Mark 6

Mark 6 presents a vivid contrast between faith and unbelief, demonstrating the wideranging responses to Jesus' ministry. From rejection in His hometown to a miraculous feast for thousands, this chapter highlights unbelief’s blindness, faith’s power, and the authoritative mission of Jesus and His followers. As we move through this chapter, we are invited to examine our hearts, embrace repentance, and trust in the compassionate shepherd who satisfies.

1. Jesus Rejected at Nazareth (Mark 6:1–6)

Jesus returns to His hometown, accompanied by His disciples, and teaches in the synagogue. The people marvel at His wisdom and miracles but soon stumble over His humanity: “Is not this the carpenter?” Their familiarity blinds them to His divine identity.

Jesus responds with the proverb: “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown.” Their rejection does not reflect His inability, but their unbelief. Though He heals a few, their hardness of heart leads to rejection. Jesus marvels at their unbelief—the only time in Mark where He is said to be amazed.

> “Some people today are proud enough to think they can think their way to God... But the weakness of the cross confounds the strong.” – Jason Meyer

His divine identity. They cannot reconcile the “local kid” with the powerful teacher and miracle-worker, leading to offense and rejection.

- Jesus’ Response: Jesus acknowledges this rejection with the proverb, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown.” Their unbelief limits His mighty works, not because He lacks power, but because few come to Him in faith.

This warns us: we can admire a tame, familiar Jesus but reject Him as Lord. Unbelief is not merely doubt—it is a refusal to hear and respond.

Teaching Application: Examine whether familiarity has dulled your reverence for Christ. Are you truly hearing Him, or dismissing Him as too ordinary?

Theological Insight: Jesus is not a fairy tale figure dependent on belief to act. He heals those who come to Him, but widespread unbelief results in rejection, not limitation of His power.

- Quotation: “Some people today are proud enough to think they can think their way to God, and they trust in their intellect. Others want God to prove himself to them with powerful signs... But the weakness of the cross confounds the strong. The apparent foolishness of the cross confounds the wise.” (Jason Meyer, Mark for You, 96)

2. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles (Mark 6:7–13)

In the face of rejection, Jesus expands His mission by commissioning the Twelve. He sends them out two by two, giving them authority over demons, instructing them to travel light—no food, money, or extra clothing. This mission foreshadows their future role post-resurrection.

Their simplicity echoes the Exodus (Ex. 12:11). Like Israel leaving Egypt, they are going out under divine orders, carrying staff, sandals, belt, and cloak. This urgency signals coming judgment.

The two by two arrangement is legally significant: two witnesses were required for a credible testimony (Deut. 19:15). Their mission is a legal pronouncement—God’s kingdom is at hand.

They proclaim repentance, heal, and cast out demons. Their dependence on hospitality makes every village’s response visible: acceptance means blessing; rejection means judgment. Shaking off the dust was a prophetic act of warning.

> “God is about to act. He is going to reveal something every bit as important as the exodus.” – Jason Meyer

Teaching Application: Proclaim the gospel with urgency and simplicity. Let your life bear witness to Christ’s sufficiency, and be bold even where you may be rejected. We do not to expect to be treated better than our master. If he was persecuted and despised, that’s what we can often expect in our mission to our neighbors and nations. [Mark’s literary sandwich about mission and rejection— look at next]

3. The Death of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14–29)

Inserted between the sending and return of the Twelve is the story of John the Baptist’s death—a Markan “sandwich.” [Disciples sent out, return in v. 30), recounts John the Baptist’s beheading, foreshadowing Jesus’ rejection and death] Herod hears of Jesus and is haunted by guilt, thinking John has risen.

We learn the backstory: John condemned Herod’s unlawful marriage to Herodias, and she, holding a grudge, arranged for his execution. Herod feared John but lacked the courage to act on conviction. Trapped by pride and social pressure, he had John beheaded.

Herod’s fear of man and love of sin prevent repentance. His fascination with John’s preaching is superficial, leading to John’s execution under pressure from Herodias and his guests. [What soil is Herod? Weeds?]

John’s integrity stands in contrast to Herod’s cowardice. John, like Jesus, was killed by political scheming and fear of man. But Jesus’ death goes further: He dies not just because of sin but for sin.

