Mark 6:7
Verse
Context
The Ministry of the Twelve
6And He was amazed at their unbelief. And He went around from village to village, teaching the people.7Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits. 8He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—
Sermons
Willie Mullan
J. Glyn Owen
Chuck Smith
K.P. Yohannan
R.A. Torrey
Shane IdlemanK.P. YohannanSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
By two and two - That they might encourage and support each other; and to show that union among the ministers of the Gospel is essential to the promotion of the cause of truth. See on Luk 10:1 (note).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he called unto him the twelve,.... "His twelve disciples", as some copies read; whom he had before called by his grace, and had appointed and ordained them his apostles, but had not yet publicly sent forth; in order to which, he now called them to him, and gave them their commission, qualifications, and instructions: and began to send them forth by two and two: he first sent forth one couple, and then another; the reason of his sending them by pairs, was partly for the sake of company, and that they might be useful and assisting to one another; and partly to show their agreement in doctrine; and that they might be proper and sufficient witnesses of it, whereby it might be established; and the rather, being thus sent by pairs into different parts, their message would be the sooner dispatched, than if they had all went together: and gave them power over unclean spirits; that is, to cast them out; as it is expressed in Mat_. 10:1; see Gill on Mat 10:1; and which is here added in the Syriac and Persic versions. Many things are omitted by this evangelist, which are mentioned by Matthew: he does not give us the names of the twelve apostles; the reason of that indeed may be, because they are related by him in Mar 3:16, and he did not choose to repeat them here: nor does he take any notice of the places where the apostles were to go, and where not; nor of the persons to whom, or not; as not into the way of the Gentiles, nor into any of the cities of the Samaritans, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: nor does he say any thing of the subject matter of their ministry or what they had in charge to publish; as that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, or the Gospel dispensation: nor does he observe the several things they were to do in confirmation of their doctrine and mission; as healing the sick, cleansing lepers, raising the dead, and casting out devils: he only relates the directions given them with respect to their journey, in the following verses; the reason of all which seems to be, because he refers not to the same time as Matthew does, to their appointment and ordination; but to the time they were sent out, and proceeded on their journey.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Here is, I. The commission given to the twelve apostles, to preach and work miracles; it is the same which we had more largely, Mt. 10. Mark doth not name them here, as Matthew doth, because he had named them before, when they were first called into fellowship with him, Mar 3:16-19. Hitherto they had been conversant with Christ, and had set at his feet, had heard his doctrine, and seen his miracles; and now he determines to make some use of them; they had received, that they might give, had learned, that they might teach; and therefore now he began to send them forth. They must not always be studying in the academy, to get knowledge, but they must preach in the country, to do good with the knowledge they have got. Though they were not as yet so well accomplished as they were to be, yet, according to their present ability and capacity, they must be set to work, and make further improvements afterward. Now observe here, 1. That Christ sent them forth by two and two; this Mark takes notice of. They went two and two to a place, that out of the mouth of two witnesses every word might be established; and that they might be company for one another when they were among strangers, and might strengthen the hands, and encourage the hearts, one of another; might help one another if any thing should be amiss, and keep one another in countenance. Every common soldier has his comrade; and it is an approved maxim, Two are better than one. Christ would thus teach his ministers to associate, and both lend and borrow help. 2. That he gave them power over unclean spirits. He commissioned them to attack the devil's kingdom, and empowered them, as a specimen of their breaking his interest in the souls of men by their doctrine, to cast him out of the bodies of those that were possessed. Dr. Lightfoot suggests, that they cured diseases, and cast out devils, by the Spirit, but preached that only which they had learned from the mouth of Christ. 