Mark 3:20

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

And {G2532} the multitude {G3793} cometh together {G4905} again {G3825}, so that {G5620} they {G846} could {G1410} not {G3361} so much as {G3383} eat {G5315} bread {G740}.

and once more, such a crowd came together that they couldn't even eat.

Then Jesus went home, and once again a crowd gathered, so that He and His disciples could not even eat.

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

Commentary

Mark 3:20 paints a vivid picture of the immense popularity and relentless demands placed upon Jesus during His earthly ministry. This verse succinctly captures the overwhelming nature of His work, where the needs of the people superseded even the most basic human necessities for Him and His disciples.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' selection and appointment of the twelve apostles (Mark 3:13-19), whom He called to be with Him, to preach, and to cast out devils. The public's intense interest in Jesus had been steadily growing since the beginning of His ministry, driven by His powerful teachings, miraculous healings, and authoritative exorcisms. His fame had spread throughout Galilee and beyond, drawing people from all regions (Mark 3:7-8). Upon returning to a house, likely in Capernaum, the sheer number of people seeking Him out became so great that it disrupted their ability to even share a simple meal.

Key Themes

  • Overwhelming Demand for Jesus: The verse highlights the magnetic appeal of Jesus Christ and the insatiable desire of the multitudes to hear His words, witness His miracles, or seek His healing touch. His fame created an environment of constant activity.
  • Sacrifice in Ministry: Jesus and His disciples were so consumed by the work of God that they sacrificed personal comfort and basic needs. The inability to "eat bread" underscores the intense dedication and self-denial inherent in their mission, prioritizing the spiritual needs of the crowd over their own physical sustenance.
  • The Cost of Following Christ: This passage implicitly touches on the demanding nature of true discipleship. It shows that following Jesus, especially in active ministry, often involves personal sacrifice and a willingness to forgo worldly comforts for the sake of the Kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The term "multitude" comes from the Greek word ochlos (ὄχλος), which refers to a large, often unorganized crowd or throng of common people. This emphasizes the sheer volume of individuals pressing in on Jesus. The phrase "eat bread" (φάγειν ἄρτον - phagein arton) is a simple, idiomatic expression for having a meal, indicating a fundamental human need that was being neglected due to the demands of the crowd. It signifies not just a lack of food, but a lack of time and opportunity for rest and nourishment.

Practical Application

Mark 3:20 serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' unwavering commitment to His mission and the people He came to save. For believers today, it illustrates:

  • The Heart of Service: It exemplifies a radical commitment to serving others, even when it means personal inconvenience or sacrifice. Jesus’ example challenges us to consider our own priorities in light of the needs around us.
  • Understanding Ministry Demands: For those in ministry, it offers a glimpse into the often-demanding and exhausting nature of spiritual work. It underscores the need for compassion and dedication, even amidst overwhelming circumstances.
  • Seeking Balance: While Jesus demonstrated immense dedication, other passages show Him withdrawing to pray or seeking quiet with His disciples (Mark 6:31). This verse, therefore, also implicitly raises the tension between relentless service and the need for rest and sustenance, a tension many still navigate in their lives of faith and service.
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Cross-References

  • Mark 6:31 (7 votes)

    And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

  • John 4:31 (3 votes)

    In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.

  • John 4:34 (3 votes)

    Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

  • Mark 3:9 (2 votes)

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

  • Mark 3:7 (2 votes)

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

  • Luke 6:17 (2 votes)

    And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

  • Mark 7:17 (2 votes)

    And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.