Mark uniquely portrays Jesus as "the carpenter" (τέκτων) rather than "the carpenter's son," making this the only Gospel to identify Jesus by his own trade rather than Joseph's occupation.
1He went out from there. He came into his own country, and his disciples followed him.
2When 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 is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands?
3Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they were offended at him.
4Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.”
5He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.
6He marveled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching.
7He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
8He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse,
9but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics.
10He said to them, “Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there.
11Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
12They went out and preached that people should repent.
13They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them.
14King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
15But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.”
16But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.”
17For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her.
18For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
19Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t,
20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
21Then a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
22When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
23He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.”
25She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”
26The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her.
27Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring John’s head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.
29When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
30The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught.
31He said to them, “Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
32They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.
33They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him.
34Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
35When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is late in the day.
36Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.”
37But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”
38He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.” When they knew, they said, “Five, and two fish.”
39He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass.
40They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.
41He took the five loaves and the two fish; and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all.
42They all ate and were filled.
43They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish.
44Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away.
46After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray.
47When evening had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land.
48Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them,
49but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
50for they all saw him and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
51He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled;
52for they hadn’t understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore.
54When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him,
55and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick on their mats to where they heard he was.
56Wherever he entered—into villages, or into cities, or into the country—they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.
Mark 6 presents a series of contrasts between rejection and acceptance of Jesus' authority. After being rejected in his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus sends out the twelve disciples with power to heal and cast out demons, while the chapter recounts the tragic death of John the Baptist at Herod's hands. The narrative then shifts to demonstrate Jesus' divine power through the miraculous feeding of five thousand people and his walking on water, concluding with widespread healings that show the people's eager faith in contrast to Nazareth's unbelief.
Context
This chapter follows Jesus' mighty works in chapter 5 and sets up the growing tension with religious authorities that will intensify in chapter 7.
Key Themes
Outline
Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth where he teaches in the synagogue but is rejected by those who knew him as a carpenter. His own people's lack of faith limits his ability to perform miracles there.
person_contrast
Mark uniquely portrays Jesus as "the carpenter" (τέκτων) rather than "the carpenter's son," making this the only Gospel to identify Jesus by his own trade rather than Joseph's occupation.
Jesus sends out the twelve disciples two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits and specific instructions for their mission. They preach repentance, cast out demons, and heal the sick.
person_contrast
Jesus delegates his exorcistic authority to the Twelve while simultaneously stripping them of material security, creating an unprecedented paradox between spiritual power and physical vulnerability.
King Herod reluctantly executes John the Baptist after being manipulated by Herodias and her daughter during a birthday celebration. John had been imprisoned for condemning Herod's unlawful marriage to his brother's wife.
person_contrast
Herod's tormented conscience transforms him from persecutor to reluctant protector, as he simultaneously fears and reveres the very prophet he ultimately destroys.
Jesus miraculously feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fish after having compassion on the crowd who were like sheep without a shepherd. The disciples collect twelve baskets of leftovers.
person_contrast
Jesus commands the disciples to organize the crowd "by companies upon the green grass," using the rare Greek word *symposia* (drinking parties), transforming a wilderness into an ordered banquet hall.
Jesus walks on water to reach his disciples who are struggling against contrary winds in their boat. Despite witnessing this miracle, the disciples remain amazed but fail to understand, showing their hardened hearts.
person_contrast
Mark uniquely portrays Jesus intending to "pass by" his struggling disciples (παρελθεῖν), echoing God's theophanic appearances to Moses and Elijah where divine presence "passes by" mortal witnesses.
Jesus arrives at Gennesaret where crowds bring the sick to him for healing. All who touch his garment are made well, demonstrating his miraculous healing power.
person_contrast
Mark's Jesus transforms from the storm-commanding authority figure of verses 45-52 into a passive healing presence, with crowds initiating contact rather than responding to his teaching or commands.
Mark uniquely portrays Jesus as "the carpenter" (τέκτων) rather than "the carpenter's son," making this the only Gospel to identify Jesus by his own trade rather than Joseph's occupation.
Jesus delegates his exorcistic authority to the Twelve while simultaneously stripping them of material security, creating an unprecedented paradox between spiritual power and physical vulnerability.
Herod's tormented conscience transforms him from persecutor to reluctant protector, as he simultaneously fears and reveres the very prophet he ultimately destroys.
Jesus commands the disciples to organize the crowd "by companies upon the green grass," using the rare Greek word *symposia* (drinking parties), transforming a wilderness into an ordered banquet hall.
Mark uniquely portrays Jesus intending to "pass by" his struggling disciples (παρελθεῖν), echoing God's theophanic appearances to Moses and Elijah where divine presence "passes by" mortal witnesses.
Mark's Jesus transforms from the storm-commanding authority figure of verses 45-52 into a passive healing presence, with crowds initiating contact rather than responding to his teaching or commands.
Connected passages across Scripture
Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this m…
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He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—no staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money. Don’t have two tunics each.
Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor sandals, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.
Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.
Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts.
Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there.
Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on.
Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
From there he arose and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house and didn’t want anyone to…
I tell you, you will by no means get out of there until you have paid the very last penny.”
He healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. He didn’t allow the demons to speak, becaus…
Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all w…
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and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”
Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that Jo…
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah.…
When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Herod said, “I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him.
They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
They told him, “John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others, one of the prophets.”
and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
They answered, “‘John the Baptizer,’ but others say, ‘Elijah,’ and others, that one of the old prophets has risen again.…
Herod said, “I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him.
Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that Jo…
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For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
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Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that Jo…
Herod said, “I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him.
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah.…
The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be gi…
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James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”
She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”
His head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”
Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty ye…
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, the…
The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them and withdrew apart to a desert re…
After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias.
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, the…
When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send th…
Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed t…
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like she…
Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea…
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, an…
As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness…
When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send th…
The day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the sur…
But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to spread about the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter…
In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”
Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may receive…
But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless…
Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loav…
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’”
I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread…
He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, broke them, and gave them to the d…
They told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.”
He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to he…
But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless…
When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told…
He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, broke them, and gave them to the d…
He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to he…
But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless…
They told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.”
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed it, he broke it and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat. T…
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitud…
Now on one of those days, he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, “Let’s go over to the…
Immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples and came into the region of Dalmanutha.
They entered into the boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea…
In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.
But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
When therefore they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to…
Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wh…
Putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.
“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those w…
Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on.
Behold, a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment;
came behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak. Immediately the flow of her blood stopped.
Word-by-word original language
Places and events in this chapter