Unpardonable Sin
SYNOPSIS - A line is crossed when what God’s Spirit is doing in Jesus is attributed to Satan – Mark 3:22-35.
The “scribes” came to examine the conduct
and teachings of Jesus. In Mark, they represent the growing opposition
to Jesus from the Temple authorities. In the version in Matthew, the
accusation of operating with the Devil’s power came after Jesus had exorcised a
demon from a deaf and dumb man - (Matthew 12:22-37).
Mark identifies the accusers – The “scribes.” Matthew
labels them “Pharisees.” This is
not a contradiction - Many scribes were also Pharisees.
- (Mark 3:22-30) - “And the Scribes who from Jerusalem had come down were saying—He hath Beelzebul; and—In the ruler of the demons casteth he out the demons. And calling them near, in parables began he to say unto them—How can Satan cast, Satan out? And if a kingdom against itself be divided that kingdom cannot be made to stand; And if a house against itself be divided the house shall be unable to stand; And if Satan hath risen up against himself and become divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. But no one is able into the house of the mighty one to enter and his spoils to carry off, unless first the mighty one he bind, and then his house will he plunder! Verily, I say unto you—All things shall be forgiven unto the sons of men—the sins and the profanities wherewithal they shall profane; But whosoever shall revile against the Holy Spirit hath no forgiveness unto times age-abiding—but is guilty of an age-abiding sin: because they were saying—An impure spirit, he hath!” – (The Emphasized Bible).
‘Beelzebul’ means, “lord of the
house,” a corrupted form of the name ‘Beelzebub.’ The
religious authorities could not deny that Jesus performed miracles. Rather than
deny this, they attributed his miracles to the power of Satan.
Genuine faith is not an automatic reaction to
miracles. The deeds of Jesus constituted clear evidence that God was working in
him; however, that evidence also demanded a decision from anyone who witnessed
it - Faith or rejection.
The Greek term rendered “parable” originally meant “a setting
aside.” In the New Testament, it refers to illustrations or stories used as
analogies. This is the first time the word is used in the gospel of Mark.
Jesus responded with logic and common sense. How
can Satan advance his realm by undoing his own works? The Devil’s dominion was
under assault by the Messiah but from without, not from within. The satanic
realm was not experiencing civil war but, instead, an invasion by the kingdom
of God.
In the parable, Jesus is the “mighty one”
who is able to plunder Satan’s “goods” - Men and women enslaved under
sin and disease. John the Baptist predicted one “mightier” than he would
arrive to do this very thing - (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7, Luke 3:16).
Earlier, Jesus won a victory over Satan
during the wilderness
temptation. He was the “Mightier One” who now
entered “the Strong Man’s house” to plunder his goods - (Matthew
4:11, Luke 4:13).
The Greek verb translated “blaspheme”
means “to defame, revile, slander.” According to Jesus, his opponents committed
blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. In this case, “blasphemy” was the
attribution of the source of his deeds to Satan. Not only did his accusers
refuse to acknowledge the obvious, but also attributed his deeds to the power
of the Devil. This was blasphemy of the worst order.
At this point, Matthew adds - “But
if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come
upon you.” The exorcisms in his ministry constituted evidence that the
kingdom was on the move in his deeds and words (Luke reads, “the
finger of God”).
Previously, Jesus had been accused of blasphemy. Here, he demonstrated just who the real blasphemers were – The very men who attributed his works to Satan - (Mark 2:7).
This saying of Jesus is both a warning and a reassurance
to later hearers of his words - A warning to all who might reject him and
attribute his works to Satan. A reassurance to all who embrace him that God
will forgive every other kind of sin.
The Greek preposition in the clause about “blasphemy
of the Spirit” is eis or “into, unto, for, because
of.” The sense is, “because of, on account of.” An accurate rendering is - One
who “blasphemes because of the Holy Spirit,” not “against”
it. In other words, this “blasphemy” is committed by someone who is
offended by what the Spirit does.
The incident highlights the real offense of
the scribes and Pharisees - What God’s Spirit did to meet the needs of His
people offended their sensibilities. They objected to how
God was working in the Messiah that He had sent to redeem Israel. The account
in Matthew adds the following words:
- “But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Note well the use of the present tense on the
lips of Jesus - The kingdom has arrived in the ministry of Jesus. Likewise, the
gospel of Luke points to his exorcisms as evidence of the arrival of the
Kingdom. His exorcisms are attributed to the “finger of God”; whereas,
in Matthew, they are performed by the “Spirit of God” - (Matthew
12:28, Luke 11:20).
True Family
- (Mark 3:31-35) - “And there comes his mother and his brethren, and standing outside, they sent unto him, calling him. And there was sitting around him a multitude, and they say unto him—Lo! thy mother and thy brethren outside are seeking thee! And answering them he saith—Who are my mother and my brethren? And looking around on them who about him in a circle were sitting, he saith, See! my mother and my brethren! Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother and sister and mother.” (Parallels: Matthew 12:46-48; Luke 8:19-21).
Twice the gospel of Mark describes the
family of Jesus as being “outside.” This emphasizes that his
immediate family was outside of his inner circle. He had
brothers, presumably fathered by Joseph. One of them, James, became a prominent
leader in the early church at Jerusalem after the resurrection.
Jesus did not denigrate the family unit or
release his disciples from family obligations. However, the call to follow him must
take priority over the natural family. “The same is my brother and sister
and mother.”
Note well - In the
final clause there is no mention of a “father.” In God’s kingdom, there is only
one “Father.” Note also - Jesus included “sisters” in his list. The
gospel of the Kingdom of God is inclusive of men and of women. The
version of this incident in Luke adds further that men and women who are
“hearing and doing” the word of God are the true kinsfolk of Jesus.
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