Tuesday Night Group (TNG ) Notes
Stay up to date on our weekly study of the Gospel of Mark
Mark 6:1 – “Hometown” - Your hometown is a deeply personal concept, generally defined as the city or town where you were born and raised, or where you spent your most significant formative years. It can also be the place you feel the strongest sense of belonging or the location that had the most lasting impact on your personality. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but his hometown was Nazareth. That is where he did the majority of his growing up.
Mark 6:2 – “When the Sabbath came, he began to teach” – This is Saturday. Jesus, being a good Jew, found himself in the synagogue. He was asked to teach because the custom of that day was to honor a guest by allowing them to teach from the prescribed scripture reading for that day. The expectation was that everyone asked to teach would simply repeat the teachings that have been passed down through the generations.
“Many who heard him were amazed” – Amazed not only because this man who was teaching was Jesus. Mary and Joseph’s kid from down the street. The same Jesus who played T-ball with their kids. But that Jesus taught as someone with authority. He didn’t simply spit back the typical company line. He, after all, was the author of the passage he was given to read. Thus, he shared an insight that the people had never experienced before.
Mark 6:3 – “And they took great offense at him” – To become deeply upset, angry, or feel hurt in response to something another person has said or done, often perceiving a personal insult or a threat to one’s values or beliefs.
Jesus didn’t fit their mold or their expectations. His very being threatened their grasp on reality. Instead of being open to the possibility that Jesus was the Messiah, they took offense to Jesus not being who they believed and knew Jesus to be. When we’re faced with a reality that doesn’t match our expectations, our initial response is generally to take offense.
Mark 6:4 – “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown” - This means that people are often overlooked or disbelieved by those who know them best, like their family and neighbors. Our familiarity with someone's humble origins or ordinary life can blind us to their unique talents, wisdom, or spiritual significance, causing us to reject or devalue their message or gifts, even if those outside the community recognize their worth.
Mark 6:5 – “He could not do any miracles there” – The ability for Jesus to work miracles in your life is directly related to your willingness to believe that it’s possible that Jesus can work miracles in your life. Your perspective matters. God can work with no belief, but not with unbelief.
Mark 6:6 – “He was amazed at their lack of faith” - We never read that Jesus was amazed by art or architecture or even the wonders of creation. We never read that he was amazed by human ingenuity or invention. He wasn’t amazed by the piety of the Jewish people or the military dominance of the Roman Empire. But Jesus was amazed by faith – when it was present in an unexpected place, and when it was absent in an expected place.
Mark 6:6 – “Jesus went around teaching from village to village.” – Jesus started his village to village preaching and teaching ministry in 1:38. Now, even after the set-back experienced in Nazareth, he goes right back to what he was meant to do. He grit his ministry. He quit ministering in Nazareth.
Mark 6:7 – “Send them out two by two” – The disciples first internship. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) Also, having a witness allowed for constructive criticism and perspective.
“Gave them authority over impure spirits” – Pentecost light – Up to this point the Holy Spirit has been given to certain people, at certain times, for certain circumstances. Jesus now gave his disciples spiritual authority, as a tangible demonstration of the kingdom of God. Jesus didn’t send them out empty-handed.
Mark 6:8 – “Take nothing for the journey except…” – There was a Jewish rabbinical tradition that nobody could enter the temple area with a staff, shoes or a moneybag. For it would give the appearance of being engaged in some kind of business, other than the service of the Lord. The disciples were sent out to preach the gospel and bring God’s healing. Thus, Jesus didn’t want them to give anyone the impression that they had some other motive. The disciples were beginning to learn how to totally rely on God.
Mark 6:9 – “Wear sandals but not an extra shirt” – “Sandals” would’ve been needed for traveling. Unlike the Jewish rabbinical tradition of no sandals in the temple. This “shirt’ is the undergarment worn next to the skin under a cloak. Taking more than one would ensure sufficient warmth at night, while sleeping outside. This is foreshadowing Jesus’ command in the next verse.
Mark 6:10 – “Whenever you enter a house, stay there” – Jesus’ intention was not only for the disciples to get their feet wet preaching and healing. He also wanted them to start building relationships. They had to find and accept hospitality and live with others.
Our modern western culture doesn’t share the same perspective toward strangers and hospitality, as did the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day. People were expected to be hospitable to strangers. Thus, Jesus wanted the disciples to get good at accepting hospitality and getting to know the people. For this, along with preaching and miracles, is how the good news of Jesus would be shared. Relationship is the key!
Mark 6:11 – “And if…” – Contingency plan: If the people won’t listen to you, don’t waste any more time there. It wasn’t the disciples’ job to change people’s minds. They were simply to present the message and let the chips fall where they may. If the people didn’t accept the message, they were to quit and move on to the next place.
“Shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them” – If Jewish people had to go in or through a Gentile city, as they left they would shake the dust off their feet. It was a gesture that said, “We don’t want to take anything from this Gentile city with us.” Thus, when the disciples encountered people who wouldn’t believe, Jesus didn’t want them to take the sting of rejection with them, to the next village. This meant that the disciples wouldn’t be successful in every village they entered.
Mark 6:12 – “They went out and preached” – It’s one thing for God to call you to do something. It’s quite another to actually get up and go. To preach simply means to proclaim, to tell others in the sense of announcing news to them. Some of the best and most effective preaching happens outside a church. It happens when followers of Jesus are one-on-one with others, sharing what Jesus has done for them.
“Repent” – To turn around and head in a different direction. The basic message was that the people were going in the wrong direction. The disciples were to invite people to repent, to turn around, and go in a new direction. This is the message that, if not received, the disciples were to quit and leave that village.
Mark 6:13 – “They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people” – The key term here is “many”. Part of the lesson of this internship was for the disciples to learn that they won’t succeed all the time. Even Jesus didn’t succeed all the time. As was witnessed in Nazareth.
John the Baptist: Isaiah 40:3 – “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” Mark 1:4 – “And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
John was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin. This makes Jesus and John second cousins. John’s conception was a miracle, for Zechariah and Elizabeth had not been able to have children. When Mary found out that she was pregnant with Jesus, she went to stay with Elizabeth.
John lived as a hermit in the Judean wilderness. He clothed himself with camel’s hair and ate locust and wild honey, until the word of God came to him and he began preaching and baptizing, preparing the way for Jesus. In Mark 1:9, John baptized Jesus.
John was bold in his teaching and unafraid to identify sin when he saw it, even in the lives of those in power. One such person was the ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas. Herod was Jewish, but served at the mercy of the Roman government. In Mark 3:6 the Herodians, people loyal to King Herod, joined forces with the Pharisees, unlikely bedfellows, to plot how they could kill Jesus.
The problem was that Herod had divorced his wife, in order to marry his brother’s wife, Herodias. She had, in turn, divorced Herod’s brother, Phillip, in order to marry Herod. Divorce was not allowed according to Jewish law and John called Herod and Herodias out publicly. To add icing to the cake, Herodias was the daughter of Herod’s half-brother. So, Herodias was Herod’s step-niece. Let’s see how that turned out.
Mark 6:14 – “King Herod had heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known.” – Herod, upon hearing about Jesus, wondered who he was. The story you’re about to read is a flash-back. Mark is simply using this break in the action, the disciples first internship, to go back and fill us in on what happened to John the Baptist.
Mark 6:16 – “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” – Herod, wondering who Jesus was, asked others for their opinions. Some said he was John the Baptist raised from the dead. This thought, of Jesus being a reincarnated John the Baptist, caused Herod a great deal of stress.
Mark 6:17 – “He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife” – John was arrested by Herod because Herodias saw John as a threat to her way of life. Reality TV has always been a thing! This practice of divorce and remarriage was acceptable in the Roman culture, but not in the Jewish culture. Thus, John called Herod and Herodias out publicly, since they were both Jewish.
Mark 6:20 – “Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.” – Herodias wanted John dead, but Herod had a soft place in his heart for John. Herod knew that John was something special. John puzzled Herod, but Herod liked to listen to him.
Mark 6:21-28 – Herodias will finally get her way, with a little help from her beautiful, dancing daughter Salome, some alcohol and an oath that Herod couldn’t take back. It was Herod’s birthday and he threw a big party. Salome danced for Herod and it pleased him.
This is unusual because it wasn’t common for Jewish people to celebrate their birthdays, this was a Roman tradition. Also, according to the Jewish historian Josephus, Salome was only fourteen years old.
Herod was so pleased by Salome’s dance that he made an oath to give her anything she desired, up to half his kingdom. Which was impossible. His kingdom was controlled by Rome. Thus he didn’t have the power to give any of it away.
Combine this with the fact that he made this oath in the presence of all of his guests. Which meant that he would suffer public disgrace if he didn’t keep his oath. So, Salome went to Herodias for guidance on what to ask for. Herodias seized the opportunity and told Salome to ask for John the Baptist’s head.
When Salome made this request, Herod was “greatly distressed”. For he didn’t want to kill John the Baptist. But he also couldn’t go back on his oath. Herod wanted to save face over and above saving John the Baptist. So, Herod gave the order for John’s head to be brought to Salome on a platter. Salome then quickly gave John the Baptist’s head to her mother.
Mark 6:30 – “apostles” – A disciple is someone who is being taught. An apostle is someone who has been sent. All apostles are also disciples, but not all disciples are yet apostles.
“All they had done and taught” – The disciples are back from their first internship and now it’s time to debrief with each other and Jesus.
