Mark 3 20

Mark 3:20 kjv

And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

Mark 3:20 nkjv

Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

Mark 3:20 niv

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.

Mark 3:20 esv

Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat.

Mark 3:20 nlt

One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn't even find time to eat.

Mark 3 verses

Mark 3 20 Meaning

Mark 3:20 portrays the immense popular demand placed upon Jesus, leading to His and His disciples' inability to perform even the most basic human function of eating. It highlights the tireless and unceasing nature of Jesus' ministry, demonstrating His profound dedication to the crowds and their needs, even at the cost of personal sustenance and rest. The verse underscores the intense pressure He faced as His fame spread.

Mark 3 20 Context

Mark 3:20 occurs immediately after Jesus' appointment of the twelve apostles (Mark 3:13-19). This selection signifies a new phase in His ministry, formalizing His inner circle and delegating authority. Prior to this, Jesus has already generated significant controversy by healing on the Sabbath and being accused of blasphemy by religious leaders (Mark 2:23-3:6). Consequently, Mark 3:7-12 details the vast crowds flocking to Him from all regions, indicating the burgeoning fame and intense interest His ministry sparked. Verse 20 directly portrays the immediate practical consequence of this immense popularity and the recent official appointment of the Twelve: overwhelming demands that deprived Jesus and His disciples of even the basic necessity of eating. It sets the stage for the escalating conflict with His own family who believe He is "out of His mind" (Mark 3:21) and the scribes who accuse Him of being possessed by Beelzebul (Mark 3:22ff). The "home" likely refers to Peter's house in Capernaum (cf. Mark 1:29) which often served as Jesus' base of operations.

Mark 3 20 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - kai): A common Marcan connector, serving as a simple "and" but here denoting an immediate sequence of events, highlighting the relentless pace of Jesus' ministry.
• He came (ἔρχεται - erchetai): Present tense, the historical present, used frequently by Mark. It vividness, immediacy, and a sense of action unfolding right before the reader's eyes, emphasizing the swift, continuous movement of Jesus.
• home (εἰς οἶκον - eis oikon): Literally "into a house." This likely refers to Peter's house in Capernaum, which often functioned as Jesus' headquarters (Mk 1:29; 2:1). The implication is a return to what should be a private space for rest or refuge, only to find it immediately overwhelmed. In ancient Jewish culture, a home provided essential respite.
• and (καὶ - kai): Another connective, linking the return to the house with the subsequent crowd gathering, demonstrating the quick, successive nature of these events.
• the crowd (ὁ ὄχλος - ho ochlos): This term (ochlos) denotes a large, often tumultuous multitude. In Mark, "the crowd" is a dynamic entity, sometimes receptive to Jesus, sometimes inquisitive, but consistently overwhelming, signifying the popular attraction to Jesus, but also the uncontrolled nature of the attention.
• gathered again (συνέρχεται πάλιν - synerchetai palin): "Synerchetai" (comes together) further emphasizes congregation and convergence. "Palin" (again) indicates a repetitive pattern. Jesus had encountered this phenomenon many times already (e.g., Mk 2:2, Mk 3:7). This continuous gathering suggests a relentless public demand that followed Jesus everywhere.
• to such an extent that (ὥστε - hoste): A Greek conjunction introducing a result clause. This signals that the intensity of the crowd's presence had a direct and severe consequence for Jesus and His disciples.
• they could not (μὴ δύνασθαι αὐτοὺς - mē dynasthai autous): "Mē dynasthai" means "not able." "Autous" (them) refers to Jesus and His disciples. It expresses their utter incapacity to break away or find a moment's peace due to the press of people.
• even eat a meal / bread (μηδὲ ἄρτον φαγεῖν - mēde arton phagein): "Mēde" means "not even" or "nor even." "Arton" (bread) signifies the most basic, fundamental element of a meal and sustenance. "Phagein" is the infinitive "to eat." This phrase highlights the extreme nature of their deprivation: they couldn't even manage a quick bite of bread, much less a proper meal. This powerfully conveys the overwhelming pressure and the complete lack of private space or time for personal needs.

Words-group Analysis:

• "He came home, and the crowd gathered again": This immediate sequence reveals the direct and suffocating impact of Jesus' ministry. No sooner had He sought a measure of private space than the demands of the masses reasserted themselves, illustrating the relentlessness and pervasiveness of His public life.
• "to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal": This outcome clause is a powerful statement of extreme dedication and self-denial. It underscores the immense sacrifice Jesus and His followers made. "Not even bread" is a strong polemic against worldly priorities, implicitly asserting that the needs of God's Kingdom superseded all personal comforts and basic necessities. It emphasizes the profound self-giving at the core of Jesus' mission and, by extension, the costly nature of discipleship. It implies that spiritual hunger was overriding any physical hunger, for both the crowd desiring healing and teaching, and Jesus Himself who prioritized meeting their needs.

Mark 3 20 Bonus section

The consistent use of the historical present tense ("erchetai," "synerchetai") throughout Mark's Gospel, and specifically in this verse, serves a distinct literary and theological purpose. It plunges the reader directly into the action, creating a sense of immediacy, urgency, and continuous unfolding of events. This rhetorical device emphasizes the non-stop nature of Jesus' ministry, the incessant pressure He faced, and the overwhelming circumstances that often surrounded Him. It is not merely a recounting of past events, but a portrayal designed to evoke the raw experience of being with Jesus. This contributes to Mark's distinctive, fast-paced, and action-oriented narrative style. Furthermore, this intense portrayal of the crowds foreshadows both the fickle nature of popular opinion, which would later turn against Jesus, and the ultimate reason for His public death – His immense public profile and the threat it posed to established powers.

Mark 3 20 Commentary

Mark 3:20 paints a vivid picture of the sheer demand placed upon Jesus and His nascent group of apostles. Following the establishment of the Twelve, the narrative instantly highlights the immense personal cost of such a public ministry. The verse reveals Jesus' complete lack of respite, signifying a deliberate, profound self-sacrifice. His ministry was not confined to convenient hours or locations; it was a continuous engagement with humanity's profound needs.

This seemingly simple statement carries deep theological weight: it demonstrates Jesus' active compassion, prioritizing the needs of the multitude over His own physical well-being. It is a tangible illustration of His words about not living by bread alone (Matt 4:4) and His ultimate purpose to do the will of His Father (John 4:34). For the early church, it provided an example of dedicated service and perseverance despite immense pressure and personal deprivation. It quietly foreshadows the greater sacrifices Jesus would make, ultimately laying down His life for others. The verse underscores that true discipleship often entails forsaking personal comfort for the sake of the Kingdom.

• Example: Think of a frontline worker in a crisis, relentlessly serving others with no time for a meal, out of urgent necessity and care. Jesus' ministry here is similar, but for spiritual and physical healing.
• Example: It challenges the modern tendency to prioritize self-care over sacrificial service, reminding believers that kingdom work often demands discomfort and deprivation.