Mark 6 Verses 7 to 13 Shake the Dust Off June 1, 2025,

Mark 6 Verses 7 to 13 Shake the Dust Off June 1, 2025, Lesson 9

The Remarkable Journey Continues Class Presentation Notes AAAAA

Background Scriptures:

· Matthew 6:28–34 (NASB95)

          28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

          29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

          30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

          31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’

          32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

          33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

          34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

· Matthew 28:18–20 (NASB95)

          18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

          19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

          20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

· Proverbs 24:16 (NASB95)

          16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,

          But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.

Main Idea:

· Too many people are slaves to past mistakes.

Study Aim:

· To understand that when you forgive others, it is a gift of grace to them, and a gift of grace to yourself.

Create Interest:

· In Isaiah 43:18-19, God invites His people, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"

o This verse challenges us to release the grip of our past mistakes and embrace the new identity and opportunities God offers us.

o It signals hope and renewal, encouraging us to see ourselves through the eyes of grace rather than through our historical missteps.

· A handful of men turned the world upside down. Unlettered, unknown men from the region of Galilee—then considered a rural, backwater home to the first-century equivalent of rednecks—changed planet Earth as never before. They were successful because of their Master and His training. His game plan can be summarized in two words: “Follow Me.” His strategy can be condensed into one sentence: “If I can trust you to follow Me, then you can trust Me to lead you.” His first disciples trusted, He faithfully led them, and the world has never been the same.

· Having selected the Twelve, Jesus spent time with them, modeled for them how they should conduct ministry, clarified His expectations, and then released them. There was no formal curriculum, no audition process, no lecture to attend, no tuition to pay, no established course of study, no written examination. They had only the Old Testament Scriptures to read and the divine Author of those writings to teach them.[1]

Lesson in Historical Context:

· If Nazareth would have no part of Him, well, there was still the whole country to be reached. Let Nazareth nurse its nastiness. He would multiply Himself by sending out the Twelve, armed with might and miracle, to blanket the entire land with the good news of the gospel.[2]

· This section marks a turning point in the Lord’s ministry. Before this, only Jesus preached the gospel message, healed diseases, performed miracles, and confronted the hard-hearted unbelief of Israel’s religious establishment. That changed with the authorizing of the twelve apostles as official preachers. Knowing His remaining time in Galilee was limited (cf. Mark 10:1), Jesus strategically multiplied the extent of His ministry by sending the Twelve as His heralds throughout the region.

· The dozen men selected by Jesus had already spent countless hours accompanying and learning from Him. Though already named as apostles, they had not yet been set apart from the larger group of Jesus’ disciples for specific service. The Lord had earlier promised them that He would train them to be “fishers of men”(Mark 1:17). Now the time had come for their evangelistic ministries to begin. Though they would not be fully equipped and empowered for that task until the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), their ministry internship began here.[3]

· Mark gives us an account of the empowering of the Twelve, who conduct an itinerant ministry in extension of Jesus’ own work. Here again (6:7) as before (3:15), the disciples are given authority over evil spirits; and by this term, so important in Mark’s description of Jesus (1:22, 27; 2:10; 11:27–33).

o We are to understand that the Twelve were given an extension of Jesus’ own power and ministry.

· This is another instance of the way that the disciples, so plainly described as failing in other places in the narrative, are also described in very positive terms as intimately associated with Jesus in his work.

· Any reading of Mark must do justice to both aspects of the way the disciples are treated (a rule not always observed in some recent studies), for only then do the disciples serve their intended narrative role for the readers as an example and warning.[4]

Bible Study:   The Twelve Sent Out

Mark 6:7–11 (NASB95)    

   7     And He *summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits;

   8     and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt—

   9     but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.”

10     And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town.

11     “Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.”

· Every person has to be equipped before He goes forth, no matter the project or endeavor. To a great degree success depends upon how well equipped a person is. This is certainly true of men in the business world. It is also true of God’s servants and disciples. They must be equipped by God as they go forth to carry on their ministry for the Lord.[5]

· Vs. 7:  When the Lord originally called the 12 Apostles, His purpose was to teach and train them so that they might assist Him and eventually be able to take His place when He returned to the Father (Mark 3:13–15). Before sending them out, He reaffirmed their authority to heal and to cast out demons (Mark 6:7); and He gave them some pointed instructions (see Matt. 10 for a more detailed account of this sermon).

o Why did Jesus send His disciples out two by two? Perhaps it’s because, as we’ve experienced, faith becomes bolder when ministering with someone else. But more likely, it’s because one of the principles of the law was that in the mouth of two witnesses, every word would be established (Deuteronomy 19:15).[6]

· Vs. 8-9:  He commanded them to take nothing for the journey: The disciples didn’t need fancy equipment to preach a simple message. Too much stuff would get in the way of their urgent message.

o There was a rule from the Jewish rabbis that you could not enter the temple area with a staff, shoes, or a moneybag, because you wanted to avoid even the appearance of being engaged in any other business than the service of the Lord.

