Mark 3:20–35

Jesus and Beelzebub

20Jesus entered a house. Again a crowd gathered. It was so large that Jesus and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21His family heard about this. So they went to take charge of him. They said, “He is out of his mind.”

22Some teachers of the law were there. They had come down from Jerusalem. They said, “He is controlled by Beelzebub! He is driving out demons by the power of the prince of demons.”

23So Jesus called them over and spoke to them by using stories. He said, “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24If a kingdom fights against itself, it can’t stand. 25If a family is divided, it can’t stand. 26And if Satan fights against himself, and his helpers are divided, he can’t stand. That is the end of him. 27In fact, none of you can enter a strong man’s house and just take what the man owns. You must first tie him up. Then you can rob his house.

28“What I’m about to tell you is true. Everyone’s sins and evil words against God will be forgiven. 29But anyone who speaks evil things against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. His guilt will last forever.”

30Jesus said this because the teachers of the law were saying, “He has an evil spirit.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

31Jesus’ mother and brothers came and stood outside. They sent someone in to get him. 32A crowd was sitting around Jesus. They told him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside. They are looking for you.”

33“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” he asked.

34Then Jesus looked at the people sitting in a circle around him. He said, “Here is my mother! Here are my brothers! 35Anyone who does what God wants is my brother or sister or mother.”