The Gospel of Mark Part 11
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Friends, Family, or Foes?
Friends, Family, or Foes?
25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
This statement is the theme of this entire passage.
Jesus is using this to teach that Satan’s “house” or his “kingdom” will fail if it is divided, which is Jesus’ response the the accusation of the scribes.
The word for “divided” here means to be subdivided
Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (μερίζω)
μερίζω merizō: to divide out; to be subdivided; to be severed by discord
This statement is true about Satan’s house, but it is also a true statement about any house or group of people.
A family that is divided against itself cannot stand.
A country that is divided against itself cannot stand.
A church that is divided against itself cannot stand.
All of these entities will fail if they are divided.
So as we explore this next series of Mark’s gospel, we must heed this warning:
Division = Failure
When division is allowed to creep in unchecked, failure is the result.
I. Jesus’ Friends
I. Jesus’ Friends
I. Jesus’ Friends
A. The Calling
B. The Called
16 Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.
Last time, we learned that the disciples seemed to have an organizational hierarchy within the group, which was divided up into three groups of four, each group having a leader.
Peter, James, John, and Andrew formed the first group.
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, and Thomas made up the second group.
And that is where we left off last week, so now let’s pick up here with the final group of four: James the less, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananite, and Judas.
B. The Called
Simon Peter
James
John
Andrew
Philip
Bartholomew (aka. Nathanael)
Matthew (aka. Levi)
Thomas
James (the Less)
Thaddaeus (aka. Lebbaeus, Judas)
Simon the Cananite (aka the Zealot)
Mark 3:18 (NKJV)
18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite;
This James is distinguished from James the brother of John both giving his father’s name (the other James’ father was Zebedee) and by the title “James the Less”:
Mark 15:40 (NKJV)
40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome,
The word “less” is “mikros” in Greek, which literally means “little”. This could have referred to his physical stature or even that he was much younger than the other James.
Mark 3:18 (NKJV)
18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite;
Thaddeus was the disciple with three names: Thaddeus, Lebbaeus, and Judas
Matthew 10:3 (NKJV)
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Both of these names mean essentially the same thing: tender-hearted, or a “heart-child”. This could also mean a “momma’s boy” in our modern venacular - which was not an insult as much as meaning that he might have been the youngest in his family…but more importantly that he had a tender heart…a gentle personality.
This was a man after Jesus’ heart. Listen to Jesus’ description of Himself found in this passage:
Matthew 11:29 (NKJV)
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
David was a man after God’s own heart, but it seems that Thaddeus was a man after the heart of Christ.
His other name, which was probably his given name, was Judas, which means, “Jehovah leads” - not any dishonor there, except that due to Judas Iscariot’s betrayal, that name always reeks of villainy and treachery.
In his gospel, the apostle John is careful to distinguish the two men:
John 14:22 (NKJV)
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
This verse also reveals his tenderheartedness.
He wants everyone to know His Jesus…He wants the world to know, and so without any pretense or arrogance, he asks the Lord this important question.
Mark 3:18 (NKJV)
18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite;
Simon the Cananite was a zealot.
Zealots were a Jewish extremist group dedicated to overthrowing the Roman empire.
The Zealots were assassins and terrorists.
The Zealots hated the Romans, and their goal was to overthrow the Roman occupation. They advanced their agenda primarily through terrorism and surreptitious acts of violence.
MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men Workbook (p. 175). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Luke 6:15 (NKJV)
15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;
The word Cananite and Zealot have similar definitions - to be completely committed to a cause or to a side.
This title also distinguished him from Simon Peter.
Jesus seems to have a way of joining people together that would otherwise have been enemies.
At one time in his life, Simon the Zealot would have gladly killed Matthew the tax collector, but because of their bond in Christ, they were now brothers - serving the Lord together!
