The Popularity of Jesus (Mark 3:7–12)

7 But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. 9 So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. 10 For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. 11 And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.” 12 But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.

I. Jesus withdrew (vv. 7-8)

A.Some suggest that Jesus’ withdrawal is really a “fleeing” from the plot.

The word translated “withdrew” can mean flee from danger, and therefore some have thought that Jesus was trying to avoid persecution (cf. v. 6). Others have suggested that it intimates his rejection of Judaism.

Probably it refers to nothing more than Jesus’ desire to extend his ministry beyond the towns and their synagogues.

B. The regions “beyond the Jordan” River were known at the time as Perea

These towns were not part of Israel. They indicate that Jesus’ popularity had extended beyond the nation, although many Jews lived in these regions.

All three of the areas were largely Gentile and probably symbolize the world beyond the land of the Jews (Judea and Galilee). Mark seems to have been suggesting that all peoples should seek Jesus and that they may be assured of acceptance.

II. Jesus got in a boat. (vv. 9-10)

A. The crowds were getting so large that a boat was made ready for Jesus.

Anyone who has been in a large crowd can appreciate the wisdom of this. To be the very center of a large crowd is a dangerous position indeed. The people followed him, but their devotion to him did not go beyond what he could do for them.

Although the religious teachers may have rejected him, the crowds did not; sometimes ordinary people can see what the theologians are blind to. The crowds continued to flock to Jesus, probably mostly for healing. On this occasion there were so many that Jesus had to sit in a boat in order to teach the people who were on the shore around. He also healed sick people and drove out demons, though he would not allow them to speak.

B. Jesus’ withdrawal to the lake signals an important change in his evangelistic strategy.

The synagogue was no longer the place where he preached the good news. The references to familiar themes like the popularity of Jesus as a healer and exorcist indicate that his appeal had not suffered. The size of the crowd (3:9) is much larger than anything Mark has described before, and for the first time Mark portrays a vast following of people from outside of Galilee.

These crowds were dangerous to His cause, of course, because they were not spiritually motivated; and the authorities could accuse Him of leading a popular revolt against the Romans. Yet Jesus received the people, healed the sick, and delivered the demonized.

III. Jesus commanded the Demons to be silent.

A. Like the people, the demons recognized something about Jesus.

The demons knew who Jesus was, and in 1:24 one called him “the Holy One of God.” Here they explicitly confessed that he is “the Son of God.” Theirs was, however, not a confession of commitment but of fear (cf. Jas 2:19) and even opposition.

One of the reasons Jesus silenced the demonic confession is that the title they used can be understood properly only in light of his death and resurrection. Therefore the time for such explicit confession had not come. Only at the crucifixion did a human being confess Jesus as Son of God.

B. When the demons identified him as Son of God, they were not trying to do him any favors.

The evil spirits recognized Jesus as the Son of God. God had called Jesus his ‘Son’ at his baptism (1:11), and the Roman officer would give the title to him at the cross (15:39). Jesus himself accepted it before the high priest at his trial, when there was no longer any need to hide it.

Jesus did not want the demons to give testimony to who he was. “In Scripture God has ordained that only those who have experienced divine grace shall witness or testify of Christ and his saving power. He does not employ either evil spirits or the angels as witnesses.” That is our privilege and our responsibility.