Mark 3:20-35 is part of the section concerning Jesus’ ministry in Galilee and the surrounding areas (Mark 1:14–8:21). In particular, it can be grouped together with other events that take place around the Sea of Galilee and in Nazareth (Mark 3:7–6:6). These events all take place after Jesus has already demonstrated his authority to the people in his teaching, healing, and driving out demons (Mark 1:14–45) and after he has been repeatedly challenged and ultimately rejected by the Pharisees (Mark 2:1 – 3:6), who now also want to have him killed (Mark 3:6).
Before we come to Mark 3:20-35, we need to be aware of the two stories which immediately precede our pericope:1
Mark 3:7–12. Jesus goes to a place next to the Sea of Galilee. Now, people from all over Israel come to see him so that they can be healed. They come from the north, south, and the east. Jesus is becoming so famous that he has to make plans for a boat to be prepared, in case the people start crushing him. Unclean spirits also fall down before Jesus crying out,
You are the Son of God!
Mark 3:13–19. Because Jesus came to preach (Mark 1:38) and he has now become so famous that he is unable to do so on account of the crowds, he calls twelve disciples to himself and gives them the authority to preach and drive out demons.
20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat.