Mark Chapter Six
Jesus Rejected in His Hometown
[Text parallels Matthew 13:54-58]
6:1 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6a And he marveled because of their unbelief.
Jesus and His disciples came into Nazareth, His hometown. On the Sabbath He taught in the local synagogue and many of the attendees were astonished by His teaching (Greek ‘exeplēssonto’,[1] knocking one out of their senses, to be amazed, blown away). Then they began to question. Where did He get these things? What is the wisdom given to Him? How are such mighty works done by His hands? Is not this the carpenter? Is He not the Son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters with us? Note the progression, from wondering about where Jesus obtained His wisdom to being just one of them, a local boy. They went from being impressed to thinking that He had to be a fraud, after all, He grew up there and wasn’t special then, so why listen to Him now? So they took offense and rejected Him and all of His teaching. “Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” (Verse 4, NLT)
Jesus could not perform many miracles there because of their lack of faith. He was only able to lay His hands on a few people and heal them. He was amazed at their unbelief. Human interpretation or lack of comprehension can often be barriers to seeing the truth. Plus, people often look for credentials first before listening, but we need to remember that God can use anyone to teach others. That is why Christians need to know the Bible, to know if something taught is correct or wrong (see Acts 17:11). Why the Bible and not another document that teaches the Bible, like this one? Because the Bible is the only book that will matter when we die.
6:6b And he went about among the villages teaching.
Rather than waste more time in Nazareth, Jesus went out to other villages and taught.
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve as Apostles
[Text parallels Matthew 10:1-11:1 and Luke 9:1-6]
6:7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Even though Mark does not refer to the disciples as apostles here, that is what they are as Jesus sends them out to evangelize.[2] In this situation, Jesus dispatches them out in pairs[3] and gives them authority over unclean spirits. He tells them to take nothing with them except a walking staff. That meant no food, no bag to carry, and no money. They were to take sandals but no change of clothes. Jesus also told them that if the people of a household are interested in what they were saying, then they were to stay at that house until they were finished. The family was to feed them and take care of them while they staying there. If they were rejected and the people would not listen, the disciples were to leave and shake off the dust that was on their feet as a testimony against them (a gesture signifying that they were not responsible).
The twelve went out and proclaimed the gospel, that people should recognize that they are sinners and repent of their sins. While evangelizing, they casted out several demons and anointed many who were sick and healed them of their illnesses (see James 5:14).
Death of John the Baptist
[Text parallels Matthew 14:1-12 and Luke 9:7-9]
6:14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”
Jesus was becoming well-known and very popular, especially for His ability to heal. It was due to His supernatural abilities that created a lot of confusion. Some believed He was John the Baptist brought back to life (John the Baptist’s death will be explained in verses 17-29 below) as they thought that would explain Jesus’ miraculous powers (Matthew records that Herod believed that Jesus was a reincarnation of John, see Matthew 14:2). Some others said He is Elijah, the Old Testament prophet (Elijah was prophesied to return during the last days, see Malachi 4:5), while others stated that He was indeed a prophet, like one recorded in the Old Testament, written several hundred years earlier.
6:16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
When Herod heard that Jesus might be John the Baptist raised from the dead, he was perplexed (see Luke 9:7) and likely frightened, as he was the one that had John killed. Mark then flashes back on how John the Baptist was killed. Herod had imprisoned John for saying it was wrong for him to marry Herodias, his brother’s wife. Herodias wanted Herod to have John executed but Herod was afraid to kill him since he believed John was a man of God. Even though Herod often didn’t like what John was saying, he enjoyed listening to him.
Due to verse twenty recording that Herod knew John was a righteous and holy man and that he listened to him, some believe that Herod may have actually believed what John was preaching and possibly accepted Jesus. However, later when Jesus was brought before Jesus, Herod treated Him with contempt and mocked Him (see Luke 23:11).
6:21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately 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, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and 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 his body and laid it in a tomb.
Herodias continued to hold a grudge against John and waited for an opportunity to have John executed. That opportunity came during a time when Herod was celebrating his birthday with a large banquet attended by many influential leaders from the local area. When Herodias’ daughter danced before Herod and his guests, she pleased Herod so much that he offered in front of everyone to give her anything she wanted, up to half his kingdom. Her mother told her to get the head of John the Baptist on a platter. This request severely grieved and saddened Herod, but since he had vowed before her and his guests, he immediately ordered an executioner to bring John’s head. When the head arrived, the daughter then gave it to her mother.
Mark notes that when John the Baptist’s disciples heard about his death they came and took his body and laid him in a tomb. Mark does not record when these events took place in this flashback, however, it is likely that it was recent and occurred while Jesus and His disciples were in Galilee.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
[Text parallels Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-13]
6:30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.
