Thursday, August 10, 2006
NAUTICAL PULPIT
PARABOLIC MYSTERIES ABOUT THE KINGDOM
82. The setting of the parables
Matt. 13:1. On that day Jesus went out of the house, and was sitting by the sea. 2. And great multitudes gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole multitude was standing on the beach. 3. And He spoke many things to them in parables,
Mark 4:1. And He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very great multitude gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2. And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,
Luke 8:4. And when a great multitude were coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:
Jesus has delayed His family long enough who has stood outside the door calling for Him. He cuts his lesson at the point of explaining the eternal family and leaves the house where He has been confronting the traditional and orthodox. Now on that day, the same in which He healed the demon possessed man (Matt. 12:22), Jesus went out of the house and most likely conversed with His family and received nourishment from them so He could continue to deal with this great multitude.
He has the ire of the top men in religion and the attention of a great multitude. Luke even tells us this gathering of people included those from various cities were journeying to see Him. He would talk to all without distinction; young and old, rich and poor, men and women, Jew and Gentile.
It is interesting to note that Mark says, “Again” that He taught by the sea. He doesn’t elaborate of give us the other occaision(s) specifically but we note that He was unlimited to the places where He would teach. He would spend time in the temple and synagogues but as the friction between the religious and Himself escalated, He would teach in more public arenas. Even when He would enter the synagogues He would find eager listeners with the exception of the scribes and Pharisees. These would eventually ban Him altogether from the territory they had hijacked.
We witness Jesus departing to the outside and beyond where the multitudes would continue to follow Him. It is fortunate in this case that He knew the fisherman so that a boat could be available for His pulpit. Had this method of escape not been provided the crowd could have crushed Him or pushed Him into the sea.
Ken Wuest gives us insight as he writes on Mark’s gospel:
“The word here is ploion, not ploiarion as in 3:9, the distinction there noted being that the former was a large vessel drawing too much water to be brought right into shore, and the latter being a rowboat used to reach the shore from the larger vessel. Mark’s source is generally conceded to Peter. The latter was a fisherman and owned both types of boats. It would seem therefore that Peter would make a clear distinction between them in reporting this incident to Mark. All of which means that the boat Jesus kept in readiness for escape purposes from the crowd that might crush Him, was a rowboat, and the boat from which He preached, was a larger vessel, moored close to shore. With a narrow strip of water between Himself and the crowd, Jesus taught them. The acoustics on a lake shore are excellent. One can hear and understand the human voice quite a distance.”
He got into a boat and sat down. We again find this rabbinical custom where the teacher, or rabbi, has called his class to order demanding their full attention indicated by when he sat down. In this position he would command full authority over his students and would display that class was in session.
Jesus’ students are defined as the whole multitude that was standing on the beach, or as Mark puts it, by the sea on the land.
It was from this time on that His teaching style became more parabolic in nature. We have touched on some of this method of teaching but now it will become a major part of Christ’s teaching. He will explain the reason as to why He would teach this way in this next section where we will view several of His parables in succession.
We have previously defined parables as stories that use common physical examples to explain the supernatural or spiritual realm in its reality.
82. The setting of the parables
Matt. 13:1. On that day Jesus went out of the house, and was sitting by the sea. 2. And great multitudes gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole multitude was standing on the beach. 3. And He spoke many things to them in parables,
Mark 4:1. And He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very great multitude gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2. And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,
Luke 8:4. And when a great multitude were coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:
Jesus has delayed His family long enough who has stood outside the door calling for Him. He cuts his lesson at the point of explaining the eternal family and leaves the house where He has been confronting the traditional and orthodox. Now on that day, the same in which He healed the demon possessed man (Matt. 12:22), Jesus went out of the house and most likely conversed with His family and received nourishment from them so He could continue to deal with this great multitude.
He has the ire of the top men in religion and the attention of a great multitude. Luke even tells us this gathering of people included those from various cities were journeying to see Him. He would talk to all without distinction; young and old, rich and poor, men and women, Jew and Gentile.
It is interesting to note that Mark says, “Again” that He taught by the sea. He doesn’t elaborate of give us the other occaision(s) specifically but we note that He was unlimited to the places where He would teach. He would spend time in the temple and synagogues but as the friction between the religious and Himself escalated, He would teach in more public arenas. Even when He would enter the synagogues He would find eager listeners with the exception of the scribes and Pharisees. These would eventually ban Him altogether from the territory they had hijacked.
