Mark
Copyright © 2008 Darroll Evans
CHAPTER 6
Mark 6:1-6
1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples
follow him.
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?
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.
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.
5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few
sick folk, and healed them.
6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the
villages, teaching.
“And he went out from there to
his own country” indicates that Jesus went back to his home town,
On the Sabbath day, Jesus
began to teach in the synagogue. We can
still access His teaching through the Holy Spirit and the Study of the
Bible. Study of the Bible without the
leading of the Holy Spirit is a failed effort!
Those that heard Him that day
were astonished! Those that hear Him
today are still astonished. Just
consider this: We are told to trust, believe
that a man who was executed 2,000 years ago was the Creator of the universe.
Think about that! Suppose we are standing on
Would you accept that and
truly understand that truth?
John 1:3 All
things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
And furthermore that the
Creator of the universe who was executed by the Romans at the urging of the
Jews would be buried and then rise to life again and is now seated at the right
hand of the Father interceding for us who have faith in Him.
That sounds preposterous to
the human mind, unless the truth has been opened to it by the Holy Spirit!
Rom 8:34 Who
is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again,
who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
When we humanly consider how
outlandish that whole thing sounds, can we understand why it takes the
intervention of the Holy Spirit to bring about the revelation necessary for our
faith in Him?
The people there on that
Sabbath day responded to Jesus by saying, “Where in the world did this man
learn these things? And, what fives Him the power to do all those mighty works?
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s
son, the son of Mary, the brother of James, Joses, Juda, and Simon?” This is where we get the notion that Jesus
Himself was a carpenter.
“And, aren’t His sisters
living among us?”
Mary being the eternal virgin
is a Roman Catholic myth! She and Joseph
had children after Jesus was born!
The Bible then tells us,
“They were offended at him.” That seems
strange but consider this: “Offended (Gr. eskandalizonto-eskandalizonto) speaks of
being scandalized to the point of apostasy.
Being offended at the teaching of Christ is a sin!
At that Jesus told them, “A
prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own
family, and in his own house.”
Things have changed very
little since that day. Jesus is still
not honored among the Jews of today, as he was also dishonored in those days.
Many do not understand 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 did not do many works
there in His hometown because they did not believe! However, their belief (or disbelief) had
nothing to do with His power!
He followed the dictates of
His Father!
Matt 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
He was willing and able to
give, but they were unwilling and unable to receive!
Christ Jesus “marveled
because of their unbelief.”
And so, He went to other
villages in the area teaching the truth to them.
Mark 6:7-13
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;
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:
9 But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there
abide till ye depart from that place.
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
12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick,
and healed them.
As we read these verses,
please keep in mind that Judas, the one who would betray Him was one of those
send forth to do great wonders. The
doing of wonderful works is not a sign of godliness. Outward appearances are not a measure of
godliness!
1 Sam 16:7b
for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Christ Jesus gathered the
twelve, and sent them out in pairs. He
gave them power over unclean spirits.
All “our” power is not “our”
power! It is Christ’s power that is on
loan to us.
Christ commanded them to take
nothing for their journey.
How many today will not go
out unless all expenses are visibly provided ahead of time?
They were to take only a
staff. Moses parted the sea using only a
staff (rod).
Exod 14:16
But lift thou up thy rod, and
stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of
Those followers, in Jesus’
day, were not to take money, or bread, or a purse to hold money. They were to wear their sandals and take
along “two coats.”
That may seem insufficient
until we add in the statement by Christ:
2 Cor 12:9a
“My grace is sufficient for thee:”
That is the secret to “our”
power and success!
In addition, Jesus told them,
“In every town you enter, go into a certain home and stay there till you leave
town. And, whoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when you leave, shake
off the dust off your feet as a testimony against them. Truthfully, I tell you,
it shall be more tolerable for
So, they went out and
preached so that men would turn from their sins. They cast out many devils, anointed the sick
with oil, and healed them. Meditate on that.
Mark 6:14-29
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.
15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as
one of the prophets.
16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is
risen from the dead.
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.
18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy
brother's wife.
19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but
she could not:
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.
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;
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.
23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee,
unto the half of my kingdom.
24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she
said, The head of John the Baptist.
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.
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.
27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be
brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel
gave it to her mother.
29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and
laid it in a tomb.
Even king Herod heard of
Christ Jesus because His name (reputation) had spread all over
Others said that Jesus was
Elijah or some other famous prophet. However, Herod said, “It is John, whom I
beheaded! He has risen from the dead.”
Before we go further, “Who do
you say Jesus is?”
Herod himself had ordered
John’s arrest as a favor to Herodias', his brother Philip's wife, because he
had married her and lived an adulterous life with her.
We are never told who
“married Herod and Herodias. Whoever
finalized that union did so outside of Jewish Law!
John told Herod personally,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife!”
Herodias grumbled against
John, and would have killed him, but she could not.
Herod himself was afraid of
John. He knew that John was a just and
holy man, and had gladly listened to him.
To celebrate his birthday,
Herod had a party. He invited many of
his underlings.
And, when the daughter of the
said Herodias came in to the party, and danced, she pleased Herod, who was a
common dirty old man.
Herod told Herodias’
daughter, “Ask me whatever you will, and I will give it you.”
Then, he took a public oath,
“Whatever you ask from me, I will give it you, up to half of my kingdom.”
So, the daughter asked her
mother, “What shall I ask?”
Herodias replied, “Ask for
the head of John the Baptist.”
Herodias’ daughter went to Herod
and asked that John’s head be brought to her, as a present, on a platter.
Herod was sorry that he made
the offer, but he had and could not reject the offer. Sometimes people get themselves into
difficult circumstances because of emotional weaknesses. This was one such case. Herod saw a pretty young girl dance and was
emotionally swept up in the moment.
Did God know that would
happen?
Obviously!
“Immediately” (Gr. euthus-euquV) the king sent an
executioner to do the deed! Mark uses
that word, “immediately” more that any other NT writer.
God’s plan operates on that
theme. It comes to fruition without
delay!
Herod commanded John’s head
to be brought to him. When it was, Herod gave it to Herodias’ daughter, and she
gave it tot her mother. Some movies depict this scene as one of horror for the
daughter, but the people in that family and time were heathen of the first
order. It may have been a time of glee.
When John’s disciples heard
about it, they came to claim the body and put it in a tomb. They were not opposed.
Mark 6:30-33
30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all
things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
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.
32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
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.
Meanwhile, Jesus’ apostles
went to Him to inform Him of all that happened on their journey (as if He did
not already know).
He responded by telling them
to get alone and rest. But, when the crowd saw them departing, they ran after
them. Many who seemingly run after Christ are actually running after the
miracles. They have no intention of
truly following Christ Jesus!
Mark 6:34-44
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.
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:
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.
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?
38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew,
they say, Five, and two fishes.
39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green
grass.
40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
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.
42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
When Jesus saw them, “was
moved with compassion toward them.” They
were like a flock of sheep without a shepherd.
At that point, many of today’s greatest “preachers” of unrighteousness
would have passed the plate and taken up an offering. In fact, most of the “offerings” taken in
today’s Churches are taken up only before the sermon. In essence, pay before you listen!
Jesus never asked for an
offering! He taught priceless truths without being paid by the listeners.
At that point, the day was ending,
so His disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a deserted place. It is late,
so send them away. They will go into the surrounding towns and buy bread so
they can eat.”
His answer was
surprising. Jesus told them, “You give
them something to eat!”
They responded. “What? It
would take more money than we have to feed them.”
Jesus asked, “What do you
have?”
It was a loaded
question. The Creator of the Universe
was standing there asking the question. The Apostles had little or no
understanding, at that time, concerning the power of Christ Jesus!
They found five loaves of bread
(probably small pita bread) and two fish.
That doesn’t sound like much,
but Christ made the Universe from NOTHING!
He commanded them to sit
down. They say on green grass, a serene
place, in “companies,” literally “company by company.
It was orderly. God (the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit) does everything calmly and in an orderly fashion.
When they came into a
position of serene obedience to Christ, they were fed and cared for. When we come into a serene obedience to
Christ, we too shall be fed and cared for.
Afterward, the Apostles took
up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. There is always more than enough “food” to
fully feed the flock of Christ. We shall
always rest and feed in “green pastures.”
Ps 23:2a He
maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
There is much made of the
number of people. In this case “about five
thousand men.” That number is found often within the Scriptures.
To me, the most interesting
time is;
Acts 4:4 Howbeit
many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about
five thousand.
Mark 6:44 tells us that the
number fed at this time was “about five thousand men.” That indicates that the
actual number of men, women and children was considerably higher.
Mark 6:45-56
45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get
into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto
46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone
on the land.
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.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a
spirit, and cried out:
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.
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
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.
Immediately Jesus ordered his
disciples to get into a boat, and to go to the other side of the lake to
While the ship was in the
middle of the lake, and while Jesus was on land, He saw them struggling to row
the boat. The wind had risen and was battering the boat.
During the fourth watch of
the night Jesus came out to the boat walking on the sea, and it seemed as if He
would have passed by them. And, when they saw him walking on the sea, they
assumed it was a spirit, and screamed aloud in fear, because, they all saw him,
and were anxious.
Immediately He told them,
“Cheer up! Don’t be afraid! It is me!”
He then went on board the
ship; and the wind ceased! At that, they were sore greatly amazed. They also thought about the things they had
recently experienced; this, plus miracle of the feeding.
The Bible tells us that their
hearts were still hardened. Seeing miracles will not, by themselves, bring
faith. That requires an act of the Holy
Spirit!
When they came to the