Mark 3:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when his {G846} friends {G3844} heard {G191} of it, they went out {G1831} to lay hold {G2902} on him {G846}: for {G1063} they said {G3004},{G3754} He is beside himself {G1839}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When his family heard about this, they set out to take charge of him; for they said, "He's out of his mind!"

Berean Standard Bible

When His family heard about this, they went out to take custody of Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 3:21 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' early ministry where His intense dedication to His divine mission evokes a deeply concerned, yet profoundly misguided, reaction from His own family. Upon hearing of His relentless activity—healing, teaching, and casting out demons to the point of neglecting basic necessities like food—they conclude He has lost His mind and set out to physically restrain Him, illustrating the profound chasm between human understanding and divine purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 3:21 is situated within a broader narrative in Mark's Gospel that emphasizes Jesus' dynamic, authoritative ministry and the escalating opposition it generates. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has been healing many and casting out demons, leading to overwhelming crowds that prevent Him and His disciples from even eating (Mark 3:7-12, 20). This intense activity and the public's response set the stage for the reaction of "his friends" (more accurately, His family), who are deeply concerned by His seemingly reckless devotion. The verse serves as a literary bridge, introducing the theme of misunderstanding from within Jesus' inner circle, which is further developed in the subsequent verses where scribes from Jerusalem accuse Him of being possessed by Beelzebul (Mark 3:22-30) and His mother and brothers arrive seeking Him (Mark 3:31-35).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, family honor and social reputation were paramount. A family member acting in a way perceived as "insane" or socially disruptive would bring shame upon the entire household. Jesus' relentless, unconventional ministry, which challenged established religious norms and drew massive, often unruly, crowds, would have been highly alarming to His family. They likely feared for His safety, His reputation, and the family's standing. Their attempt to "lay hold on him" was not necessarily malicious but stemmed from a cultural obligation to protect a family member who appeared to be in distress or dishonoring the family. This context highlights the immense social pressure Jesus faced, even from those closest to Him, to conform to societal expectations rather than pursue His radical divine calling.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 3:21 contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **misunderstanding of Jesus' identity and mission**, a recurring motif where even His disciples, the religious authorities, and His own family struggle to grasp who He truly is and what He is doing. This verse underscores that His divine calling was so radical it appeared irrational from a human perspective. Secondly, it highlights the **radical nature of Christ's ministry** and His unwavering commitment to God's will, even at the cost of personal comfort, reputation, and familial approval. This commitment is a hallmark of His earthly life, as seen in passages like [Jesus' teaching on the cost of discipleship](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross Daily"). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **conflict and opposition** that Jesus would face, not only from external religious authorities but also from internal sources, setting the stage for the intensifying antagonism that characterizes much of Mark's narrative, culminating in His passion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb (G191) signifies to "hear" in various senses, including to "give (in the) audience (of)," "come (to the ears)," or "understand." Here, it implies that news of Jesus' intense and unconventional activities had reached His family, prompting their concern and subsequent action. It suggests they heard reports, not necessarily that they witnessed His actions directly, but the information was sufficient to trigger their intervention.
* **went out (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** Derived from `ek` (out) and `erchomai` (to come/go), this verb (G1831) means "to issue (literally or figuratively)," "come (forth, out)," or "depart (out of)." In this context, it describes a deliberate, physical movement by Jesus' family from their home or location to where Jesus was, indicating their determined intent to intervene and "lay hold" on Him.
* **beside himself (Greek, _exístēmi'_):** Formed from `ek` (out) and `histēmi` (to stand), this verb (G1839) literally means "to put (stand) out of wits." It conveys a strong sense of being astounded, bewildered, or, as here, becoming insane or "out of one's senses." This reveals the severity of their judgment: they genuinely believed Jesus had lost His mental faculties due to the perceived extremism of His ministry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when his friends heard [of it],"**: This initial clause sets the scene, indicating that news of Jesus' relentless and overwhelming ministry had reached those closest to Him. The KJV's "friends" translates the Greek phrase `hoi par' autou` (οἱ παρ’ αὐτοῦ), which more literally means "those from beside him" or "those belonging to him," strongly implying His immediate family members, likely His mother and brothers, who appear later in the same chapter (Mark 3:31). Their hearing of His activities, particularly His inability to even eat due to the crowds (Mark 3:20), sparked their concern.
* **"they went out to lay hold on him:"**: Driven by their perception of His condition, His family took decisive action. The phrase "to lay hold on him" (Greek: `kratéō`) suggests an intent to seize or restrain Him, implying a physical intervention. This was not merely an attempt to speak with Him or advise Him, but to physically remove Him from the situation, presumably to protect Him or to restore Him to what they considered a state of normalcy.
* **"for they said, He is beside himself."**: This final clause provides the crucial motivation and diagnosis from His family's perspective. The Greek word `exístēmi`, translated "He is beside himself," carries a much stronger connotation than simple eccentricity. It means "He is out of His mind," "He is insane," or "He is out of His senses." This stark assessment reveals the profound misunderstanding and alarm His family felt, believing His extraordinary dedication to His mission was a sign of mental instability.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as those closest to Jesus, who should have understood Him best, are the ones who most profoundly misunderstand His divine nature and mission, perceiving His selfless dedication as madness. This stands in stark contrast to the demons, who consistently recognize and confess His identity (e.g., [Mark 3:11](/mark/3-11 "Mark 3:11 - Unclean Spirits Confess Jesus")). There is also an element of **foreshadowing**, as this internal family opposition hints at the broader rejection and hostility Jesus would face from religious authorities and, ultimately, the world. The accusation of being "beside himself" also serves as a form of **hyperbole**, an exaggerated statement used to convey the depth of their alarm and the perceived extremity of Jesus' behavior, highlighting the radical nature of His kingdom work compared to conventional human expectations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 3:21 powerfully illustrates the profound chasm between human understanding and divine purpose, a theme central to the Gospels. Jesus' family, driven by genuine concern and societal norms, could not comprehend a Messiah whose dedication transcended earthly comforts and expectations. Their accusation of madness underscores the radical, counter-cultural nature of Jesus' ministry, which prioritized God's will above all else, even familial ties or personal reputation. This incident serves as a poignant reminder that following Christ wholeheartedly often involves being misunderstood, even by those we love, and that true spiritual insight requires a paradigm shift beyond purely human wisdom.