3. That he commanded them not to take provisions along with them, neither victuals nor money, that they might appear, wherever they came, to be poor men, men not of this world, and therefore might with the better grace call people off from it to another world. When afterward he bid them take purse and scrip (Luk 22:36), that did not intimate (as Dr. Lightfoot observes) that his care of them was abated from what it had been; but that they should meet with worse times and worse entertainment than they met with at their first mission. In Matthew and Luke they are forbidden to take staves with them, that is, fighting staves; but here in Mark they are bid to take nothing save a staff only, that is, a walking staff, such as pilgrims carried. They must not put on shoes, but sandals only, which were only the soles of shoes tied under their feet, or like pumps, or slippers; they must go in the readiest plainest dress they could, and must not so much as have two coats; for their stay abroad would be short, they must return before winter, and what they wanted, those they preached to would cheerfully accommodate them with. 4. He directed them, whatever city they came to, to make that house their head-quarters, which happened to be their first quarters (Mar 6:10); "There abide, till ye depart from that place. And since ye know ye come on an errand sufficient to make you welcome, have such charity for your friends that first invited you, as to believe they do not think you burthensome." 5. He pronounces a very heavy doom upon those that rejected the gospel they preached (Mar 6:11); "Whosoever shall not receive you, or will not so much as hear you, depart thence (if one will not, another will), and shake off the dust under your feet, for a testimony against them. Let them know that they have had a fair offer of life and happiness made them, witness that dust; but that, since they have refused it, they cannot expect ever to have another; let them take up with their own dust, for so shall their doom be." That dust, like the dust of Egypt (Exo 9:9), shall turn into a plague to them; and their condemnation in the great day, will be more intolerable than that of Sodom: for the angels were sent to Sodom, and were abused there; yet that would not bring on so great a guilt and so great a ruin as the contempt and abuse of the apostles of Christ, who bring with them the offers of gospel grace. II. The apostles' conduct in pursuance of their commission. Though they were conscious to themselves of great weakness, and expected no secular advantage by it, yet, in obedience to their Master's order, and in dependence upon his strength, they went out as Abraham, not knowing whither they went. Observe here, 1. The doctrine they preached; They preached that men should repent (Mar 6:12); that they should change their minds, and reform their lives, in consideration of the near approach of the kingdom of the Messiah. Note, The great design of the gospel preachers, and the great tendency of gospel preaching, should be, to bring people to repentance, to a new heart and a new way. They did not amuse people with curious speculations, but told them that they must repent of their sins, and turn to God. 2. The miracles they wrought. The power Christ gave them over unclean spirits, was not ineffectual, nor did they receive it in vain, but used it, for they cast out many devils (Mar 6:13); and they anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. Some think this oil was used medicinally, according to the custom of the Jews; but I rather think it was used as a sign of miraculous healing, by the appointment of Christ, though not mentioned; and it was afterward used by those elders of the church, to whom by the Spirit was given the gift of healing, Jam 5:14. It is certain here, and therefore probable there, that anointing the sick with oil, is appropriated to that extraordinary power which has long ceased, and therefore that sign must cease with it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
6:7-13 Jesus now sent the disciples out to preach and heal. During this mission, Jesus’ memorable teachings were engraved in their minds by retelling, and it prepared them to remember and retell later what Jesus did and taught (Luke 1:2). 6:7 two by two: This practice fulfilled the Old Testament requirement of two witnesses (Num 35:30; Deut 17:6; 19:15; see Matt 18:16) and provided for companionship and mutual help (Acts 13:1-3; 15:22, 39, 40). • giving them authority: Jesus can delegate his authority (see Mark 1:27; 2:10) to others. • The disciples were to cast out evil spirits and to preach and heal (6:12-13; see 6:30).
Mark 6:7
The Ministry of the Twelve
6And He was amazed at their unbelief. And He went around from village to village, teaching the people.7Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits. 8He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Men God Made) Elijah
By Willie Mullan1.4K59:16ElijahDEU 8:31KI 18:25MAT 4:5MRK 6:7LUK 4:24In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal from the Bible. He highlights Elijah's fearlessness and faith as he challenges the prophets of Baal to a test of their gods. Elijah builds an altar, fills it with water, and calls upon God to send fire to consume the offering. The preacher also draws a parallel to Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of these events.
