1. Mark 3:21 says that Jesus’ friends “went out to lay hold on him.”   Who, apparently,   were some of the friends? Why did they “seize him”? (RSV)

2. Jesus healed one possessed with a demon. In response, the   multitudes were amazed  and said, “Can this be the son of David?” Explain this question.

3. The Pharisees claimed that Jesus cast out demons by Beelzebub.   McGarvey   suggests that their claim was “cleverly plausible.” (p. 300)   Explain.

4. McGarvey outlines four arguments that Jesus uses against the   accusation of the   Pharisees that he cast out demons by Beelzebub. Sum up briefly   and clearly two of   these four arguments.

5. Identify the unpardonable (eternal) sin and explain it as well as you   can. (For one   thing, why is it unpardonable?)

6. Verse 36, p.304. Check this verse in a modern translation. What is   an “idle word”?   What are the consequences of idle words? Any thoughts on why   Jesus comes down  so hard on this behavior?

7. p. 305. The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we   would see a sign from   thee.” They had seen miracles. What is their purpose in asking for   a sign? (What   kind of sign?)

8. What did Jesus mean when he said, “An evil and adulterous   generation seeketh after  a sign?”

9. How does Jonah figure into the discussion about signs?

10. Jesus was told that his mother and brethren were seeking for him   (310,311). In   response, Jesus redefines mother and brethren. Explain.

11. p. 319. Jesus tells the story of a certain rich man. What is the point   that Jesus makes   in this parable.?

12. vv. 22-34, pp. 320,321. First: Boil down the teaching of these   verses to one main   idea. Then, a question or two. Many Christians through the   centuries have taken a   vow of poverty. Is Jesus teaching that all Christians should   embrace poverty?   If you reject this idea, can you present an argument from New   Testament scripture to   support your view? (Maybe you can present a good case without a   proof-text.)