New Testament Studies

The Gospel of St. Mark

By Robert C. Crowder

Lesson Eighteen

Mark 3:19b-21 “and they went into an house.  And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.”

In our last study, Jesus called the twelve men who would be with Him until He returned to His Father.  These men would be referred to as “The Twelve”, “The Galileans”, “Apostles”, “Jesus’ Followers” or the most common term of “Disciples.”

“and they went into an house”

After Jesus “calleth unto Him whom he would:” (Mark 3:13) they left with Him and “went into a house.”  We do not know who’s house it was or where it was located.  There is a line of reasoning that states that Jesus would naturally return to Capernaum.  Home to Jesus in this area was Peter’s house.  It would make sense that Jesus would take the twelve chosen men home with Him for from this point in time, they are always with Jesus.  Jesus ministry does not cause Him to leave Galilee until much later.

“And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.”

As Jesus and His disciples enter the house the scripture continues to say that the people found out that Jesus was back in town.  They must have dispersed while Jesus was gone and when they found out that Jesus and the Disciples were “back in town” they gathered in huge crowds around the house.  To a point, this must have been very unnerving at times for Jesus and His followers.  Those that were gathered were so many that Mark says that “the multitude cometh together.”  They crowded around the house just to get a glimpse of Jesus.  They desired to be close to Him for a variety of reasons.

Place yourself in Capernaum and in this “multitude.”  Wouldn’t it be exciting to see Jesus?  What questions would you ask Him?  If you think that is far fetched, that is the way it will be in heaven.  I think of the many questions I have here on earth that will be answered there.  My dad used to say, “When you get to heaven you won’t remember all the questions you have here on earth.  In heaven you have all the answers.  You will be with the Savior, Jesus Christ.”  I can’t wait, how about you?

All those people, all the time created a real problem for Jesus and the Twelve.  They could not enjoy a meal or rest.  Jesus could not even begin the process of “equipping” the disciples for their new life.

I remember my first Crowder family reunion.  The Crowder’s are from the Eden, North Carolina area.  I was so excited as we drove the family Pontiac from Denver, Colorado to North Carolina.  There would be my grandpa, aunts and uncles some of which I had never met.  But I was really looking forward to meeting all my cousins for the first time.  It was a long trip but finally we were driving into the driveway of where my grandpa Crowder lived.  It was so exciting everyone was there.  The reunion started on a Friday and continued through the weekend.  I remember after a time just wanting a place to sit down by myself for just a few minutes.  I loved my new found family and all we did was play.  But I needed some rest and would have liked some time alone.  I am sure that Jesus and the disciples must have felt the same way.   At least I could sit down at the picnic table and eat (many times each day if I remember correctly).

“And when his friends heard of it”

Who are these friends?  Well interesting enough the word used for “friends” means “Those from the side of him.”  In most cases it means “from the same womb.”  So if we take that translation of the word then it means that Jesus’ family heard about all that was happening.  Later in the chapter we see that Jesus’ Mother, brothers and sisters approach the house where Jesus is staying.  The reports must have really concerned them for the next section of scripture says that;

“they went out to lay hold on him”

“Went out” does not mean that they were in the house with Jesus but rather they heard the stories and rumors all the way from Nazareth and decided it was time “to take hold of, to seize” Him by force and against His will if need be.  They loved their son and brother, but enough was enough He had “lost it.”  It is always amazing to me that those people closest to Jesus did not immediately understand what He was doing.  His own family showed the type of care any family would, but they just didn’t get it.  They missed the whole emphasis of His work in spreading the Gospel.

“for they said, He is beside himself.”

These words speak for themselves.  Jesus’ family really thought He was “out of His mind and more to the point, to be insane.”  Their thoughts were that Jesus was in an unhealthy state of mind.  In the book of Acts we are introduced to Festus telling us that he felt that Paul had “gone mad.”  “And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.” (Acts 26:24)

The immense popularity of Jesus’ ministry created a need to explain what and why it was happening.  The Bible shows us speculation about it from various points of view.  Herod (Matthew 14), the Friends of Jesus, and the Pharisees all had their theories about Jesus and His ministry.

Jesus was simply doing what He was supposed to do, “being about His Father’s business.”  It is important that you remember this about people.  Know that when you are SOLD OUT for Jesus, those around you, even your family may think that you have “lost it.”  You will have everyone telling you why you should not be doing what God has led you to do.  Even those that call the name of Christ as their Saviour may not understand and try to “get hold of you, because you must have gone off the deep end.”

Jesus understood.  He understands now.  He’s been there.  

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points empted like as we are, yet without sin.

ã 2002 bobsbiblestudies