The Gospel According to Mark 3:20-30

Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables:

“How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.”

“Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation’– because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

You are welcome to ask questions, share comments, or to request prayer, as we study God’s Word together. The following is a brief review of our current lesson:

His Own People

Jesus constantly faced the rejection of the religious and political leaders of the day because He threatened their status quo. Undoubtedly, it was far more painful and challenging for Jesus to deal with the way His own people rejected Him. God’s children are frequently misunderstood or criticized, as we try to walk with God, particularly by those who we grew up with, as family members or friends. Jesus warns us that, as believers, we will be hated.

He has Beelzebub

The scribes (the lawyers of the day) sent by the religious leaders in Jerusalem, accuse Jesus of being possessed by Satan (Beelzebub). In essence, they were denying that Jesus’ authority, and power, was from God.

Beelzebub – is another name for Satan, the Devil, or Lucifer. The name, Beelzebub, came from the patron god of the Philistines in ancient Palestine. He was also identified with the god of Ekron, Baal-Zebub. Satan is the ruler of the demons and his fallen angels who were all cast out of heaven to earth.

A Kingdom Divided Against Itself

One of the saddest conditions of the body of believers is division. We are told that there are many members, but one body (Romans 12:4 & 5); thus, it is a very grievous situation when we are involved in, or hear about, division within the church. Christ warns that if we become divided against one another, we cannot stand.

However, there is a big difference between dividing because of selfishness, envy, and strife, and dividing with those who have become false teachers.

Throughout the New Testament we are exhorted to be unified, and our walk with fellow believers should be one of building up and encouragement.

Blaspheme Against the Holy Spirit

To, “blaspheme” is to speak of, or address, God with irreverence, or to take His name in vain.

Jesus adds more emphasis on the severity of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, in that it is an unpardonable sin: it cannot, or will not, be forgiven; thus, salvation becomes impossible. This is a sin whereby, a person’s heart has turn cold; whether willfully and deliberately, or not, they reject the mercy of God, and ascribe the work of the Holy Spirit as evil, and unto the Devil.

So, blaspheming the Holy Spirit is denying that His work is of God. This is a sad and serious situation, in that, the person guilty of this sin is subject to eternal condemnation. This has troubled many. Some feel totally defeated and hopeless before God, convinced that they have committed this unpardonable sin. But is it really possible for a child of God to commit this sin?

Never! Jesus said in John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”

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