§  The disciples were engaged in such holy work (preaching the gospel and bringing God’s healing) that they could not give the impression that they have any other motive.[7]

· What an incomparable theological education these unlettered men received! They “learned by doing” under the guidance of One who spoke as ““Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks” (John 7:46).

o Going out two and two, “for purposes of witness and fellowship,” they were to travel with frugality and urgency, depending upon God and the hospitality of those who received them. Notice the progression in restriction: carrying a staff only (Vs. 8) (possibly as a protection against vicious dogs), they were to take no bread, no scrip (Vs. 8) (bag) for carrying bread, nor any money(copper coin!) in their purse (belt) to buy bread. Shod with sandals (Vs. 9), they were not to put on twocoats (a tunic or shirt worn next to the skin). “Two shirts are a luxury unsuitable for travelling.”

§ Such requirements would apply literally only to the short period of this ministry in Galilee, but in principle they are applicable for all time. “The service of the Word of God is still a matter of extreme urgency, calling for absolute self-dedication.”[8] Discuss.

Thought to soak on:

· Reduced to its simplest form, the law acknowledged that “the sent one is as the man who commissioned him.” This formulation lies behind the mission of the Twelve, who are sent forth as “appointed representatives” of Jesus in the legal sense of the term. Their return to Jesus and the report concerning all that they had taught and done in fulfilment of the commission (Ch. 6:30) is consistent with this legal background.

· The fulfilment of a commission by pairs of messengers is attested elsewhere in Judaism. The division of the Twelve into groups of two conforms their mission to the Mosaic provision that the truthfulness of a testimony is to be established “by the mouth of two witnesses.”

· There is in the context no thought of the creation at this time of a permanent office, but rather the fulfilment of a specific commission. This is an important consideration; it signifies that the instructions which Jesus gave to the disciples do not have a general and permanent validity.

o They are relevant to this particular commission. The insistence that the disciples take neither food nor money, but depend wholly on hospitality, is a matter of special authorization within limits which were both local and temporary.[9]

· Vs. 10-11:  As they ministered from place to place, they would encounter both hospitality and hostility, both friends and enemies. He cautioned them to stay at one house in each community and not to “pick and choose” when it came to their food and accommodations. After all, they were there to be profitable servants, not pampered guests. If a house or a village did not receive them, they had His permission to declare God’s judgment on those people. It was customary for the Jews to shake the dust off their feet whenever they left Gentile territory, but for Jews to do this to their fellow Jews would be something new (Luke 10:10–11; Acts 13:51).

· Shake the dust off: A very significant action. The dust was shaken off as an evidence of the toil and labor of the apostles in journeying to them.

o It witnessed that they had entered the city and had delivered message, and that their message had been refused.

§ The very dust, therefore, of the place was a defilement to them.[10]

· The word translated “send” in Mark 6:7 is apostello in the Greek and gives us our English word apostle. It means “to send someone with a special commission to represent another and to accomplish his work.” Jesus gave these twelve men both the apostolic authority and the divine ability to do the job He sent them to do. They were not “on their own”; they represented Him in all that they did and said.

o We noted before (Mark 3:16–19) that a comparison of the lists of the Apostles’ names reveals that the names are given in several pairs: Peter and Andrew, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, etc. Jesus sent them out in pairs because it is always easier and safer for servants to travel and work together. “Two are better than one” (Ecc. 4:9), and the Law, as previously observed, required two witnesses to verify a matter (Deut. 17:6; 19:15; 2 Cor. 13:1). They would not only help each other; they would also learn from each other.

· The men went out and did what Jesus told them to do. It is remarkable that a band of ordinary men could go out in this way to represent Almighty God, and that they could demonstrate their authority by performing miracles. God’s commandments always include His enablements

o 2 Corinthians 3:5–6 (NASB95)

          5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as    coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

          6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

· They proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom, called on sinners to repent, and healed many who were sick (Mark 6:12–13; Luke 9:6).[11]

Thoughts to soak on:

· Jesus anticipated that some places wouldn’t welcome the message. There are always some who would rather stay sick than face the bracing challenge of a new way of life, a new outlook. But the disciples are to respond with a solemn symbolic action, wiping the dust of the place off their feet.

o Mark’s breathless gospel focuses here on the disciples’ breathless mission: and if people won’t have it, there’s no time to lose. On to the next place, and woe to those who have missed their chance.[12]

· If you do not receive a warm reception in a “short-term” mission (a crucial contextual point), if they will not receive you or listen to you, move on and leave a sign of their personal responsibility and prospective judgment (shake off the dust). We should anticipate rejection by some. When turned away, move on, at least for now. When you leave, in “a merciful prophetic act” (Hughes, Mark, 1:136), shake off the dust from your feet to warn them of what they are rejecting.

o This was something pious Jews did when they had traveled outside Israel to signify their disassociation from their paganism and the divine judgment that awaited them.

