Verse-by-verse study

Mark 3 · Notes

Provisional

Reading Guide
Main Text: Primary translation — readable but faithful to Greek structure. Notes: Essential Greek features immediately below each verse.

How the text is marked:
Words in italics — added for English grammar (not in the Greek text)
wind/spirit — a word the Greek leaves open to two meanings, both kept
"…" — direct speech of God or Yeshua (Jesus)

Notes are tagged by type — Critical · Lexical · Grammatical · Theological — each shown with its colour (see the legend at the top of the Notes view).

This chapter turns conflict into formation. The sabbath healing of the withered hand triggers the first death-plot (3:6). Yeshua withdraws to the sea amid huge crowds, silences the unclean spirits who name him, appoints the Twelve, and answers the charge that he casts out demons by Beelzevul — including the saying about an unforgivable blasphemy "against the holy wind/spirit." He redefines family around doing the will of God. Mark uses "kingdom" and "house" imagery; the divine speech of Yeshua is marked throughout.

CriticalLexicalGrammaticalTheological

Supplementary — patterns across the chapter

1

And he entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there having the withered hand.

"WITHERED HAND" — *EXĒRAMMENĒN

ἐξηραμμένην … τὴν χεῖρα (
exērammenēn … tēn cheira*) = "the withered/dried-up hand." The perfect participle implies a settled, chronic condition. The definite article ("the hand") treats the man's affliction as known.
2

And they were watching him closely, to see whether he will heal him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him.

"WATCHING CLOSELY" — *PARETĒROUN

παρετήρουν (
paretēroun*) = "were watching closely / lying in wait." The imperfect signals sustained, hostile surveillance; the goal is an accusation (κατηγορήσωσιν), not understanding.
3

And he says to the man having the withered hand, "Rise into the middle."

"INTO THE MIDDLE" — PUBLIC ACT
- ἔγειρε εἰς τὸ μέσον (egeire eis to meson) = "rise into the middle." Yeshua makes the healing deliberately public, confronting the surveillance directly. Marked as divine speech (Rule 30 — Yeshua speaking).
4

And he says to them, "Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to kill?" But they were silent.

CRITICAL — "TO DO GOOD … OR TO KILL?"
- ἔξεστιν τοῖς σάββασιν ἀγαθὸν ποιῆσαι ἢ κακοποιῆσαι, ψυχὴν σῶσαι ἢ ἀποκτεῖναι = "Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to kill?" The question reframes the sabbath around preserving life (a recognized principle: saving life overrides the sabbath). The stark pairing exposes the watchers, who intend harm (v.6) on the very day they would forbid healing. "They were silent" (ἐσιώπων). Confidence: VERIFIED [TEXTUAL]. Marked as divine speech (Rule 30).
5

And looking around at them with anger, grieved at the hardness of their heart, he says to the man, "Stretch out the hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

CRITICAL — YESHUA'S ANGER AND GRIEF
- μετ᾽ ὀργῆς, συλλυπούμενος ἐπὶ τῇ πωρώσει τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν = "with anger, grieved at the hardness of their heart." Mark alone records Yeshua's anger and grief (Matthew and Luke omit it). πώρωσις (pōrōsis) = "hardening/callousness." The healing is by word alone ("stretch out the hand"); no work is performed by Yeshua's hands. Confidence: VERIFIED [TEXTUAL]. Marked as divine speech (Rule 30).
6

And the Perushim (Pharisees), going out, immediately were giving counsel with the Herodians against him, as to how they might destroy him.

CRITICAL — THE FIRST DEATH-PLOT
- συμβούλιον ἐδίδουν … ὅπως αὐτὸν ἀπολέσωσιν = "were giving counsel … how they might destroy him." Already in chapter 3 the opposition turns lethal. The Ἡρῳδιανοί (Hērōdianoi, "Herodians") — supporters of the Herodian dynasty — are otherwise opposed to the Perushim (Pharisees); their alliance shows the breadth of the hostility. The death-plot frames the whole Gospel. Confidence: VERIFIED [TEXTUAL].
7

And Yeshua (Jesus) withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from the Galil (Galilee) followed; and from Yehudah (Judea)

WITHDRAWAL + GROWING CROWD
- ἀνεχώρησεν (anechōrēsen) = "withdrew" — a strategic retreat from the plot, yet the crowds only grow. The geographic catalogue (vv.7–8) emphasizes the reach of his fame.
8

and from Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) and from Idumea and beyond the Yarden (Jordan) and around Tsor (Tyre) and Tsidon (Sidon), a great multitude, hearing what he was doing, came to him.

