Mark 3:6-10

Mark 3:6 (KJB)
And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

This is the first account in Mark where the Pharisees had begun to plot to kill Jesus. The Pharisees would not answer Jesus on His questions but they were ready to do evil on the Sabbath. They now took counsel with the Herodians. They were the political supporters of Herod and the Pharisees hated them as much as they did Jesus. They saw Jesus as a bigger threat to them than the Herodians because Jesus would condemn their evil activities but the Herodians would not because they were just as evil as the Pharisees.

Up to this point they were just happy to criticize and accuse Him of various violations of the law. They now believed they had cause to have Him put to death because they believed that He violated the Sabbath by working on it. (Exo 31:14 KJV) Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Of course, by the time the Babylonian Talmud came down to the time of Jesus, there were at least 500 years worth of additions to it making it an impossible document to follow. They took it as an affront that Jesus healed on the Sabbath right in front of them, despite their objections. This would hurt their pride because they were used to being slavishly obeyed.

Mark 3:7 (KJB)
But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,

Jesus had known about the secret plot to destroy Him. (John 2:24 KJV) But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, So instead of any further confrontation with these false preachers and their new political allies, He had left their presence and as usual there were great crowds of people who followed Jesus. (Mat 12:15 KJV) But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; Not only did He heal the withered hand of that one man, but here He healed the sicknesses and maladies of the entire crowd which followed Him. Now the Pharisees could have hundreds of witnesses who were healed on the Sabbath day. Jesus had avoided disputes but He never avoided a need by someone.

Mark 3:8 (KJB)
And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.

Not only did the crowds follow Jesus from the Galilee area, but there was a great multitude from different areas. When you look at a map and see the vast amount of area this covers, you will then get a better picture of how far the report on Jesus had gone. The region of Idumaea was over 100 miles (161 km) to the south of Galilee. Tyre and Sidon was between 30-40 miles (48-64 km) northwest of Galilee. Beyond Jordan could have been Decapolis and Perea. The verse tells us that it was a great multitude, not just a little gathering. The key phrase in this verse is “when they heard what great things he did.” As soon as the people heard what Jesus was doing, they came from both far and near to seek Him out. It would have looked like the people going to the Passover in Jerusalem. The roads would have been crowded with people.

Mark 3:9 (KJB)
And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.

A “small ship” which we could identify as a rowboat was normally carried alongside of the larger vessel. Jesus had asked that it would be kept close by. Jesus had healed many people and now He was preparing for this crowd to throng Him and if necessary, He would get into the small boat for His protection. This crowd was beginning to get out of control. They were not sitting at His feet listening to Him teach but they were starting to push against Him believing that just touching Him would procure their bodily healing.

Mark 3:10 (KJB)
For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

Jesus had healed many people and it seemed the more He healed the more came to be healed. People just wanted to touch Him hoping to receive healing from their diseases. The verse tells us some had plagues. The Greek word is interesting behind it, it means “scourge.” It is the word used for “scourging” by a whip. What this verse is telling us is the people had such plagues or diseases causing them as much pain as if they had been scourged. Many must have had tremendous pain and that is why they wanted to be healed so badly. One of the diseases which causes massive pain is cancer, especially bone cancer which causes massive pain. Jesus had asked for that little boat to be ready for Him to use because He was in His humanity and he suffered from tiredness when events like this surrounded Him. Basically, Mark is giving us a word picture of a crowd which has gotten out of control as they became more demanding as the crowd grew in size.

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