We witness Jesus departing to the outside and beyond where the multitudes would continue to follow Him. It is fortunate in this case that He knew the fisherman so that a boat could be available for His pulpit. Had this method of escape not been provided the crowd could have crushed Him or pushed Him into the sea.
Ken Wuest gives us insight as he writes on Mark’s gospel:
“The word here is ploion, not ploiarion as in 3:9, the distinction there noted being that the former was a large vessel drawing too much water to be brought right into shore, and the latter being a rowboat used to reach the shore from the larger vessel. Mark’s source is generally conceded to Peter. The latter was a fisherman and owned both types of boats. It would seem therefore that Peter would make a clear distinction between them in reporting this incident to Mark. All of which means that the boat Jesus kept in readiness for escape purposes from the crowd that might crush Him, was a rowboat, and the boat from which He preached, was a larger vessel, moored close to shore. With a narrow strip of water between Himself and the crowd, Jesus taught them. The acoustics on a lake shore are excellent. One can hear and understand the human voice quite a distance.”
He got into a boat and sat down. We again find this rabbinical custom where the teacher, or rabbi, has called his class to order demanding their full attention indicated by when he sat down. In this position he would command full authority over his students and would display that class was in session.
Jesus’ students are defined as the whole multitude that was standing on the beach, or as Mark puts it, by the sea on the land.
It was from this time on that His teaching style became more parabolic in nature. We have touched on some of this method of teaching but now it will become a major part of Christ’s teaching. He will explain the reason as to why He would teach this way in this next section where we will view several of His parables in succession.
We have previously defined parables as stories that use common physical examples to explain the supernatural or spiritual realm in its reality.
NAUTICAL PULPIT
PARABOLIC MYSTERIES ABOUT THE KINGDOM
82. The setting of the parables
Matt. 13:1. On that day Jesus went out of the house, and was sitting by the sea. 2. And great multitudes gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole multitude was standing on the beach. 3. And He spoke many things to them in parables,
Mark 4:1. And He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very great multitude gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2. And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,
Luke 8:4. And when a great multitude were coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:
Jesus has delayed His family long enough who has stood outside the door calling for Him. He cuts his lesson at the point of explaining the eternal family and leaves the house where He has been confronting the traditional and orthodox. Now on that day, the same in which He healed the demon possessed man (Matt. 12:22), Jesus went out of the house and most likely conversed with His family and received nourishment from them so He could continue to deal with this great multitude.
He has the ire of the top men in religion and the attention of a great multitude. Luke even tells us this gathering of people included those from various cities were journeying to see Him. He would talk to all without distinction; young and old, rich and poor, men and women, Jew and Gentile.
It is interesting to note that Mark says, “Again” that He taught by the sea. He doesn’t elaborate of give us the other occaision(s) specifically but we note that He was unlimited to the places where He would teach. He would spend time in the temple and synagogues but as the friction between the religious and Himself escalated, He would teach in more public arenas. Even when He would enter the synagogues He would find eager listeners with the exception of the scribes and Pharisees. These would eventually ban Him altogether from the territory they had hijacked.
We witness Jesus departing to the outside and beyond where the multitudes would continue to follow Him. It is fortunate in this case that He knew the fisherman so that a boat could be available for His pulpit. Had this method of escape not been provided the crowd could have crushed Him or pushed Him into the sea.
Ken Wuest gives us insight as he writes on Mark’s gospel:
“The word here is ploion, not ploiarion as in 3:9, the distinction there noted being that the former was a large vessel drawing too much water to be brought right into shore, and the latter being a rowboat used to reach the shore from the larger vessel. Mark’s source is generally conceded to Peter. The latter was a fisherman and owned both types of boats. It would seem therefore that Peter would make a clear distinction between them in reporting this incident to Mark. All of which means that the boat Jesus kept in readiness for escape purposes from the crowd that might crush Him, was a rowboat, and the boat from which He preached, was a larger vessel, moored close to shore. With a narrow strip of water between Himself and the crowd, Jesus taught them. The acoustics on a lake shore are excellent. One can hear and understand the human voice quite a distance.”
He got into a boat and sat down. We again find this rabbinical custom where the teacher, or rabbi, has called his class to order demanding their full attention indicated by when he sat down. In this position he would command full authority over his students and would display that class was in session.
Jesus’ students are defined as the whole multitude that was standing on the beach, or as Mark puts it, by the sea on the land.
It was from this time on that His teaching style became more parabolic in nature. We have touched on some of this method of teaching but now it will become a major part of Christ’s teaching. He will explain the reason as to why He would teach this way in this next section where we will view several of His parables in succession.
