Mark 3:28
What does Mark 3:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 3:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 3:28 means
Jesus offers a profound declaration of boundless grace: all manner of sins and blasphemies committed by humanity, no matter how egregious, can be forgiven. This highlights God's incredible mercy and the expansive scope of redemption available through Christ. It reassures believers that even the deepest moral failures and verbal offenses can find pardon, underscoring the universal offering of divine forgiveness to all who repent.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Verily I say unto you, All their sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and their blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Verily I say unto you, All their sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and their blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Truly, I say to you, The sons of men will have forgiveness for all their sins and for all the evil words they say:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Verily I say to you, that all the sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and evil speakings with which they might speak evil,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Amen I say to you that all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and the blasphemies wherewith they shall blaspheme:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Verily I say unto you, that all sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and all the injurious speeches [with] which they may speak injuriously;
Context
This verse immediately shifts from the logical refutation of the scribes' accusations to a solemn declaration about forgiveness. It establishes a broad context of God's mercy, setting the stage for the singular, unforgivable sin. This general declaration of forgiveness is crucial for understanding the severity of the specific blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that Jesus addresses next.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 12:10
And every one who shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven.
- Hebrews 10:26
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,
- 1 John 5:16
If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.
- Matthew 12:31
Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.
- Hebrews 6:4
For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
- Mark 3:28
Verily I say unto you, All their sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and their blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
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