* [John 7:5](/john/7-5 "John 7:5 - Jesus' Brothers Do Not Believe Him")
* [Luke 9:58](/luke/9-58 "Luke 9:58 - Jesus Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")
* [Mark 3:35](/mark/3-35 "Mark 3:35 - Jesus Defines His True Family")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 3:21 offers a profound mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine our own perceptions of Christ and the demands of discipleship. It reminds us that authentic commitment to God's calling can often appear irrational or extreme to those who operate solely on human wisdom or worldly values. Just as Jesus' family struggled to reconcile His divine mission with their earthly expectations, we too may encounter misunderstanding, criticism, or even attempts to dissuade us from our spiritual path, particularly from well-meaning loved ones. This verse calls us to prioritize God's will above all human opinions, to cultivate a deep spiritual understanding that transcends superficial judgments, and to remain steadfast in our devotion even when it means being "beside ourselves" for the sake of the Kingdom. It encourages us to ask whether our faith is truly radical enough to be misunderstood by the world, or if we have conformed it to societal norms for comfort and acceptance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my commitment to Christ appear "beside myself" to others, especially those who do not share my faith?**
* **How do I respond when my spiritual priorities conflict with the expectations or concerns of my family or closest friends?**
* **Am I willing to pursue God's calling with such single-minded devotion that it might be misunderstood or even criticized by those I love?**
* **What earthly comforts or societal norms might I be prioritizing over the radical demands of following Jesus?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus' family think He was "beside himself"?**

Answer: Jesus' family believed He was "beside himself" (meaning "out of His mind" or "insane") because of His relentless and unconventional ministry. He was drawing massive crowds, healing many, casting out demons, and teaching with unprecedented authority. This activity was so intense that He and His disciples didn't even have time to eat (Mark 3:20). From a human perspective, this level of self-neglect and disregard for social norms, coupled with His radical claims and actions, seemed irrational and dangerous. In their cultural context, such behavior could bring shame upon the family, leading them to believe He needed to be physically restrained for His own good and the family's honor.

**Who are "his friends" mentioned in Mark 3:21?**

Answer: While the King James Version translates the Greek phrase `hoi par' autou` as "his friends," the more accurate and widely accepted interpretation is that it refers to Jesus' family members, specifically His mother and brothers. The literal meaning of the Greek phrase is "those from beside him" or "those belonging to him," which in context strongly implies His immediate household. This interpretation is supported by the fact that His mother and brothers explicitly appear later in the same chapter, coming to seek Him (see [Mark 3:31](/mark/3-31 "Mark 3:31 - Jesus' Mother and Brothers Seek Him")), seemingly in continuation of this very concern.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 3:21, though seemingly a moment of human misunderstanding, profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' "madness" in the eyes of His family was, in fact, His perfect obedience to the Father's will, a testament to His divine identity and singular focus on His mission. Unlike fallen humanity, whose minds are often "beside themselves" due to sin and worldly distractions, Jesus was perfectly sane, perfectly aligned with God's purpose. This rejection by His own foreshadows the ultimate rejection He would face from His own people, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant Despised") and lamented in [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own"). His unwavering commitment, even to the point of appearing insane or neglecting basic needs, reveals the depth of His love and self-sacrifice. He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Thus, this moment of profound human misunderstanding highlights the divine wisdom of Christ's mission, a wisdom that is foolishness to the world but the very power and wisdom of God for those who are being saved ([1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18-25 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Foolishness of God's Wisdom")). His "beside himself" was the very essence of His being "for us," utterly devoted to accomplishing the salvation of humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 26:24

¶ And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

John 10:20

And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Mark 3:31

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

John 7:3

His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

John 7:10

But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

2 Corinthians 5:13

For whether we be beside ourselves, [it is] to God: or whether we be sober, [it is] for your cause.

2 Kings 9:11

¶ Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and [one] said unto him, [Is] all well? wherefore came this mad [fellow] to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.