Mark 6: Turned away at home, John beheaded, five thousand fed
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Greek. How to read a study
What happens?
Jesus teaches in his own country, where people take offense at him and he does little there. He sends the twelve out two by two, and Mark tells how Herod had John the Baptizer beheaded. The apostles return, Jesus feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fish, walks on the sea to his disciples, and the sick are brought to him at Gennesaret.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. Jesus speaks in verses 4, 10 to 11, 31, 37 to 38 and 50. The people of his own country speak in verses 2 to 3. Herod speaks in verses 14, 16, 22 and 23, and others speak in verse 15. Herodias's daughter and her mother speak in verse 24, and the daughter speaks again in verse 25. The disciples speak in verses 35 to 38. In verse 18 the narrator gives what John had said to Herod. No verse is in gold. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1He went out from there. He came into his own country, and his disciples followed him.
In plain English: He left that place and came to his own country, and his disciples followed him.
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2When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands?
In plain English: When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were astonished. They said, "Where did this man get these things? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? How do such mighty works come about by his hands?
The Greek word: "Mighty works" is dynameis. The dictionary gives "force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)". It is in 10 verses of Mark. This Bible says "power" in 7 of them and "mighty" in 3.
How it is translated: This Bible has "mighty works" here, and "powers" in .
What changes: Read as "powers", the people ask about the force that works through his hands. Read as "miracles", they ask about the wonders themselves.
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3Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they were offended at him.
In plain English: Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judah and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" So they were offended (or: stumbled) at him.
The Greek word: "Carpenter" is tekton. The dictionary gives "a craftsman in wood". It is in 2 verses of the New Testament: here and , which has "the carpenter's son". Here the people call Jesus himself the carpenter.
The Greek word: "Offended" is eskandalizonto, from skandalizo. The dictionary gives "to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)". It is in 8 verses of Mark. This Bible says "stumble" in 6 of them and "offend" in 2.
How it is translated: This Bible has "offended".
What changes: Read as "stumbled over him", they trip over who he is. Read as "took offense at him", they are displeased with him.
The Greek word: "Brother" is adelphos. The dictionary gives "a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote". It is in 17 verses of Mark. The text says: he is called "the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon", and "his sisters" are with them. His mother and his brothers are also mentioned together in .
How it is translated: This Bible has "brother".
What changes: Read as a brother in the close sense, the verse names four brothers of Jesus. Read as a relative "near or remote", the word covers a wider family. The verse does not say which.
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4Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.”
In plain English: Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."
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5He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.
In plain English: He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.
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6He marveled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching.
In plain English: He marveled at their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching.
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7He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
In plain English: He called the twelve to himself and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
The Greek word: "Authority" is exousia. The dictionary gives "privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery" and "delegated influence". It is in 9 verses of Mark, and in all 9 this Bible prints "authority".
How it is translated: This Bible has "authority".
What changes: Read as "power", he gives them the force to act on the unclean spirits. Read as "authority", he gives them the right to command them.
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8He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse,
In plain English: He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse.
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9but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics.
In plain English: They were to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.
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10He said to them, “Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there.
In plain English: He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that place.
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11Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
In plain English: Jesus went on: "Whoever will not receive you or listen to you, shake off the dust under your feet as you leave, as a testimony against them. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that city."
Good to know: Sodom and Gomorrah are named. reads: "Then Yahweh rained on Sodom and on Gomorrah sulfur and fire from Yahweh out of the sky."
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12They went out and preached that people should repent.
In plain English: They went out and preached that people should repent.
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13They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them.
In plain English: They cast out many demons. They anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Good to know: Mark says they anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. Mark does not say why oil was used. also has anointing the sick with oil.
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14King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
In plain English: King Herod heard about this, because Jesus's name had become known. Herod said, "John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and so these powers are at work in him."
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15But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.”
In plain English: But others said, "He is Elijah." Others said, "He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets."
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16But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.”
In plain English: When Herod heard this, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, this is he. He has risen from the dead."
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17For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her.
In plain English: Herod himself had sent and arrested John and bound him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because Herod had married her.
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18For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
In plain English: John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
Good to know: Mark does not name the law John meant. in this Bible reads: "You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother's wife." has a similar rule.
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19Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t,
In plain English: Herodias held it against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not.
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20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
In plain English: Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When Herod heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
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21Then a convenient day came when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
In plain English: A convenient day came when Herod, on his birthday, made a supper for his nobles, the high officers and the chief men of Galilee.
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22When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
In plain English: The daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced. She pleased Herod and those sitting with him. The king said to the young lady, "Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it to you."
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23He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
In plain English: He swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom."
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24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.”
In plain English: She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" Her mother said, "The head of John the Baptizer."
