JESUS’ FAMILY

Mark 3:20-35

Key Verse: 3:35

“Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

1. Read verses 20-21. What was the event right before this one? (13-19) How is the life of Jesus and the disciples described here? What was the response of Jesus’ family members when they heard about Jesus’ lifestyle? Why did those who loved him oppose him?

²⁰Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. ²¹When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

2. Read verses 22-30. How did the teachers of the law accuse Jesus? What did they know about his ministry? What was Jesus’ answer? How does Jesus describe the gospel ministry? By whom did Jesus drive out demons? (Mt 12:28) Why is blaspheming the Holy Spirit so serious?

²²And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons." ²³So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? ²⁴If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. ²⁵If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. ²⁶And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. ²⁷In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. ²⁸I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. ²⁹But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." ³⁰He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit." 

<Mt 12:28> But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

3. Read verses 31-35. What did Jesus say when he heard that his mother and brothers were outside? Who are Jesus’ family members? Why is it important to be Jesus’ family members? (Mt 7:21) How did Jesus regard his disciples? (Jn 20:17) What is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus? Are you doing the will of God?

³¹Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. ³²A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." ³³"Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. ³⁴Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

<Jn 20:17> ¹⁷Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "

<Mt 7:21> ²¹"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.