TSOR, TSIDON — TT TRANSLITERATION
- Τύρος (Tyros) = Tsor (Hebrew צֹר); Σιδών (Sidōn) = Tsidon (Hebrew צִידוֹן) — Phoenician coastal cities. Ἰδουμαία (Idoumaia) = Idumea (Edom). The list spans Jewish and Gentile-adjacent regions, north and south.
9

And he told his disciples that a little boat should stay ready for him because of the crowd, so that they might not press upon him;

THE BOAT AS REFUGE
- πλοιάριον (ploiarion) = "little boat." The crowd-pressure motif (1:33,45; 2:2) intensifies; the boat keeps an escape from being crushed (θλίβωσιν, "press upon").
10

for he healed many, so that they fell upon him in order to touch him — as many as had afflictions.

"AFFLICTIONS" — *MASTIGAS

μάστιγας (
mastigas*) = literally "whips/scourges" — used figuratively for diseases ("afflictions/scourges"). They "fell upon him" (ἐπιπίπτειν) to touch him, expecting healing by contact.
11

And the unclean spirits, whenever they beheld him, were falling before him and crying out, saying, "You are the Son of God."

CRITICAL — THE SPIRITS' CONFESSION (NOT DIVINE SPEECH)
- σὺ εἶ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ (sy ei ho huios tou theou) = "You are the Son of God." Spoken by the unclean spirits — a non-divine speaker — so it is not marked as divine speech (Rule 30), exactly as at 1:24. The demons know his identity; the messianic-secret motif requires silencing it (v.12). The TT records their words in ordinary quotation.
12

And he was sternly warning them many times that they should not make him known.

MESSIANIC SILENCE EXTENDED
- πολλὰ ἐπετίμα (polla epetima) = "was sternly warning many times." The silencing now covers the demons' confession of sonship (cf. 1:34). The secret extends from miracles to identity.
13

And he goes up into the mountain and calls to him those whom he himself wanted, and they went off to him.

THE MOUNTAIN; "WHOM HE WANTED"
- τὸ ὄρος (to oros) = "the mountain" — a place of revelation/appointment in the HB pattern (Sinai). οὓς ἤθελεν αὐτός = "whom he himself wanted" — the initiative is entirely his.
14

And he made twelve, [whom he also named emissaries,] that they might be with him and that he might send them to proclaim

CRITICAL — "MADE TWELVE" + TEXTUAL VARIANT
- ἐποίησεν δώδεκα (epoiēsen dōdeka) = "he made twelve." The number evokes the twelve tribes of Israel — a symbolic reconstitution. The clause "[whom he also named emissaries]" (ἀποστόλους, apostolous, "sent-ones") is textually disputed (present in א, B, C* a.o.; absent from others — possibly imported from Luke 6:13); NA28 brackets it. The two purposes — "be with him" and "be sent" — define the role. Confidence: UNCERTAIN [TEXTUAL] (for the bracketed clause).
15

and to have authority to cast out the demons.

DELEGATED AUTHORITY — *EXOUSIA

ἐξουσίαν (
exousia*) = "authority" — the same word as 1:22,27; 2:10. The Twelve are given a share in the authority Yeshua exercises (proclamation + exorcism).
16

[And he made the twelve,] and he put the name Kefa (Peter) on Shimon (Simon),

KEFA — TT TRANSLITERATION
- Κηφᾶς / Πέτρος → Kefa (Peter): Aramaic כֵּיפָא (Kefa, "rock"), rendered into Greek as Petros. Mark says he "put the name" (ἐπέθηκεν ὄνομα) on Shimon — a renaming with significance. The opening "[And he made the twelve]" repeats v.14 and is textually uncertain.
17

and Ya'aqov (James) the son of Zavdai (Zebedee) and Yochanan (John) the brother of James — and he put on them the name Boanerges, which is "sons of thunder" —

BOANERGES — MARK'S OWN GLOSS
- Βοανηργές, ὅ ἐστιν Υἱοὶ Βροντῆς (Boanērges, ho estin Huioi Brontēs) = "Boanerges, which is 'sons of thunder.'" Mark transliterates a Semitic nickname and glosses it himself — a recurring Markan habit (cf. 5:41; 7:34; 15:34). The TT keeps the transliteration and Mark's own translation.
18

and Andreas (Andrew) and Philippos (Philip) and Bar-Talmai (Bartholomew) and Mattai (Matthew) and Toma (Thomas) and Ya'aqov the son of Chalfai (Alphaeus) and Taddai (Thaddaeus) and Shimon the Kena'ani (Cananaean)

THE TWELVE — TT TRANSLITERATIONS
- Βαρθολομαῖος = Bar-Talmai ("son of Talmai"); Μαθθαῖος = Mattai (Matthew); Θωμᾶς = Toma (Aramaic "twin"); Θαδδαῖος = Taddai (Thaddaeus). Σίμων ὁ Καναναῖος = Shimon the Kena'ani — from Aramaic qan'ana ("zealous"), i.e. a Zealot (so Luke 6:15), not "from Cana." The TT keeps the transliteration and notes the sense.
19

and Yehudah Ish-Keriot (Judas Iscariot), who also handed him over.