Mark 6:31 – “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” – There’s a time to work and a time to rest. You will only be effective in your work, if you take the time to rest.
“Research, so far led mainly by economists and sociologists, is still in its early stages. Yet, trials show gains in worker well-being and satisfaction, as well as improvements in retention and recruitment, with most companies who try a 4-day week choosing to continue with the model. Critics caution that data is still limited and that longitudinal, randomized studies are needed to better assess outcomes.” (The Rise of the Four-Day Work Week, Zara Abrams, American Psychological Association, apa.org, January 1, 2025)
Mark 6:32 – “In a boat to a solitary place” – This was an unknown place that could be reached by boat. Thus, it was a place on or across the Sea of Galilee. The term “solitary” was also used in 1:35, it suggests a remote, uninhabited area, like a wilderness. 1:2-3, we read that it’s in the wilderness that we “prepare the way for the Lord”.
Mark 6:33 – “But” – Always pay attention to the “buts” in the Bible. But signals a change in perspective or situation.
“Got there ahead of them” – We don’t know where Jesus and the disciples were going, but the crowd obviously did. How frustrating it must have been for the disciples. All they wanted to do was get away with Jesus to rest and debrief. But the crowds where waiting for them.
Mark 6:34 – “He had compassion on them” – The disciples saw more work, Jesus saw his children. He saw each face reflecting a need, a hunger or a hurt. Jesus was others-centered. Sometimes he cared more about the needs of others, than he cared about his own needs. This is the risk we all run as followers of Jesus. Serving others at the expense of ourselves. Life is a balancing act of being others-centered, as well as caring for yourself.
Jesus knew that he only had a short time to be with us. Thus, he knew that ministering to others was important, in this moment. And in this ministering Jesus is going to teach the disciples a very valuable lesson about their own ability to serve others. They don’t realize it yet, but their internship isn’t over.
We all need to make a case-by-case determination as to when to minister to ourselves or to others. Jesus was unapologetic about having compassion for the people, in this situation. Jesus, as an example for all of us, was being who he had been created and gifted to be, right out in front of everyone. There’s a time for every season under heaven. A time to get away to a solitary place and rest and a time to work.
“Sheep without a shepherd, so he began teaching many things” – Jesus knew that without a shepherd, sheep were in a lot of trouble. Sheep can’t fend for themselves against predators and have a hard time finding food and water on their own. So, as a faithful shepherd, Jesus took care of their most pressing need. He fed them the word of God.
What must the disciples have been thinking and feeling? They were looking forward to getting away with Jesus to decompress from their internship. And now they’re stuck listening to Jesus teach the crowds. Mark’s silence, when it comes to the disciples in this scene, is deafening.
Mark 6:35 & 36 – “It was late in the day, so his disciples came to him” – The disciples are looking for any and every reason to bring this teaching session to an end. They want to get back to their original purpose of finding a solitary place to be alone with Jesus and share what they learned on their internship.
Send the people away” – The disciples hid their desire to be alone with Jesus under the cover of compassion for the people. It was getting late and the people needed to leave this place and head out for dinner. Surely, Jesus didn’t want these fine people to starve out here in this “remote place”?
Mark 6:37 – “You give them something to eat” – The disciples and Jesus saw the same need. The disciples’ solution was to send the need away. Jesus’ solution was very different. Jesus wanted the disciples to fill the need. Can you feel another lesson coming on? The internship hasn’t ended.
“Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” – It’s hard to tell from reading the words, but the disciples seem miffed at what Jesus was suggesting. Even if they did have that much money, the attitude seems to be that it would be a waste of that money to feed everyone a little bit of bread. Afterall, the crowd would be hungry again in just a few hours.
The key word in this phrase is “we”. When Jesus challenged the disciples to feed the crowd, they only thought of themselves – their perspective, their thoughts, their strength, their resources. They forgot to whom they were speaking. In the heat of the moment we all tend to boil everything down to what “we” or “us” or “I” can accomplish. We forget to whom, we’re speaking.
Mark 6:38 – “How many loaves do you have?” – God’s way of providing always starts with what we already have. Remember, wisdom is using what you already have. And in this case, wisdom was using the food that the disciples already had. Don’t pray for more from God, if you don’t use what God has already given you.
“Five – and two fish” – This was almost enough food to feed one or two people. It’s not much, but it’s all they had. God can and will work with what you have, in order to provide what you need.
Mark 6:39 – “Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass” – In 6:34, Jesus saw the people as sheep without a shepherd. Psalm 23:2, the good shepherd makes me lie down in green pastures. “Groups” in Greek is “prah-see-ah”, which means like rows of vegetables in a garden.
The grass is green which indicates spring. Which means that this could be around the time of The Passover. Which would explain why such a large crowd would have been assembled in such a remote place. They might have been pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate The Passover.
