Thomas" comes from. Eight days later Thomas saw Jesus and was invited to place his finger inside Jesus' wounds (John 20:26-29). Thomas saw Jesus a second time on the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-2). After that, he became a faithful servant helping to spread Christianity. Today, the Christians of Malabar, India regard Thomas as the founder of their church and call themselves the "Thomas Christians".
James -
Sometimes called James the less or James the younger (because he was younger than the other disciple James). James was the son of Alphaeus (Luke 6:15) and Mary (Mark 15:40), one of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:1-3; Mark 3:14-18; Luke 6:13-15) and brother to the disciple Thaddaeus (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13; Jude 1:1), who was also called Jude, Judas or Juda.
Thaddaeus -
Also called Jude, Juda or Judas Lebbaeus surnamed Thaddaeus (Matthew 10:3), he was one of the original twelve disciples. He was the author of "The General Epistle of Jude" (Jude 1:1) and brother to James the less (Acts 1:13). At first, Judas did not believe Jesus was the Messiah (Mark 6:3), but eventually, he became a follower. Some Bible scholars believe he founded the church in Edessa. Jesus had two disciples named Judas, this one and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Him (Luke 6:16; John 14:22).
Judas Iscariot -
The son of Simon Iscariot (John 6:71; 12:4; 13:2; 13:26) and one of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16). Iscariot is Hebrew for "man of Kerioth," a town in southern Judea. Judas is the only one of the twelve disciples who was not a Galilean. Judas was a thief (John 12:6) who joined Jesus and was put in charge of the group's finances (John 13:29).
Jesus predicted that he would be betrayed (Matthew 26:21-25; John 6:70-71; 13:21). Sure enough, Judas betrayed the Messiah (Mark 14:10; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:2) for "thirty pieces of silver" (Matthew 26:14-16) and then committed suicide (Matthew 27:5) out of remorse. Whenever the Bible names the twelve disciples/apostles, Judas is always listed last (Matthew 10:2-4).
Thomas -
One of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:2-3), Thomas was also called Didymus, (Greek for twin). Despite saying he was willing to die with Jesus (John 11:16), Thomas fled with everyone else when Christ was arrested (Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). When the other disciples told Thomas that they had seen the resurrected Jesus, Thomas didn't believe them (John 20:24-25). This is where the term "Doubting Thomas" comes from. Eight days later Thomas saw Jesus and was invited to place his finger inside Jesus' wounds (John 20:26-29). Thomas saw Jesus a second time on the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-2). After that, he became a faithful servant helping to spread Christianity. Today, the Christians of Malabar, India regard Thomas as the founder of their church and call themselves the "Thomas Christians".
James -
Sometimes called James the less or James the younger (because he was younger than the other disciple James). James was the son of Alphaeus (Luke 6:15) and Mary (Mark 15:40), one of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:1-3; Mark 3:14-18; Luke 6:13-15) and brother to the disciple Thaddaeus (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13; Jude 1:1), who was also called Jude, Judas or Juda.
Thaddaeus -
Also called Jude, Juda or Judas Lebbaeus surnamed Thaddaeus (Matthew 10:3), he was one of the original twelve disciples. He was the author of "The General Epistle of Jude" (Jude 1:1) and brother to James the less (Acts 1:13). At first, Judas did not believe Jesus was the Messiah (Mark 6:3), but eventually, he became a follower. Some Bible scholars believe he founded the church in Edessa. Jesus had two disciples named Judas, this one and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Him (Luke 6:16; John 14:22).
Judas Iscariot -
The son of Simon Iscariot (John 6:71; 12:4; 13:2; 13:26) and one of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16). Iscariot is Hebrew for "man of Kerioth," a town in southern Judea. Judas is the only one of the twelve disciples who was not a Galilean. Judas was a thief (John 12:6) who joined Jesus and was put in charge of the group's finances (John 13:29).
Jesus predicted that he would be betrayed (Matthew 26:21-25; John 6:70-71; 13:21). Sure enough, Judas betrayed the Messiah (Mark 14:10; Luke 22:3-4; John 13:2) for "thirty pieces of silver" (Matthew 26:14-16) and then committed suicide (Matthew 27:5) out of remorse. Whenever the Bible names the twelve disciples/apostles, Judas is always listed last (Matthew 10:2-4).
