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Mark

Chapter 6

Summary

Mark provides a series of contrasting responses to Jesus’s ministry: beginning with His rejection by his own townspeople in Nazareth, whose lack of faith limits His miraculous works in their midst. Jesus subsequently commissions His twelve apostles for an urgent mission: providing specific instructions regarding their dependence on God’s provision and the necessity of their testimony. The narrative then shifts to the tragic execution of John the Baptist by King Herod: an event that serves as a sombre demonstration of the earthly cost of prophetic fidelity. Despite this loss, Jesus continues His work: miraculously feeding five thousand men (along with women and children) from only five loaves and two fish. The chapter concludes with a profound display of Jesus’s divine authority as He walks on the Sea of Galilee and continues to bring restoration to all who find themselves in need.

1

Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.

2

And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, "From where has this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given to 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 to them, "A prophet is not without honour except in his own hometown, among his own relatives, 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.

7

And he called to 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

Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there until you depart from that place."

11

"And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when you depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Truly I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement, than for that city."

12

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

13

And they cast out many demons, 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 show forth themselves in him."

15

Others said, "That it is Elijah." 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 to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your 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 to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you will, and I will give it you."

23

And he sware to her, whatever you will ask of me, I will give it you, to the half of my kingdom.

24

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

25

And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I will that you give me immediately 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 girl: and the girl 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.

30

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

31

And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time 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 There out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together to him.

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 to 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 to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"

38

But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."

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.

45

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

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 to them: and about the fourth watch of the night he comes to 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. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."

51

And he went up to 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, immediately 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 wherever 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.