We have previously defined parables as stories that use common physical examples to explain the supernatural or spiritual realm in its reality.
82. The setting of the parables
Matt. 13:1. On that day Jesus went out of the house, and was sitting by the sea. 2. And great multitudes gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole multitude was standing on the beach. 3. And He spoke many things to them in parables,
Mark 4:1. And He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very great multitude gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2. And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,
Luke 8:4. And when a great multitude were coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:
Jesus has delayed His family long enough who has stood outside the door calling for Him. He cuts his lesson at the point of explaining the eternal family and leaves the house where He has been confronting the traditional and orthodox. Now on that day, the same in which He healed the demon possessed man (Matt. 12:22), Jesus went out of the house and most likely conversed with His family and received nourishment from them so He could continue to deal with this great multitude.
He has the ire of the top men in religion and the attention of a great multitude. Luke even tells us this gathering of people included those from various cities were journeying to see Him. He would talk to all without distinction; young and old, rich and poor, men and women, Jew and Gentile.
It is interesting to note that Mark says, “Again” that He taught by the sea. He doesn’t elaborate of give us the other occaision(s) specifically but we note that He was unlimited to the places where He would teach. He would spend time in the temple and synagogues but as the friction between the religious and Himself escalated, He would teach in more public arenas. Even when He would enter the synagogues He would find eager listeners with the exception of the scribes and Pharisees. These would eventually ban Him altogether from the territory they had hijacked.
We witness Jesus departing to the outside and beyond where the multitudes would continue to follow Him. It is fortunate in this case that He knew the fisherman so that a boat could be available for His pulpit. Had this method of escape not been provided the crowd could have crushed Him or pushed Him into the sea.
Ken Wuest gives us insight as he writes on Mark’s gospel:
“The word here is ploion, not ploiarion as in 3:9, the distinction there noted being that the former was a large vessel drawing too much water to be brought right into shore, and the latter being a rowboat used to reach the shore from the larger vessel. Mark’s source is generally conceded to Peter. The latter was a fisherman and owned both types of boats. It would seem therefore that Peter would make a clear distinction between them in reporting this incident to Mark. All of which means that the boat Jesus kept in readiness for escape purposes from the crowd that might crush Him, was a rowboat, and the boat from which He preached, was a larger vessel, moored close to shore. With a narrow strip of water between Himself and the crowd, Jesus taught them. The acoustics on a lake shore are excellent. One can hear and understand the human voice quite a distance.”
He got into a boat and sat down. We again find this rabbinical custom where the teacher, or rabbi, has called his class to order demanding their full attention indicated by when he sat down. In this position he would command full authority over his students and would display that class was in session.
Jesus’ students are defined as the whole multitude that was standing on the beach, or as Mark puts it, by the sea on the land.
It was from this time on that His teaching style became more parabolic in nature. We have touched on some of this method of teaching but now it will become a major part of Christ’s teaching. He will explain the reason as to why He would teach this way in this next section where we will view several of His parables in succession.
We have previously defined parables as stories that use common physical examples to explain the supernatural or spiritual realm in its reality.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
PHARISEEISM
Matt. 12:49. And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold, My mother and My brothers! 50. "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."
Mark 3:34. And looking about on those who were sitting around Him, He said, "Behold, My mother and My brothers! 35. "For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother."
Luke 8:21b. "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."
Jesus identifies spiritual family ties as He shows the protagonists by stretching out His hand toward His disciples and then repeats the initial word that brought about the interruption; “Behold!” This is Jesus’ method of focusing directly on the information that was brought in by His personal family, who was trying to get Him out of His predicament. He is in no way being condescending to His family who He loved even more than they did Him. He came to offer them the salvation that begins and ends in Him as He did with everyone else including His enemies.
It is at this point His Father is factored into the spiritual family. "For whoever does the will of My Father, he is My brother and sister and mother." MacArthur writes, “Until a person believes in Christ, God cannot give him any spiritual help, and that person cannot give God any spiritual service.”
The religious were selling reformation as evidenced in Phariseeism. Reformation is a man made adjustment in the way he makes moral decisions which doesn’t make him spiritually alive. This is what is so deadly about selling false conversion; it insulates the spiritually dead from coming into contact with the truth that regenerates. Phariseeism can generate self-satisfaction but Jeremiah tells us about that in Jer. 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”
Jesus has just been accused of healing a demon possessed man by the power of Satan, yet He still offers a universal call to those who would listen in the word “whoever”. "For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother." This call to do the will of God is extended to all peoples. So the question and answer as to what the will of God is found in John 6:28-19 They said therefore to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" 29. Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."
