Bible Commentaries
Mark 6

Verse 1

And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

See Trapp on " Matthew 13:54 "

Verse 2

And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

See Trapp on " Matthew 13:54 "

Verse 3

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Is not this the carpenter? — τεκτων . Not the smith, as Hilary and Ambrose render it. Christ made yokes and ploughs, saith Justin Martyr. And hence in his preaching he drew similitudes from the yoke,Matthew 11:29; Matthew 11:29 ; Luke 9:62 , saith a Lapide. See Trapp on " Matthew 13:55 "

Verse 4

But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

See Matthew 13:57 ; John 4:44 ;

Verse 5

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them .

He could do there no mighty work — He could not, because he would not. Note here the venomous nature of infidelity, that transfuseth, as it were, a dead palsy into the hands of omnipotence, disabling Christ, in a sort, to do such a man good. Christ by his absolute power can do all things: by his actual power he can do no more than he will do.

Verse 6

And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

And he marvelled — Unbelief must needs be a monstrous sin, that puts Christ to the marvel.

Verse 7

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

By two and two — Both for more authority, and for mutual comfort. Two are better than one, Ecclesiastes 4:9 . See Trapp on " Ecclesiastes 4:9 " See Trapp on " Matthew 10:1 " See Trapp on " Matthew 10:2 "

Verse 8

And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

Save a staff — Such a one as may ease and relieve you, not such as may cumber and hinder you, Matthew 10:10 . So that seeming contradiction is assoiled.

No money in your purses — Gr. No brass, χαλκον , in your belts. The most usual material of money among the Roman princes was seldom gold or silver, most times brass, sometimes leather. Corium forma publica percussum, as Seneca hath it. The like is said to have been used here in England, in the times of the Barons’ Wars. And why not? since opinion sets the price upon these outward good things; and anno 1574, the Hollanders, then being in their extremities, made money of pasteboard.

Verse 9

But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

See Trapp on " Matthew 10:9 " See Trapp on " Matthew 10:10 "

Verse 10

And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

See Trapp on " Matthew 10:11 "

Verse 11

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

See Trapp on " Matthew 10:14 "

Verse 12

And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

That they should repent — This must be done; or men are utterly undone, Aut poenitendum aut pereundum. Hence repentance is so pressed and preached in both Testaments, Exodus 23:20 ; cf. Exodus 33:2-4 . Immediately after God had given the Law by the rules of threats whereof God the Father was to proceed (saith one), and after they had transgressed it, he could not go along with them, for he should destroy them: but his Angel, that is, Christ, he would send with them; who also would destroy them, if they turned not and repented according to the rules of his Law, the Gospel.

Verse 13

And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them .

And anointed with oil many, … — By the misunderstanding of this text, and that James 5:14 , Pro pastoribus habuit Ecclesia unguentarios, et pigmentarios; qui hoc praetextu miseras oviculas non tantum ungerent, sed etiam emungerent. Bezae Confess. This oil in the text was used, not as a medicine, but as a sign and symbol of that power of miraculous healing.

Verse 14

And king Herod heard of him ; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

For his name was spread — By miracles, as by wings the gospel quickly spread far and near. Eusebius saith that the gospel spread at first through the world like a sunbeam. αθροως οια τις ηλιου βολη . When Luther first stirred, it was carried through the Christian world as on angels’ wings. This was that miracle, which we, in these last times, are to look for.

Verse 15

Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

Or as one of the prophets — Luke hath it, "One of the old prophets is risen again." Some great changes they looked for, now that the Messiah was expected, according to Haggai 2:7 .

Verse 16

But when Herod heard thereof , he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:2 " See Trapp on " Matthew 14:3 "

Verse 17

For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:2 " See Trapp on " Matthew 14:3 "

Verse 18

For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:3 " See Trapp on " Matthew 14:4 "

Verse 19

Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

Herodias had a quarrel against him — Gr. ενειχεν αυτω , hung over him, as highly displeased at him, and waiting an occasion to be even with him. Veritas odium parit, they that follow truth close at heels, may have their teeth struck out, though she be a good mistress. Tange montes et fumigabunt. As wild beasts cannot endure fire, so neither can carnal hearts fervency and plain dealing. Poor Zegedine suffered many years’ captivity in misery and irons by the Turk, for one word in a sermon, which distasted a woman, without the least cause. Melch. Adanl. in Vita.

Verse 20

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

For Herod feared John — Holiness is majestic. "Holy and reverend is God’s name," Psalms 111:9 ; therefore reverend, because holy. He honoureth his saints in the consciences of their greatest enemies.

He did many things — Or, as some copies have it, πολλα ηπορει , multum haesitabat, " He doubted in many things;" he was often set at a stand, and knew not how to ward off the dry blows of the word, nor which way to look, it came so close to him.

Verse 21

And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

Made a supper — The ancients took a light dinner usually, and therefore called it prandium quasi perendium: at supper they feasted more freely, and therefore called it Δειπνον παρα το δειν παυειν , because then their day’s work was done.

