Devine Scripture

Mark 3:21

What does Mark 3:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 3:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 3:21 means

Upon hearing of the incessant demands on Jesus, his biological family, referred to as "his friends" (likely a euphemism or a descriptive term for 'his own people'), came to take him away. They were convinced he was "beside himself," meaning he was out of his mind, mad, or acting irrationally. This reveals their concern, but also a profound misunderstanding of his mission and divine purpose, highlighting the difficulty even those closest to him had in comprehending his identity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when his friends heard it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when his friends heard it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when his friends had news of it, they went out to get him, saying, He is off his head.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and his friends having heard, went forth to lay hold on him, for they said that he was beside himself,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when his friends had heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him. For they said: He is become mad.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And his relatives having heard [of it] went out to lay hold on him, for they said, He is out of his mind.

Context

This verse immediately introduces a new element of opposition: the misunderstanding and concern of Jesus' own family. Coming directly after the description of the overwhelming crowds, their attempt to intervene highlights the growing pressure on Jesus. This incident sets up a dramatic contrast with the spiritual family Jesus will define later in the chapter, also immediately preceding the even more serious accusations from the scribes.

v.20And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

v.21This passage

v.22And the scribes that came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the demons casteth he out the demons.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 29:26

    Jehovah hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that there may be officers in the house of Jehovah, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in the stocks and in shackles.

  • Mark 3:31

    And there come his mother and his brethren; and, standing without, they sent unto him, calling him.

  • Acts 26:24

    And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:13

    For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you.

  • John 7:3

    His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest.

  • John 10:20

    And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him?

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