Mark 3:30
What does Mark 3:30 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 3:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 3:30 means
Jesus explicitly connects the scribes' accusation—that he had an "unclean spirit" or was demon-possessed—to the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. By attributing the Holy Spirit's power, evident in Jesus' miracles and teaching, to demonic forces, they were willfully and maliciously rejecting the clear manifestation of God's presence. This reveals their spiritual blindness and the dangerous path they were treading, jeopardizing their eternal standing due to their hardened unbelief.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because they said, He has an unclean spirit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because they said, `He hath an unclean spirit.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because they said: He hath an unclean spirit.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890— because they said, He has an unclean spirit.
Context
This verse directly explains why the scribes and Pharisees were in danger of committing the unforgivable sin, providing the immediate reason for Jesus' solemn warning. It directly links their accusations against Jesus to the specific nature of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This specific context then leads into a new scene, as Jesus' family arrives, offering another perspective on who truly belongs to his spiritual family.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 10:20
And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him?
- Mark 3:22
And the scribes that came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the demons casteth he out the demons.
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