Scroll Scroll

Mark 6

The Rejection at Nazareth

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.

The Mission of the Twelve

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.

The Death of John the Baptist

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.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

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.

Jesus Walks on Water

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.

Healings at Gennesaret

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

  • 1-6
    Rejection at Nazareth Jesus faces unbelief and rejection in his hometown, limiting his ability to perform miracles there.
  • 7-13
    Commissioning the Twelve Jesus sends out his disciples two by two with authority over unclean spirits and instructions for their mission.
  • 14-29
    Death of John the Baptist Herod's guilty conscience and the account of how John was executed due to Herodias' vengeful scheme.
  • 30-44
    Feeding the Five Thousand Jesus miraculously feeds a vast crowd with five loaves and two fish, demonstrating his compassion and divine power.
  • 45-52
    Walking on Water Jesus walks on the sea to reach his disciples, revealing his authority over nature and their continued lack of understanding.
  • 53-56
    Healings at Gennesaret People eagerly bring the sick to Jesus for healing, showing faith that contrasts with Nazareth's rejection.

The Rejection at Nazareth

6:1–6:6
gospel narration solemn

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.

The Mission of the Twelve

6:7–6:13
gospel instruction urgent

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.

The Death of John the Baptist

6:14–6:29
gospel narration mournful

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.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

6:30–6:44
gospel narration contemplative

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

6:45–6:52
gospel narration triumphant

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.

Healings at Gennesaret

6:53–6:56
gospel narration hopeful

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.

Insights

Insight Character Study

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.

Insight Character Study

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.

Insight Character Study

Herod's tormented conscience transforms him from persecutor to reluctant protector, as he simultaneously fears and reveres the very prophet he ultimately destroys.

Insight Character Study

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.

Insight Character Study

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.

Insight Character Study

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.

Cross-References

Connected passages across Scripture

Interlinear

Word-by-word original language

v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
v. 18
v. 19
v. 20
v. 21
v. 22
v. 23
v. 24
v. 25
v. 26
v. 27
v. 28
v. 29
v. 30
v. 31
v. 32
v. 33
v. 34
v. 35
v. 36
v. 37
v. 38
v. 39
v. 40
v. 41
v. 42
v. 43
v. 44
v. 45
v. 46
v. 47
v. 48
v. 49
v. 50
v. 51
v. 52
v. 53
v. 54
v. 55
v. 56

Historical Context

Places and events in this chapter

Loading map...