Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” Comment: How ‘extensive’ is a family? Did it include uncles and aunts, siblings, Jesus’ mother, nephews and nieces? I guess that they felt embarrassed by his notoriety and if the scribes had come earlier by the opposition of the ‘real’ religious leaders and their accusations! Later we know that some of His intimate family became His committed followers!
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” Comment: Beelzebub was the name for the ‘chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell’ ……And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. Comment: Here we hear the accusation (which they might have been saying in a semi-jestfull way- though I doubt it.) that Jesus was under the control of Beelzebub. A foul and vile accusation which obviously made Jesus very ‘upset’. What emotions must have been stirred up in His heart? Holy Righteous Anger, disappointment, and questions like – Why were these leaders so opposed to Him; what would happen next etc?
“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” Comment: A red line is drawn in the sand! Do NOT Say That!
Proverbs 22: 11 He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. And Who is the Ultimate, the King of kings?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, live with me in Your fullness please!
As I read it! 