Mar 3:6-12 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 6. Straightway . Immediately; or, as soon as possible. Took counsel . Laid a plan, Consulted with them. Literally, "made a consultation." The Herodians . . How they might destroy him . They hated him for his holiness; because he reproved them; because he laid open their hypocrisy; and because he won the hearts of the people, and lessened their influence. They therefore determined to remove him, if possible, and thus avoid his reproofs. Sinners would often rather put to death the man that reproves them, than to forsake their sins. The Pharisees had rather commit any crime, even to the murder of the Messiah, than forsake the sins of which he rebuked them. (d) "the Herodians"

Mark 3:6-12

Verse 6. Straightway. Immediately; or, as soon as possible.

Took counsel. Laid a plan, Consulted with them. Literally, "made a consultation."

The Herodians. Mt 22:16.

How they might destroy him. They hated him for his holiness; because he reproved them; because he laid open their hypocrisy; and because he won the hearts of the people, and lessened their influence. They therefore determined to remove him, if possible, and thus avoid his reproofs. Sinners would often rather put to death the man that reproves them, than to forsake their sins. The Pharisees had rather commit any crime, even to the murder of the Messiah, than forsake the sins of which he rebuked them.

(d) "the Herodians" Mt 22:16 Verses 7,8. To the sea. The sea of Galilee. Or, to the desert and lonely regions which surrounded the sea, where he might be in obscurity, and avoid their designs against his life. His time had not yet come, and he prudently took care of his life; thus showing that we are not needlessly to throw ourselves into danger.

Galilee. See Mt 2:22.

Judea. See Mt 2:1.

Jerusalem. Jerusalem was in Judaea. It is mentioned particularly to show that not only the people of the surrounding country came, but also many from the capital, the place of wealth, and honour, and power.

Idumaea. The country formerly inhabited by the Edomites; in the time of the Saviour, the most southern part of the land of Canaan. The word Idumaea is a Greek word, made from the Hebrew Edom. It signifies the land of Edom, a name given to Esau, one of the sons of Isaac, Gen 25:30. The word signifies red, and was given to him because he sought of Jacob red pottage, as the price of his birthright. He settled in Mount Seir, (De 2:6,) on the south of the land of Canaan, and the country of Idumaea was bounded by Palestine on the north. During the Babylonish captivity, the Edomites spread themselves into the country of Judaea, and occupied a considerable part of the south of Palestine. They had, however, submitted to the rite of circumcision, and were incorporated with the Jews. From them sprang Herod the Great.

From beyond Jordan. From the east coast of the river Jordan. The sacred writers lived on the west side of Jordan ; and by the country beyond Jordan, they meant that on the east side.

Tyre and Sidon. Mt 11:21.

(e) "great multitude" Lk 6:17 Verse 9. A small ship. Rather, a boat. There were, properly speaking; no ships on the sea of Tiberias. This was probably a small boat that belonged to his disciples, in which he could sit, off from the shore, and teach the people, without being pressed by them.

Lest they should throng him. They pressed upon him in great numbers. He had healed many; and those who were still diseased pressed or crowded on him, so as to endanger his life. He therefore withdrew from the multitude, and sought a situation where he might be free from danger.

As many as had plagues. As many as had diseases, or maladies of body or mind. The word plague, now confined to the pestilence, does not express the meaning of the original, and tends to mislead. Verse 10.

(f) "healed many" Mt 12:15, 14:14 (1) "they pressed upon him" or, "rushed" Verses 11,12. Unclean spirits. Persons who were possessed of evil spirits.

Thou art the Son of God. The Son of God, by way of eminence. In this place it is equivalent to the Messiah, who was, among the Jews, called the Son of God. Hence they were charged not to make him known, because he was not desirous that it should be blazoned abroad that he claimed to be the Messiah. He had not yet done what he wished to establish his claims to the Messiahship; he was poor and unhonoured, and the claim would be treated as that of an impostor, as it was afterwards, and would endanger his life. For the present, therefore, he did not wish that it should be proclaimed abroad that he was the Messiah.

This circumstance proves the existence of evil spirits. If these were merely diseased or deranged persons, then it is strange that they should be endowed with knowledge so much superior to those in health. If they were under the influence of an order of spirits superior to man--whose appropriate habitation was in another world--then it is not strange that they should know him, even in the midst of his poverty, to be the Messiah, the Son of God.

(g) "and unclean" Mk 1:24, Mt 14:33, Lk 4:41, Jas 2:19 Verse 12.

(h) "him known" Mk 1:25,34