Mark 6

1 Jesus went on [out from thence] from there and came to [his own, native] His hometown [fatherland, Nazareth], accompanied by [followed by, with] His disciples [learners, pupils]. word study 2 When the Sabbath [day of rest, seventh day] came, He began [to rule, commenced] to teach [instruct, guide] in the synagogue [gathering place, house of worship], and many [a large number, numerous] who heard [listened, obeyed] Him were astonished [amazed, struck with wonder]. “Where [from what source, whence] did this man get [receive, obtain] these ideas [teachings, wisdom]?” they asked [inquired, sought to know]. “What [which, what kind] is this wisdom [spiritual understanding, insight] He has been given [granted, bestowed]? And how [in what way, by what means] can He perform [accomplish, work] such [of this kind, these] miracles [mighty works, powerful deeds]? word study 3 Isn’t this [a skilled craftsman] the carpenter, the son [a male child, a descendant] of Mary [the mother of Jesus] and the brother [a male sibling, a fellow believer] of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters [female siblings, fellow believers] here with us as well [in our midst, among us]?” And they took offense [were scandalized, stumbled] at Him [because of who He was, His teachings]. word study 4 Then Jesus [the Messiah, God’s Anointed] said to them, “Only in his hometown [fatherland, native country], among his relatives [kindred, family ties], and in his own household [home, family] is a prophet [one who speaks God’s message, a messenger of God] without honor [dishonored, lacking respect].” word study 5 So He could not [be unable to, lacked the power to] perform any [no, none] miracles [mighty works, supernatural deeds] there, except to [but only by] lay His hands [place His hands upon, impart healing] on a few [a little, a small number] of the sick [ill, weak, afflicted] and heal [cure, restore to health] them. word study 6 And He was amazed [marveled, wondered] at their unbelief [lack of faith, disobedience]. And He went around [traveled, circled] from village [rural area, small town] to village [country places], teaching [instructing, guiding] the people [the crowds, those who gathered]. word study 7 Then Jesus [the Messiah, the Christ] called the Twelve [his twelve apostles, his closest followers] to Him and began [to initiate, to start] to send them out two by two [in pairs, as companions], giving them authority [power, the right to act] over unclean [impure, evil] spirits [malevolent beings, forces of darkness]. word study 8 He instructed [commanded, ordered] them to take [lift up, carry] nothing but [except, only] a staff [rod, walking stick] for the journey [way, path]—no [not any] bread [food, loaves], no [not any] bag [wallet, pouch], no [not any] money [copper, coins] in their belts [girdle, sash]— word study 9 and to wear [be shod with] sandals [a type of footwear, like a slipper], but [in contrast] not [lest you have excess] a second tunic. word study 10 And He told them, “When you enter [wheresoever, into any place] a house [home, physical dwelling], stay [abide, remain] there [in that place] until you leave [depart from, go out of] that area [place, region, from there]. word study 11 If anyone [will not welcome or receive] will not welcome you [as a guest, or accept your message] or listen to you [obey or heed your words], shake the dust [loose dirt, or worthless material] off your feet [as a symbol of rejection] when you leave [depart or go out from] that place [city or location], as a testimony [evidence or proof] against them [as a warning of judgment].” word study 12 So they set out [went forth, departed] and preached [proclaimed, heralded the message] that the people [men, humanity] should repent [change their mind, turn away from sin, reform]. word study 13 They also drove out [expelled, cast out] many [a large number of] demons [evil spirits, unclean beings] and healed [cured, restored to health] many of the sick [ill, weak, or diseased], anointing [applying oil to, consecrating] them with oil [olive oil]. word study 14 Now King [ruler, sovereign] Herod [Herod Antipas, a tetrarch] heard about this, for Jesus’ [the Messiah, the Christ] name had become well known [famous, renowned], and people were saying, “John the Baptist [the one who immerses, the Baptizer] has risen [been raised, come back] from the dead [the state of being lifeless]! That is why [because of this, on account of] miraculous [supernatural, extraordinary] powers [abilities, strengths] are at work [active, operating] in him [within Jesus, through Him].” word study 15 Others [some people, certain individuals] were saying, “He is Elijah [the prophet, Elias],” and still others [different people, another group], “He is a prophet [one who speaks for God, a messenger], like [similar to, as] one of the prophets [God’s messengers, spokesmen] of old [long ago, in the past].” word study 16 But when Herod [the king] heard [to hear and understand] this, he said, “John [the Baptist], whom I [personally] beheaded [executed by cutting off his head], has risen [been raised] from the dead [out from among the lifeless]!” word study 17 For Herod [the king, ruler] himself had ordered [sent forth, commanded] that John [the Baptist, prophet] be arrested [laid hold upon, taken] and bound [tied, fastened] and imprisoned [put in prison, confined], on account of [because of, due to] his brother Philip’s wife [relative, sibling’s spouse] Herodias [the wife of Herod, queen], whom [who, which one] Herod had married [wed, taken as wife]. word study 18 For John [the Baptist, a prophet] had been telling Herod [the king, a ruler], “It is not [absolutely] lawful [permitted, allowed] for you [as a leader] to have [possess, marry] your brother’s [kin, relative] wife [spouse, partner]!” word study 19 So Herodias [the granddaughter of Herod the Great, with a deep-seated grudge] held a grudge [was bitter, had a quarrel] against John and wanted [desired, was willing] to kill [destroy, take the life of] him. But she had been [was, proved to be] unable [powerless, could not], word study 20 because Herod [feared with reverence] feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man [a just and upright person]. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed [perplexed and troubled]; yet he listened to him gladly [gladly and willingly]. word study 21 On Herod’s [a day to commemorate his birth] birthday, her opportunity [a convenient and well-timed moment] arose. Herod [the king, a ruler with great authority] held a banquet [a feast, a dinner party] for his nobles [great men, high-ranking officials] and military commanders [high captains, leaders of the army] and the leading men [chief men, those of great influence] of Galilee [a region in Palestine, a place of Jesus’ ministry]. word study 22 When the daughter [a female child, a young girl] of Herodias came and danced [performed a rhythmic movement, entertained], she pleased [was agreeable to, delighted] Herod and his guests [those reclining at table with him], and the king [the sovereign ruler, Herod] said to the girl [the damsel, the young woman], “Ask me for whatever [anything you desire] you wish [desire, will], and I will give [bestow, grant] it to you [as a gift, freely].” word study 23 And he swore [took an oath, made a solemn promise] to her, “Whatever [whatsoever, anything] you ask [request, desire] of me, I will give [bestow, grant] you, up to [even unto, as far as] half [a portion, a share] my kingdom [royal power, dominion, the realm I rule]!” word study 24 Then [at that moment, afterwards] she went out and asked her mother [a motherly figure], “What [which thing] should I request [to ask for something]?” And her mother answered, “The [this specific] head [the upper part of the body] of John [the baptizer] the Baptist [one who baptizes].” word study 25 At once [immediately, without delay] the girl hurried back to the king [the sovereign ruler, Herod] with her request: “I want [I desire, it is my will] you to give me [bestow upon me, grant me] the head [the upper part of the body, the life] of John [the baptizer, the one who prepares] the Baptist [the one who baptizes, prepares for Jesus’ arrival] on a platter [a flat dish, a serving plate] immediately [at once, without hesitation].” word study 26 The king [was deeply grieved, exceedingly sorry] was consumed with sorrow [intensely sad, feeling profound grief], but because of his oaths [sacred promises, vows] and his guests [those dining with him, reclining at table], he did not want to refuse [reject, set aside] her [out of obligation, due to his previous commitments]. word study 27 So without delay [immediately, at once], the king [sovereign ruler, monarch] commanded [gave orders, instructed] that John’s head [the upper part of the body, life] be brought in [to be led, carried]. He sent [dispatched, sent forth] an executioner [one who carries out a death