v1-2: In the synagogue was a man with a withered hand. It is possible that the situation was engineered by the Pharisees, so as to find an accusation against Jesus. Compare Dan 6.4. There was certainly no desire to learn from Him, nor to believe in Him.

v3: Jesus asked the man to stand up in front of everyone. The man would be healed openly, and without secrecy or trickery. This contrasts with the developing error, referred to in Matt 24.26 of covert practices.

v4: Jesus' question of great wisdom; man's petty rules were irrelevant - the real issue is whether we are for Him, doing good and saving life, or against Him, doing evil, and bringing death. To neglect the needs of an individual is to be against Him. The Pharisees' rules actually prevented them from doing good.

v5: The Lord was angry at the people's hard hearts; this anger was entirely justified, and perfectly controlled. It was not the only time He displayed anger; Luke 13.15-16; John 2.15-16.

The man's withered hand was exposed, not to bring humiliation, but to demonstrate the power of God. It was important that the people saw clearly what was happening. We too must bring our sins and weaknesses (withered hands) to Jesus, that He might make us whole, and purge out all sins.

v6: The Pharisees increased their efforts to destroy Jesus. Initially there was reasoning in their hearts (2.6), then a question (2.16,18), then criticism (2.24), and now planning to kill Him.

v7-35: Although Mark continues to establish Jesus' credentials, this section brings an early challenge to the reader; are we with Him or against Him?

v7: Perhaps in response to the combination of popularity and opposition, Jesus withdrew from the people. The people had to make the effort to come to Him. This meant a separation and a commitment. It was in this context that Jesus chose the Twelve. It was in a similar context that He gave His 'Sermon on the Mount' (Matt 5.1). Much that the Lord spoke was directed at His disciples, whether the Twelve or to a larger group.

v8: The early chapters of Mark record Christ's popularity; people came from a large area to hear Him.

v9: As a practical measure, He had a boat ready, so that He could address the people more easily.

v10: Jesus' compassion; He healed whoever came, and from whatever disease.

v11: Demons were subject to Jesus, the Son of God.

v12: The Lord Jesus commanded silence from the demons (also 1.44); there was a tendency for people to follow Him simply because of His miracles, and this instruction, if obeyed, should have mitigated that. The challenge to follow Christ is linked with a challenge to our motivation for following Him.

v13-19: The calling of the Twelve; this was not the first time He had called them, see 1.16-20, which was also not the first call; see also 2.14.

v13: Jesus called those He wanted. They were called for a special purpose, to be apostles, laying down the foundation of the new Israel and the Church. They were apostles to the Jews, just as Paul and others were apostles to the Gentiles (Gal 2.8).

The Twelve were called apart, up to the mountain, to be separate from the people.

v14-15: The Twelve were called "apostles", those sent by the Lord.

They were called "that they might be with Him"; first to have fellowship with Christ, that they might know Him better. Without such a relationship any service is ineffective.

They were called "that He might send them out"; they would continue Christ's work; see Acts 1.1, "all that Jesus began to do and to teach". They were sent to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons. The kingdom of God was demonstrated by word and sign.

v16-19: The twelve men appointed; the Lord knew those He chose (John 15.16).

Within the twelve were three, who were specially named; Simon called Peter, James and John named Boanerges. Several times they were picked out by the Lord; see 5.37 (Jairus' daughter); 9.2 (transfiguration); and 14.33 (Gethsemane).

v20: The Lord entered a house (or synagogue; 2.1) with His disciples. His popularity at this stage was such that a crowd tried to enter also.

v21-22: There were two sources of accusations against Christ; from His own family (which may include His town), that He was "out of His mind"; we read that His own people did not receive Him (Matt 13.57; John 1.11). The second accusation came from the scribes, who had apparently arrived from Jerusalem to investigate what was happening; their accusation was that He was "possessed by Beelzebub" (i.e: a demon). Both opinions, that He was mad or bad, were wrong.

v23-30: Jesus answered both accusations; His simple logic answered the accusation of madness. He declared Himself to be stronger than Satan and any demon, and thus answered the first accusation also.

Jesus spoke of the reality of Satan, as a real, intelligent, malignant person; of his determined opposition to all that is good, and of His own ultimate victory over Satan.

v23-26:   Jesus’ words concerning Satan are not simply hyperbole. The reality is that Satan is divided; he has an end, which Christ Himself will bring about.

v27: Christ is the strong man, who binds Satan, and plunders his goods, even men and women. We must therefore cling to Jesus Christ, the strong victor.

v28-30: Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit; this seems to refer to an attitude of such hardness of heart against God that a person attributes God's working to Satan; see Heb 6.4-8; 10.26-29; 2 Pet 2.20-22. This was a particular danger for Jews and other religious people, who have some knowledge of religious things. They have tasted something of God, but then revert to a deliberate and persistent rejection of Christ.

Matt 12.32 refers to "anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man"; Mark omits this statement, following his theme of Christ the servant; no man would think it wrong to speak harshly against a servant.

v31: Jesus' wider family (v21) presumably called for His mother and brothers.  They remained outside the house. Their arrival was communicated inside.

Jesus's family had arrived (v21) to take control of Him; hence the accusation that He was "out of his mind." 'This was a situation where Jesus had to confront family control, and the situation was tense However, He cut right through the family claims to authority over Him and said in front of everyone present 'Who is my mother?' He moved out of His family's authority, in front of a large number of people who were living in that culture.' (David Devenish, Demolishing Strongholds)

v32: The people referred only to human relationships; they were ignorant of Christ, and of the glorious reality that God was among them.

v33-35: Jesus was pleased to acknowledge as His family those who obeyed Him (Heb 2.10-13). At the same time, He challenged His hearers to further obedience. If we claim to belong to Him, the clear expectation is that we do the will of God.

Jesus dealt very differently with the two challenges. The teachers of the law came with strong accusation, which He answered robustly. His family came with a concern that He was mad. He did not answer this directly, so He made no public criticism of his natural family.