Mark 6:40 – “Groups of hundreds and fifties” – We serve a God of order, as seen in creation and other biblical events. Grouping the multitude brought a sense of calm and control to a chaotic crowd. By organizing the people into groups of hundreds and fifties, the disciples could more easily and effectively serve the food, ensuring that everyone was fed. The groups also allowed the disciples to get an accurate count of the men in the crowd, a detail that is noted in the very title given to this miracle.
Mark 6:41 – “Looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.” – Symbolic of the Last Supper. Jesus didn’t bless the food, Jesus blessed the Father for supplying the food. The idea of praying before a meal isn’t to bless the food; it’s to bless God in the sense of thanking and honoring God for blessing us with the food.
Mark 6:42 – “They all ate and were satisfied” – Jesus provided extravagantly, yet simply. As long as he was making food miraculously, Jesus could have provided steak or lobster or pizza or anything else for that matter. But Jesus simply gave the people bread and fish. For that’s what the disciples had presented to him. Remember, Jesus directed the disciples to feed the people. Thus, they provided the food. Jesus simply made the food, that the disciples provided, enough to feed everyone.
Mark 6:43 – “The disciples picked up twelve baskets full” – Twelve is a symbolic number, the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve disciples, the twelve days of Christmas. However, the leftovers are also symbolic of God’s willingness to satisfy all levels of hunger. There will always be enough leftovers, if we’re willing to share with one another. With God, nothing is a zero-sum game.
Mark 6:44 – “The number of men who had eaten was five thousand” – This number doesn’t include women and children. Thus, it’s quite possible that the actual number was 10,000 to 20,000.
Mark 6:45 – “Immediately” – Mark’s sense of urgency. He uses this word 41 times in his gospel. This emphasizes the immediate and powerful nature of Jesus’ actions.
“Made” – Jesus compelled the disciples to leave this scene, without their full consent or against their will.
“Bethsaida” – “House of fishing or fishermen” – The hometown of Peter, Andrew and Philip. The disciples were probably still expecting to get away with Jesus to a deserted place to debrief from their internship. But Jesus had other plans. Sometimes the good that we want prevents us from experiencing the great that God has planned.
Mark 6:46 – “He went up on a mountainside to pray” – There’s a time for every season under heaven. There’s a time to get away and pray. This is why Jesus “made” the disciples leave. For he knew what he needed. All ministry and no alone time with God makes someone a very dull person and is a recipe for burnout.
Mark 6:47 – The disciples in the middle of the lake and Jesus on the land. Jesus is starting to let the disciples leave the nest. He’s beginning their training on how to live their lives, after he’s gone. They had their first internship, without him. Now, he sends them off on their own to cross the Sea of Galilee. Slowly but surely, he’s teaching them how to depend on him, even when he’s not with them.
Mark 6:48 – “He saw the disciples straining at the oars” – Jesus was watching. The lesson, God’s always watching. God’s always looking out for you.
“The wind was against them” – As a follower of Jesus, sometimes we may make little to no headway, at no fault of our own. The wind might simply be against us.
“Walking on the lake” – A miracle only for the disciples. The “solitary place” that is referred to in Mark 6:32 turns out to be in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, in the early morning, while the wind is raging.
Mark 6:49 & 50 – “But” – Always pay attention to the buts in the Bible.
“They cried out” – Jesus was going to walk causally by the disciples, but they saw him, thought he was a ghost and cried out. Jesus is always here to help. But Jesus will only help if we cry out. Even if our crying out is in fear.
“Saw him and were terrified” – Yes, the stress of the moment influenced the disciples fear. But, let’s be honest, even if it was beautiful night and you looked over, while boating across the Sea of Galilee and you saw Jesus walking on the water, you too would be terrified.
“Take courage!” – Take = to get into one’s hold or possession by voluntary action. To take something is to make a choice.
“It is I” – In Exodus 3:14 we learn that the name of God is “I am”. God’s name is presence. Jesus is reassuring the disciples of his presence. Thus, reassuring the disciples of who he is.
“Don’t be afraid” – The disciples are afraid. In this moment, this is who they are. Afraid is their identity. Afraid is who they be. Jesus reminds them that afraid isn’t who they be. Their identity is sacred children of God, who are dearly loved. They’ve simply let go of this identity in this moment and replaced it with fear. The same is true for you and me. You’re a sacred child of God, who is dearly loved. This is who you be. Don’t allow anything to change that identity.
Mark 6:51 & 52 – “The wind died down” – Jesus did it again! See Mark 4:39
“Their hearts were hardened” – Being resistant to God’s revelation and truth. They were still upset about not being able to get away with Jesus. Don’t allow anything to harden your heart. Be real with yourself, with others and with God. Being real is the cure for hardened hearts. For God will meet you right here, right now, in your realness.
Mark 6:53-56 – “Gennesaret” – The storm obviously blew them off course. For Gennesaret is south of Bethsaida. Different location, but some old result. People came looking to be healed and Jesus healed.
Mark 6:2 – “When the Sabbath came, he began to teach” – This is Saturday. Jesus, being a good Jew, found himself in the synagogue. He was asked to teach because the custom of that day was to honor a guest by allowing them to teach from the prescribed scripture reading for that day. The expectation was that everyone asked to teach would simply repeat the teachings that have been passed down through the generations.
“Many who heard him were amazed” – Amazed not only because this man who was teaching was Jesus. Mary and Joseph’s kid from down the street. The same Jesus who played T-ball with their kids. But that Jesus taught as someone with authority. He didn’t simply spit back the typical company line. He, after all, was the author of the passage he was given to read. Thus, he shared an insight that the people had never experienced before.
Mark 6:3 – “And they took great offense at him” – To become deeply upset, angry, or feel hurt in response to something another person has said or done, often perceiving a personal insult or a threat to one’s values or beliefs.
Jesus didn’t fit their mold or their expectations. His very being threatened their grasp on reality. Instead of being open to the possibility that Jesus was the Messiah, they took offense to Jesus not being who they believed and knew Jesus to be. When we’re faced with a reality that doesn’t match our expectations, our initial response is generally to take offense.
Mark 6:4 – “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown” - This means that people are often overlooked or disbelieved by those who know them best, like their family and neighbors. Our familiarity with someone's humble origins or ordinary life can blind us to their unique talents, wisdom, or spiritual significance, causing us to reject or devalue their message or gifts, even if those outside the community recognize their worth.
Mark 6:5 – “He could not do any miracles there” – The ability for Jesus to work miracles in your life is directly related to your willingness to believe that it’s possible that Jesus can work miracles in your life. Your perspective matters. God can work with no belief, but not with unbelief.
Mark 6:6 – “He was amazed at their lack of faith” - We never read that Jesus was amazed by art or architecture or even the wonders of creation. We never read that he was amazed by human ingenuity or invention. He wasn’t amazed by the piety of the Jewish people or the military dominance of the Roman Empire. But Jesus was amazed by faith – when it was present in an unexpected place, and when it was absent in an expected place.
Mark 6:6 – “Jesus went around teaching from village to village.” – Jesus started his village to village preaching and teaching ministry in 1:38. Now, even after the set-back experienced in Nazareth, he goes right back to what he was meant to do. He grit his ministry. He quit ministering in Nazareth.
Mark 6:7 – “Send them out two by two” – The disciples first internship. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) Also, having a witness allowed for constructive criticism and perspective.
“Gave them authority over impure spirits” – Pentecost light – Up to this point the Holy Spirit has been given to certain people, at certain times, for certain circumstances. Jesus now gave his disciples spiritual authority, as a tangible demonstration of the kingdom of God. Jesus didn’t send them out empty-handed.
Mark 6:8 – “Take nothing for the journey except…” – There was a Jewish rabbinical tradition that nobody could enter the temple area with a staff, shoes or a moneybag. For it would give the appearance of being engaged in some kind of business, other than the service of the Lord. The disciples were sent out to preach the gospel and bring God’s healing. Thus, Jesus didn’t want them to give anyone the impression that they had some other motive. The disciples were beginning to learn how to totally rely on God.
Mark 6:9 – “Wear sandals but not an extra shirt” – “Sandals” would’ve been needed for traveling. Unlike the Jewish rabbinical tradition of no sandals in the temple. This “shirt’ is the undergarment worn next to the skin under a cloak. Taking more than one would ensure sufficient warmth at night, while sleeping outside. This is foreshadowing Jesus’ command in the next verse.
Mark 6:10 – “Whenever you enter a house, stay there” – Jesus’ intention was not only for the disciples to get their feet wet preaching and healing. He also wanted them to start building relationships. They had to find and accept hospitality and live with others.
Our modern western culture doesn’t share the same perspective toward strangers and hospitality, as did the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day. People were expected to be hospitable to strangers. Thus, Jesus wanted the disciples to get good at accepting hospitality and getting to know the people. For this, along with preaching and miracles, is how the good news of Jesus would be shared. Relationship is the key!
Mark 6:11 – “And if…” – Contingency plan: If the people won’t listen to you, don’t waste any more time there. It wasn’t the disciples’ job to change people’s minds. They were simply to present the message and let the chips fall where they may. If the people didn’t accept the message, they were to quit and move on to the next place.
“Shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them” – If Jewish people had to go in or through a Gentile city, as they left they would shake the dust off their feet. It was a gesture that said, “We don’t want to take anything from this Gentile city with us.” Thus, when the disciples encountered people who wouldn’t believe, Jesus didn’t want them to take the sting of rejection with them, to the next village. This meant that the disciples wouldn’t be successful in every village they entered.
