Easy Bible・Mark 3

Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath

Key Passages

About this Chapter

In this chapter, Jesus enters a synagogue on the Sabbath and notices a man with a withered hand. The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so Jesus asks the man to stand up in front of everyone. Jesus then asks the Pharisees if it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to kill. The Pharisees remain silent. Jesus, feeling angry and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, heals the man's hand. The Pharisees then conspire with the Herodians to kill Jesus. Jesus then withdraws with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee follows him. Jesus heals many people, and the unclean spirits, when they see him, fall down before him and shout, 'You are the Son of God!' Jesus warns them not to reveal his identity. Jesus then appoints the twelve apostles, giving them authority to preach and to drive out demons. The names of the twelve apostles are listed. Jesus' own family comes to take charge of him, thinking he is out of his mind. The scribes from Jerusalem also accuse Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus responds by explaining that a house divided against itself cannot stand, and that by the power of the Holy Spirit, he drives out demons.