Mark 6

Mark 6 captures significant moments in Jesus' ministry, including His rejection in His hometown of Nazareth, the sending out of the twelve disciples, the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, and Jesus walking on water. Each story reveals different facets of Jesus’ power and authority, as well as the mixed responses He received from different groups, from unbelief to awe. The chapter highlights the challenges Jesus faced as well as His compassion and miraculous abilities.

Mark 6:1-6 (NKJV)
1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.
2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!
3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”
5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

In these verses, Jesus returns to Nazareth, where He is met with skepticism and disbelief by those who have known Him since His youth. Despite His wisdom and miracles, they cannot accept Him as the Messiah due to their familiarity with His background. Jesus points out the difficulty of being accepted by those closest to Him, highlighting the irony of a prophet being unrecognized in their own home. Their unbelief limits what He is able to do, showing that faith plays a crucial role in receiving God’s work.

Mark 6:7-13 (NKJV)
7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—
9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
10 Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.
11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.
13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Jesus commissions His twelve disciples to go out in pairs, giving them authority over evil spirits and instructing them to travel lightly, relying on the hospitality of others. The instructions encourage a simple dependence on God and focus on their mission rather than material concerns. Jesus’ instruction to “shake off the dust” if rejected signifies a solemn warning against rejecting the message of repentance. The disciples faithfully preach and heal, extending Jesus’ ministry and demonstrating the kingdom of God’s power.

Mark 6:14-16 (NKJV)
14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
15 Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”
16 But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!”

Upon hearing about Jesus, Herod becomes disturbed, believing that John the Baptist has been resurrected. This reaction reflects Herod’s guilt and fear over John’s execution. People’s varied opinions about Jesus—seeing Him as Elijah or another prophet—highlight the public’s confusion and expectations regarding the Messiah. Herod’s anxiety foreshadows the tension between Jesus and the ruling authorities, who misunderstand His true identity and mission.

Mark 6:17-29 (NKJV)
17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.
18 Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
19 Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not;
20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
21 Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”
25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.
27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison,
28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

This passage recounts the tragic execution of John the Baptist, a righteous man whose condemnation of Herod’s unlawful marriage offended Herodias. Herod respected John and was intrigued by his message but was ultimately swayed by Herodias’ manipulation. During a lavish celebration, Herodias uses her daughter’s dance to coerce Herod into granting her deadly request. Herod’s reluctance shows his inner conflict, yet he chooses his reputation over righteousness, leading to John's martyrdom. This story highlights the danger of pride and moral compromise in the face of peer pressure.

Mark 6:30-32 (NKJV)
30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.
31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

After returning from their mission, the disciples report back to Jesus, sharing the work they had accomplished. Jesus, recognizing their need for rest after their intense efforts, invites them to a secluded place to recharge. This brief retreat shows Jesus’ concern for the physical and emotional well-being of His disciples, highlighting the importance of rest in ministry. It also foreshadows the upcoming events where, despite their intention to rest, the needs of the people will soon demand their attention again.

Mark 6:33-44 (NKJV)
33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him.
34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
35 When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.
36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.”
37 But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”
38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”
39 Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.
40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.
41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.
42 So they all ate and were filled.
43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.
44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.

As Jesus and the disciples try to retreat, a large crowd follows, and Jesus is moved by their need for guidance. His compassion leads Him to teach them, even as the day grows late. When the disciples suggest sending the crowd away to buy food, Jesus challenges them to provide, revealing His intention to miraculously meet the need. With only five loaves and two fish, Jesus multiplies the food, feeding the entire crowd with an abundance left over. This miracle demonstrates His divine power and highlights the principle of God’s provision even when resources seem insufficient.

Mark 6:45-52 (NKJV)
45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.
46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.
47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.
48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.
49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out;
50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.
52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

This passage recounts how Jesus sent His disciples ahead by boat while He stayed behind to pray. Later that night, as the disciples struggled against strong winds, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. Initially terrified, thinking He was a ghost, they were calmed when He identified Himself, climbed into the boat, and the wind ceased. Despite witnessing His power, the disciples were astonished because they had not understood the miracle of the loaves earlier; their hearts were hardened. This means they failed to grasp the deeper truth of Jesus’ divine authority and care, focusing only on the physical aspects of His miracles. Their amazement reveals a struggle to move from seeing Jesus as a miracle worker to recognizing Him as the Son of God with power over all creation.

Mark 6:53-56 (NKJV)
53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.
54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him,
55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.
56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

Upon arriving in Gennesaret, Jesus is immediately recognized, and people flock to Him, bringing the sick for healing. His reputation as a healer and compassionate teacher has spread, and the people’s faith in His ability to heal is so strong that they believe even touching His garment will restore them. Jesus’ compassion and miraculous power continue to draw crowds, demonstrating His role as the Messiah who brings physical and spiritual restoration to those who believe.