Verse 22

And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

Came in and danced — With immodest gesticulations and trippings on the toe, wherewith the old fornicator was so inflamed, that he swore she should have anything of him. ωρχησατο , tripudiabat Baccharum more.

Verse 23

And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

To the half of my kingdom — What was his whole kingdom to the life of that precious man, of whom the world was not worthy? Shortly after he was turned out of his kingdom, and (it is to be feared) out of God’s too.

Verse 24

And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

And she went forth — The men and women dined not together. In Barbary, ‘tis death for any man to see one of the Zeriff’s concubines.

Verse 25

And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:8 "

Verse 26

And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

And for their sakes that sat with him — Sic plerique, malum iter ingressi, post cum se errare resciscant, non desciscunt tamen, ne leves videantur: sui dicti domini, ut dicunt, esse volunt. (Cartwright.) Some, rather than be worse than their words, will violate their consciences.

Verse 27

And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:10 "

Verse 28

And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:11 "

Verse 29

And when his disciples heard of it , they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:12 "

Verse 30

And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

And the apostles gathered themselves to Jesus — As the chickens, frightened by the kite, hover and cover under the hen’s wing, that had before lain dusting themselves in the sunshine. So the disciples, terrified perhaps with the tidings of John’s death, run to Christ for shelter, συναγονται , under the shadow of the Almighty,Psalms 91:1; Psalms 91:1 . Fides est quae te pullastrum, Christum gallinam facit, ut sub pennis eius speres; nam salus in pennis eius, saith Luther. It is faith that maketh thee the chicken, Christ the hen, that thou mayest hope for help under his wings.

Verse 31

And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Rest a while — God would not have the strength of his people to be exhausted in his service, but that respect be had to the health of their bodies, as well as to the welfare of their souls. Therefore the priests of the law took their turns of serving in the order of their course, as Zacharias, Luke 1:8 . And the ministers of the gospel are allowed to drink a little wine for their health’s sake, as Timothy. Those that neglect, their bodies must reckon for it. Colossians 2:23 .

Verse 32

And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:13 "

Verse 33

And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

Ran afoot thither — That is, they came thither by land, not by sea. Κατα θαλασσαν και πεζη ubique opponuntur. (Scultet.) Whether on foot or on horseback, for many of them were not able to foot it, as being weak, lame, maimed, …

Verse 34

And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

They were as sheep, … — They were all slaves to the Romans, and many of them lame and diseased, but nothing troubled Christ so much as this, that they lacked pastors and teachers. They that are without a teaching priest are said to be without God in the world, 2 Chronicles 15:3 .

Verse 35

And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

And when the day was now far spent — Beza renders it, Cum iam multus dies esset. Our forefathers had a saying,

The summer’s day is never so long,

But at length ‘twill ring to even song.

Verse 36

Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:15 "

Verse 37

He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

Shall we go and buy, … — q.d. Yes, a likely matter surely; where’s your money? have we 200 pence to cater for such a company? It is interrogatio cum admiratione, atque adeo cum ironia quadam coniuncta, saith Beza. A question not without a jeer.

Verse 38

He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:17 " See Trapp on " John 6:8 " See Trapp on " John 6:9 "

Verse 39

And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:17 " See Trapp on " John 6:8 " See Trapp on " John 6:9 "

Verse 40

And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

Sat down in ranks — Gr. ranks, ranks, that is, rank by rank, πρασιαι πρασιαι , Hebraismus, ut Exodus 8:14 . as rows or borders of beds in a garden. Ordinatim res in Ecclesia faciendae. Church work is to be done decently, and in order.

Verse 41

And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:20 " See Trapp on " John 6:12 " See Trapp on " John 6:13 " See Trapp on " John 6:14 "

Verse 42

And they did all eat, and were filled.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:20 " See Trapp on " John 6:12 " See Trapp on " John 6:13 " See Trapp on " John 6:14 "

Verse 43

And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:20 " See Trapp on " John 6:12 " See Trapp on " John 6:13 " See Trapp on " John 6:14 "

Verse 44

And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:20 " See Trapp on " John 6:12 " See Trapp on " John 6:13 " See Trapp on " John 6:14 "

Verse 45

And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:20 " See Trapp on " John 6:12 " See Trapp on " John 6:13 " See Trapp on " John 6:14 "

Verse 46

And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

And when they had sent them away — viz. the people, Mark 6:45 , and that with tokens of singular good will, as the Greek word αποταξαμενος signifies, and so is used Luke 9:61 ; Acts 18:21 .

Verse 47

And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

See Trapp on " Matthew 14:23 " See Trapp on " John 6:18 " See Trapp on " John 6:19 "

Verse 48

And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

Would have passed by them — Either the more to try them, or rather to spare them, because he foresaw they would be further frightened else.

Verse 49

But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

A spirit — Gr. a phantom, or apparition, φαντασμα .

Verse 50

For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

It is I? — with an emphasis; q.d. It is I; not a spirit. A concise kind of speech, importing his haste to comfort them. He comes "leaping over the mountains of Bether," all lets and impediments,Song of Solomon 2:17; Song of Solomon 2:17 .

51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.