Mark - the Master's Master Plan
By J. Glyn Owen44940:43DiscipleshipMAT 9:36MAT 10:1MAT 28:19MRK 3:13MRK 6:7LUK 6:12LUK 9:1In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the calling of the twelve disciples by Jesus to constitute them as apostles. The preacher reads from Mark 3:13-15, where Jesus goes up a mountain and calls those whom he chooses to be with him. Jesus ordains them as twelve and sends them forth to preach, heal sicknesses, and cast out devils. The preacher emphasizes that this calling and training of the disciples is part of God's masterplan to bring salvation and redemption to the world through Jesus' sacrifice. The sermon encourages the listeners to commit themselves to Jesus and to follow his example.
Mark 6:30
By Chuck Smith0God's ProvisionServanthoodMRK 6:7Chuck Smith discusses the calling and challenges faced by the Apostles as they were sent out by Jesus to minister to the lost sheep of Israel. He emphasizes their humanity, noting that despite performing miracles, they were tired and overwhelmed by the demands of ministry. The sermon highlights how Jesus provided for their needs and reassured them during their struggles, demonstrating that even in their fear and doubt, they were still chosen instruments of God. Smith encourages listeners by reminding them that God can use imperfect people for His purposes.
Fitted Together
By K.P. Yohannan0Love Among BelieversUnity in the Body of Christ1KI 18:31MAT 18:20MRK 6:7JHN 13:351PE 2:5K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the significance of unity among believers, drawing parallels from the Old Testament where Elijah repaired the altar with 12 stones representing the tribes of Israel, highlighting that all were needed for God's power to be displayed. He illustrates that just as the stones in Solomon's temple were perfectly fitted together, so too are believers called to be united as living stones in God's spiritual temple. Yohannan stresses that the kingdom of God thrives on relationships and love, as demonstrated by Jesus' teachings on gathering in His name and loving one another. He concludes that disunity stems from a lack of love, and by embracing Jesus' command to love, believers can witness the kingdom of God manifest in their lives.
The Mission of the Seventy Luke 10:1-16
By R.A. Torrey0The Great CommissionThe Urgency of PrayerMAT 4:17MAT 9:37MAT 10:14MAT 23:37MRK 6:7LUK 4:40LUK 10:1JHN 15:19ACT 13:2JAS 5:14R.A. Torrey emphasizes the mission of the seventy disciples as a model for modern Christian workers, highlighting the importance of prayer and the urgency of the harvest. He discusses the necessity of being sent by Christ, the challenges of going forth as 'lambs among wolves,' and the need for workers to travel light and focus on their mission. Torrey also reflects on the consequences of rejecting Christ's message, illustrating the greater guilt of cities that have witnessed His works yet remain unrepentant. The sermon calls for a commitment to prayer and action in the face of a great spiritual need, urging believers to recognize their role in God's harvest.
The Truth About Repentance Will Set You Free
By Shane Idleman0PSA 66:18MAT 3:2MRK 6:7LUK 13:5ACT 3:19Shane Idleman emphasizes the crucial role of repentance in the Christian walk, highlighting the attempts by some to redefine or remove the concept to make Christianity more culturally acceptable. He stresses that biblical repentance involves turning from sin and turning to God, a condition of the heart that is essential for true transformation. Idleman warns against the dangers of rebellion and disobedience, emphasizing that genuine repentance is a gift from God that impacts every aspect of our lives, setting us against all sin and leading to a right relationship with God.
Lord, Teach Us
By K.P. Yohannan0DiscipleshipExperiential LearningMRK 6:7MRK 6:12LUK 11:1K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of experiential learning in the Christian faith, drawing parallels between modern education and the way Jesus taught His disciples. He highlights that Jesus used everyday events and personal examples to impart lessons about God and how to live righteously. The disciples' request for Jesus to teach them to pray illustrates their desire for deeper understanding and connection with God. Yohannan points out that Jesus' teachings were meant to inspire action, leading the disciples to preach and heal as He did. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to learn from Jesus' example and actively live out their faith.
