New Testament Studies

The Gospel of St. Mark

By Robert C. Crowder

Lesson Sixteen

Mark 3:7-12 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.  And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

In the last study, Jesus healed a man with a withered hand.  The Scribes and Pharisees were in contention with Jesus because the man was healed on the Sabbath.  The Scribes and Pharisees immediately began dealing with Herodians to “destroy” Him.  The Jewish Herodians were in league with the local Roman government under Herod Antipas.  It is important to remember that Herod the Great is the one who searched out Jesus using the “wise men.”  He died a year or so after that event.  In his stead the Romans assigned Herod Antipas to govern in Galilee and some other countries, but not Judea. The Herodians attempted to make Herod the Great the Messiah.  Upon his death, they turned to Herod Antipas.  They had befriended Rome and favored many of the same things the Romans did such as the building of theaters and coliseums.  Their love for power and control didn’t stop with the Romans; they also accepted many other Gentile customs especially concerning building temples to idols.  The Herodians and the Sadducees often “thought” right down the same lines.

The passage we are studying today takes place immediately following the departure of the Scribes and Pharisees to deal with the Herodians.

“But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea”

Jesus withdrew from the scene and departed to the Sea of Galilee, or to the isolated desert regions that surrounded the sea.  There, Jesus and His followers would find seclusion and avoid the Scribes, Pharisees and the Herodians plans against His life.  His time had not yet come.  Jesus vigilantly took care of His life and by so doing was giving a living lesson to His followers, and that includes us today, that we should not unnecessarily put our lives in danger.

As we remember from earlier lessons, Capernaum was Jesus’ hometown and was located on the Sea of Galilee.  Capernaum was a busy commercial city with a harbor and a major trade route.  Jesus needed to get away from the throng and seek peace and comfort.  This is the first time that we find Jesus “withdrawing” from the crowds.

“and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.”

A great multitude was following Jesus because they “had heard what great things he did” and were following Him.  The map at the left details the cities and towns from which the multitudes came from.

Judea is the region marked in the lower section of green on the map.  It was a large area and ultimately was where Jesus ventured to spread the Gospel.

Jerusalem is in Judaea and yet Mark lists it separately.  We can only guess why, but remember for the Jew, the walled city of Jerusalem was the focal point of their lives even if they didn’t live there.  It was not only the location of the Temple, but was also the political center of the region.  It was the capital, the place of wealth, and honor, and power.

Idumaea is mentioned next and inhabited by the Edomites.  Remembering your Jewish history, this is the land that was given to Esau, one of the sons of Isaac (Genesis 25:30).  From them sprang Herod the Great.

From beyond Jordan. This term is used for all those areas that were on the east side of the Jordan River.  Almost all the sacred writers lived on the west side of Jordan.

Tyre and Sidon. These were very old magnificent coastal cities of Phoenicia. Tyre is mentioned twenty-four times in the Old Testament (location of some of the materials for the building of the Temple, 2 Chronicles 2:11-16).  Its inhabitants were great merchants and the cities splendor was so well known that they were always a target of conquering countries; Babylonians, Egyptians, and Romans.  Tyre was situated about twenty miles south of Sidon.

So it is with this geographical lesson we learn just how much Jesus’ fame had spread.  It also shows us that people were willing to make the long trip just to see Jesus and be healed by Him.  Can you imagine the travelers as they made their way to Capernaum?  This was no army in the military sense, but this was the forming of the Army of the Lord.  These recruits wanted to be changed, they wanted to be made whole, and they wanted to be set free.

Each night they would seek shelter and food along the roads.  Some could afford to stay in inns while others would just “camp out.”  Due to Jesus’ fame they would meet other strangers on the pilgrimage.  Wouldn’t it be interesting to sit around the campfire with them and hear the stories they have heard about Jesus.  With awe, vigilance and deep seeded hope they came.  And as they did, others joined them.

In the movie, “The Wizard of OZ,” Dorothy was following the yellow brick road on the way to speak to the wizard in hopes of finding a way to return to Kansas.  As she did, she met others that had needs and she convinced them to go along with her, “surely the wizard will help you get a heart, brain and courage.  We all know that the movie was a dream that Dorothy had and the Wizard had no powers to help. 

In my minds eye, the way that Dorothy gave hope to the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion is likened to the way I see these pilgrims fanning the flames of hope to others as they traveled on their journey.  Hope and healing were waiting at the end of the road.  Can’t you hear them convincing others to make the trek?  “I have heard that Jesus heals the sick, I am sure he could heal your daughter!  Why don’t you come along with us?  We are going to see this Healer.” Good news is hard to hold in. 

The way by which these pilgrims sought out Jesus should be the same approach we use today.  We need to point others to the one who healed us.  Touch those that need to be changed.  Give testimony to those that want to be healed from their sins.  Receive joyfully those that desire to be set free.   Ask others to join you in your journey to see the Healer, Jesus Christ.

I am reminded of the words to the song “He Touched Me” by Bill Gaither.

Shackled by a heavy burden,
'Neath a load of guilt and shame,
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, oh He touched me,
and oh the joy that floods my soul.
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.

Since I met this blessed Savior,
Since he cleaned and made me whole,
I will never cease to praise Him,
I'll shout it while eternity rolls.

He touched me, oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul.
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.

He touched me and made me whole.

Words and music by William J. Gaither, copyright 1963

“And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.”

Jesus was always teaching and mentoring His followers.  In this instance asking His followers to go and retain a small ship and make it ready to sail showed Jesus’ love for the group that is around Him, as well as those seeking Him out.  They must move from the place in order to find rest from the throng of people.

In order to really understand Jesus’ concerns, we only need to read the paper or watch the news on the mentality of people when they get in a “mob” circumstance.  People seeking to escape a fire in a nightclub trample other people to death.  Can you imagine the shear terror of the situation, knowing that you must escape and then fall?  As they are fleeing they start stepping on those that have fallen with the only thought of escape.  People making the long journey were single minded in purpose, “They must see Jesus.  He can heal them, and give them the Gospel.”  They were pushing so close Jesus feared for His safety and those that surrounded Him.

Jesus was protecting everyone by seeking a means of escape.    The Sea of Galilee was close and four of His five close followers were fishermen and knew how to obtain a boat and how to sail it once they were in it.  He was also making a way for those that He would be ordaining later that day.  He was directing the path of the men he was preparing, to set them apart , “that should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach. And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.”(Mark 3:14)

Jesus needed to make sure that He would have the undivided attention of those He would call.

“For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.  And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.”

For those of you that have been following our study in Mark, you will recognize that we have been witness to this same scene several times.  We are getting accustomed to Jesus healing the sick and casting out unclean spirits.  In this case as soon as the unclean spirits see Jesus they fall down and cry out “Thou art the Son of God.”  Jesus charges them to be quite.   We have seen Jesus demand that the unclean and evil spirits do not announce Him for who He is.

Jesus’ concern is that these unclean spirits are not fit to preach Jesus as the Christ.  A truth out of devils would render the truth suspect.  The time was not yet come to announce the full manifestation of who He really was.  As we will learn that time comes after His resurrection.

ã 2002 bobsbiblestudies