Mark 3
Luke 3 opens the door to Jesus’ public ministry just before it begins in earnest, through the ministry of John the Baptist, the “crying voice in the wilderness.” This chapter can be divided into four main parts. First, John the Baptist’s appearance and ministry (verses 1–6). Second, exhortation regarding John’s call to repentance and the fruit of life (verses 7–14). Third, the scene in which Jesus is baptized and the presence of the Holy Spirit (verses 15–22). Finally, Jesus’ genealogy (verses 23–38) is recorded.
1verseHe entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there whose hand was withered.
2verseThey watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him.
3verseHe said to the man whose hand was withered, “Stand up.”
4verseHe said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do harm? To save a life or to kill?” But they were silent.
5verseWhen he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.
6verseThe Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
7verseJesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,
8versefrom Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him.
9verseHe spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn’t press on him.
10verseFor he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him.
11verseThe unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him and cried, “You are the Son of God!”
12verseHe sternly warned them that they should not make him known.
13verseHe went up into the mountain and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him.
14verseHe appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach
15verseand to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:
16verseSimon (to whom he gave the name Peter);
17verseJames the son of Zebedee; and John, the brother of James, (whom he called Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder);
18verseAndrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;
19verseand Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Then he came into a house.
20verseThe multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
21verseWhen his friends heard it, they went out to seize him; for they said, “He is insane.”
22verseThe scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons.”
23verseHe summoned them and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?
24verseIf a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25verseIf a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26verseIf Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can’t stand, but has an end.
27verseBut no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder unless he first binds the strong man; then he will plunder his house.
28verse“Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme;
29versebut whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.”
30verse—because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
31verseHis mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
32verseA multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, “Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside looking for you.”
33verseHe answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”
34verseLooking around at those who sat around him, he said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers!
35verseFor whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and mother.”
John the Baptist’s Appearance and Message
Against the historical backdrop in which the Roman emperor and Israel’s rulers are mentioned, God’s word comes to John in the wilderness. He fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy and proclaims a baptism of repentance. John is introduced not as a mere moral crier, but as someone who carries the prophetic authority of the Old Testament.
Exhortation on Repentance and the Fruit of Life
John warns against the idea that the Jews of that time claim righteousness based solely on their bloodline as “descendants of Abraham,” and emphasizes that true repentance must be revealed in a change of life—that is, in “worthy fruit.” He also presents practical examples tailored to various groups of people (such as tax collectors and soldiers), showing that faith cannot be separated from real life.
Jesus’ Baptism and the Presence of the Holy Spirit
People wonder whether John is the Messiah, but John points instead to Jesus, saying, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming.” When Jesus receives baptism, the heavens open, the Holy Spirit comesssss down like a dove, and God’s voice is heard. This scene is an important event that reveals Jesus’ identity and mission.
The Genealogy of Jesus
In the final section (verses 23–38), Jesus’ genealogy is recorded. This genealogy shows Jesus as the representative of all humanity, rising from Adam and, even further, to God. Luke emphasizes that Jesus is “the Son of God” and the Savior for everyone.
Points for Reflection
- What is true repentance, and how can it be revealed through the fruit in my life?
- The genealogy of Jesus reminds us of God’s salvation for all people. How am I receiving the universality of this gospel?
Try Applying It to Me
- Let’s examine how “the fruit of repentance” is being put into practice in my life today.
- In the place where I belong (home, workplace, society), let’s practice one concrete way to share with someone the love and hope of the gospel.
As part of Coupang Partners activities, this post may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.