Matthew 10:1-7. He Sends Out His Twelve Apostles.
By Favell Lee Mortimer0ECC 4:9ISA 66:2MAT 9:38MRK 6:7MRK 16:152CO 6:22PE 3:9Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about Jesus sending out the twelve disciples to preach the word, emphasizing the importance of having fellow laborers in Christ's vineyard for support and companionship. Despite the anxiety of leaving Jesus' side, the disciples were empowered by their ever-present Lord to perform miracles and deliver a new message. Jesus instructed them to preach to the Jews first, as they were beloved for the fathers' sakes, and to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, urging people to seize the opportunity for salvation before it's too late.
On Attending the Church Service
By John Wesley0Church AttendanceGrace in Ministry1SA 2:17JER 23:1MAL 2:1MAT 11:28MAT 23:1MRK 6:7ROM 12:11CO 5:112CO 6:14HEB 10:25John Wesley addresses the issue of attending church services despite the presence of unholy ministers, emphasizing that the corruption of clergy has been a longstanding issue throughout church history. He argues that the grace of God can still be conveyed through the sacraments administered by unholy men, as seen in biblical examples, and that separating from the church due to the unholiness of ministers would lead to chaos and division among believers. Wesley encourages Christians to focus on promoting holiness and to remain engaged in the church, regardless of the character of its leaders, as the efficacy of God's ordinances is not dependent on the minister's personal holiness.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
By two and two - That they might encourage and support each other; and to show that union among the ministers of the Gospel is essential to the promotion of the cause of truth. See on Luk 10:1 (note).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he called unto him the twelve,.... "His twelve disciples", as some copies read; whom he had before called by his grace, and had appointed and ordained them his apostles, but had not yet publicly sent forth; in order to which, he now called them to him, and gave them their commission, qualifications, and instructions: and began to send them forth by two and two: he first sent forth one couple, and then another; the reason of his sending them by pairs, was partly for the sake of company, and that they might be useful and assisting to one another; and partly to show their agreement in doctrine; and that they might be proper and sufficient witnesses of it, whereby it might be established; and the rather, being thus sent by pairs into different parts, their message would be the sooner dispatched, than if they had all went together: and gave them power over unclean spirits; that is, to cast them out; as it is expressed in Mat_. 10:1; see Gill on Mat 10:1; and which is here added in the Syriac and Persic versions. Many things are omitted by this evangelist, which are mentioned by Matthew: he does not give us the names of the twelve apostles; the reason of that indeed may be, because they are related by him in Mar 3:16, and he did not choose to repeat them here: nor does he take any notice of the places where the apostles were to go, and where not; nor of the persons to whom, or not; as not into the way of the Gentiles, nor into any of the cities of the Samaritans, but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel: nor does he say any thing of the subject matter of their ministry or what they had in charge to publish; as that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, or the Gospel dispensation: nor does he observe the several things they were to do in confirmation of their doctrine and mission; as healing the sick, cleansing lepers, raising the dead, and casting out devils: he only relates the directions given them with respect to their journey, in the following verses; the reason of all which seems to be, because he refers not to the same time as Matthew does, to their appointment and ordination; but to the time they were sent out, and proceeded on their journey.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Here is, I. The commission given to the twelve apostles, to preach and work miracles; it is the same which we had more largely, Mt. 10. Mark doth not name them here, as Matthew doth, because he had named them before, when they were first called into fellowship with him, Mar 3:16-19. Hitherto they had been conversant with Christ, and had set at his feet, had heard his doctrine, and seen his miracles; and now he determines to make some use of them; they had received, that they might give, had learned, that they might teach; and therefore now he began to send them forth. They must not always be studying in the academy, to get knowledge, but they must preach in the country, to do good with the knowledge they have