If one truly believes (is a Christian) he will show his love for the Father’s gift of the Son by living in obedience to what the Son has commanded.
Mark 3:34. And looking about on those who were sitting around Him, He said, "Behold, My mother and My brothers! 35. "For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother."
Luke 8:21b. "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."
Jesus identifies spiritual family ties as He shows the protagonists by stretching out His hand toward His disciples and then repeats the initial word that brought about the interruption; “Behold!” This is Jesus’ method of focusing directly on the information that was brought in by His personal family, who was trying to get Him out of His predicament. He is in no way being condescending to His family who He loved even more than they did Him. He came to offer them the salvation that begins and ends in Him as He did with everyone else including His enemies.
It is at this point His Father is factored into the spiritual family. "For whoever does the will of My Father, he is My brother and sister and mother." MacArthur writes, “Until a person believes in Christ, God cannot give him any spiritual help, and that person cannot give God any spiritual service.”
The religious were selling reformation as evidenced in Phariseeism. Reformation is a man made adjustment in the way he makes moral decisions which doesn’t make him spiritually alive. This is what is so deadly about selling false conversion; it insulates the spiritually dead from coming into contact with the truth that regenerates. Phariseeism can generate self-satisfaction but Jeremiah tells us about that in Jer. 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”
Jesus has just been accused of healing a demon possessed man by the power of Satan, yet He still offers a universal call to those who would listen in the word “whoever”. "For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother." This call to do the will of God is extended to all peoples. So the question and answer as to what the will of God is found in John 6:28-19 They said therefore to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" 29. Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."
If one truly believes (is a Christian) he will show his love for the Father’s gift of the Son by living in obedience to what the Son has commanded.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
THE INTERRUPTION
Matt. 12: 47. And someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You." 48. But He answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?
Mark 3: 32b. and they said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You." 33. And answering them, He said, "Who are My mother and My brothers?"
Luke 8:20. And it was reported to Him, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You." 21. But He answered and said to them,
By means of relaying the message, Jesus’ attention is commandeered by those outside seeking Him. It was reported to Him verbally, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” Behold is an important proclamation that Matthew and Mark relate. This would command that the spokesman obtain the sole attention of everyone around. We are not specifically told who this person is or what his motive behind the proclamation would be. I believe that this person is a representative sent from Jerusalem as seen in Mark 3:22. And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons." Could this be an opportunity for the battered religious to retreat, regroup, and avoid ridicule? We cannot be certain.
Jesus is not embarrassed or rattled by the sudden outburst but takes opportunity to teach the people about spiritual relationships that His kingdom brings. Mark and Luke say that Jesus answered them. Matthew however, tells us that He answered the one who was telling Him that His family was outside. I believe that this discourse is toward the spokesman for the religious leadership to educate them about true spiritual relationships that go beyond the flesh. As God incarnate, He asks, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” This monumental question is posed to those pretenders who would say that they were without question on the inside of God’s will.
This simple question goes much deeper than what is observable. The more difficult question which the religious should have easily known was missed completely; not even asked or brought up. The question not asked is: “Who is my Father?” The religious leadership did not even know God staring them in the face.
Mark 3: 32b. and they said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You." 33. And answering them, He said, "Who are My mother and My brothers?"
Luke 8:20. And it was reported to Him, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You." 21. But He answered and said to them,
By means of relaying the message, Jesus’ attention is commandeered by those outside seeking Him. It was reported to Him verbally, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” Behold is an important proclamation that Matthew and Mark relate. This would command that the spokesman obtain the sole attention of everyone around. We are not specifically told who this person is or what his motive behind the proclamation would be. I believe that this person is a representative sent from Jerusalem as seen in Mark 3:22. And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons." Could this be an opportunity for the battered religious to retreat, regroup, and avoid ridicule? We cannot be certain.
Jesus is not embarrassed or rattled by the sudden outburst but takes opportunity to teach the people about spiritual relationships that His kingdom brings. Mark and Luke say that Jesus answered them. Matthew however, tells us that He answered the one who was telling Him that His family was outside. I believe that this discourse is toward the spokesman for the religious leadership to educate them about true spiritual relationships that go beyond the flesh. As God incarnate, He asks, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” This monumental question is posed to those pretenders who would say that they were without question on the inside of God’s will.
