MARK 3:7 TO MARK 7:37. A new stage in the work of Jesus. Up to this point Christ's ministry is purely Galilean in scene, actors and horizon alike. Now crowds come from long distances and from all parts of the country. The attention of the religious authorities at Jerusalem is drawn to Him (_cf._ Mar... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SABBATH HEALING WHICH DETERMINED PHARISAIC HOSTILITY. (See p. 666.) Mk. links this synagogue incident with his first (Mark 1:21) by the word again. Jesus is no longer unknown; He is suspect. Another healing in a synagogue may be used as the basis of a charge against Him. He challenges with a que... [ Continue Reading ]
An editorial paragraph descriptive of the new development in the ministry. It is made up of popular generalizations, from which we gather that Jesus had to protect Himself against growing crowds by retiring from the cities to the sea-shore, and by securing a boat as a shelter. His work of healing an... [ Continue Reading ]
THE APPOINTMENT OF THE TWELVE. That Jesus associated with Himself an inner circle of twelve men is not open to reasonable question. If the number twelve be mythical, it must be suggested by the twelve tribes of Israel. The fact that His own ministry was confined to Israel, makes it natural for Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ANSWER OF JESUS TO THE VERDICT OF THE JERUSALEM SCRIBES AND THE INTERVENTION OF HIS FAMILY. The introduction of this section would naturally link with Mark 3:6. Jesus returns home (presumably, to the house of Simon in Capernaum) after the second scene in the synagogue in Mark 3:1. Mk. has broken... [ Continue Reading ]