What does Mark 3:21 mean?

Mark 3:21 highlights themes such as misunderstanding, family, identity when read in context.

How should I apply Mark 3:21 today?

Read the surrounding passage, compare related cross references, and turn the verse into a short prayer and concrete action.

And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

19And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

20And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

21And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

22And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

23And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?

misunderstandingfamilyidentity

John 7:5
John notes that even Jesus' brothers did not believe in him, contrasting with the friends' concern.
Mark 3:31
Later in Mark, Jesus' family comes to see him, showing ongoing misunderstandings about his mission.