YEHUDAH ISH-KERIOT — TT TRANSLITERATION
- Ἰούδας Ἰσκαριώθ = Yehudah Ish-Keriot. "Iscariot" likely = ish Keriot ("man of Keriot," a Judean town), distinguishing him from other bearers of the common name Yehudah. ὃς καὶ παρέδωκεν αὐτόν = "who also handed him over" — the same verb (paradidōmi) used of John (1:14) and later of Yeshua's arrest.
20

And he comes into a house; and the crowd comes together again, so that they were not even able to eat bread.

THE PRESSING CROWD (FRAME)
- This opens a "sandwich" (intercalation): the family's approach (vv.20–21) frames the Beelzevul (Beelzebul) dispute (vv.22–30) and resumes at vv.31–35 — a characteristic Markan structure.
21

And hearing it, those who were his own went out to seize him, for they were saying that he is beside himself.

"HIS OWN … HE IS BESIDE HIMSELF"
- οἱ παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ (hoi par' autou) = "those who were his own" — most naturally his family (resumed in v.31). ἐξέστη (exestē) = "he is beside himself / out of his mind." Mark records the family's alarm bluntly; the TT does not soften it. (Family's speech; not divine.)
22

And the scribes who had come down from Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) were saying that he has Beelzevul (Beelzebul), and that by the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.

BEELZEVUL — TT TRANSLITERATION
- Βεελζεβούλ (Beelzeboul) = Beelzevul — a name for the ruler of the demons, likely from a Semitic title ("lord of the [exalted] dwelling," or polemically "lord of dung/flies"; cf. Baal-zebub, 2 Kings 1:2). The scribes' charge: his exorcisms are demonic, not divine. (Scribes' accusation; not divine.)
23

And calling them to him, he was speaking to them in parables: "How can the Satan cast out the Satan?

"THE SATAN" — *SATANAS

σατανᾶς (
satanas) = "the Satan" (Hebrew ha-satan*, "the adversary"), as at 1:13. The opening question exposes the incoherence of the charge: division within the demonic realm would be self-defeating. Marked as divine speech (Rule 30 — Yeshua speaking, vv.23–29).
24

And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand;

A KINGDOM DIVIDED
- βασιλεία … μερισθῇ (basileia … meristhē) = "a kingdom divided." The first of paired analogies (kingdom, house) establishing that internal division means collapse — refuting the Beelzevul charge.
25

and if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

A HOUSE DIVIDED
- οἰκία (oikia) = "house/household." The parallel to v.24; "house" resonates with the family frame (vv.20–21,31–35) — a deliberate echo within the intercalation.
26

And if the Satan rose up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but has an end.

"HAS AN END" — *TELOS

τέλος ἔχει (
telos echei*) = "has an end." The logic completed: a self-divided Satan would be finished, not effective — so the exorcisms cannot be Satan's work.
27

But no one is able, entering into the house of the strong one, to plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong one, and then he will plunder his house.

BINDING THE STRONG ONE
- τὸν ἰσχυρόν … δήσῃ (ton ischyron … dēsē) = "binds the strong one." The "strong one" (Satan) must be bound before his "house" can be plundered — i.e. the exorcisms presuppose Satan already being overpowered. Echoes Isaiah 49:24–25 (taking spoil from the mighty).
28

Truly I say to you that all things will be forgiven the sons of men — the sins and the blasphemies, whatever they may blaspheme;

"AMEN I SAY TO YOU" — *AMĒN

ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν (
amēn legō hymin*) = "truly/amen I say to you" — a solemn introductory formula. οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων = "the sons of men" (humanity). The breadth of forgiveness is stated before the one exception (v.29).
29

but whoever blasphemes against the holy wind/spirit has no forgiveness for the age, but is guilty of an eternal sin" —

CRITICAL — BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY WIND/SPIRIT
- εἰς τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον (eis to pneuma to hagion) = "against the holy wind/spirit" — the pneuma slash is kept (the divine spirit, as in 1:8). οὐκ ἔχει ἄφεσιν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα = "has no forgiveness for the age" (aphesis again; eis ton aiōna = "to the age / forever"). ἁμαρτήματος αἰωνίου = "an eternal sin." The context (v.30) defines the blasphemy: calling the holy spirit's work the work of an unclean spirit. The TT renders the saying without softening its severity. Confidence: VERIFIED [TEXTUAL]. Marked as divine speech (Rule 30).
30

because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit."

