Mark 3:20-30

New International Reader's Version

Jesus Is Accused by Teachers of the Law

²⁰ Jesus entered a house. Again a crowd gathered. It was so large that Jesus and his disciples were not even able to eat. ²¹ His family heard about this. So they went to take charge of him. They said, “He is out of his mind.”

²² Some teachers of the law were there. They had come down from Jerusalem. They said, “He is controlled by Beelzebul! He is driving out demons by the power of the prince of demons.”

²³ So Jesus called them over to him. He began to speak to them using stories. He said, “How can Satan drive out Satan? ²⁴ If a kingdom fights against itself, it can’t stand. ²⁵ If a family is divided, it can’t stand. ²⁶ And if Satan fights against himself, and his helpers are divided, he can’t stand. That is the end of him. ²⁷ In fact, none of you can enter a strong man’s house unless you tie him up first. Then you can steal things from his house. ²⁸ What I’m about to tell you is true. Everyone’s sins and evil words against God will be forgiven. ²⁹ But whoever speaks evil things against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. Their guilt will last forever.”

³⁰ Jesus said this because the teachers of the law were saying, “He has an evil spirit.”