Mark Chapter 6
Chapter 6 falls into 6 logical sections:
The rejection of Jesus in His hometown
The commissioning of the 12
The murder of John the Baptist
The feeding of the 5000
Walking on the Water
The healing at Gennesaret
Visual: Israel Map
Mark 6:1 And He went out from there, and He came^ into His home town; and His disciples followed^ Him.
2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?
Where is His hometown?… Nazareth
Who is with Him… His disciples
What day is it and where is He teaching…. Saturday – Synagogue
What is the people’s reaction to the teaching… astonishment
6:3 "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?" And they took offense at Him.
What is the tone of the question?.. Condescending. Hey isn’t this the guy who makes wooden things with His hands? He is common like the rest of us – not a miracle worker or rabbi!
They were blinded by their own theology!
Why is this verse especially hard for Catholics?.. Shows that Mary had children by Joseph
Did they accept Him or His teachings?.. No they took offense at Him.
Is it any different today? Don’t most have a real problem with the humanness of Jesus? After all wasn’t He just a man?
6:4 And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his home town and among his own relatives and in his own household."
They were a hard audience because they had watched Him grow as a child and could not allow themselves to accept what He was. And, note at this point that none of His family except Mary believed! They were converted after the resurrection.
6:5 And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them.
6a And He wondered at their unbelief.
There is a very hard to understand statement in this verse, what is it?… That God could do no. I thought God could do anything. What gives?…,
Miracles on humans were based on their belief or faith in the miracle worker. Here, there were only a few who believed and therefore only a few that He would heal.
Note that Jesus is perplexed at the condition of their HEART. It is interesting to note how God wrestles with our unbelief – or even lack of faith!
6b And He was going around the villages teaching.
Apparently, Jesus, after encountering the unbelief of His hometown decided to spend some time preaching in the surrounding villages. I would believe that He did this so that the unbelief of His village would not spread to the surrounding areas.
6:7 And He summoned^ the twelve and began to send them out in pairs; and He was giving them authority over the unclean spirits;
It was now time for the twelve to begin to tell others about Jesus. It was time to begin a larger and more rapid spread of the gospel.
It was time for the men to do what they were called to do – spread the word.
It was time for them to learn by doing – a baptism of fire!
Why pairs?.. because two is considered a true witness (Deut. 17:6), To combat loneliness, temptation for encouragement and accountability
Why the authority over the unclean spirits?.. It showed that they truly represented Jesus.
6:8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belt;
9 but to wear sandals; and He added, "Do not put on two tunics."
What can we learn about the trip from these verses?…
Take nothing IE bread, bag, money = total dependence on God to provide
Also, One tunic = don’t worry about being cold at night, God will provide a place for you indoors!
Tunic = under the outer garment ¾ sleeves and ankle length.
Also, by not having baggage, the visitors would not blend in with other travelers. Rather they would stand out and look different therefore by drawing attention, they would have more opportunities to share the gospel.
What is here for us?.. When you do God’s work, God will provide!!!
6:10 And He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.
They were to stay where they were received. That was the place God had prepared for them. Plus, out of respect if they moved around they would be required to stay a respectable amount of time at each house, which might hamper the effectiveness of their mission.
6:11 "And any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake off the dust from the soles of your feet for a testimony against them."
These people would make a decision – accept or reject God. The symbolism of removing the dust is an act of accepting their complete and final rejection.
6:12 And they went out and preached that men should repent.
13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.
Why is this verse important to us?.. It shows that the men did exactly what God sent them to do, nothing more and nothing less.
We are called Biblically to do the same thing. Take the teachings of the Scripture and give it out to mankind, don’t add to it and don’t take from it!
They were called, available and therefore, used of God.
How about you? You are called but are you available or better, are you willing to be used of God?
Jesus and the disciples were doing such a good job spreading the gospel and healing that it has been brought to the King’s attention. What follows are some of the discussions that were taking place as people tried to decide on just exactly who Jesus is!
14 And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him."
15 But others were saying, "He is Elijah." And others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old."
16 But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, "John, whom I beheaded, has risen!"
Herod, probably suffering from a guilty conscience wanted to believe that He was John almost to relieve the guilt because John lives again.
Isn’t it interesting that none were content to say that He is the Son of God?
Now Mark pauses and takes a moment to bring us up to date on why Herod would be even a little interested in John’s resurrection.
17 For Herod himself had sent and had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because he had married her.
18 For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
Herod had gotten rid of his wife so he could steal the wife of his brother. It was against Mosaic Law to marry the wife of your brother if your brother was still alive. (Lev. 18:16)
6:19 Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death and could not do so;
20 for Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him.
Herod would allow the imprisonment of John after all, that would silence him. But, he would not kill him. John was not only righteous and holy but also popular with the people.
6:21 A strategic day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his lords and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee;
It is a BIG party with all of the celebrities in attendance.
6:22 and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you."
Because of the reputation of the reign of the Herods’, it is believed that this dance was sexual and probably very lewd. The wine and sexual titillation led Herod into making a statement that he would soon regret.
If you are going to mix alcohol and sex, make sure it is only with your wife and in privacy. After all, who knows whose head you may cut off!!
6:23 And he swore to her, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you; up to half of my kingdom."
24 And she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist."
25 Immediately she came in a hurry to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
Why do you think she said at once?… So he could not have that opportunity to change his mind or allow him to escape.
26 And although the king was very sorry, yet because of his oaths and because of his dinner guests, he was unwilling to refuse her.
27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring back his head. And he went and had him beheaded in the prison,
28 and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
Herodias got her wish. Now, when a parent asks you to do something, when is it OK, excluding problems that would make the request impossible or improbable, to say no?.. If it is Biblically wrong! IE when Herodias asked her daughter to seduce her husband with a sexually charged dance, that was wrong.
Was the request of Herodias to Herod through her daughter out of line? After all what about the marriage relationship shouldn’t a husband as the servant leader honor his wives request or a wife in submission honor her husband’s wishes?
6:29 When his disciples heard about this, they came and took away his body and laid it in a tomb.
His followers showing their love claimed and buried John’s body.
Mark now continues the story of the sending out of the apostles that began in verse 7 and was paused in verse 14.
The men have returned and are anxious to report to Jesus exactly what happened.
It will help you to understand their excitement if you try to remember the first time you had the opportunity to share the gospel. Better yet the first time you shared the gospel and had a positive response.
NOW just imagine if after that positive response if you could sit down in the presence of Jesus and tell Him about it. Now maybe you can understand the excitement the men had as they returned from the gospel fields.