CRITICAL — THE NARRATOR DEFINES THE BLASPHEMY
- ὅτι ἔλεγον· πνεῦμα ἀκάθαρτον ἔχει = "because they were saying, 'He has an unclean spirit.'" The narrator pins the "eternal sin" to a specific act: attributing the holy spirit's work to an unclean spirit. Pneuma akatharton ("unclean spirit") takes no slash — "wind" is not in view. (Scribes' words, reported by the narrator; not divine.)
31

And his mother and his brothers come, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.

THE FAMILY RESUMES (FRAME CLOSES)
- The mother and brothers (the family of vv.20–21) arrive and stay outside — a spatial contrast with those "around him" (v.34). Mark names neither the mother (Miryam) nor the brothers here; the focus is relational position.
32

And a crowd was sitting around him, and they say to him, "See, your mother and your brothers and your sisters outside are seeking you."

"AND YOUR SISTERS" — TEXTUAL NOTE
- καὶ αἱ ἀδελφαί σου ("and your sisters") is present in some witnesses (A, D a.o.) and absent from others (א, B, C, K, L); the TT includes it in italics as text-uncertain. The crowd relays the family's request. (Crowd's speech; not divine.)
33

And answering them he says, "Who is my mother and my brothers?"

THE REDEFINING QUESTION
- τίς ἐστιν ἡ μήτηρ μου καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου; = "Who is my mother and my brothers?" Not a denial of family but a redefinition, answered in vv.34–35. Marked as divine speech (Rule 30 — Yeshua speaking).
34

And looking around at those sitting around him in a circle, he says, "See, my mother and my brothers.

"LOOKING AROUND" — THE NEW CIRCLE
- περιβλεψάμενος … κύκλῳ (periblepsamenos … kyklō) = "looking around … in a circle." The gesture identifies those seated around him as the redefined family. Marked as divine speech (Rule 30; continues to v.35).
35

For whoever does the will of God, this one is my brother and sister and mother."

CRITICAL — FAMILY REDEFINED BY THE WILL OF GOD
- ὃς … ἂν ποιήσῃ τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ = "whoever does the will of God." Kinship is reconstituted around obedience to God rather than blood — "brother and sister and mother" (no "father," perhaps reserving that for God). The TT renders the reconstitution without drawing the inference for the reader. Confidence: VERIFIED [TEXTUAL]. Marked as divine speech (Rule 30).

Glossary

Ἡρῳδιανοί (*Hērōdianoi*)HerodiansSupporters of the Herodian dynasty; allied with the Perushim
ἐξουσία (*exousia*)authorityDelegated to the Twelve (3:15); cf. 1:22,27; 2:10.
δώδεκα (*dōdeka*)twelveEvokes the twelve tribes of Israel.
Βοανηργές (*Boanērges*)sons of thunderMark's own gloss of a Semitic nickname.
Βεελζεβούλ (*Beelzeboul*)BeelzevulA name for the ruler of the demons (cf. Baal-zebub, 2 Kings
σατανᾶς (*satanas*)the SatanHebrew ha-satan, "the adversary."
πνεῦμα (*pneuma*)wind/spiritSlash for the holy spirit (3:29); "unclean spirit" (3:30) wi
ἀμήν (*amēn*)truly / amenSolemn introductory formula (3:28).
τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ (*to thelēma tou theou*)the will of GodThe criterion of the redefined family (3:35).

Supplementary — patterns across the chapter

CROSS-CHAPTER TRACKING (HB -> Mark)
Exodus 20:8–11 / Deuteronomy 5:12–15 -> Mark 3:4 — sabbath and life:

ElementHB sabbath lawMark 3:4
Commandrest on the sabbath(presupposed)
Principle drawnrest, release, life"to do good … to save a life" overrides
Question posedgood vs. harm, save vs. kill


Yeshua frames the sabbath around preserving life — coherent with the rationale of rest-as-gift (Deut 5:14–15) rather than rest-as-restriction.

The Twelve Tribes -> Mark 3:14–19 — "he made twelve":

ElementTwelve Tribes of IsraelMark 3:14
Numbertwelve sons/tribestwelve appointed
Functionconstitute Israelconstitute a new core around Yeshua
Symbolismcovenant peoplereconstituted people (implied, not stated)


Isaiah 49:24–25 -> Mark 3:27 — plundering the strong:

ElementIsaiah 49:24–25Mark 3:27
Imagetaking prey/spoil from the mightyplundering the strong one's house
ConditionYHWH contends and rescuesthe strong one must first be bound


The exorcisms presuppose the "strong one" (Satan) already overpowered — the spoil can be taken only after the binding.



END OF MARK 3 — THE TRANSPARENT TRANSLATION (ENGLISH)

"A translation with nothing hidden."