§ There will be times, with a broken heart, that we must warn others of the danger of rejecting Christ and the judgment they will experience (Ezek 33:1–20). It hurts but it is necessary.[13]

Mark 6:12–13 (NASB95)

          12 They went out and preached that men should repent.

13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them.

· Vs. 12:   To the people they brought Jesus’ message. The word used is literally that used for a herald’s proclamation. When the apostles went out to preach to men, they did not create a message;

o They brought a message.

o They did not tell people what they believed and what they considered probable; they told people what Jesus had told them.

o It was not their opinions they brought to men; it was God’s truth.The message of the prophets always began, “Thus saith the Lord.”

§ The man who would bring an effective message to others must first receive it from God.

· Vs. 12:  To the people they brought the King’s Message; and the King’s message was, “Repent!” Clearly that was a disturbing message.

o To repent means changing one’s mind and then fitting one’s actions to this change.

o Repentance means a change of heart and a change of action. It is bound to hurt, for it involves the bitter realization that the way we were following is wrong.

· It is bound to disturb, because it means a complete reversal of life.  That isrepentance.

o They were now called upon to repent and reform their lives because sin was evil, because the Messiah had come to preach forgiveness to the penitent, and because at his presence it was fit that the nation should turn from its sins and prepare to receive him.[14]

§ The change from a self-centered to a God-centred life—and a change like that hurts.

· Vs. 13: To the people they brought the King’s mercy. Not only did they bring this shattering demand upon men; they brought also help and healing.

o They brought liberation to poor, demon-possessed men and women. From the beginning Christianity has aimed to bring health to body and to soul;

§ it has always aimed not only at soul salvation, but at whole salvation.

o Christ’s grace brought not only a hand to life from moral wreckage, but a hand to lift from physical pain and suffering.

§ It is most suggestive that they anointed with oil. In the ancient world oil was regarded as a panacea. Galen, the great Greek doctor, said, “Oil is the best of all instruments for healing diseased bodies.” In the hands of the servants of Christ the old cures acquired a new virtue. The strange thing is that they used the things which men’s limited knowledge knew at that time;

§ The spirit of Christ gave the healer a new power and the old cure a new virtue. The power of God became available in common things to the faith of men.

So, the Twelve brought to people the message and the mercy of the King, and that remains the church’s task to-day and every day.[15]  Agree/disagree/discuss.

Applications as you go your way:

· When Jesus hung on the cross, He uttered the words, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing' (Luke 23:34). Despite the immense suffering He faced, He demonstrated the ultimate act of grace through forgiveness.

o This example calls us to see forgiveness as not just a duty but a divine gift that brings healing and releases the burdens we carry from unresolved anger and resentment.

· In Ephesians 4:32, Paul encourages us to 'be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.' This directive highlights that forgiveness is not merely a suggestion but a reflection of God's grace in our lives.

o When we forgive, we embrace the grace that transforms our bitterness into love, pointing others to Christ's forgiving nature.

· The story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) beautifully illustrates God's grace as a gift of forgiveness. The father, filled with compassion, ran to greet his wayward son upon his return, showcasing a profound willingness to forgive and embrace.

o This narrative encourages us to view our own acts of forgiveness as opportunities to mirror God's grace, reminding us of the joy that comes from reconciliation.

Applications Home: To forgive others is a gift of grace

· If you’re feeling bitterness toward a family member for past actions, remember that holding onto resentment affects your peace and their relationship with you.

o Take time this week to pray about your feelings, then write a heartfelt letter expressing your willingness to forgive. You don’t have to pretend that everything is okay; instead, acknowledge the hurt and communicate your desire to heal.

§ This act can be a powerful step toward restoring grace in your family dynamic.

· If you've argued with a sibling or friend and are struggling to let go of the hurt, recognize how this conflict is affecting your mood and home environment. Consider setting aside some time this week to reach out and talk to them, maybe even over a shared activity like video games or a movie.

o During this time, be honest about your feelings and express your desire to move forward.

§ Forgiveness can lighten the burden in your heart and rekindle your friendship.