The Gospel According to St. Mark
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
|
Mark: 3:7-35
Jesus draws crowds 7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, 8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. 9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. 10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. 11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. 12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known. 13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. 14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: 16 And Simon he surnamed Peter; 17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: 18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, 19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house. 20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. 22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. 23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. 28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. 30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. 31 There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. 32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. 33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? 34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. |
Margin notes:
"Tyre." (3:8) - A seaport city located on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea (thirty-five miles north-west of The Sea of Galilee, forty-seven miles north of Caesarea and twenty-five miles south of Sidon) populated mostly by Gentiles. Tyre dates back to the twenty-eighth century B.C. and was called Tyrus in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 26:2). Described as a beautiful city (Ezekiel 27:4), Tyre was well known for its cedar trees (1 Chronicles 22:4), dye works, glassware, weaving, and other manufactured goods. Isaiah 23:8 tells us that Tyre was a "crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth." Tyre supplied cedar wood, carpenters and masons to build the Temple in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:2-10; 2 Chronicles 2:3) but the city also had a reputation for wickedness. Its people turned against Israel and sold Hebrews into slavery (Joel 3:6-8). Tyre was destroyed by God in the Old Testament (Isaiah 23:1; Amos 1:9-10; Zechariah 9:3-4), but by Jesus' time the city had been rebuilt and boasted one of the finest harbors in the eastern Mediterranean. Ezekiel 27:3 describes Tyre as being "situate at the entry of the sea, a merchant of the people for many isles." Tyre's merchant's shipped goods throughout the Roman empire and made the city wealthy. Today, Tyre is called Sur and inhabited by just a few thousand residents. Tyre is mentioned extensively in Isaiah 23 and Ezekiel 26-28. "Sidon." (3:8) - Sometimes called Zidon. Sidon was a seaport city (Ezekiel 27:8) located on the Mediterranean Sea twenty-five miles north of Tyre (south of modern-day Beirut, Lebanon) and a one day sail from Caesarea. Mentioned in Joshua 11:8 and 19:28 as a great city, Sidon was inhabited by Gentiles who had a history of oppressing Jews (Judges 10:12). In the Old Testament Sidon was destroyed by God due to its pagan worship, but by Jesus' day Sidon had recovered and was a thriving fishing town with prosperous glass and weaving shops and was famous for its art, commerce, and cedar trees (1 Kings 5:6 and 1 Chronicles 22:4). Today, Sidon is home to about 10,000 people and boasts many ancient ruins. "A great multitude." (3:8) - Remember, Mark was written for a Gentile audience. This is the first mention of people from outside Israel coming to see and hear Jesus. Jews and Gentiles from Galilee, Judaea, Idumaea, and the cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Jerusalem and even people from beyond the Jordan River (3:7-8). This area covers over 125 miles north to south, and still, they walked to see and hear Jesus. So many people on the move must have created a buzz among the population and caught the attention of the authorities. "A small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him." (3:9) - A small boat was made ready to prevent the frenzied crowd from thronging Jesus. Sure enough, in verse 4:1-2 we see Jesus forced to use the vessel as a floating platform to address the people. "They pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues." (3:10) - The people pressed in on Jesus, frantically trying to touch him. Many were sick and diseased and wanted to be healed. "Unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God." (3:11) - Yes, even demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God. "He straitly charged them." (3:12) - Means, "He sternly warned them." This is not the first time Jesus warned a demon not to reveal His identity (1:24-25). "Calleth unto him whom he would." (3:13) - "Jesus called the ones He wanted." "He ordained twelve." (3:14) - Hundreds followed Jesus, but He chose twelve for the advanced training necessary to carry the church after His crucifixion. "To have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils." (3:15) - Jesus gave His twelve disciples the power to heal and to cast out demons (Luke 9:1). "The Sons of thunder." (3:17) - This nickname could refer to James' and John's boisterous personalities and their zeal when preaching the Gospel. However, most scholars believe they earned the nickname after they wanted to bring "fire" down from heaven to "consume" a Samaritan village that shunned them (Luke 9:53-54). "They went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself." (3:21) - Concerned friends tried to bring Jesus to safety, fearing He was overwrought. "Parables." (3:23) - Short, simple stories or metaphors that use well known life experiences to convey profound religious or moral truths. Parables had long been used in Judaism (Numbers 23:18; 24:3; Judges 9:7-15; 2 Samuel 12:1-4; Job 27:1; Ezekiel 24:3-5) and were a favorite teaching tool of Jesus. These down to earth stories make deep spiritual truths easier to understand for those willing to open their hearts and take the time to study their meaning. To scoffers and non-believers, parables are just silly, confusing riddles (Matthew 13:13; Mark 4:11-12). "If a kingdom be divided against itself." (3:24) - "If a kingdom fights against itself." "Spoil his goods." (3:27) - "Rob his property." "Verily I say unto you." (3:28) - This was a common expression in Jesus' time meant to show the truthfulness of what the speaker was about to say. Similar to "I promise you...." "And blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme." (3:28) - "And whatever or whoever they blaspheme." "Standing without." (3:31) - Means, "standing outside." |
See Matthew 12:15 (lesson 23) and Luke 6:17-19 to learn more about the large crowds and the miracles Jesus performed.
