*Mark 2:23-3:19
Jesus defends his disciples picking grain on the Sabbath and heals a man with a withered hand, challenging religious rules and revealing his authority.
- Sabbath Controversy:
- Jesus and his disciples are walking through a grainfield on the Sabbath.
- Pharisees question why they’re picking grain, accusing them of breaking Sabbath laws.
- Jesus defends his disciples, citing David’s actions with the showbread in the temple.
- Jesus asserts his authority over the Sabbath, stating it is made for humanity, not the other way around.
- Healing on the Sabbath:
- Jesus enters a synagogue where a man with a withered hand is present.
- Pharisees watch closely to see if Jesus will heal on the Sabbath, intending to accuse him.
- Jesus asks if it is lawful to do good or harm on the Sabbath, then heals the man’s hand.
- Pharisees plot with the Herodians against Jesus.
- Crowds and Apostles:
- Jesus withdraws to the sea with his disciples due to the growing crowd.
- Many come from distant regions to see him, seeking healing and deliverance.
- Jesus instructs his disciples to prepare a boat to prevent being crushed by the crowd.
- He appoints twelve of his disciples as apostles, naming each one individually:
- Simon (Peter)
- James (son of Zebedee)
- John (brother of James, son of Zebedee)
- Andrew
- Philip
- Bartholomew
- Matthew
- Thomas
- James (son of Alphaeus)
- Thaddaeus
- Simon the Zealot
- Judas Iscariot, who later betrays Jesus.
- Jesus grants them authority to preach, cast out demons, and heal the sick.
2:23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? 2:25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? 2:26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
3:1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
3:3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
3:7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, 3:8 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.
3:9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
3:10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
3:12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.
3:13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.
3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: 3:16 And Simon he surnamed Peter; 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: 3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, 3:19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.