· If you're dealing with longstanding tension due to past grievances with your spouse or partner, it's time to initiate a conversation about forgiveness.

o Set a specific evening this week to sit down, free from distractions, and discuss your feelings. Share honestly, listen attentively, and express your desire to forgive and move forward together.

§ This effort not only demonstrates love but allows grace to flow into your marriage, transforming how you support each other.

Application Friends:  To forgive others is a gift of grace

· Have you ever felt betrayed by a friend and struggled to get past it? It's easy to dwell on the hurt, but this week, challenge yourself to find a way to reach out and patch things up.

o Maybe invite them to hang out, and during your time together, share how you felt and listen to their side too.

§ Together, you might even discover the grace that God offers you can enable you to rebuild that friendship stronger than before.

Applications Work/Public/School/Church: To forgive others is a gift of grace

· In the workplace, conflicts can arise that lead to hurt feelings and resentment. If a coworker undermines your work or takes credit for it, you may feel angry and want to retaliate. Instead of holding onto that bitterness, choose to forgive them as a gift of grace.

o Start by praying for them and asking God to soften your heart. Then, approach them and have an honest conversation about how their actions affected you.

§ This act of forgiveness not only heals your heart but also encourages a more positive and collaborative work environment.

· As you navigate public interactions, whether at community events or during volunteer opportunities, you might encounter people whose views or actions frustrate you. Instead of fostering animosity, take proactive steps to offer grace.

o If someone criticizes your beliefs or actions publicly, take a deep breath and choose to respond with kindness. Acknowledge their concern and share your perspective gracefully.

§ This act of forgiveness can defuse tension and showcase the love and grace of Christ in your public life.

· If you're struggling with a colleague who has wronged you or undermined your efforts, remember that harboring resentment can affect your job performance and workplace morale. Take a moment to reflect on the idea of forgiveness.

o Make a plan to approach this colleague; perhaps invite them for coffee outside of work.

§ Use this time to express your feelings honestly and extend grace by forgiving them, which could lead to restored trust and a healthier work relationship for both of you.

· If you're a student dealing with the fallout of a failed group project where a teammate didn’t pull their weight, it may be tempting to hold onto anger towards them. Instead, recognize that forgiveness is crucial for your peace of mind and success in future collaborations.

o  Reach out to this teammate, and instead of brooding in silence, articulate how their actions impacted you.

§ Offer them grace by forgiving them and discussing how you can work better as a team moving forward.

· If you've felt hurt by someone in your church community—perhaps over a misunderstanding or a gossip incident—it’s important to deal with those feelings before they grow. Spend some time in prayer, asking God to reveal the importance of forgiveness.

o After you've prayed and received peace, approach the individual directly and let them know how you felt.

§ By forgiving them, you not only offer them grace but also promote healing within your church family.

Grace and peace to each of you this day,

Br John,

Appreciate your call. Understand if you have to get to class. I did re-look at the Applications of your current lesson. They are ALL appropriate and in fact necessary in each of the scenarios you presented.

The one overriding truth ( I believe) for each of these is, if they do not apply what you indicate, rather in home, friends, workplace, etc., they are the real losers so to speak in that the consequences, the bearer of anger, bitterness,etc, will continue to weigh heavily on the them, the offended.

 It's also clear is Scripture that we are to forgive so we will be forgiven, or as Paul says in Col 3:13, ".....as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must (emphasis added) forgive."

Being free and experiencing freedom in Christ means we have to deal with the internal things that weigh on us and have not been confessed so God can forgive us. Not talking about forgiveness when we accepted Christ, but the need for forgiveness to preclude unwanted consequences.

I always look forward to your lessons and use them when I teach!

Thanks again, brother and friend,

ted

[1]Charles R. Swindoll, Mark, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary (Tyndale House Publishers, 2018), 149.

[2]John Phillips, Exploring the Gospel of Mark: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Mk 6:7.

[3]John MacArthur, Mark 1–8, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2015), 283–284.

[4]Larry W. Hurtado, Mark, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 93.

[5]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, The Gospel according to Mark, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996), 105.

[6]Jon Courson, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 246.

[7]David Guzik, Mark, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik, 2013), Mk 6:7–13.

[8]A. Elwood Sanner, “The Gospel according to Mark,” in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Beacon Bible Commentary (Beacon Hill Press, 1964), Mk 6:7–13.

[9]William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974), 206–207.

[10]H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., St. Mark, vol. 1, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 245.

[11]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 130–131.

[12]Tom Wright, Mark for Everyone (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), 69–70.

[13]Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark, ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 125.

[14]Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark, ed. Robert Frew (London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885), 351.

[15]William Barclay, ed., The Gospel of Mark, The Daily Study Bible Series (Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster John Knox Press, 1976), 144–146.