Mark 6

King James Version

Full text for Mark Chapter 6

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

2And 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?

3Is 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.

4But 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.›

5And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed [them].

6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

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;

8And commanded them that they should take nothing for [their] journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in [their] purse:

9But [be] shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

10And 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 Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.›

12And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

13And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed [them].

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.

15Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

16But when Herod heard [thereof], he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

17For 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.

18For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

19Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

20For 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.

21And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief [estates] of Galilee;

22And 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.

23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give [it] thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

24And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

25And 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.

26And the king was exceeding sorry; [yet] for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

27And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

29And when his disciples heard [of it], they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

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

31And 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.

32And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

33And 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.

34And 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.

35And 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:

36Send 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.

37He 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?

38He saith unto them, ‹How many loaves have ye? go and see.› And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

39And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

41And 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.

42And they did all eat, and were filled.

43And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

44And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

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.

46And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

48And 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.

49But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50For 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.›

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

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

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

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

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

56And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jesus faced rejection in his hometown of Nazareth, where their unbelief limited his miraculous works. He then commissioned the twelve disciples, sending them forth to preach repentance and heal. The chapter recounts the tragic beheading of John the Baptist by King Herod, influenced by Herodias's vengeful request. Later, Jesus miraculously fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fishes, and subsequently walked on water to his disciples during a stormy night.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with Jesus returning to Nazareth, where his teachings and mighty works were met with offense and unbelief from his own kin, limiting his ability to perform miracles there. He then commissioned the twelve disciples, sending them forth by two with power over unclean spirits, instructing them to travel lightly and preach repentance. A significant portion details the imprisonment and eventual beheading of John the Baptist by King Herod, who was swayed by Herodias and her daughter's request. Following this, Jesus compassionately fed five thousand men with only five loaves and two fishes, demonstrating his power to multiply. Afterward, he walked on water to his disciples who were toiling against a contrary wind, calming their fears and the storm. The chapter concludes with Jesus performing widespread healings in the land of Gennesaret, where many were made whole by merely touching his garment.

Long Summary

Mark chapter 6 commences with Jesus teaching in his hometown of Nazareth, where the inhabitants, recognizing him as a carpenter and the son of Mary, were offended by his wisdom and mighty works, leading to their unbelief. Consequently, Jesus could perform few miracles there, marveling at their lack of faith. He then called the twelve disciples and sent them forth two by two, granting them authority over unclean spirits and instructing them to take only a staff for their journey, preaching repentance, casting out devils, and anointing the sick. The narrative then shifts to the account of John the Baptist's death. King Herod, hearing of Jesus's fame, believed John had risen from the dead. The text explains that Herod had imprisoned John for condemning his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. Herodias harbored a grudge against John and sought his death, though Herod initially feared John, knowing him to be a just and holy man. However, during Herod's birthday feast, Herodias's daughter danced and pleased Herod, who rashly swore to grant her any request, even to half his kingdom. Prompted by her mother, the daughter requested John the Baptist's head on a charger. Though sorrowful, Herod, for his oath's sake and before his guests, ordered John to be beheaded in prison, and his head was delivered to the girl and then to her mother. John's disciples later buried his body. After the apostles returned and reported their ministry, Jesus sought a private place for them to rest. However, a large multitude followed them, and Jesus, moved with compassion, taught them many things. As evening approached, he miraculously fed about five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, and twelve baskets of fragments were collected afterward. Immediately, Jesus sent his disciples across the sea while he went to pray. During the night, seeing his disciples struggling against a strong wind, Jesus walked on the sea toward them. Initially terrified, believing him to be a spirit, they were reassured by his voice, and when he entered the ship, the wind ceased, leaving them greatly amazed, though they had not understood the miracle of the loaves. Finally, upon landing in Gennesaret, the people recognized Jesus, bringing their sick from all the surrounding region to be healed by merely touching the border of his garment.

Core Concepts

  • Rejection in NazarethJesus's own townspeople, familiar with his humble origins, were offended by his teachings and mighty works, leading to their unbelief and limiting his ability to perform miracles there. This illustrates the proverb that "A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country."
  • Apostolic CommissionJesus sent forth the twelve disciples in pairs, empowering them to preach repentance, cast out devils, and heal the sick, instructing them to rely on divine provision and shake off the dust against those who rejected them. This marked the expansion of his ministry through his chosen messengers.
  • Martyrdom of John the BaptistJohn was imprisoned and eventually beheaded by King Herod at the instigation of Herodias, whose unlawful marriage John had condemned. This event highlights the cost of prophetic witness and the dangers of political and moral compromise.
  • Miraculous Feeding of Five ThousandJesus, moved with compassion for the multitude, miraculously multiplied five loaves and two fishes to feed approximately five thousand men, with twelve baskets of fragments remaining. This demonstrates Jesus's divine power and provision.
  • Jesus Walks on WaterWhile his disciples toiled against a contrary wind at sea, Jesus came to them walking on the water, calming their fears and the storm upon entering their ship. This miracle reveals his authority over creation and his presence in times of distress.
  • Disciples' Unbelief/Hardness of HeartDespite witnessing the feeding of the five thousand, the disciples were "sore amazed" and their "heart was hardened" when Jesus walked on water, indicating a lack of full comprehension of his divine power. This shows their ongoing struggle to grasp Jesus's true identity.
  • Widespread Healing MinistryAfter landing in Gennesaret, Jesus continued his healing ministry, with people bringing the sick from all regions to him. Many were made whole by simply touching the border of his garment, demonstrating the pervasive power of his touch.