This simple question goes much deeper than what is observable. The more difficult question which the religious should have easily known was missed completely; not even asked or brought up. The question not asked is: “Who is my Father?” The religious leadership did not even know God staring them in the face.
Monday, August 07, 2006
INDOOR TEACHING
Matt. 12:46 While He was still speaking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him.
Mark 3:31-32a And His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him, and called Him. 32. And a multitude was sitting around Him
Luke 8:19 And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.
The scene is described as multitudes and a multitude was sitting around Him. This was the customary position for the rabbi to teach his students, for when he sat down the lesson began and attention was demanded. When he stood he relinquished his position of teaching and that which he would then say would be considered unofficial or non-compulsory. His admirers would still follow him as he would walk to capture any tidbits of information that he would leave to them on this informal transition.
The inner group sat in a circle around Him while those at the further distance would stand so they could hear and see as the rows progressed outward. This group is defined as multitudes with such a great gathering of people that they were standing outside.
During the discourse with the religious, there came the interruption by His mother and brothers who were standing outside. Matthew tells us that they were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. The people were so dense that they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.
By observing the parallel accounts this is overcome by, as Mark tells us, they sent word to Him, and called Him.
Mark 3:31-32a And His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him, and called Him. 32. And a multitude was sitting around Him
Luke 8:19 And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.
The scene is described as multitudes and a multitude was sitting around Him. This was the customary position for the rabbi to teach his students, for when he sat down the lesson began and attention was demanded. When he stood he relinquished his position of teaching and that which he would then say would be considered unofficial or non-compulsory. His admirers would still follow him as he would walk to capture any tidbits of information that he would leave to them on this informal transition.
The inner group sat in a circle around Him while those at the further distance would stand so they could hear and see as the rows progressed outward. This group is defined as multitudes with such a great gathering of people that they were standing outside.
During the discourse with the religious, there came the interruption by His mother and brothers who were standing outside. Matthew tells us that they were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. The people were so dense that they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.
By observing the parallel accounts this is overcome by, as Mark tells us, they sent word to Him, and called Him.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
All in a day's work
We have seen a lot transpire in this very day and more to come in the next section that will begin a study in the parables. The day started with Jesus healing the afflicted and moving on to the demon possessed man who was blind and dumb. At this point the religious leadership accuses Jesus of doing these miraculous works by the power of Satan. This drew His first public confrontation of the orthodox religious representatives when they asked Him for a sign of some bizarre magnitude. He labels them an evil and adulterous and evil generation and promises them condemnation twice.
Mark gives important information at the beginning of this altercation that must be seen in the context of what is transpiring while He is teaching in a house. Mark 3:20-21 And He came home, and the multitude gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. 21. And when His own people [His mother and brothers and sisters] heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, "He has lost His senses." The motive of His family is to protect Him from getting Himself any deeper into a situation that is not getting any better. He obviously has a magnetism about Him that will easily draw a crowd’s attention. However any crowd has the potential to become a chaotic mob. When we view the friction He has with the religious leaders, for whom most of the public sided, there is a recipe for disaster in the making. It is easy to see a mother who would say anything to defuse a situation that threatens her son. This is what is going on here but that still leaves room for internal jealousy between his brothers toward Him. We find them named in Matt. 13:55 "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? Mark 6:3 "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?" And they took offense at Him. We are also given additional information as toward their attitude of Him in John 7:3-5 His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here, and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may behold Your works which You are doing. 4. "For no one does anything in secret, when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." 5. For not even His brothers were believing in Him.
Mark gives important information at the beginning of this altercation that must be seen in the context of what is transpiring while He is teaching in a house. Mark 3:20-21 And He came home, and the multitude gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. 21. And when His own people [His mother and brothers and sisters] heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, "He has lost His senses." The motive of His family is to protect Him from getting Himself any deeper into a situation that is not getting any better. He obviously has a magnetism about Him that will easily draw a crowd’s attention. However any crowd has the potential to become a chaotic mob. When we view the friction He has with the religious leaders, for whom most of the public sided, there is a recipe for disaster in the making. It is easy to see a mother who would say anything to defuse a situation that threatens her son. This is what is going on here but that still leaves room for internal jealousy between his brothers toward Him. We find them named in Matt. 13:55 "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? Mark 6:3 "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?" And they took offense at Him. We are also given additional information as toward their attitude of Him in John 7:3-5 His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here, and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may behold Your works which You are doing. 4. "For no one does anything in secret, when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." 5. For not even His brothers were believing in Him.
