This week the published studies gained 14 notes across 2 chapters in Genesis and Mark. Each entry links to the chapter page, where the note sits beside the text and the commentaries.
Genesis 2
Did God need to rest because he was tired? The original text is more accurately translated as “ceased,” not “rested.” In other words, he stopped working because his work was complete, not because he was tired.
Why does Genesis contain two accounts of creation? This was common in ancient creation stories. The first account presents the events chronologically, while the second explores in greater depth the most important act of creation: the creation of mankind on the sixth day.
Most are familiar with the phrase Lord God, but it appears only in Genesis, once in Jonah, and in the narratives about David. It’s an unusual phrase, almost like saying “God God” twice. However, it seems to indicate a close relationship with God.
The Hebrew word for God is Elohim, which basically means “all-powerful creator.” The Hebrew word for Lord is Yhwh, or Yahweh, meaning something along the lines of “the God who is with you.” Together, the phrase “Lord God” implies closeness. Readers should note that “Lord God” does not appear when the serpent refers to God or when Eve mentions his name.
Read Genesis 2 with all its notes → · open in the full reader
Mark 3
Mark tells us that Jesus appointed the Twelve disciples so they could “accompany him, be sent out to preach, and have authority to drive out demons”. Accompanying Jesus was necessary for them to witness his miracles, actions, and behavior, and to fully learn the message he was sharing. Then they, too, could go out and preach the word. Their authority to drive out demons shows that they were truly his representatives, empowered not only to preach but also to show the world what Jesus could do.
They were an unusual selection. Four were fishermen, one was a hated tax collector, and another belonged to a violent political party. We know very little about the remaining six. But none of them were experts in the Law. They were blank slates through whom Jesus sent a message that changed the course of civilization.
The New Testament mentions the twelve disciples several times. The lists are consistent except for Thaddeus and Simon, whom Luke calls Judas and Simon the Zealot. Some disciples are also identified by additional names or by their parents’ names, which can make the list confusing. The Twelve Disciples were:
• Simon Peter (also called Simon)
• Andrew (Peter’s brother)
• James, son of Zebedee (often called James the Greater)
• John (brother of James, son of Zebedee)
• Philip
• Bartholomew (sometimes associated with Nathanael)
• Thomas (also called Didymus)
• Matthew (the tax collector, also called Levi)
• James, son of Alphaeus (often called James the Less)
• Thaddaeus (also listed as Jude son of James or Lebbaeus)
• Simon the Zealot (also called Simon the Cananaean / Canaanite)
• Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus)
(Note: Matthias was later chosen in the Book of Acts to replace Judas Iscariot after his death)
Aside from his mother, we hear very little about Jesus’ family. We know he had unnamed sisters and at least four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas/Jude. At this point in the story, they do not seem to know about his messianic classification.
The scribes’ arrival “from Jerusalem” to condemn Jesus shows that his popularity continues to grow. His family thinks he is out of his mind, while the elders from Jerusalem think he is possessed by the devil. His impact is causing quite a stir in the region.
Mark tells us that Jesus went home, though it is unclear which “home” he means. It may have been the home of Peter and Andrew, who lived in the area, or Jesus’ own home, since the next verse says his family tried to take custody of him.
Jesus’ argument, “How can Satan drive out Satan?” is perfectly clear. He has been publicly helping and healing others, casting out demons and confronting Satan, yet the elders accuse him of being possessed. Jesus points out how absurd their accusation is.
Jesus often used parables to illustrate his point, conceal it from the authorities, and encourage people to think. His point that you cannot plunder a strong man’s house until you first bind him comes immediately after he explains that he could not be working for Satan, since that would mean Satan was destroying himself. Jesus is clearly saying that Satan must first be bound before he can be defeated. Indeed, through his exorcisms, Jesus has been binding Satan.
Jesus tells the scribes that all sins are forgivable except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He has healed people and driven out demons through the Holy Spirit’s power, not the power of demons, as the scribes have accused him. This is a terrible sin—not only because it hurts people, but because it can turn them away from God on false pretenses.
Mark 3:30 — Everybody wonders at some point in life whether
At some point in life, everyone wonders whether they’ve committed the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—basically, calling God Satan. Consider Jesus’ statement in the context of the situation he was facing. The scribes were doing more than simply accusing him: they were attributing his actions to demons, which could clearly distort people’s perception of what Jesus was doing and lead them straight to hell. The scribes surely never considered whether they had committed an unforgivable sin. If you wonder about it yourself, you accept that it would be wrong and understand the severity of leading someone to Satan.
Mark tells us that Jesus’ “mother and brothers” came to ask for him, but he does not mention his father, Joseph. This is unusual, so some theorize that Joseph died sometime during Jesus’ youth.
There are a few ways to interpret these verses. First, the preceding verses tell us that his family thought he had “lost his mind” over the message he was delivering. However, later verses show that his mother and siblings eventually accepted his role in God’s new message. Perhaps Jesus was simply emphasizing the importance of Christian community, God in our lives, and spiritual relationships.
Read Mark 3 with all its notes → · open in the full reader
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