Bible Commentaries
Mark 6

Verses 1-6

His own country ; Nazareth. Matthew 13:54-58 .

Verse 3

The carpenter ; Jesus, before he began his ministry, seems to have wrought at the employment of a carpenter. Matthew 13:55 .

Verse 5

Could there do no mighty work ; because of their unbelief, as is added by Matthew, Matthew 13:58 . This is an instance of the manner in which the words can and cannot are sometimes used in the Bible: he could not consistently, or with propriety; there do many mighty works. He healed a few, but not many; not because he had not power, but for other reasons. In order to understand correctly the meaning of words which speak of ability and inability, as used in the Bible, we must consider the subject about which they were spoken, the connection in which they are found, and the manner in which the speaker and writer used them.

Verses 7-11

The twelve apostles sent out. Matthew 10:5-15 ; Luke 9:1-6 .

Verse 8

Christ sends out his ministers under circumstances which are suited to teach them their dependence on him-that all their power to do good and accomplish the objects for which he employs them, comes from himself.

Verse 11

More tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah ; because the inhabitants of those cities did not sin against as great light as did those who rejected the apostles.

Verse 14

Herod ; Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great.

Heard of him ; Jesus.

Verses 14-30

John the Baptist beheaded. Matthew 14:1-12 .

Verse 16

A guilty conscience awakened, forebodes dreadful evils; and transgressors never can enjoy permanent peace unless they repent, and believe with the heart on Him whose blood cleanseth from sin. 1 John 1:7 .

Verse 17

He had married her ; Herod, as we learn from Josephus, had rejected his own wife to marry the wife of his brother Philip while he was still living.

Verse 20

Observed him ; rather, as the margin, "kept him," namely, from the resentment of Herodias.

Did many things ; he did many things to which John urged him, but he would not put away his brother’s wife. To show reverence towards God’s ministers, and do many things gladly at their suggestion, avails nothing for the salvation of the soul while the sin which God’s law forbides is cherished and persisted in.

Verse 21

When a convenient day was come ; a day suitable for the purpose of Herodias, who was watching her opportunity to destroy John. The dancing of her daughter before Herod and his lords was probably a part of the plan suggested by her.

Verse 30

The apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus ; upon their return from their mission, described in verses Mark 6:7-13 .

Verse 31

A desert place ; a place less frequented, that they might be more retired. Occasional retirement from the tumult of the world is needful for all men, especially for ministers of the gospel. They need to commune much with their own hearts and with God, that by wisdom and strength derived from him in private, they may be better fitted for their public duties.

Verse 34

As sheep not having a shepherd ; destitute of teachers who cared for their souls and were able to teach them the truth.

Verses 34-44

Five thousand fed, near the shore of the sea of Galilee. Matthew 14:15-21 .

Verses 45-52

Christ walking on the sea of Galilee. Matthew 14:22-33 .

Verse 52

Ministers of Christ, notwithstanding all the displays of his power and grace, have much remaining unbelief and hardness of heart. They need the constant influences of his Spirit, and should be watchful and prayerful, lest, after having preached to others, they themselves should be cast away.

Verse 53

Gennesaret ; a small, fertile, and beautiful region on the west side of the sea of Galilee, which is thence called the lake of Gennesaret. Luke 5:1 .

Verses 53-56

The sick healed. Matthew 14:34-36 .

Verse 55

It is not enough that we come to Christ ourselves; we should be active in bringing our fellow-men to him.