Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

MARK 3:28KJV
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Mark 3:28 (KJV)

What does Mark 3:28 mean?

Mark 3:28 records Jesus saying that every kind of sin and blasphemy can be forgiven to people. This statement highlights the wide reach of forgiveness, emphasizing that no ordinary sin or spoken offense puts someone beyond the possibility of being forgiven.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a crowd that includes religious leaders who have accused Him of acting by the power of evil spirits. By saying this, Jesus sets the stage for a serious warning about a particular kind of blasphemy in the next verse. Here, He stresses how broad God’s forgiveness is, even for those who have spoken wrongly or acted against Him, as long as it is not the specific sin He will mention next.

The Greek behind Mark 3:28

  • "Verily" (ἀμὴν, amēn): This word is a strong affirmation, like saying “truly” or “I assure you.” Jesus uses it to signal that what He is about to say is especially important and trustworthy.
  • "Sins" (ἁμαρτήματα, hamartēmata): This Greek word refers to wrongdoings or offenses, not just mistakes but actions that miss the mark of what is right. The use here shows that all types of moral failings are included.
  • "Blasphemies" (βλασφημίαι, blasphēmiai): This word means speaking irreverently or insultingly about God or sacred things. Jesus includes even these serious spoken offenses in what can be forgiven.
  • "Forgiven" (ἀφεθήσεται, aphethēsetai): This verb means to let go, release, or pardon. The sense is that these wrongs can be completely removed or no longer counted against someone.

Why Mark 3:28 matters

  • Mark 3:28 clarifies that God’s forgiveness is not limited to minor mistakes but extends to all sins and even to blasphemies, which were considered especially serious by Jesus’ audience.
  • This verse prepares the listener for the warning that follows, making it clear that the next statement about an unforgivable sin is an exception, not the rule.
  • Mark 3:28 helps correct the idea that some ordinary sins might be too great for forgiveness, emphasizing the generosity and reach of divine mercy.

Where else these words appear

“sins” Greek G265 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
  • Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
  • 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

“blasphemies” Greek G988 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
  • Mark 14:64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
  • Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

“blaspheme” Greek G987 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 9:3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
  • Acts 19:37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
  • James 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

“wherewith” Greek G3745 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
  • Luke 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
  • Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.