Mark 3:6

Mark 3:6, in plain English

The Pharisees left and immediately began plotting with the Herodians—their usual political enemies—about how to kill Jesus.

Why it's here

They were so threatened by Jesus that political enemies joined forces against Him. And the deepest irony? They were plotting murder on the Sabbath while accusing Jesus of breaking the Sabbath by healing someone.

Who's speaking

Mark reveals the deadly conspiracy that formed in response to Jesus' compassionate act.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus healed a hand, and they planned a murder. Let that sink in. Religious leaders who claimed to defend God's law were so threatened by grace that they teamed up with their enemies to destroy the One bringing it.

The scholarly reading

The Pharisees immediately (euthys) went out and conspired with the Herodians (tōn Hērōdianōn)—their usual political enemies—plotting how to destroy (apolesōsin) Jesus.

Language and setting

The alliance between Pharisees and Herodians was extraordinary, as these groups were ideologically opposed. The Pharisees resisted Roman influence while the Herodians supported the Herodian dynasty. Their common enemy united them against Jesus.

Voice

Mark narrates the ominous political alliance formed in response to Jesus' Sabbath healing.

Significance

The response to Jesus' act of mercy was a conspiracy to commit murder—on the Sabbath, no less. The moral irony is devastating: they accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath while they plotted to kill Him on the Sabbath.

4And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

5Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.

6At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

7So Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea, accompanied by a large crowd from Galilee, Judea,

8Jerusalem, Idumea, the region beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. The large crowd came to Him when they heard what great things He was doing.

Read all of Mark 3 — A man with a withered hand, a crowd pressing in from every side, and twelve unlikely men called to change the world.