> “There is no sacrifice for denial.” – Jason Meyer

Teaching Application: Consider the cost of truth-telling and repentance. Will we be like John, faithful regardless of consequences, or like Herod, ruled by fear and public image?

4. The Feeding of the Five Thousand (Mark 6:30–44)

After the disciples return, Jesus invites them to rest, but the crowd follows. Rather than being irritated, Jesus is moved with deep compassion (splanchnizomai)—they are like sheep without a shepherd.

He teaches them many things. As the day ends, the disciples suggest dismissing the crowd, but Jesus tests them: “You give them something to eat.” They see scarcity—He demonstrates abundance.

With five loaves and two fish, Jesus blesses and distributes food through the disciples. All are fed—five thousand men, plus women and children. Twelve baskets of leftovers remain—one for each disciple.

This miracle echoes:

Moses: Jesus feeds in the wilderness, teaches God’s Word.

Elisha: feeds multitudes with leftovers (2 Kings 4).

Ezekiel 34: Jesus, the true shepherd, feeds and leads.

Psalm 23: green grass, full bellies, restored souls.

> “Jesus is the shepherd of Psalm 23. The people are not in want—he completely satisfies them.” – Jason Meyer

- Connect the feeding to Jesus’ role as the compassionate shepherd, inviting listeners to rest in His care.

Teaching Application: Trust Christ to provide, even in scarcity. Know that His compassion meets both spiritual and physical needs.

You can’t out-give God. He provides for us. When we feel tired and irritated and at a loss to give, still give and see what He can turn that into. Look at how He provides for His own in their ministry. Don’t we feel that potential for loss as a parent or spouse sometimes? But give anyway and watch what He does.

5. Jesus Walks on Water (Mark 6:45–52)

Jesus sends His disciples ahead and retreats to pray. A storm arises; the disciples strain against it. Jesus sees their struggle—and walks on the sea to reach them.

“He meant to pass by them” is not avoidance—it is theophany. Like God passing by Moses (Ex. 33:19) or Elijah (1 Kings 19:11), Jesus reveals His divine glory. His words, “It is I” (ego eimi), echo the divine name—“I AM.”

They are terrified, and their hearts remain hardened. Though they saw the loaves multiplied, they still fail to grasp Jesus’ divine identity.

- Disciples’ Response: The disciples’ terror and astonishment reveal hardened hearts, missing the miracle’s significance. Their failure to understand the loaves’ miracle (v. 52) parallels Job’s unperceiving response to God’s passing (Job 9:11).

> “Hardness of heart hinders people from perceiving that Jesus is God.” – Jason Meyer

Teaching Application: Don’t just admire Jesus—worship Him. Read Scripture not to master facts but to see God and respond in awe.

- Application: Hardness of heart hinders recognizing Jesus’ deity. Worshipful Bible reading seeks to see God, not merely to gain knowledge or commend oneself.

Challenge: read Scripture with a heart open to God’s revelation, seeking to worship rather than merely analyze.

6. Healing at Gennesaret (Mark 6:53–56)

When they land, the people recognize Jesus and flock to Him with their sick. Wherever He goes—villages, cities, countryside—they bring people to touch even His garment.

This recalls the woman with the flow of blood (Mark 5). Now, that individual moment of faith is multiplied across the region. What happened in a single story now becomes a flood of grace.

> “These brief stories... are only a small scale glimpse into the grand scale healing grace of Jesus.” – (Jason Meyer, Mark for You, 108)

Teaching Application: Encourage faith that reaches out to Christ—even the fringe of His robe is enough. His compassion remains available to all who come.

Conclusion: Faith or Unbelief?

Mark 6 invites us to ask: What keeps us from faith? Familiarity? Pride? Fear of others? Jesus is rejected in Nazareth, misunderstood by the disciples, feared by Herod, and embraced by the needy. His mission continues through the Twelve, and His power remains unmatched.

Let us:

Honor Him, not dismiss Him.

Trust Him, not test Him.

Follow Him, not fear others.

> “He had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.”

May we receive Him not with skepticism, but with faith, like those who came running just to touch His robe.

> “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”