New Living Translation
Mark: 3:7-35
Crowds Follow Jesus
7 Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea,
8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.
9 Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him.
10 He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him.
11 And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, "You are the Son of God!"
12 But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was.
Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles
13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him.
14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach,
15 giving them authority to cast out demons.
16 These are the twelve he chose:
Simon (whom he named Peter),
17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder"),
18 Andrew,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,
Simon (the zealot),
19 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
Jesus and the Prince of Demons
20 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.
21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. "He's out of his mind," they said.
22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, "He's possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That's where he gets the power to cast out demons."
23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. "How can Satan cast out Satan?" he asked.
24 "A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.
25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.
26 And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive.
27 Let me illustrate this further. 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.
28 "I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven,
29 but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences."
30 He told them this because they were saying, "He's possessed by an evil spirit."
The True Family of Jesus
31 Then Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.
32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, "Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you."
33 Jesus replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
34 Then he looked at those around him and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers.
35 Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Crowds Follow Jesus
7 Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea,
8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.
9 Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him.
10 He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him.
11 And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, "You are the Son of God!"
12 But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was.
Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles
13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him.
14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach,
15 giving them authority to cast out demons.
16 These are the twelve he chose:
Simon (whom he named Peter),
17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder"),
18 Andrew,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,
Simon (the zealot),
19 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
Jesus and the Prince of Demons
20 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.
21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. "He's out of his mind," they said.
22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, "He's possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That's where he gets the power to cast out demons."
23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. "How can Satan cast out Satan?" he asked.
24 "A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.
25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.
26 And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive.
27 Let me illustrate this further. 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.
28 "I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven,
29 but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences."
30 He told them this because they were saying, "He's possessed by an evil spirit."
The True Family of Jesus
31 Then Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them.
32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, "Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you."
33 Jesus replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
34 Then he looked at those around him and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers.
35 Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him." (3:8)
"For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God." (3:10-11)
"And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils." (3:14-15)
"But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation." (3:29)
"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother." (3:35)
"For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God." (3:10-11)
"And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils." (3:14-15)
"But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation." (3:29)
"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother." (3:35)
Today's Question:
1. Why did the scribes claim that Jesus was possessed by demons? (3:22)
Please, let us know if you have questions. We will do our best to answer them.
1. Why did the scribes claim that Jesus was possessed by demons? (3:22)
Please, let us know if you have questions. We will do our best to answer them.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. The scribes accused Jesus of being possessed to discredit Him. They feared Jesus and saw Him as a threat to their prestige and authority. The more popular Christ became (3:7-11), the more He was attacked. The scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees were educated men who held a place of honor in Jewish society. Their position gave them credibility that allowed them to confuse people and sow doubt about Jesus. Their slander was so effective that during Christ's trial before Pontus Pilate the crowd gladly called for His crucifixion (Matthew 27:22-23; Mark 15:12-14; Luke 23:20-23; John 19:15-16).
Application thought for the day:
The twelve disciples were ordinary men with little education and no public speaking experience or leadership skills. What they did have was faith. After the crucifixion, God strengthened them with the courage and expertise they needed to spread His message. Don't limit yourself by thinking you lack the necessary skills to be an effective spokesperson for God. God will give you all the talent you need to complete any job that furthers His glory.
Free Bible course since 2007.
Your donations have helped spread the Gospel.
Please help us reach more unbelievers.
Your donations have helped spread the Gospel.
Please help us reach more unbelievers.
Visit us on social media below.
Explore hundreds of our original postings.
Explore hundreds of our original postings.
Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke