| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
Mark Chapter
Six
Mark 6
In that which follows, the history (properly so called)
of His service is resumed (chap. 6). Only we see Him already rejected by a
blinded people, in spite of the power which He had manifested, and which bore
testimony to the glory of His Person. Nevertheless He pursues His service, and
sends forth His disciples in order that no effort might be wanting; but with
the testimony of the judgment that awaited those who should be guilty of the
rejection of His mission-a rejection that was already taking place. The Lord
however continues to give proof in mercy and in goodness that Jehovah, who had
compassion on His people, was there; until at length He had to prepare His
disciples for the certain result of His work, namely, His death by the hand of
the Gentiles, to whom the chief priests would deliver Him.
To the Jews He was the carpenter, the son of Mary. Their unbelief
stopped the beneficent hand of God with regard to themselves. Jesus carries on
His work elsewhere, and sends forth His disciples-an act which implied the
possession of divine power. It was still to Israel that the mission they
received from Him directed them, and they were to pronounce judgment upon the
land of Emmanuel, the land of Israel, as a polluted land, wherever their
testimony should be rejected. They were to go forth resting on the mighty
protection of Him who sent them, and they should lack nothing. He was sovereign
Lord: all things were at His disposal. Christ can not only communicate
blessings as the channel of blessing Himself, but can also confer on His
disciples the power of casting out devils. The disciples fulfil their task.
This passage shews forth in a remarkable manner the position and glory of
Christ. He is the servant-for men, the carpenter's son. In His new service, He
takes no place but the filling up of that which God had given Him to do. He
could do no mighty works there, because of their unbelief-ever ready to serve,
but shut up, straitened in the exercise of His love, where no door opened to
receive its influence; and nature judging according to sight never does. Only
where a need was, His love, never tired, works-must work. The few sick folk
profit by a love that despises none, because it never seeks itself.
But, in the following verse, He who could not work mighty
works (because His service was dependent on divine conditions, on which God
could found and carry on His intercourse with men, in order to reveal Himself)
now gives power to others over all unclean spirits, a power which is divine.
Any can work miracles, if God gives the power; but God alone can give it. They
are to lack nothing, for Emmanuel was there; and to announce judgment if their
message was rejected. Divine love had made Him entirely a dependent Servant;
but the dependent Servant was God present in grace and righteousness.
But the effect of all these manifestations of power is,
that the conscience of the king who then reigned in Israel is awakened; and the
evangelist opens to us the history of the murderous opposition of the authorities
in Israel to the witnesses for the truth. Herod had put John to death, in order
to gratify the iniquity of a woman who pleased him-iniquity that he shared with
her. A dance was worth the life of the prophet of God. Such was the ruler of
Israel.
The apostles return. Jesus withdraws them from the
inquisitive and needy crowd, by going into a desert place; but the multitude
follow Him. Jesus, rejected as He is by the land He loved, has compassion on
the poor of the flock, and manifests in their behalf the power of Jehovah to
bless them according to Psalm 132. He satisfies the poor with bread. Having
sent the people away, He crosses the sea on foot; and, rejoining His disciples,
the wind ceases-a figure, of which we have spoken when meditating on Matthew. Their
work was finished. As to themselves, in spite of all His miracles, their hearts
at that time were still hard, and forgot the miracles, one after the other. The
Lord pursues His work of blessing. It was but to touch Him and be healed.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Mark》
Mark 6
Chapter Contents
Christ despised in his own country. (1-6) The apostles
sent forth. (7-13) John the Baptist put to death. (14-29) The apostles return,
Five thousand fed by a miracle. (30-44) Christ walks on the sea, He heals those
that touch him. (45-56)
Commentary on Mark 6:1-6
(Read Mark 6:1-6)
Our Lord's countrymen tried to prejudice the minds of
people against him. Is not this the carpenter? Our Lord Jesus probably had
worked in that business with his father. He thus put honour upon mechanics, and
encouraged all persons who eat by the labour of their hands. It becomes the
followers of Christ to content themselves with the satisfaction of doing good,
although they are denied the praise of it. How much did these Nazarenes lose by
obstinate prejudices against Jesus! May Divine grace deliver us from that
unbelief, which renders Christ a savour of death, rather than of life to the
soul. Let us, like our Master, go and teach cottages and peasants the way of
salvation.
Commentary on Mark 6:7-13
(Read Mark 6:7-13)
Though the apostles were conscious to themselves of great
weakness, and expected no wordly advantage, yet, in obedience to their Master,
and in dependence upon his strength, they went out. They did not amuse people
with curious matters, but told them they must repent of their sins, and turn to
God. The servants of Christ may hope to turn many from darkness unto God, and
to heal souls by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Commentary on Mark 6:14-29
(Read Mark 6:14-29)
Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still
more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John in his
preaching taught him; but it is not enough to do many things, we must have
respect to all the commandments. Herod respected John, till he touched him in
his Herodias. Thus many love good preaching, if it keep far away from their
beloved sin. But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for
faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. The ways of God are
unsearchable; but we may be sure he never can be at a loss to repay his
servants for what they endure or lose for his sake. Death could not come so as
to surprise this holy man; and the triumph of the wicked was short.
Commentary on Mark 6:30-44
(Read Mark 6:30-44)
Let not ministers do any thing or teach any thing, but
what they are willing should be told to their Lord. Christ notices the frights
of some, and the toils of others of his disciples, and provides rest for those
that are tired, and refuge for those that are terrified. The people sought the
spiritual food of Christ's word, and then he took care that they should not
want bodily food. If Christ and his disciples put up with mean things, surely
we may. And this miracle shows that Christ came into the world, not only to
restore, but to preserve and nourish spiritual life; in him there is enough for
all that come. None are sent empty away from Christ but those who come to him
full of themselves. Though Christ had bread enough at command, he teaches us
not to waste any of God's bounties, remembering how many are in want. We may,
some time, need the fragments that we now throw away.
Commentary on Mark 6:45-56
(Read Mark 6:45-56)
The church is often like a ship at sea, tossed with
tempests, and not comforted: we may have Christ for us, yet wind and tide
against us; but it is a comfort to Christ's disciples in a storm, that their
Master is in the heavenly mount, interceding for them. And no difficulties can
hinder Christ's appearance for his people, when the set time is come. He
silenced their fears, by making himself known to them. Our fears are soon
satisfied, if our mistakes are set right, especially our mistakes as to Christ.
Let the disciples have their Master with them, and all is well. It is for want
of rightly understanding Christ's former works, that we view his present works
as if there never were the like before. If Christ's ministers now could cure
people's bodily diseases, what multitudes would flock after them! It is sad to
think how much more most care about their bodies than about their souls.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Mark》
Mark 6
Verse 3
[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.
Is not this the carpenter? — There can be no doubt, but in his youth he wrought with his supposed
father Joseph.
Verse 5
[5] And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a
few sick folk, and healed them.
He could do no miracle there — Not consistently with his wisdom and goodness. It being inconsistent
with his wisdom to work them there, where it could not promote his great end;
and with his goodness, seeing he well knew his countrymen would reject whatever
evidence could be given them. And therefore to have given them more evidence,
would only have increased their damnation.
Verse 6
[6] And
he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages,
teaching.
He marvelled — As
man. As he was God, nothing was strange to him.
Verse 7
[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;
Verse 8
[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:
He commanded them to take nothing for their
journey — That they might be always unincumbered,
free, ready for motion.
Save a staff only — He
that had one might take it; but he that had not was not to provide one, Matthew 10:9; Luke 9:3.
Verse 9
[9] But
be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
Be shod with sandals — As you usually are. Sandals were pieces of strong leather or wood, tied
under the sole of the foot by thongs, something resembling modern clogs. The
shoes which they are in St. Matthew forbidden to take, were a kind of short
boots, reaching a little above the mid-leg, which were then commonly used in
journeys. Our Lord intended by this mission to initiate them into their
apostolic work. And it was doubtless an encouragement to them all their life
after, to recollect the care which God took of them, when they had left all
they had, and went out quite unfurnished for such an expedition. In this view
our Lord himself leads them to consider it, Luke 22:35: When I sent you forth without purse
or scrip, lacked ye any thing?
Verse 10
[10] And
he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide
till ye depart from that place.
Verse 12
[12] And
they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Verse 13
[13] And
they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and
healed them.
They anointed with oil many that were sick — Which St. James gives as a general direction, James 5:14,15, adding those peremptory words,
And the Lord shall heal him - He shall be restored to health: not by the
natural efficacy of the oil, but by the supernatural blessing of God. And it
seems this was the great standing means of healing, desperate diseases in the
Christian Church, long before extreme unction was used or heard of, which bears
scarce any resemblance to it; the former being used only as a means of health;
the latter only when life is despaired of.
Verse 14
[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.
Verse 15
[15]
Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one
of the prophets.
A prophet, as one of the prophets — Not inferior to one of the ancient prophets.
Verse 16
[16] But
when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen
from the dead.
But Herod hearing thereof — Of their various judgments concerning him, still said, It is John.
Verse 20
[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.
And preserved him —
Against all the malice and contrivances of Herodias.
And when he heard him — Probably sending for him, at times, during his imprisonment, which continued
a year and a half.
He heard him gladly —
Delusive joy! While Herodias lay in his bosom.
Verse 21
[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;
A convenient day —
Convenient for her purpose.
His lords, captains, and principal men of
Galilee — The great men of the court, the army, and
the province.
Verse 23
[23] And
he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto
the half of my kingdom.
To the half of my kingdom — A proverbial expression.
Verse 26
[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.
Yet for his oath's sake, and for the sake of
his guests — Herod's honour was like the conscience of
the chief priests, Matthew 27:6. To shed innocent blood wounded
neither one nor the other.
Verse 30
[30] And
the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things,
both what they had done, and what they had taught.
Verse 31
[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.
Verse 32
[32] And
they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
They departed —
Across a creek or corner of the lake.
Verse 34
[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.
Coming out — of
the vessel.
Verse 40
[40] And
they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
They sat down in ranks — The word properly signifies a parterre or bed in a garden; by a
metaphor, a company of men ranged in order, by hundreds and by fifties - That
is, fifty in rank, and a hundred in file. So a hundred multiplied by fifty,
make just five thousand.
Verse 43
[43] And
they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
Full of the fragments — of the bread.
Verse 45
[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.
He constrained his disciples — Who did not care to go without him. Matthew 14:22.
Verse 46
[46] And
when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
Verse 48
[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.
And he saw them —
For the darkness could veil nothing from him.
And would have passed by them — That is, walked, as if he was passing by.
Verse 52
[52] For
they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
Their heart was hardened — And yet they were not reprobates. It means only, they were slow and dull
of apprehension.
Verse 53
[53] And
when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to
the shore.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Mark》
JOHN AND HEROD.
Let
us note a few contrasts between John and Herod.
Ⅰ.
John was a faithful man; Herod was a
faithless man. The faithfulness of John is seen in that he rebuked Herod
for living in sin (verse 17,18). John was a man who had looked in the face of
God; hence, he did not fear the frown of men. He who can speak with God in holy
communion, will not fail in faithfulness to God, to tell men of their sins.
In
contrast to John’s faithfulness we have Herod’s faithlessness. In verse 20 we
are told that Herod feared and observed John, heard him gladly, and did many
things, but after all Herod was only a stony ground, and did many things, but
after all Herod was only a stony ground hearer (Mark 4:16,17). Spurgeon says of
Herod, “ Herod was a foxy man. We sometimes meet with these foxy people. They
want to go to heaven, but a good roaring song they like also, They will give a
guinea to the Church, but how many guineas are spent on their own lust. They
try and dodge between God and Satan……Herod was like a bird taken with
lime-twigs; he wanted to fly; but, sad to say, he was willingly held, limed by
his lust.”
Ⅱ. John was a blessed man;
Herod was a burdened man.
John was blessed in many ways. John was a blessed man because of his character.
He was holy in life, like the tabernacle, he was set apart for God’s indwelling
and use; and he was righteous in action like an even balance, he did that which
was right between men and God, and men and men. Fohn was a blessed man because
he suffered for the sake of truth. Those who suffer for the sake of Christ are
blessed, as He Himself says (Matt.5:11,12); their very shame is an occasion for
rejoicing, as it is illustrated in the early Christians (Acts 5:41); and when
any are called to seal their testimony with their death they are blessed
indeed, for they receive the martyr’s crown of life (Rev.2:10). Herod was a
burdened man. Herod was burdened in many ways. He was a burdened with his sins.
He was living a shameful life and he knew it, but for all that he would not
quit his sins. A load of guilt was upon him, and his iniquities hung about him
like a mill-stone. Herod was burdened with a troubled conscience. When he heard
of the miracles that Christ was doing, he thought that John had risen from the
dead, and was troubled in consequence (verse 14-17). When a man’s sins haunt
him, he has a hose of ghosts which make him afraid, and well they may. Joseph’s
brethren could not forget the sins they had committed against their brother.
Twenty years after ten stain of blood from her hands. There is one stone in the
floor of an old church in Scotland which stares out at you blood-red from the
grey stones around it. The legend tells of a murder committed there, and of
repeated fruitless attempts to cover the tell-tale colour of that stone.
Morally the legend is true; every dead sin sends its ghosts to haunt the souls
of the guilty. Committed sin is a scar that cannot be effaced, a diamond-cut
that cannot be obliterated, a mark that cannot be rubbed out, a stain that
cannot be washed out, an impression that is indelible, a leak that is, from the
human standpoint. All thing are
possible with God, through faith in the atonement of Christ.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
Chapter 6. Five Loaves and Two Fish
Many Are Coming
and Going
Rest a While
I. Offended by
the People of His Own Country
II. The Death
of John the Baptist
III. Feed Five
Thousand
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
FEEDING
THE FIVE THOUSAND.
Christ is the
Pivot of Scripture. Take Christ away from the Scripture, and everything falls
into confusion. See Christ in the Scripture, and the Key is found to unlock
every difficulty, and solve every problem.
Ⅰ. Gathered to Jesus. “ The Apostles gathered themselves together unto
Jesus” (verse 30). As Abraham came
back to Bethel (The House of God, Gen.13:3), and as Israel returned to Gilgal
(The rolling away, Josh.5:9), the place where the reproach of Egypt was rolled
from them, after their battles with their enemies (Josh.10:43), so the Apostles
gathered to Christ. They could not leave Him (John 6:68). He was the centre and
circumference of their being.
Ⅱ. Speaking with Jesus. “ Told Him” (verse 30). To have the ear of
Jesus to listen to our words, is to have the hand of Jesus to bless us in our
work. Prayer is the key to open the storehouse of blessing (Matt.15:25-28), the
eye salve to open the eyes (11.Kings 6:17), the harbinger of peace
(Phil.4:6,7), the swift messenger in temptation (Eph.8:18), the encourager in
persecution (Neh.4:9), the dynamo for power (Acts 4:31-33), and the succourer
of others (Acts 12:5).
Ⅲ. Invited by Jesus. “ He said: Come,” ＆c.(verse
31). The disciples were so busy that they had neither time to eat, nor leisure
to commune with Christ. It is possible to be occupied with work for Christ, and
lose sight of the Christ of the work. There should be the activity of Martha
without her anxiety, blended with the attention of Mary and her restfulness;
but the Mary character must precede the Martha. We must go inside the veil to
worship, before we go outside the camp to work.
Ⅳ. Running after Jesus ( verse 33). The people were determined not to
lose sight of Christ. So anxious were they to see and hear Him, that they “
ran” after Him. O that every Christian was as desirous to keep Christ in view!
Let the prayer of the bride be ours, namely, “ Draw me, we will run after Thee”
(Solomon’s Song 1:4). If we are drawn we shall draw someone else, as is
indicated in the change of the singular pronoun “ me” to the plural “we,”
Ⅴ. Compassion of Jesus (verse 34). Christ has the compassion of a
Shepherd to find (Matt.9:36); the compassion of a Provider to supply
(Matt.15:32); the compassion of Healer to give sight (Matt.20:34); the
compassion of a Cleanser to cleanse (Mark 1:41); the compassion of Power to
deliver (Mark 5:19); the compassion of a Deliverer to emancipate (Mark
9:22,25); the compassion of a Comforter to console (Luke 7:13); the compassion
of a Father to love (Luke 15:20); and the compassion of God to bless. Note the
five times God is said to be “full of compassion” in Ps. 78:38; 86:15; 112:4;
145:8).
Ⅵ. Instruction from Jesus. “ He began to teach them many things”
(verse 34). We are not told what the “ many things” were that Jesus taught the
people. Doubtless He would teach them what they were, namely, sheep without a
shepherd (Isa.53:6); and what He was, 6z., the Good Shepherd seeking the
wandering sheep (Luke 15.).
Ⅶ. Directed by Jesus (verse 37). The Lord Jesus bids His disciples to
give the multitude to eat. In like manner believers now are bidden to care for
the hungry (Heb.13:16), and, above all, to supply famishing beings with the
Gospel of the Bread of Life.
Ⅷ. Questioned by Jesus. “ How many loaves have ye?” The Lord asks for
what the disciples have got, and uses what they have to accomplish His purpose.
“ What is that in thine hand?” (Ex.4:2) was the question that the Lord put to
Moses, and through that rod God did wondrous things. In like manner, if we only
place ourselves and what we have at the disposal of the Lord, He can multiply
and use them to His glory and other’s good.
Ⅸ. Commanded by Jesus. “ He commanded them to make all sit down”
(verse 39,40). There must be quiet and order before Christ can meet the need of
the people. In like manner there must be quietness before the Lord (Psalm 62:1,
margin), and a willingness to receive from the Lord (John 1:12), before there
can be satisfaction in the Lord (Psalm 16:2, R.V.).
Ⅹ. Look of Jesus. “ He looked up to heaven’ (verse 41). That look of
faith expresses His absolute dependence on His Father. What an Example for us!
If we look to heaven before our actions, we shall be guided as to our actions,
and in them.
Ⅺ. Blessing of Jesus (verse 41). The blessing of Jesus made the bread
to multiply to the satisfying of the need of the people. Verily the blessing of
the Lord maketh rich (Proverbs 10:22). The blessing of His grace will make us
rich unto salvation (Eph.2:6-8); the blessing of His sanctification will make
us holy in life (1. Cor.1:30); the blessing of His strength will make us strong
to endure in the time of trial (11.Cor.12:9); and the blessing of Himself will
meet every need (Col.2:10).
Ⅻ. Action of Jesus (verse 41). Jesus “brake” the bread before He gave.
In like manner His body was broken and bruised in death for us, before the
blessing of His grace came to us.
XIII. Gift of Jesus (verse 41). As Christ
gave the bread to the disciples to give to the multitude, so the Word of the
Gospel is committed to believers to give to the unsaved (11. Cor.5:19,20)
XIV. Divided by Jesus. “ Divided He among
them all” (verse 41). The Lord saw that everyone got his portion. He overlooked
none. He acts in the same way now. His desire is to bless, “ whosoever” (John
3:16)—“ any man” (John 10:9).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》