Mark 3

And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,

And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.

And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.

For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.

And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

And Simon he surnamed Peter;

And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

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

And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?

And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.

No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.

And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

What does Mark 3:16 mean?

Explanation

The verse "And Simon he surnamed Peter;" from Mark 3:16 refers to the moment when Jesus gives Simon, one of his disciples, the surname Peter.

In the context of the New Testament, this act is significant.

A surname often conveyed a deeper meaning or mission.

Here, the name Peter comes from the Greek word "Petros," meaning "rock" or "stone." In this context, the naming not only identifies Simon uniquely among the twelve apostles but also symbolizes his future role as a foundational figure in the early Christian Church.

To a deeper extent, it refers to the pivotal role Peter will play as declared in Matthew 16:18, where Jesus states, "thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church."

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Mark 3:16 is found in the context of Jesus appointing the twelve apostles.

During the time of Jesus, names were more than labels for identification; they often represented a person's character or destiny.

When Jesus renames Simon, it indicates both a new identity and a special role within the group of disciples.

The act of renaming was not uncommon in Jewish culture and can also be seen in the Hebrew Scriptures with figures like Abram to Abraham or Jacob to Israel.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints interpret the renaming of Simon differently.

Catholic theology, for instance, regards Peter as the first Pope, with this verse, among others, underpinning the papacy's foundation.

Protestant interpretations may downplay the hierarchical implications but still acknowledge Peter's leadership and prominence among the apostles.

Additionally, some Eastern Orthodox interpretations may see Peter's role as primus inter pares (first among equals), without necessarily having jurisdiction over other apostles.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, this verse can inspire individuals to embrace the new identities or missions that their faith journey might bring.

It encourages believers to accept potentially transformative roles and to act as a solid foundation for their communities, much like Peter did for the early church.

The renaming also serves as a reminder that one's past does not have to define their future, as seen in the new path Peter takes after being called by Jesus.

Cross-References

Matthew 16:18: "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
John 1:42: "And he brought him to Jesus.

And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone."

Luke 6:14: "Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,"

Language Study

The key word in the original Greek text is "Πέτρος" (Petros), meaning "rock" or "stone." The use of this word is symbolic in that it not only gives Simon a new name but also confers upon him a representation of strength, stability, and endurance.

It is worth considering how the semantic range of this word might enrich our understanding of Peter's role as depicted in the New Testament.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Within other cultural or religious contexts, renaming can signify a change in one’s life mission, status, or even spiritual rebirth.

In certain initiation rites, receiving a new name marks a passage into a different stage of life or entrance into a community.

Comparatively, in ancient myths, heroes often undergo a name change as they achieve a form of transformation or divine favor.

Scientific Perspectives

While not directly related to science, the process of naming or renaming can be seen through anthropological lenses examining cultural and social structures.

The act of renaming Simon also has psychological implications, as modern psychology acknowledges the impact of naming on identity formation and individuation.

Commentaries

Commentary from scholars on this verse varies.

Some note the significance of Peter's role in the early church and how the renaming is a prophetic indication of his leadership.

Others focus on the symbolism of the new name and its meaning for the community of believers.

Notably, experts agree that this verse is a pivotal point in the Gospel of Mark, highlighting a significant moment in the disciple's lives where Jesus prepares them for their mission.

Mark 3

Mark 3

What does Mark 3:16 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 3:16 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?