Mark 3:23

3:23 So ¹  he called them and spoke to them in parables: ²  “How can Satan cast out Satan?

Mark 4:10

The Purpose of Parables

4:10 When he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

Mark 4:30

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

4:30 He also asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it?

Mark 4:34

4:34 He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.

Mark 7:17

7:17 Now ³  when Jesus ⁴  had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable.

[3:23]  ¹ tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of previous action(s) in the narrative.

[3:23]  ² sn Jesus spoke two parables to demonstrate the absurdity of the thinking of the religious leaders who maintained that he was in league with Satan and that he actually derived his power from the devil. The first parable (vv. 23-26) teaches that if Jesus cast out demons by the ruler of the demons, then in reality Satan is fighting against himself, with the result that his kingdom has come to an end. The second parable (v. 28) about tying up a strong man proves that Jesus does not need to align himself with the devil because Jesus is more powerful. Jesus defeated Satan at his temptation (1:12-13) and by his exorcisms he clearly demonstrated himself to be stronger than the devil. The passage reveals the desperate condition of the religious leaders, who in their hatred for Jesus end up attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan (a position for which they will be held accountable, 3:29-30). For an explanation of what a parable is, see the note on parables in 4:2.

[7:17]  ³ tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[7:17]  ⁴ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.