Mark 6:12 – “They went out and preached” – It’s one thing for God to call you to do something. It’s quite another to actually get up and go. To preach simply means to proclaim, to tell others in the sense of announcing news to them. Some of the best and most effective preaching happens outside a church. It happens when followers of Jesus are one-on-one with others, sharing what Jesus has done for them.
“Repent” – To turn around and head in a different direction. The basic message was that the people were going in the wrong direction. The disciples were to invite people to repent, to turn around, and go in a new direction. This is the message that, if not received, the disciples were to quit and leave that village.
Mark 6:13 – “They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people” – The key term here is “many”. Part of the lesson of this internship was for the disciples to learn that they won’t succeed all the time. Even Jesus didn’t succeed all the time. As was witnessed in Nazareth.
John the Baptist: Isaiah 40:3 – “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” Mark 1:4 – “And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
John was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin. This makes Jesus and John second cousins. John’s conception was a miracle, for Zechariah and Elizabeth had not been able to have children. When Mary found out that she was pregnant with Jesus, she went to stay with Elizabeth.
John lived as a hermit in the Judean wilderness. He clothed himself with camel’s hair and ate locust and wild honey, until the word of God came to him and he began preaching and baptizing, preparing the way for Jesus. In Mark 1:9, John baptized Jesus.
John was bold in his teaching and unafraid to identify sin when he saw it, even in the lives of those in power. One such person was the ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas. Herod was Jewish, but served at the mercy of the Roman government. In Mark 3:6 the Herodians, people loyal to King Herod, joined forces with the Pharisees, unlikely bedfellows, to plot how they could kill Jesus.
The problem was that Herod had divorced his wife, in order to marry his brother’s wife, Herodias. She had, in turn, divorced Herod’s brother, Phillip, in order to marry Herod. Divorce was not allowed according to Jewish law and John called Herod and Herodias out publicly. To add icing to the cake, Herodias was the daughter of Herod’s half-brother. So, Herodias was Herod’s step-niece. Let’s see how that turned out.
Mark 6:14 – “King Herod had heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known.” – Herod, upon hearing about Jesus, wondered who he was. The story you’re about to read is a flash-back. Mark is simply using this break in the action, the disciples first internship, to go back and fill us in on what happened to John the Baptist.
Mark 6:16 – “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” – Herod, wondering who Jesus was, asked others for their opinions. Some said he was John the Baptist raised from the dead. This thought, of Jesus being a reincarnated John the Baptist, caused Herod a great deal of stress.
Mark 6:17 – “He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife” – John was arrested by Herod because Herodias saw John as a threat to her way of life. Reality TV has always been a thing! This practice of divorce and remarriage was acceptable in the Roman culture, but not in the Jewish culture. Thus, John called Herod and Herodias out publicly, since they were both Jewish.
Mark 6:20 – “Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.” – Herodias wanted John dead, but Herod had a soft place in his heart for John. Herod knew that John was something special. John puzzled Herod, but Herod liked to listen to him.
Mark 6:21-28 – Herodias will finally get her way, with a little help from her beautiful, dancing daughter Salome, some alcohol and an oath that Herod couldn’t take back. It was Herod’s birthday and he threw a big party. Salome danced for Herod and it pleased him.
This is unusual because it wasn’t common for Jewish people to celebrate their birthdays, this was a Roman tradition. Also, according to the Jewish historian Josephus, Salome was only fourteen years old.
Herod was so pleased by Salome’s dance that he made an oath to give her anything she desired, up to half his kingdom. Which was impossible. His kingdom was controlled by Rome. Thus he didn’t have the power to give any of it away.
Combine this with the fact that he made this oath in the presence of all of his guests. Which meant that he would suffer public disgrace if he didn’t keep his oath. So, Salome went to Herodias for guidance on what to ask for. Herodias seized the opportunity and told Salome to ask for John the Baptist’s head.
When Salome made this request, Herod was “greatly distressed”. For he didn’t want to kill John the Baptist. But he also couldn’t go back on his oath. Herod wanted to save face over and above saving John the Baptist. So, Herod gave the order for John’s head to be brought to Salome on a platter. Salome then quickly gave John the Baptist’s head to her mother.
Mark 6:30 – “apostles” – A disciple is someone who is being taught. An apostle is someone who has been sent. All apostles are also disciples, but not all disciples are yet apostles.
“All they had done and taught” – The disciples are back from their first internship and now it’s time to debrief with each other and Jesus.
Mark 6:31 – “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” – There’s a time to work and a time to rest. You will only be effective in your work, if you take the time to rest.