sentence, a soldier of his guard], who went and beheaded [cut off, took off] him in the prison [a place of confinement, imprisonment]. word study 28 The man brought John’s head [as a dish] on a platter and presented it to the girl [a young maiden, a damsel], who gave it to her mother [her female parent, the one who bore her]. word study 29 When John’s disciples [learners, followers] heard about this [the event, the news], they came and took his body [corpse, lifeless form] and placed it [laid it to rest, buried it] in a tomb [grave, place of interment]. word study 30 Meanwhile, the apostles [messengers of Jesus Christ] gathered around Jesus [the Son of God, the Savior] and brought Him news of all [everything, every detail] they had done [accomplished, performed] and taught [instructed, guided, shared the Gospel]. word study 31 And He said to them, “Come [apart into a desert place, privately] with Me privately to a solitary [deserted] place, and let us rest [refresh, rejuvenate] for a while [a little, a short time].” For many people were coming [and going, continually] and going [departing], and they did not even have time [leisure, opportunity] to eat [take food, nourishment]. word study 32 So they went away [to depart from, leave behind] in a boat [ship, vessel] by themselves [privately, alone, in a solitary manner] to a [deserted, uninhabited, desolate] solitary place [location, area, region, a spot where no people were living]. word study 33 But many people [a large crowd, a multitude] saw them leaving [departing, going away] and recognized [knew deeply, understood] them. They ran together [assembled hastily, flocked] on foot [by land, walking] from all [every, the whole of] the towns [cities, communities] and arrived [came, reached] before [ahead of, preceding] them. word study 34 When Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] stepped ashore and saw a large [great, multitude] crowd, He had compassion [pity, sympathy] on them, because they were like sheep without [without guidance, lost] a shepherd [leader, caretaker]. And He began [to initiate, to start] to teach [instruct, guide] them many [numerous, various] things. word study 35 By now [already, at this late point] the hour [specific time, opportune moment] was already late [far spent, advanced]. So the disciples [learners, followers] came to Jesus and said, “This is a [deserted, uninhabited] desolate place [location, region], and the hour [time, moment] is already [even now, at this point] late [far spent, passed]. word study 36 Dismiss [send away, release] the crowd [the multitude, the people] so they can go [depart, away from this place] to the surrounding [all around, nearby] countryside [fields, rural areas] and villages [small towns, rural communities] and buy [purchase, acquire] themselves [for their own needs] something to eat [food, bread, sustenance].” word study 37 But Jesus told them, “You [as His disciples, with the resources you have] give them something to eat [provide for their physical needs, show hospitality].” They asked Him, “Should we go out [away from this place, to a nearby town] and spend two hundred denarii [a significant amount of money, equivalent to a laborer’s wages for 200 days] to give all of them bread [food, sustenance] to eat [nourishment for their bodies]?” word study 38 “Go [and find out, to see] and see [perceive, understand] how many [what quantity, amount] loaves [bread, food] you have,” He told [said to, spoke to] them. And after checking [examining, investigating], they said, “Five [the number five, a specific amount]—and [also, in addition to] two [a pair, a couple] fish [a type of seafood].” word study 39 Then Jesus [the Messiah, the Christ] directed them to have the people sit [recline, lean back] in groups [by companies, in social gatherings] on the green [verdant] grass [herbage, pasture]. word study 40 So they sat down [in ranks, by rows] in groups [by hundreds, in orderly arrangement] of hundreds [a full count, complete unit] and [also, in addition] fifties [a smaller unit, half of a hundred]. word study 41 Taking the five loaves [loaves of bread, a symbol of God’s provision] and the two [a small number, emphasizing God’s power] fish and looking up to [toward, with reverence] heaven, Jesus spoke a [prayer of thanksgiving, a blessing] blessing and broke the loaves [into pieces, to be shared]. Then He gave them to His disciples [His followers, learners] to set before [to present, to serve] the