Bible Commentaries
Mark 6

Introduction

A Prophet In His Own Country Mark Six

Mark chapter six continues to trace the personal ministry of Jesus. Jesus went to His home area and He was not received very warmly. He preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and the people were astonished at what He said. The apostles had been with Jesus for some time now. They had been observing Him as well as hearing both His public and private teaching. He now sent them out to preach and do miracles.

Some thought that Jesus must have been John the Baptist raised from the dead. Both John and Jesus were on the mission of bringing people to repentance and baptism. John was beheaded because he had told Herod that it was not right for him to have his brother's wife.

In Mark six we also have two of Jesus' very famous miracles, feeding five thousand and walking on the water. With only five loaves and two fish Jesus fed a multitude of people. Jesus also walked on the sea and came to his disciples as they were toiling against contrary winds. His disciples were amazed. Today we still stand amazed at the power of Jesus, the Son of God.

Verses 1-13

Jesus gave the apostles their assignments Mar_6:1-13 : Jesus revisited his boyhood home of Nazareth. He had adopted Capernaum as His home and He did many of His mighty works there. Jesus had lived around and among these people for almost thirty years. They were astonished at His teaching. They asked, (1) Where did this man acquire this wisdom? (2) What is the given to Him? And (3) what mighty works and powers are wrought by His hands? They looked at Jesus as "the Carpenter." They knew His mother, Mary and His brothers, James and Joses and Judas and Simon. They also knew His sisters. Jesus said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and among his relatives and in his own house." He could not do much there because of the attitude that the people had toward Him. He did lay his hands on a few people and heal them.

Jesus called His apostles and sent them out with authority to preach and to heal. They were His ambassadors. They were only to take the basic necessities for their journey. He wanted them to learn to depend on God. God would use the believers to provide for the needs of His apostles. When they went into a city they were to stay in one house till they left that place. They were to shake off the dust from their feet against any city that refused them or that refused God's message. He said, "Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the judgment day than for that town."

Verses 14-29

The fate of John the Baptist Mar_6:14-29 : Guilt caused Herod to believe that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Many, through the years, have believed the erroneous doctrine of the "transmigration of the soul." Others said He was Elijah or one of the prophets. Herod had married his bother's wife. John told Herod that it was unlawful for him to have Herodias as his wife. God had said, "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness."( Lev_18:16 )

Herodias' anger against John caused her to want him dead. The opportunity came at Herod's birthday banquet. When Herodias' daughter danced for the lustful Herod he said, "Ask me for whatever you desire, and I will give it to you." The girl asked her mother what to request and her mother said, "The head of John the Baptist!" John's head was lopped off and put on a platter and handed to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. I wonder what became of the head of this righteous man. John's disciples learned about what had happened and they came and buried his body.

Verses 30-44

Jesus Fed the Five Thousand Mar_6:30-44 : The apostles returned to Jesus and told Him what they had done and what they had taught. He wanted them to have a little time to rest so he took them to a deserted place. With the continual coming of so many people they had not even had time to eat. They slipped away from the crowd and went away in a boat to a solitary place by themselves. The people saw what was happening and ran on foot and got there before the boat landed. Compassion caused Jesus to go out among the crowd to teach and to help them. It was late in the day so his disciples asked Him to send the people away to buy food.

Instead of sending the people away Jesus told His disciples to give them something to eat. He said, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." They looked and found five loaves and two fish. Jesus commanded the people to sit on the green grass. They sat in groups of hundreds and fifties. He took the five loaves and two fish; He looked up to heaven and, gave thanks. He gave the loaves and fish to the disciples to give to the people. The people ate and were satisfied. The number of men that ate was about five thousand. When the people had eaten all they wanted they took up twelve baskets full of fragments.

Verses 45-56

Jesus performed great miracles Mar_6:45-56 : Jesus sent the disciples across the sea to Bethsaida. He stayed behind to send the multitude away. After He sent them away He went up into a mountain to pray. The boat in which the disciples were was in the middle of the sea and the Savior was still on land. Jesus saw that they were having trouble rowing against a strong wind. So he went to them walking on the water. When they saw Him walking on the water they thought it was a ghost and cried out with terror. Jesus said, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." He got in the boat with them. At that moment the wind ceased. The disciples were astonished beyond measure. They forgot that Jesus had just fed the multitude by miracle. He is the Son of the living God.

When they had crossed over the sea, they came into the land of Gennesaret and came ashore there. Gennesaret was on the east shore of the Sea of Galilee. The people of Gennesaret had seen Jesus before and knew about His mighty works. They knew how that He had shown compassion in healing many. So they ran about the whole countryside, and began to carry around sick people to any place where they heard that He was. When Jesus came into villages or cities or the country the sick were laid before Him. The people begged Him that they might touch even the border of His garment, and as many as touched Him were restored to health. Truly this man is the Son of God!