Mark 3:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the Pharisees {G5330} went forth {G1831}, and straightway {G2112} took {G4160} counsel {G4824} with {G3326} the Herodians {G2265} against {G2596} him {G846}, how {G3704} they might destroy {G622} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The P'rushim went out and immediately began plotting with some members of Herod's party how to do away with him.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 3:6 records a chilling escalation in the opposition to Jesus's ministry, revealing that immediately after Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, the religious Pharisees, in an unprecedented move, allied with the political Herodians to conspire against Him, seeking a way to put Him to death. This verse marks a critical turning point where the conflict shifts from theological debate to a deadly plot, highlighting the profound threat Jesus posed to the established religious and political order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus's deliberate act of healing a man with a withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath, as detailed in [Mark 3:1-5](/mark/3-1-5 "Mark 3:1-5 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath"). Jesus had entered the synagogue, observed the man, and, knowing He was being watched by the Pharisees, challenged their rigid interpretation of Sabbath law by asking if it was lawful to do good or evil, to save life or to kill, on the Sabbath. Their stony silence and hardened hearts prompted Jesus's deep grief and anger, after which He commanded the man to stretch out his hand and healed him. Mark 3:6 is the immediate, visceral reaction of the religious establishment to this powerful demonstration of divine authority and compassion that directly contradicted their legalistic traditions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their extensive oral traditions, which they considered equally binding. They emphasized ritual purity, tithing, and Sabbath observance, often to the point of legalism. The Herodians, on the other hand, were a political faction loyal to the Herodian dynasty, particularly Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. They were generally pro-Roman and held significant political influence, often clashing with the more nationalistic and religiously conservative Pharisees. The alliance between these two groups was highly unusual and politically expedient, signifying the extreme level of perceived threat Jesus represented to both their religious authority and political stability. Their shared animosity towards Jesus transcended their deep-seated ideological differences.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 3:6 powerfully contributes to several key themes within Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **escalating opposition** to Jesus, moving from mere questioning and criticism (e.g., [Mark 2:1-12](/mark/2-1-12 "Mark 2:1-12 - Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic"), [Mark 2:18-22](/mark/2-18-22 "Mark 2:18-22 - Question About Fasting"), [Mark 2:23-28](/mark/2-23-28 "Mark 2:23-28 - Lord of the Sabbath")) to outright conspiracy and murderous intent. Secondly, it highlights the **unlikely alliances** that form against God's purposes, demonstrating how disparate groups can unite against a common perceived enemy, in this case, the embodiment of divine truth and grace. Thirdly, it exposes the profound **spiritual blindness and hypocrisy** of religious leaders who, under the guise of upholding God's law, were willing to plot murder on the very day they claimed to honor as holy. This verse sets a dark tone, foreshadowing the ultimate rejection and crucifixion of Jesus, a central theme in Mark's narrative of the suffering Messiah (e.g., [Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus Predicts His Death")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **straightway (Greek, _euthéōs_):** This adverb emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of the Pharisees' reaction. It signifies that their decision to conspire against Jesus was not a delayed or carefully considered one, but an instantaneous response born of intense anger and fear following Jesus's Sabbath healing. Mark frequently uses this term to convey the rapid pace and decisive nature of events in Jesus's ministry.
* **Herodians (Greek, _Hērōdianoí_):** This term refers to the political partisans of the Herodian dynasty. Their inclusion in this conspiracy is highly significant because they were typically at odds with the religiously zealous Pharisees. Their alliance underscores the profound and multifaceted threat Jesus posed, uniting even disparate factions in their opposition to Him, indicating a political as well as religious concern.
* **destroy (Greek, _apóllymi_):** This verb means "to destroy fully," "to perish," or "to lose." In this context, it unequivocally signifies their intent to kill Jesus. It reveals the ultimate goal of their counsel: not merely to silence or discredit Him, but to utterly eliminate Him. This word choice highlights the severity and murderous intent behind their plotting.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Pharisees went forth,"**: This indicates that the Pharisees, having been present in the synagogue and witnessing Jesus's healing on the Sabbath, immediately departed from that setting. Their "going forth" suggests a deliberate and purposeful exit, likely to a private place where they could discuss and plan without interruption. It marks their transition from passive observation and silent judgment to active plotting.
* **"and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him,"**: The term "straightway" (euthéōs) emphasizes the swiftness of their action, indicating their intense anger and alarm. The act of "taking counsel" (symboúlion poiéō) signifies a formal deliberation or conspiracy. The shocking element here is their alliance with the Herodians, a political group with whom they had little in common and often opposed. This unprecedented collaboration underscores the extreme nature of their animosity towards Jesus, as He was perceived as a threat to both religious authority and political stability. The phrase "against him" explicitly states the target of their malicious plotting.
* **"how they might destroy him."**: This clause reveals the sinister purpose of their counsel. The verb "destroy" (apóllymi) in this context means to kill or utterly ruin. It leaves no doubt about their murderous intent. This marks a significant escalation in the opposition to Jesus, moving beyond mere theological disputes or challenges to His authority, to a direct plot against His life. It foreshadows the ultimate outcome of their escalating hostility.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 3:6 effectively employs several literary devices to convey the gravity of the situation. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the stark contrast between Jesus's compassionate act of healing on the Sabbath and the immediate, murderous intent of the religious leaders. This highlights their spiritual blindness and hardened hearts. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as this early conspiracy to "destroy him" clearly anticipates the eventual plot that leads to Jesus's crucifixion, setting a tone of escalating conflict throughout the Gospel. Furthermore, there is profound **Irony** in the fact that the very individuals who meticulously observed the Sabbath law, ostensibly to honor God, were willing to violate the sanctity of life by plotting murder on that same holy day. This exposes the hypocrisy of their legalism.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 3:6 is a pivotal moment that highlights the inherent conflict between the Kingdom of God, as embodied by Jesus, and the established human systems, particularly those rooted in legalism and self-preservation. It reveals the depth of human sin and resistance to divine truth, even when manifested through compassion and miraculous power. The alliance between the Pharisees and Herodians, despite their profound differences, underscores how opposition to Christ can unite disparate forces, demonstrating a spiritual battle against the light. This verse serves as a stark reminder that genuine righteousness and divine authority often provoke hostility from those who prioritize tradition, power, or human systems over God's revealed will and the well-being of humanity.