people. And He divided the two fish among [to everyone] them all. word study 42 They [everyone, all the people] all ate [and were filled, had enough to eat] and were satisfied [filled, had their fill, fed to the full], word study 43 and the disciples picked up [collected, gathered] twelve [a dozen, complete] basketfuls [full, complete containers] of broken pieces [fragments, leftovers] of bread [loaves, food] and [also, in addition to] fish [seafood, provision]. word study 44 And [also, in addition] there were [existed, had been] five thousand [a large multitude of] men [adult males, husbands] who had eaten [consumed, partaken of] the loaves [bread, food]. word study 45 Immediately [at once, without delay] Jesus made His disciples [learners, followers] get into the boat [ship, vessel] and go on ahead [to go before, to precede] of Him to Bethsaida [the house of fishing, a town on the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee], while He dismissed [sent away, released] the crowd [multitude, large group of people]. word study 46 After bidding them farewell [having taken leave of them, said goodbye], He went up [departed, went away] on the mountain [a high elevation of land, a place of solitude] to pray [to worship, communicate with God]. word study 47 When [late in the day, at nightfall] evening [the time of day for various events] came, the boat [ship, vessel] was in the middle [central position] of the sea [large body of water], and Jesus [he, the Master] was alone [solitary] on land [earth, soil, a region]. word study 48 He could see [perceive, discern] that the disciples were straining [toiling, laboring] to row, because the wind [a strong gust, a contrary breeze] was against [hostile to, opposing] them. About [around, near] the fourth watch [a period of time, a division of the night] of the night [a time of darkness, a period of rest], Jesus went out [came to, approached] to them, walking [moving, proceeding] on the sea [the ocean, the deep]. He intended [desired, willed] to pass by [go beyond, bypass] them, word study 49 but when they saw Him [walking upon] walking on the sea [the large body of water], they cried out, thinking [supposed] He was a [specter, phantom] ghost [an apparition, spirit]— word study 50 for they all [every single one of them] saw Him [the Messiah, Jesus] and were terrified [troubled, sore afraid]. But Jesus spoke up at once [immediately, without delay]: “Take courage [be of good cheer, have faith]! It is I [I am, the divine Presence]. Do not be afraid [do not fear, have no anxiety].” word study 51 Then He climbed [went up, ascended] into the boat [ship, vessel] with them, and the wind [breath, air] died down [ceased, abated]. And the disciples were utterly [greatly, exceedingly] astounded [amazed, shocked], word study 52 for they had not understood [were without comprehension, failed to grasp] about the loaves [bread, a miracle of provision], but their hearts [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions] had been hardened [made stubborn, unfeeling, calloused]. word study 53 When they had crossed over [passed to the other side, gone across], they landed [came to shore, arrived] at Gennesaret [a lake and plain in Palestine] and moored [tied up, anchored] the boat [to the shore, in the land]. word study 54 As soon as they got [immediately, straightway] out of the boat [ship, vessel], the people [crowd, multitude] recognized [knew, had knowledge of] Jesus [the Messiah, the Christ] word study 55 and ran [throughout the whole area, swiftly] through that whole region [around about, surrounding the place], carrying [upon their beds, on mats] the sick [those who were ill, badly in need of healing] on mats [beds, pallets] to wherever [any place, where they heard] they heard [listened, understood] He [Jesus, the Healer] was [present, existing in that place]. word study 56 And wherever [in every place, no matter the location] He went [into]—villages [small towns, rural areas] and towns [cities, urban areas] and countrysides [fields, rural regions]—they laid the sick [those who were weak, afflicted with disease] in the marketplaces [public areas, gathering places] and begged Him [pleaded with Him, asked earnestly] just to let them touch [to make contact with, to attach oneself to] the fringe [edge, border] of His cloak [garment, outer clothing]. And all who touched [made contact with, attached themselves to] Him were healed [made whole, restored to health]. word study