# Mark Chapter 3
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## Summary
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the sabbath and makes enemies of the Pharasee's. He withdraws to the sea in an attempt to escape the crowds. Jesus commans unclean spirits to not reveal who he is.

Jesus goes up the mountain and appoints twelve disciples before going home to Capernaum. His family attempt to silence Jesus and the scribes come down from Jerusalem to speak against him. Jesus accuses them of Blasphemy against the holy spirit and avoids a second attempt of his family to silence him.

## Imagery and themes

The theme identified in the previous chapter comes to a head in [3:6](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A6&version=ESV) and [3:28-30](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A28-30&version=ESV). Jesus here is in both word and action demonstrating the distinction between the good news of the Kingdom and the corruption of the old wineskin.

Jesus does this elegantly and on each occasion seeking to teach and course correct those who oppose him. In the case of the man with the withered hand Jesus challenges blind obedience to the law. When other seek to discredit him by calling into question the source of his power he warns the dangers of opposition to the advancement of the kingdom.

The author emphasises the shift of power symbolically as Jesus proceeds *up* the mountain calling up those he desires, and the religious individuals coming *down* from Jerusalem to accuse. It is consistent with the reordering of creation that is to occur with the coming of the Kingdom.

Interestingly his family attempt to put a stop to proceedings on two occasions once in [3:21](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A21&version=ESV) and again in [3:31](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A31&version=ESV). His rejection of his family might be seen as consistent with his rejection of the religious establishment. The coming of the Kingdom and adherence to will of God being the first priority from the old order of things.

Were it not for [3:28-30](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A28-30&version=ESV) a casual reader might consider Jesus as having gone the way of many an evangelical pastor; a victim of his own ego. We should however pay attention to what Jesus is saying, his rationale for his actions. This is perhaps most clearly expressed in his discussion of blasphemy of the spirit.

It is suggested that such blasphemy is conscious and hardened opposition to the truth "And the spirit is the one who testifies, because the spirit is truth" [1 John 5:6](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A6&version=ESV). This is consistent with the thematic issue in Mark 2 & 3 where opposition from the existing wineskin is a feature.