The ritualist demands the outward, the conventional, the ancient usage of the past. Christ says, "Be natural." The needs of man, whether of body or of soul, are greater than ceremonial restriction. Ceremonies are only expressions of life, and where life is wanting, they are meaningless and void.
The withered hand, Mark 3:1-6. Through long disuse of powers which God has given, but which we have refrained from exercising, degeneration may have set in; Christ, however, bids us exert them again. In so far as we dare to obey, we shall find ourselves able. Dare to speak, or pray, or work, not at the impulse of your nature, but at His bidding, and you will suddenly find yourself given power.
The Apostolate, Mark 2:7-19. On three occasions Christ used the boat as His pulpit, Mark 4:1; Luke 5:3. We must be disciples (learners), before we can be apostles (those sent). As the Father sent the Master, so the Master sends us. Our mission is threefold-to bear Him company, to perform His errands, and to cast out devils. What infinite variety in the apostolic band! The Boanergic group of four; the group of questioners who were sometimes doubters; and the group of practical men, whose business capacity was a snare at least to one. If there was a traitor even amid the Twelve, who can expect to find his fields free from tares? [source]
Chapter Summary: Mark 3
1Jesus heals the withered hand, 10and many other infirmities; 11rebukes the unclean spirit; 13chooses his twelve apostles; 22convinces the blasphemy of casting out demons by Beelzebub; 31and shows who are his brother, sister, and mother
Greek Commentary for Mark 3:19
He cometh into a house [ερχεται εις οικον] Historical present again and no article with noun. He comes home from the mountain, probably the house of Simon as in Mark 1:29. Mark passes by the Sermon on the Mount given by Matthew and Luke on the mountain (plateau on the mountain in Luke). We have to allow a reasonable interval for Mark‘s narrative. Mark‘s Gospel is full of action and does not undertake to tell all that Jesus did and said. [source]
Mark 3:17Boanerges, which is Sons of thunder [οανηργες ο εστιν υιοι βροντης] This Hebrew nickname is given only by Mark and the reason for it is not clear. It may refer to the fiery temperament revealed in Luke 9:34 when James and John wanted to call down fire on the Samaritan villages that were unfriendly to them. The word literally means sons of tumult, sons of thunder in Syriac. No other epithets are given by Mark save descriptions to distinguish as Simon the Cananaean (or Zealot) and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him (Mark 3:19). Andrew, (from ανηρ anēr a man) and Philip (Philippos, fond of horses) are both Greek names. Bartholomew, son of Tolmai, is the Nathanael of John‘s Gospel (John 21:2). He probably had both names. Matthew is a Hebrew name meaning gift of God Thomas is Hebrew and means Twin (Didymus, John 11:16). There are two uses of the name of James Thaddeus is another name for Lebbaeus. [source]
Greek Commentary for Mark 3:19
Historical present again and no article with noun. He comes home from the mountain, probably the house of Simon as in Mark 1:29. Mark passes by the Sermon on the Mount given by Matthew and Luke on the mountain (plateau on the mountain in Luke). We have to allow a reasonable interval for Mark‘s narrative. Mark‘s Gospel is full of action and does not undertake to tell all that Jesus did and said. [source]
See on Matthew 10:5. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 3:19
This Hebrew nickname is given only by Mark and the reason for it is not clear. It may refer to the fiery temperament revealed in Luke 9:34 when James and John wanted to call down fire on the Samaritan villages that were unfriendly to them. The word literally means sons of tumult, sons of thunder in Syriac. No other epithets are given by Mark save descriptions to distinguish as Simon the Cananaean (or Zealot) and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him (Mark 3:19). Andrew, (from ανηρ anēr a man) and Philip (Philippos, fond of horses) are both Greek names. Bartholomew, son of Tolmai, is the Nathanael of John‘s Gospel (John 21:2). He probably had both names. Matthew is a Hebrew name meaning gift of God Thomas is Hebrew and means Twin (Didymus, John 11:16). There are two uses of the name of James Thaddeus is another name for Lebbaeus. [source]