Mark 3:20-35

Misunderstandings about Jesus

20 Jesus entered a house. A crowd gathered again so that it was impossible for him and his followers even to eat.

21 When his family heard what was happening, they came to take control of him. They were saying, "He's out of his mind!"

22 The legal experts came down from Jerusalem. Over and over they charged, "He's possessed by Beelzebul. He throws out demons with the authority of the ruler of demons."

23 When Jesus called them together he spoke to them in a parable: " How can Satan throw Satan out?

24 A kingdom involved in civil war will collapse.

25 And a house torn apart by divisions will collapse.

26 If Satan rebels against himself and is divided, then he can't endure. He's done for.

27 No one gets into the house of a strong person and steals anything without first tying up the strong person. Only then can the house be burglarized.

28 I assure you that human beings will be forgiven for everything, for all sins and insults of every kind.

29 But whoever insults the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. That person is guilty of a sin with consequences that last forever."

30 He said this because the legal experts were saying, "He's possessed by an evil spirit."

31 His mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside and sent word to him, calling for him.

32 A crowd was seated around him, and those sent to him said, "Look, your mother, brothers, and sisters are outside looking for you."

33 He replied, " Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"

34 Looking around at those seated around him in a circle, he said, " Look, here are my mother and my brothers.

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