“Research, so far led mainly by economists and sociologists, is still in its early stages. Yet, trials show gains in worker well-being and satisfaction, as well as improvements in retention and recruitment, with most companies who try a 4-day week choosing to continue with the model. Critics caution that data is still limited and that longitudinal, randomized studies are needed to better assess outcomes.” (The Rise of the Four-Day Work Week, Zara Abrams, American Psychological Association, apa.org, January 1, 2025)
Mark 6:32 – “In a boat to a solitary place” – This was an unknown place that could be reached by boat. Thus, it was a place on or across the Sea of Galilee. The term “solitary” was also used in 1:35, it suggests a remote, uninhabited area, like a wilderness. 1:2-3, we read that it’s in the wilderness that we “prepare the way for the Lord”.
Mark 6:33 – “But” – Always pay attention to the “buts” in the Bible. But signals a change in perspective or situation.
“Got there ahead of them” – We don’t know where Jesus and the disciples were going, but the crowd obviously did. How frustrating it must have been for the disciples. All they wanted to do was get away with Jesus to rest and debrief. But the crowds where waiting for them.
Mark 6:34 – “He had compassion on them” – The disciples saw more work, Jesus saw his children. He saw each face reflecting a need, a hunger or a hurt. Jesus was others-centered. Sometimes he cared more about the needs of others, than he cared about his own needs. This is the risk we all run as followers of Jesus. Serving others at the expense of ourselves. Life is a balancing act of being others-centered, as well as caring for yourself.
Jesus knew that he only had a short time to be with us. Thus, he knew that ministering to others was important, in this moment. And in this ministering Jesus is going to teach the disciples a very valuable lesson about their own ability to serve others. They don’t realize it yet, but their internship isn’t over.
We all need to make a case-by-case determination as to when to minister to ourselves or to others. Jesus was unapologetic about having compassion for the people, in this situation. Jesus, as an example for all of us, was being who he had been created and gifted to be, right out in front of everyone. There’s a time for every season under heaven. A time to get away to a solitary place and rest and a time to work.
“Sheep without a shepherd, so he began teaching many things” – Jesus knew that without a shepherd, sheep were in a lot of trouble. Sheep can’t fend for themselves against predators and have a hard time finding food and water on their own. So, as a faithful shepherd, Jesus took care of their most pressing need. He fed them the word of God.
What must the disciples have been thinking and feeling? They were looking forward to getting away with Jesus to decompress from their internship. And now they’re stuck listening to Jesus teach the crowds. Mark’s silence, when it comes to the disciples in this scene, is deafening.
Mark 6:35 & 36 – “It was late in the day, so his disciples came to him” – The disciples are looking for any and every reason to bring this teaching session to an end. They want to get back to their original purpose of finding a solitary place to be alone with Jesus and share what they learned on their internship.
Send the people away” – The disciples hid their desire to be alone with Jesus under the cover of compassion for the people. It was getting late and the people needed to leave this place and head out for dinner. Surely, Jesus didn’t want these fine people to starve out here in this “remote place”?
Mark 6:37 – “You give them something to eat” – The disciples and Jesus saw the same need. The disciples’ solution was to send the need away. Jesus’ solution was very different. Jesus wanted the disciples to fill the need. Can you feel another lesson coming on? The internship hasn’t ended.
“Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” – It’s hard to tell from reading the words, but the disciples seem miffed at what Jesus was suggesting. Even if they did have that much money, the attitude seems to be that it would be a waste of that money to feed everyone a little bit of bread. Afterall, the crowd would be hungry again in just a few hours.
The key word in this phrase is “we”. When Jesus challenged the disciples to feed the crowd, they only thought of themselves – their perspective, their thoughts, their strength, their resources. They forgot to whom they were speaking. In the heat of the moment we all tend to boil everything down to what “we” or “us” or “I” can accomplish. We forget to whom, we’re speaking.
Mark 6:38 – “How many loaves do you have?” – God’s way of providing always starts with what we already have. Remember, wisdom is using what you already have. And in this case, wisdom was using the food that the disciples already had. Don’t pray for more from God, if you don’t use what God has already given you.
“Five – and two fish” – This was almost enough food to feed one or two people. It’s not much, but it’s all they had. God can and will work with what you have, in order to provide what you need.
Mark 6:39 – “Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass” – In 6:34, Jesus saw the people as sheep without a shepherd. Psalm 23:2, the good shepherd makes me lie down in green pastures. “Groups” in Greek is “prah-see-ah”, which means like rows of vegetables in a garden.
The grass is green which indicates spring. Which means that this could be around the time of The Passover. Which would explain why such a large crowd would have been assembled in such a remote place. They might have been pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate The Passover.