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25She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”
In plain English: She came in at once, in haste, to the king and asked, "I want you to give me, right now, the head of John the Baptizer on a platter."
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26The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her.
In plain English: The king was deeply sorry, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests he did not want to refuse her.
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27Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring John’s head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
In plain English: At once the king sent a soldier of his guard and commanded him to bring John's head. The soldier went and beheaded John in the prison.
The Greek word: "A soldier of his guard" is spekoulatora. The dictionary gives "a speculator, i.e. military scout (spy or (by extension) life-guardsman)". It is in 1 verse of the New Testament, this one. This Bible has "a soldier of his guard".
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28and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.
In plain English: He brought John's head on a platter and gave it to the young lady, and the young lady gave it to her mother.
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29When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
In plain English: When John's disciples heard about it, they came, took up his body and laid it in a tomb.
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30The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught.
In plain English: The apostles gathered to Jesus and told him everything they had done and everything they had taught.
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31He said to them, “Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.” For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
In plain English: He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." Many were coming and going, and they had no time even to eat.
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32They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.
In plain English: They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.
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33They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him.
In plain English: People saw them going, and many recognized him. They ran there on foot from all the cities, arrived before them, and came together to him.
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34Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
In plain English: Jesus came out and saw a great crowd. He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.
The Greek word: "Had compassion" is esplanchnisthe, from splanchnizomai. The dictionary gives "to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity". It is in 4 verses of Mark and 12 verses of the New Testament, and in all 12 this Bible prints "compassion".
How it is translated: This Bible has "had compassion".
What changes: Read as "pity", he felt sorry for them. Read as "feel sympathy", he felt with them. The dictionary gives both.
Good to know: "Like sheep without a shepherd" is the picture in , where Moses asks for a leader "that the congregation of Yahweh may not be as sheep which have no shepherd".
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35When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is late in the day.
In plain English: When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him and said, "This place is deserted, and it is late in the day.
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36Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.”
In plain English: Send them away, so that they can go into the countryside and villages around and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat."
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37But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They asked him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”
In plain English: Jesus answered them, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?"
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38He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.” When they knew, they said, “Five, and two fish.”
In plain English: He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." When they knew, they said, "Five, and two fish."
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39He commanded them that everyone should sit down in groups on the green grass.
In plain English: He commanded all of them to sit down in groups on the green grass.
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40They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.
In plain English: They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties.
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41He took the five loaves and the two fish; and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all.
In plain English: He took the five loaves and the two fish and looked up to heaven. He blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He divided the two fish among them all.
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42They all ate and were filled.
In plain English: They all ate and were filled.
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43They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish.
In plain English: They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces, and some of the fish also.
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44Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
In plain English: Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
Good to know: "Men" is andres. The dictionary gives "a man (properly as an individual male)". Mark says "five thousand men". reads: "about five thousand men, in addition to women and children". The wording differs.
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45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away.
In plain English: At once he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the crowd away.
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46After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain to pray.
In plain English: After he had said goodbye to them, he went up the mountain to pray.
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47When evening had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land.
In plain English: When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land.
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48Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them,
In plain English: He saw them struggling as they rowed, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He would have passed by them.
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49but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
In plain English: When they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, and they cried out.
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50for they all saw him and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
In plain English: All of them saw him and were troubled. At once he spoke with them. He said to them, "Take courage! It is I! Do not be afraid."
The Greek words: "It is I" is ego eimi, word for word "I am". The words can be read as Jesus saying who he is to the frightened men ("It is I"), or as the plain words "I am". The verse does not say more.
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51He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled;
In plain English: He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped. They were very amazed among themselves, and they marveled.
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52for they hadn’t understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
In plain English: They had not understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
The Greek word: "Hardened" is pepōromenē, from poroo. The dictionary gives "to petrify, i.e. (figuratively) to indurate (render stupid or callous)". It is in 2 verses of Mark, here and , and in 5 verses of the New Testament. In all 5 this Bible prints "harden".
How it is translated: This Bible has "their hearts were hardened".
What changes: Read as "hardened", their hearts have become hard, like stone. Read as "made dull", they are slow to take in what they saw. The dictionary gives both.
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53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore.
In plain English: When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore.
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54When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him,
In plain English: When they had come out of the boat, the people at once recognized him.
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55and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick on their mats to where they heard he was.
In plain English: They ran around that whole region and began to bring the sick on their mats to wherever they heard he was.
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56Wherever he entered—into villages, or into cities, or into the country—they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.
In plain English: Wherever he entered, into villages or cities or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched him were made well.
Good to know: "Fringe" is kraspedon, which the dictionary gives as "a fringe or tassel". It is in 1 verse of Mark, this one. The Law's rule for fringes on the borders of garments is in .
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