GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
Mark 3:6
Scenes and Sequels
Writing teachers describe a scene as taking place in real time, involving a setting, and involving some action. A scene is followed—or should be—followed by a sequel, that links two scenes. St. Mark’s description of Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees and the teachers of the law about healing on the Sabbath illustrates these literary principles. The event took place on a Sabbath, in a synagogue, and involved a theological discussion and a miraculous healing. The sequel: “And going out, the Pharisees immediately began to plot with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.” (Mark 3:6)
The Pharisees and teachers of the law faced a dilemma—they could not rebuke Jesus in the synagogue, for his teaching showed the basic contradiction in their position, and the healing of the withered hand confirmed his authority. So, they could either accept his teaching, which went against their core ideas, or reject him. Choosing the second option, they went out and plotted with the Herodians to destroy him. A Pharisee would normally have nothing to do with a Herodian, who did not keep the law. For the Pharisees, these unclean people were the court entourage of Herod who were continually coming into contact with Romans. Their hatred, though, drove them to form an unholy alliance with “sinners” for the purpose of destroying Jesus.
There is some discussion among translators about Mark’s word “destroy” (apolesosin). It is sometimes rendered “kill,” but it is generally rendered as “destroy.” There are many ways to destroy someone: ruin the reputation, defraud, or compromise; of course, that can also involve killing. The intention of the Pharisees and Herodians will become clear: in their hearts, they wanted to kill Jesus.
The wise man said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23) Jesus later taught his disciples, “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23) Sound teaching never diminishes.
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