And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

MARK 3:15KJV
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Mark 3:15 (KJV)

What does Mark 3:15 mean?

Mark 3:15 says that Jesus gave his chosen followers the authority to heal people who were sick and to drive out evil spirits. This verse highlights the special power and responsibility Jesus entrusted to his disciples as part of their mission.

In the setting of Mark 3, Jesus is gathering his twelve apostles and preparing them for their work. He is not just calling them to follow him, but also giving them real authority to help others in ways that show God’s power. The verse is part of a list describing what Jesus expected from those closest to him.

The Greek behind Mark 3:15

  • The word for "power" is ἐξουσία (exousia), which often means authority or the right to act, not just strength. Here, it emphasizes that the disciples are acting with Jesus’ permission and backing, not their own ability.
  • The word for "heal" is θεραπεύειν (therapeuein), which means to care for or restore health. This shows that their role was not just dramatic miracles but also compassionate help for the sick.
  • The word for "devils" is δαιμόνια (daimonia), meaning evil spirits or demons. The verse points to a real struggle with spiritual forces, not just physical illness.

Why Mark 3:15 matters

  • Mark 3:15 makes it clear that the disciples’ authority came directly from Jesus, not from themselves or any other source.
  • The verse shows that Jesus’ mission included both physical healing and spiritual rescue, tying together care for the whole person.
  • This verse sets up the rest of the Gospel, where the disciples are seen acting in Jesus’ name, and it explains why people recognized their actions as significant.

Where else these words appear

“sicknesses” Greek G3554 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
  • Luke 6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

“heal” Greek G2323 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Matthew 19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
  • Luke 8:43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

“devils” Greek G1140 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
  • Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
  • Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

“out” Greek G1544 · used in 76 verses

  • Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
  • Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
  • Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.