The apostles returned from their missionary journey and reported to Jesus all that they had done and taught. This the first and only time Mark uses the word ‘apostle’ (Greek ‘apostoloi’,[4] one sent). Undoubtedly finding it more difficult to find solitude due to their popularity and celebrity status, Jesus wants them to go to a desolate place to rest. Mark notes that there were many people that were constantly coming and going to the point they couldn’t even eat. So they got in a boat and went to a desolate location where they could be by themselves. At least for a little while.
6:33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
While still in the boat they were recognized and before they arrived, people had come from the towns and started to gather into a large crowd. To capture the eagerness and enthusiasm of these people, Mark notes how some of them ran on foot to get there. Once Jesus arrived, He had compassion on them, as they were like sheep without a shepherd. He taught them many things.
6:35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered 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 it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.
The disciples started to get worried as it was getting late and since they were nowhere near a town, they thought it would be best to stop and let the people go to get something to eat. When they suggested that to Jesus, He probably startled them when He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They then asked Him, if they should go somewhere and spend lots of money to buy bread for them all to eat. John records this dialog was actually between Jesus and Philip in order to test him (see John 6:5-7). Jesus then asks them how many loaves of bread do they have. They looked and found five loaves and two fish. Jesus tells the crowd to sit down in groups on the green grass. They sat down in groups of fifty and hundred people. Then Jesus took the loaves and fish and looked up in the sky towards heaven, said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to distribute. He also divided the fish and had them distributed the fish to everyone there.
6:42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
Everyone ate to their satisfaction, no one remained hungry. When the disciples picked up the remaining pieces of bread and fish, they were able to fill twelve baskets. From five loaves of bread and two fish, five thousand men ate, and twelve baskets of food were left over.[5] The disciples once again get a lesson from Jesus pointing out that He is not only unhindered by physical constraints, He has authority over all things. Sadly, however, Mark notes in verse 52 that this lesson was not fully understood nor learned.
Jesus Walks on the Water
[Text parallels Matthew 14:22-33 and John 6:14-21]
6:45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Once the disciples were finished picking up the remaining food, Jesus instructed them to get back into the boat and to head towards Bethsaida without Him, while He dismissed the crowd. After everyone had gone, Jesus went up the mountain to pray. Later when it started to get dark, Jesus could see that the disciples were out on the lake, but were not making much headway as the wind was fighting against them. During the fourth watch (between 3 A.M and 6 A.M)[6], Jesus was seen walking on the water. He apparently was going to pass them by and greet them later, but they spotted Him and thought He was a ghost and became terrified. Jesus then told them that it was only Him and that there was no reason to be afraid. When He got into the boat the wind immediately stopped. Mark records that the disciples were “utterly astounded,” because they were not able to comprehend how Jesus fed all those people earlier. They still did not connect Jesus to being God, they were looking for a more rational explanation, as their hearts were hardened, unable to accept the truth.
Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
[Text parallels Matthew 14:34-36]
6:53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
When they crossed the lake, they came to Gennesaret and moored to the shore. As soon as they started to get out of the boat they were recognized and the people once again ran from around the region bringing sick people, some still in their beds, to Jesus.
Considerations
It would be an understatement to suggest that Jesus and His disciples were being stalked. Many of the religious leaders of each Jewish sect had Jesus followed, often attempting to listen in and watching for any potential theological ‘errors’. There were also those that sought Jesus for healing or to cast out demons. Then there were people who followed Jesus because He was becoming a well-known celebrity, someone that could provide some entertainment (some things never change). And now after feeding the 5,000-plus people, there were others who were undoubtedly stalking Jesus for a free lunch! It was beginning harder and harder to find privacy.
Gennesaret is not the same as Garasenes
The name Gennesaret (also called Gennesareth) is a transliteration of the Hebrew ‘Kin·ně’·rěṯ’,[7] a name found in the New Testament as an alternate name for the Sea of Galilee (see Luke 5:1) and is also the name of an approximately four-mile long crescent-shaped fertile region on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee that contained several important Biblical cities including Capernaum, Bethsaida, Magdala, and Chorazin.
Garasenes (also spelled Gadarenes)[8] is a reference to people from the town of Gadara near the range of mountains bordering on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee and the valley of the Jordan River. While Gadara and Gennesaret are both found on the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, they are many miles apart from each other.
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[1] Strong’s Greek 1605.
[2] See commentary under Matthew 10:5-15 regarding the definition of the word ‘Apostle.’
[3] See commentary under Matthew 18:15-17 regarding the use of two witnesses.
[4] Strong’s Greek 652.
[5] See commentary and Considerations under Matthew 14:15-21.
[6] See commentary under Matthew 14:22-27.
[7] Strong’s Hebrew 3672.
[8] See commentary under Matthew 8:28-34.