Devine Scripture

Mark 3:15

What does Mark 3:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 3:15 means

Beyond simply preaching, Jesus explicitly grants his twelve apostles the supernatural authority to "cast out demons." This empowerment is crucial for their ministry, as it demonstrates their direct connection to Jesus' power and validates their message. This unique authority highlights their role as agents of God's kingdom, actively confronting and overcoming the forces of evil that hold people in bondage. This is a direct extension of Jesus' own ministry.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and to have authority to cast out demons:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and to have authority to cast out demons:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And give them the power of driving out evil spirits:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and to have power to heal the sicknesses, and to cast out the demons.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he gave them power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and to have power [to heal diseases, and] to cast out demons.

Context

This verse immediately expands on the mission given to the twelve in the preceding verse. The conferral of authority to cast out demons underscores the seriousness and spiritual nature of their future work, directly mirroring Jesus' own ministry. This specific power is a key aspect of their identity as apostles and helps to authenticate their message to a skeptical world. This also sets the stage for the listing of the names.

v.14And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

v.15This passage

v.16and Simon he surnamed Peter;

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