Mark 6:40 – “Groups of hundreds and fifties” – We serve a God of order, as seen in creation and other biblical events. Grouping the multitude brought a sense of calm and control to a chaotic crowd. By organizing the people into groups of hundreds and fifties, the disciples could more easily and effectively serve the food, ensuring that everyone was fed. The groups also allowed the disciples to get an accurate count of the men in the crowd, a detail that is noted in the very title given to this miracle.
Mark 6:41 – “Looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.” – Symbolic of the Last Supper. Jesus didn’t bless the food, Jesus blessed the Father for supplying the food. The idea of praying before a meal isn’t to bless the food; it’s to bless God in the sense of thanking and honoring God for blessing us with the food.
Mark 6:42 – “They all ate and were satisfied” – Jesus provided extravagantly, yet simply. As long as he was making food miraculously, Jesus could have provided steak or lobster or pizza or anything else for that matter. But Jesus simply gave the people bread and fish. For that’s what the disciples had presented to him. Remember, Jesus directed the disciples to feed the people. Thus, they provided the food. Jesus simply made the food, that the disciples provided, enough to feed everyone.
Mark 6:43 – “The disciples picked up twelve baskets full” – Twelve is a symbolic number, the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve disciples, the twelve days of Christmas. However, the leftovers are also symbolic of God’s willingness to satisfy all levels of hunger. There will always be enough leftovers, if we’re willing to share with one another. With God, nothing is a zero-sum game.
Mark 6:44 – “The number of men who had eaten was five thousand” – This number doesn’t include women and children. Thus, it’s quite possible that the actual number was 10,000 to 20,000.
Mark 6:45 – “Immediately” – Mark’s sense of urgency. He uses this word 41 times in his gospel. This emphasizes the immediate and powerful nature of Jesus’ actions.
“Made” – Jesus compelled the disciples to leave this scene, without their full consent or against their will.
“Bethsaida” – “House of fishing or fishermen” – The hometown of Peter, Andrew and Philip. The disciples were probably still expecting to get away with Jesus to a deserted place to debrief from their internship. But Jesus had other plans. Sometimes the good that we want prevents us from experiencing the great that God has planned.
Mark 6:46 – “He went up on a mountainside to pray” – There’s a time for every season under heaven. There’s a time to get away and pray. This is why Jesus “made” the disciples leave. For he knew what he needed. All ministry and no alone time with God makes someone a very dull person and is a recipe for burnout.
Mark 6:47 – The disciples in the middle of the lake and Jesus on the land. Jesus is starting to let the disciples leave the nest. He’s beginning their training on how to live their lives, after he’s gone. They had their first internship, without him. Now, he sends them off on their own to cross the Sea of Galilee. Slowly but surely, he’s teaching them how to depend on him, even when he’s not with them.
Mark 6:48 – “He saw the disciples straining at the oars” – Jesus was watching. The lesson, God’s always watching. God’s always looking out for you.
“The wind was against them” – As a follower of Jesus, sometimes we may make little to no headway, at no fault of our own. The wind might simply be against us.
“Walking on the lake” – A miracle only for the disciples. The “solitary place” that is referred to in Mark 6:32 turns out to be in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, in the early morning, while the wind is raging.
Mark 6:49 & 50 – “But” – Always pay attention to the buts in the Bible.
“They cried out” – Jesus was going to walk causally by the disciples, but they saw him, thought he was a ghost and cried out. Jesus is always here to help. But Jesus will only help if we cry out. Even if our crying out is in fear.
“Saw him and were terrified” – Yes, the stress of the moment influenced the disciples fear. But, let’s be honest, even if it was beautiful night and you looked over, while boating across the Sea of Galilee and you saw Jesus walking on the water, you too would be terrified.
“Take courage!” – Take = to get into one’s hold or possession by voluntary action. To take something is to make a choice.
“It is I” – In Exodus 3:14 we learn that the name of God is “I am”. God’s name is presence. Jesus is reassuring the disciples of his presence. Thus, reassuring the disciples of who he is.
“Don’t be afraid” – The disciples are afraid. In this moment, this is who they are. Afraid is their identity. Afraid is who they be. Jesus reminds them that afraid isn’t who they be. Their identity is sacred children of God, who are dearly loved. They’ve simply let go of this identity in this moment and replaced it with fear. The same is true for you and me. You’re a sacred child of God, who is dearly loved. This is who you be. Don’t allow anything to change that identity.
Mark 6:51 & 52 – “The wind died down” – Jesus did it again! See Mark 4:39
“Their hearts were hardened” – Being resistant to God’s revelation and truth. They were still upset about not being able to get away with Jesus. Don’t allow anything to harden your heart. Be real with yourself, with others and with God. Being real is the cure for hardened hearts. For God will meet you right here, right now, in your realness.
Mark 6:53-56 – “Gennesaret” – The storm obviously blew them off course. For Gennesaret is south of Bethsaida. Different location, but some old result. People came looking to be healed and Jesus healed.
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