Mar 3:20-21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Mark 3:20-35: 3:20-35 This story about Jesus and his family (3:20-21 and 31-35 ) brackets a controversy story about Jesus’ exorcisms (3:22-30 ); this arrangement identifies Jesus’ family with the religious leaders in opposing him. 3:20 That Jesus and the disciples can’t find time to eat emphasizes Jesus’ great popularity with the crowds (3:7-9 ).

a3:20-35►

b3:20-21►

c31-35►

d3:22-30►

e3:20►

f3:7-9►

g3:21►

h3:31-35►

iJohn 7:3-5►

j1 Cor 15:7►

kActs 15:13-21►

‏ Mark 3:20-21

Summary for Mark 3:20-35: 3:20-35 ^a This story about Jesus and his family (3:20-21 ^b and 31-35 ^c) brackets a controversy story about Jesus’ exorcisms (3:22-30 ^d); this arrangement identifies Jesus’ family with the religious leaders in opposing him. 3:20 ^e That Jesus and the disciples can’t find time to eat emphasizes Jesus’ great popularity with the crowds (3:7-9 ^f).
3:21 ^g He’s out of his mind: Mark does not explain whether the attempt by Jesus’ family to seize him was motivated by sincere but misguided concern, or by hostility. Jesus’ brothers and sisters were not among his followers until after his resurrection (3:31-35 ^h; John 7:3-5 ⁱ; 1 Cor 15:7 ^j mentions James, the brother of Jesus, who became a leader of the Jerusalem church, Acts 15:13-21 ^k).