Mark 3:7 Commentary and Bible Study

Instead of ‘a great multitude’, the Greek could be translated – although it would be very inelegant – ‘a multitudinous multitude.’ That would be an absolutely literal translation. A multitudinous multitude, a huge company of people, and then there are the details of where they have come from. They come from Galilee and Judaea and from the capital, Jerusalem. They come from the south and the far south-east and the extreme north, all these places. It is a measure of the compelling nature of the reports that went out from the places where Christ’s miracles were performed. They were believed without question. Nobody could deny that supernatural wonders had been taken place, not even the Pharisees. They were forced instead to take a foolish and ridiculous position and to attribute the miracles to the power of Beelzebub.But at this moment, because this is early in his ministry – he has three years to walk on earth, and to perform miracles, to teach and instruct his disciples – ‘Jesus withdrew himself to the sea [of Galilee].’ The Pharisees were already plotting to destroy him but Christ passed through all these troubles because he walked in the light, according to the will of his Father. The crowds were coming distances, and now the greatest distance of all – forty-five to fifty miles – ‘from about Tyre and Sidon.’ They had come from miles to Capernaum, which Christ had made his base for the time being, and where so many miracles had been done.