* [Psalm 2:1-2](/psalms/2-1-2 "Psalm 2:1-2 - The Conspiracy Against the Lord's Anointed")
* [John 11:47-53](/john/11-47-53 "John 11:47-53 - The Plot to Kill Jesus")
* [Acts 4:27-28](/acts/4-27-28 "Acts 4:27-28 - God's Sovereign Plan in the Opposition")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 3:6 serves as a sobering reminder that living faithfully for Christ and embodying His compassion can provoke intense opposition, even from unexpected sources. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts for any legalistic tendencies or self-righteousness that might blind them to God's true heart and purpose. Just as Jesus's actions exposed the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders, our commitment to truth and love may expose the darkness in the world around us. This verse calls us to courage and discernment, recognizing that spiritual battles are real and that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, even through the darkest conspiracies. We are reminded that true faith is not about rigid adherence to human traditions, but about a living relationship with God that manifests in compassion, justice, and obedience to His Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the swift and severe reaction of the Pharisees and Herodians challenge my assumptions about religious devotion and political power?**
* **In what ways might my own traditions or comfort zones prevent me from embracing radical compassion or divine truth?**
* **What lessons can I draw from Jesus's steadfastness in the face of such intense and immediate opposition?**
* **How can I ensure that my faith is centered on God's heart of love and mercy, rather than on rigid rules or self-serving agendas?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Pharisees and Herodians, who were typically enemies, unite against Jesus?**

Answer: The alliance between the Pharisees and the Herodians was indeed highly unusual, as they represented opposing religious and political ideologies. The Pharisees were strict religious conservatives focused on Jewish law and tradition, while the Herodians were a political party loyal to the Roman-backed Herodian dynasty. Their unity against Jesus in [Mark 3:6](/mark/3-6 "Mark 3:6 - The Plot Against Jesus") highlights the profound and multifaceted threat Jesus posed to both their spheres of influence. For the Pharisees, Jesus's disregard for their oral traditions (especially regarding the Sabbath, as seen in [Mark 3:1-5](/mark/3-1-5 "Mark 3:1-5 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath")) and His growing popularity undermined their religious authority. For the Herodians, Jesus's burgeoning movement and claims of a new kingdom (even if spiritual) could be perceived as a potential political uprising that might destabilize their rule or provoke Roman intervention. Thus, their shared fear and desire to maintain their respective power structures created an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" scenario, uniting them in their common goal to eliminate Jesus.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 3:6, with its chilling depiction of the Pharisees and Herodians conspiring to destroy Jesus, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through the crucifixion. While their intent was malicious, their actions unwittingly served the sovereign purposes of God. The plotting to "destroy him" points directly to the Lamb of God, who was "led as a sheep to the slaughter" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")), whose life would be given as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). The very opposition Jesus faced, culminating in His death, was not a defeat but the means by which He would secure victory over sin and death, establishing His eternal kingdom. The conspiracy in this verse, therefore, is a dark but necessary step towards the glorious truth that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). Jesus's steadfastness in the face of this early plot demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His mission, knowing that His suffering was integral to His role as the Messiah who would ultimately conquer through sacrifice, fulfilling the ancient prophecies concerning the suffering servant and the triumphant King.

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

Matthew 22:16

And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Mark 12:13

¶ And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in [his] words.

Matthew 12:14

¶ Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Mark 8:15

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and [of] the leaven of Herod.

Psalms 109:3

They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

Psalms 109:4

For my love they are my adversaries: but I [give myself unto] prayer.

Luke 6:11

And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.