Mark (5)

Jesus’ Galilean Ministry

Long Summary

Jesus Teaches the Disciples by giving them a short term missionary ministry with the instructions not to take anything extra with them.

The went out 1. Preaching repentance and 2. healing the people (with the authority that Jesus gave them over unclean spirits)

During this time Herod(Antipas) hears about Jesus and people aren't in agreement with who Jesus is. Herod fears that he is John the Baptist raised from the dead and recalls the account of the death of John the Baptist (who is the cousin of Jesus).

When the apostles return from their journey, Jesus calls them away to a remote place to rest for a while., but the people followed them.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 6

When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.

Jesus then tells the apostles to head these people, and with the disbelief of the Apostle’s Jesus takes 5 Loaves and 2 fish, he blessed and broke the loaves and everyone ate to their satisfaction. They ended up with 12 baskets of bread and fish. Their were 5,000 men (could be anywhere between 5K -15K)

Jesus sent the apostles ahead to Bethsaida so he could be alone to pray, we then see Jesus’ miracle of walking on the water.

Christian Standard Bible (Chapter 6)

Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, 52 because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.

Jesus performs miracles and gets into a confrontation with the Pharisees about their religious practices.

Christian Standard Bible (Chapter 7)

6 He answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written:This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.7 They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines human commands.,

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 7

14 Summoning the crowd again, he told them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 Nothing that goes into a person from outside can defile him but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

Jesus begins a wide travel to the northern part of Galilee, Tyre and Sidon and then east to the Decapolis.

Jesus meets a Syrophoenician woman. This exchange is interesting because Jesus came for the nation of Israel, and this woman recognizes that Jesus still capable to heal gentiles.

As they had traveled and were on the eastern side of Galilee, Jesus again calls on the disciples to feed the 4,000. Again they question Jesus’ ability to feed them

This time with 7 loaves be blessed them and shared with 7 baskets left over. Then they dismissed the crowds and departed to Dalmanutha (back to the western portion)

While they were their the Pharisees again argued for a sign, Jesus “Sighing Deeply” (greek here is a great inward groan as in pain) refuses to give a sign.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 8

14 The disciples had forgotten to take bread and had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then he gave them strict orders: “Watch out! Beware of the leaven, of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 They were discussing among themselves that they did not have any bread. 17 Aware of this, he said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact you have no bread? Don’t you understand or comprehend? Do you have hardened hearts? 18 Do you have eyes and not see; do you have ears and not hear?, And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of leftovers did you collect?”

“Twelve,” they told him.

20 “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you collect?”

“Seven,” they said.

21 And he said to them, “Don’t you understand yet?”

Jesus then heals a blind man part way, then all the way. This is a lesson to the disciples in response to the lessons they are to learn.

Short Summary

Jesus sends out the 12 apostles to preach and heal, he tells them to take nothing with them. They obey him and their needs are met as they experience fruitful ministry. Jesus feeds 5,000 out of compassion for the people with 5 loaves and 2 fish with 12 baskets left over. Later the apostles see Jesus walking on the water and are fearful.

During these miracles we get the hint that the disciples miss the lesson here.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 6

They were completely astounded, 52 because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.

(hardened in the greek, to be come insensible (Not susceptible of emotion or passion, Void of sense or meaning))

All the while Jesus is meeting the needs and caring for the crowds of people, the pharisees challenge Jesus’ adherence to the religious laws. Jesus then lays out exactly why the religious tradition takes away from the worship of God and places it upon man.

(Its not what goes in, but what comes out)(how we can live in a fallen world, but we are responsible for how we live despite what happened to us in the past and what challenges we presently face)

Jesus travels north to Tyre and encounters a gentile woman Syrophoenician. In the account Jesus affirms he is their for the nation of Israel, but those who have faith experience the blessings of God.

All the while they are traveling Jesus is teaching and healing.

In the area of the Decapolis , Jesus being compassionate towards the needs of the crowd then feeds 4000 with 7 loaves and few fish with 7 baskets left over.

The Pharisees now are no longer just asking questions they are arguing with Jesus and demanding a sign. Jesus tell them they will not receive a sign.

Jesus then brings all of these lessons together for the disciples:

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 8

14 The disciples had forgotten to take bread and had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 Then he gave them strict orders: “Watch out! Beware of the leaven, of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 They were discussing among themselves that they did not have any bread. 17 Aware of this, he said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact you have no bread? Don’t you understand or comprehend? Do you have hardened hearts? 18 Do you have eyes and not see; do you have ears and not hear?, And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of leftovers did you collect?”

“Twelve,” they told him.

20 “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you collect?”

“Seven,” they said.

21 And he said to them, “Don’t you understand yet?”

The blind may see but come gradually. I feel that we often think we need a conversion experience like Saul on the road to damascus, but in reality much of our spiritual journey will be like that of the apostles. We are called and Jesus will reveal himself and teach us in our living life with him.

Jesus relentless compassion for all people that come to Him (Jew and Gentile), but some with resist and turn away.

God will provide, we must live with faith

We must watch what comes out of us.