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Wednesday, 4 December 2024

Mark 3:22,23 - He is possessed!

3:22

At about the same time the “teachers of the Law”, or Scribes, came down from Jerusalem. They were very aware that Jesus was repeatedly attracting large crowds, healing people, and casting out demons. It was the latter aspect that was to the fore here. They accused Him of being possessed by Beelzebul. Beelzebul means master of the house, and may be a corruption of Baalzebul. In effect they are accusing Him of using Satanic power to drive out demons. Note that they are accepting that He actually is driving demons out.


3:23

Jesus answered them by speaking parables. The point of using parables is to answer them obliquely. If a direct answer is given then people may just become defensive. There is a time for a direct response, but not always. By using a parable the opponent is more likely to consider the matter and possibly realise their error. “How can Satan drive out Satan?”  Jesus is clearly associating demons with Satan, and pointing out that the notion that Satan drives out Satan is ridiculous.


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