RSV ~ Mark 3 Notes

Mk 3:4 | ISB Notes

Is it lawful … ?: Jesus implies that doing good for the sake of mercy or necessity does not constitute a violation of the Sabbath. One should abstain from servile works, not good works. or to kill?: An alarming alternative to saving life. Common sympathy might allow for the preservation of life on the Sabbath, but not its destruction.

• Jesus may allude to the precedent of 1 Macc 2:41, where the Jews temporarily suspended Sabbath observance to permit defensive warfare. This was necessary in order to save life from military attacks on their sacred day of rest. If Israel could sidestep the Sabbath to preserve life, then surely Jesus can heal a man’s hand on the same day. See note on Lk 6:9.

Mk 3:6 | ISB Notes

Pharisees … Herodians: Two religious and political groups in NT Palestine. They held opposite political stances and outlooks on Jewish life but stood united in their opposition to Jesus (CCC 574). See note on Mk 12:13.

Mk 3:7-12 | ISB Notes

Jesus gains widespread popularity with the crowds. Although they perceive him as a powerful healer and exorcist, the demons know his true identity as God’s Son (3:11). Jesus’ popular appeal here stands in contrast to 3:6 and the resentment of the Pharisees and Herodians.

Mk 3:14 | ISB Notes

he appointed twelve: Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before selecting the apostles (Lk 6:12).

• The number of apostles is symbolic: as the 12 sons of Jacob were representatives of Old Covenant Israel (Gen 49:3-28), so Jesus gathers 12 patriarchs to found his New Covenant people in the Church (Mt 19:28; Rev 21:12-14; CCC 551, 765).

to be sent out: An apostle is “one who is sent out” as a messenger or emissary (cf. Mt 10:5; CCC 858).

See chart below: The Twelve Apostles.

Mk 3:22 | ISB Notes

Beelzebul: A pagan god worshipped at Ekron (see Baalzebub, 2 Kings 1:2-16). The name probably meant “Prince Baal”. The scribes use it as a disdainful title for Satan.

by the prince of demons: It was commonly held that weaker demons could be exorcised by more powerful ones. The scribes wrongfully attribute Jesus’ power to the sorcery of Satan, the most powerful demon of all (Mt 9:34; 10:25; CCC 548).

Mk 3:24-25 | ISB Notes

By ascribing the power of Jesus to Satan, the scribes reveal their own collaboration with the devil’s kingdom. Satan’s house will fall because Christ will conquer him, not because his demons are weakened by divisions within their own ranks (Heb 2:14; 1 Jn 3:8). .

Mk 3:29 | ISB Notes

an eternal sin: The scribes utter blasphemy by attributing to Satan what is actually the work of the Holy Spirit (3:22, 30). Their sin is not unforgivable in principle since no sin can place us beyond the reach of God’s mercy. However, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a form of rebellion that is particularly grievous because it blinds people to their own need for forgiveness; in this case, sins are unpardonable when they are not confessed with contrition (CCC 1864).

• The sin against the Holy Spirit was prefigured in the OT when the Israelites fashioned the golden calf (Ex 32:1-6). Instead of giving worship and thanks to Yahweh for their deliverance, they honored as their true redeemer an idol of their own making (Ex 32:4).

Mk 3:32 | ISB Notes

your brethren: Jesus’ cousins or related kinsmen (CCC 500). See note on Mt 12:46.

Mk 3:35 | ISB Notes

the will of God: Obedience to the Father is more important than being related to Jesus biologically. Baptized Christians are children of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus through the Holy Spirit (Jn 1

:12; Rom 8:29; Heb 2:10-11). Membership in this New Covenant family is maintained through a life conforming to God’s will (Mt 7:21). brother … sister … mother: Christ widens the scope of his spiritual family to include his disciples, not to exclude his Mother or his biological relatives. See note on Mt 12:50.