B. The Called
Simon Peter
James
John
Andrew
Philip
Bartholomew (aka. Nathanael)
Matthew (aka. Levi)
Thomas
James (the Less)
Thaddaeus (aka. Lebbaeus, Judas)
Simon the Cananite (aka the Zealot)
Judas Iscariot
Mark 3:19 (NKJV)
19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.
Now we come to the one who is always listed last in any list of the disciples.
The word “Iscariot” is a compound word that describes where Judas was from (not a last name).
“Is” (“Ish”)= Man
“cariot” (“Kerioth”) = a town in southern Judea
“Ish” comes from the Hebrew word for “man”, and “Kerioth” was a small town in southern Judea, making Judas the only disciple not from the Galilee region.
Judas was called to follow Jesus, just like the others.
Judas was given the call to be with Jesus, to preach, heal, and cast out demons, just like the others.
Judas was an eyewitness to the miracles and both the public and private teachings of Jesus, just like the others.
But, unlike all the others, Judas never believed in Jesus.
John 6:64 (NKJV)
64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.
Out of this group of unbelievers stood one who would also betray Him.
Despite knowing that Judas would betray Him, Jesus called Judas to follow Him.
Ironically, Judas’s name means, “Jehovah leads”, yet no one was more led by Satan than this man.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,
Yet just a few verses after this, we read that Jesus washed Judas’s feet:
5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
John 13:10–11 (NKJV)
10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”
Judas plotted with the chief priests to betray Jesus for money.
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.
Judas went on to be the one to lead the soldiers to Jesus in Gethsemane:
45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.
This was prophesied in Psalm 41.9
9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
To Jesus, Judas’ kiss was like getting kicked in the face.
As we consider betrayal - have you ever been betrayed by a close friend or family member?
Even though Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas would betray Him, Jesus chose to treat Judas with love and even established a close friendship with him.
12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. 13 But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, And walked to the house of God in the throng.
Judas finally realizes what he has done - and is horrified with his sin,
5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Judas had a worldly sorrow for his sin that produced death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
II. Jesus’ Family - Part 1
II. Jesus’ Family - Part 1
II. Jesus’ Family - Part 1
A. Friends Become Like Family - Part 1
Mark 3:19 (NKJV)
19 ...And they went into a house.
So Jesus and the 12 called men, His disciples, go into a house.
They are a house united! Yes, Judas will eventually show his true colors, but no one has a clue about that yet. Even in the upper room, when Jesus gave the sign of the one who eats with me, they assumed that Judas was leaving to perform some financial obligation..they had no idea that he could possibly be the one to betray Jesus.
These 13 individuals would spend the next 3 years together constantly - eating together, travelling together, walking, talking, in ministry together.
They would forge a bond of brotherly love unlike most.
They went into this house UNITED together in love…not perfect love, as they would soon show…but they had a common bond in Jesus.
And now the crowds return
20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
Now the work of ministry begins in fervor.
So many people were trying to push in to see and touch Jesus, that there were no lunch breaks! No rest! No food! Only people, people, and more people!
And while we would commend such dedication and selfless love for the multitudes, there was one group of people that were, frankly, embarrassed by Jesus’ tireless activities.
II. Jesus’ Family - Part 1
A. Friends Become Like Family - Part 1
B. Family Becomes Like Foes - Part 1
Mark 3:21 (NKJV)
21 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.”
Notice that phrase, “His own people”.
This phrase has been debated by scholars over the years.
Some translations render “His family”, others, “His friends” and here, “His own people”.
We need to first look at the context - meaning the surrounding verses - to get the best understanding of the text.
One part of understanding context is understanding the human writer’s style. Although the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible, He allowed the human writer’s personality and style to stand out. That is why reading a Pauline epistle is so different from one written by John or James.
Here, we are reading Mark, so we look for “Markan” styles.
One literary device that Mark loves to use is what scholars call a
“Markan sandwich”
This is when Mark begins telling us one narrative, but then interrupts himself with a different narrative, only to go back and finish the first narrative afterwards.
So, you have a “sandwich” - like a grilled cheese - the two pieces of bread are the interrupted narrative, and the cheese is the second narrative that interrupts them.
Now that we are all hungry and are ready to be done, let’s continue!
I believe that this passage is a good example of a “Markan sandwich”.
In verses 20-21, we have the first piece of bread, verses 22-30 are the cheese, and then verses 31-35 are the other piece of bread.
A characteristic of these “sandwiches” is that, just like a real sandwich, they are connected in some way - like the hot cheese that melts into the bread- there is a common theme that ties the entire sandwich together.
And this one is no exception!
Look again at verse 21:
Mark 3:21 (NKJV)
21 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 now at verse 31:
Mark 3:31 (NKJV)
31 Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.
In verses 20-21, they are called His own people, and here, His brothers and mother.
So there are the two slices of bread: “His own people” and “His brothers and His mother”.
Now that we have the lay of the land, let’s go back and make our way through the passage, starting with the first slice of bread:
20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 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.”
Jesus’ family is embarrassed by Jesus but also concerned for His well-being.
The phrase, “lay hold” means to restrain or prevent someone from doing something.
The same word is used later in Mark 6:17
Mark 6:17 (NKJV)
17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.
Here, it means to place under arrest, which is, in effect, what Jesus’ family wanted to do to Him.
Mark 3:21 (NKJV)
21 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 Mark tells us why they wanted to do this - they thought He was literally going insane.
The wording means to be out of its place, or to be beside oneself:
2 Corinthians 5:13 (NKJV)
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
Of course, Paul here is using this term somewhat hyperbolically, but the meaning is still the same.
Why would Jesus’ family be concerned that He was losing His mind?
In his commentary on this passage, author David Guzik offers this list:
Six reasons why they would call Him crazy:
1. He left a prosperous business to become an itinerant preacher.
2. The religious and political leaders plotted to murder Him, but He did not back down (Mark 3:6). They were afraid for Jesus’ sake.
3. Huge crowds began to follow Jesus, and they knew how such fame and attention and celebrity could go to someone’s head (Mark 3:7-8).
4. He showed spiritual power and ministry He had never really shown earlier in His life (Mark 3:9-11). Was something very wrong?
5. He picked such an unlikely group of disciples that His judgment could fairly be questioned (Mark 3:13-19).
6. But there was one last straw: the pressures of this incredible ministry made Him miss regular mealtimes (they could not so much as eat bread)
Mark 3:21 (NKJV)
21 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.”
It’s as if Jesus’ family said, “Alright, enough is enough. You need to come home! It’s time to stop all this ministry nonsense and come back home and do all the things that you are supposed to be doing!”
Think of the incredible pressure that this placed on Jesus.
Even though He never gave in to it, He felt it.
So we have seen that Jesus’ friends (the disciples) have become like His family and His family has become like His foes.
Once again, we can be comforted by the fact that Jesus knows the pain of betrayal.
First, we see that Judas will turn against Him
Second, we see that His own family tries to stop Him and even accuses Him of insanity!
When we are betrayed - maybe you have experienced this or you are right now - we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus says, “I know exactly how you feel - I’ve been there.
Lord willing, next week, we will pick up right here, and dive into the “cheese” of this Markan sandwich!
You thought a charge of insanity was bad…the scribes decide to one-up that one! This will also show us the common theme that this sandwich has…the top slice of bread, the cheese, and the bottom slice are all connected with this theme of a house divided. And God has placed this in His word for us to learn from, to be encouraged with, and to apply to our lives today.
Friends, Family, or Foes?
Friends, Family, or Foes?
As we close, keep Jesus’ warning close to your heart this week - is there any hint of division in your life?
If not, pause to thank the Lord…If so, do what needs to be done to find unity in Christ.
Application Question: What needs to be done to find unity with others and in Christ in your life?
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