got. Though they were not as yet so well accomplished as they were to be, yet, according to their present ability and capacity, they must be set to work, and make further improvements afterward. Now observe here, 1. That Christ sent them forth by two and two; this Mark takes notice of. They went two and two to a place, that out of the mouth of two witnesses every word might be established; and that they might be company for one another when they were among strangers, and might strengthen the hands, and encourage the hearts, one of another; might help one another if any thing should be amiss, and keep one another in countenance. Every common soldier has his comrade; and it is an approved maxim, Two are better than one. Christ would thus teach his ministers to associate, and both lend and borrow help. 2. That he gave them power over unclean spirits. He commissioned them to attack the devil's kingdom, and empowered them, as a specimen of their breaking his interest in the souls of men by their doctrine, to cast him out of the bodies of those that were possessed. Dr. Lightfoot suggests, that they cured diseases, and cast out devils, by the Spirit, but preached that only which they had learned from the mouth of Christ. 3. That he commanded them not to take provisions along with them, neither victuals nor money, that they might appear, wherever they came, to be poor men, men not of this world, and therefore might with the better grace call people off from it to another world. When afterward he bid them take purse and scrip (Luk 22:36), that did not intimate (as Dr. Lightfoot observes) that his care of them was abated from what it had been; but that they should meet with worse times and worse entertainment than they met with at their first mission. In Matthew and Luke they are forbidden to take staves with them, that is, fighting staves; but here in Mark they are bid to take nothing save a staff only, that is, a walking staff, such as pilgrims carried. They must not put on shoes, but sandals only, which were only the soles of shoes tied under their feet, or like pumps, or slippers; they must go in the readiest plainest dress they could, and must not so much as have two coats; for their stay abroad would be short, they must return before winter, and what they wanted, those they preached to would cheerfully accommodate them with. 4. He directed them, whatever city they came to, to make that house their head-quarters, which happened to be their first quarters (Mar 6:10); "There abide, till ye depart from that place. And since ye know ye come on an errand sufficient to make you welcome, have such charity for your friends that first invited you, as to believe they do not think you burthensome." 5. He pronounces a very heavy doom upon those that rejected the gospel they preached (Mar 6:11); "Whosoever shall not receive you, or will not so much as hear you, depart thence (if one will not, another will), and shake off the dust under your feet, for a testimony against them. Let them know that they have had a fair offer of life and happiness made them, witness that dust; but that, since they have refused it, they cannot expect ever to have another; let them take up with their own dust, for so shall their doom be." That dust, like the dust of Egypt (Exo 9:9), shall turn into a plague to them; and their condemnation in the great day, will be more intolerable than that of Sodom: for the angels were sent to Sodom, and were abused there; yet that would not bring on so great a guilt and so great a ruin as the contempt and abuse of the apostles of Christ, who bring with them the offers of gospel grace. II. The apostles' conduct in pursuance of their commission. Though they were conscious to themselves of great weakness, and expected no secular advantage by it, yet, in obedience to their Master's order, and in dependence upon his strength, they went out as Abraham, not knowing whither they went. Observe here, 1. The doctrine they preached; They preached that men should repent (Mar 6:12); that they should change their minds, and reform their lives, in consideration of the near approach of the kingdom of the Messiah. Note, The great design of the gospel preachers, and the great tendency of gospel preaching, should be, to bring people to repentance, to a new heart and a new way. They did not amuse people with curious speculations, but told them that they must repent of their sins, and turn to God. 2. The miracles they wrought. The power Christ gave them over unclean spirits, was not ineffectual, nor did they receive it in vain, but used it, for they cast out many devils (Mar 6:13); and they anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. Some think this oil was used medicinally, according to the custom of the Jews; but I rather think it was used as a sign of miraculous healing, by the appointment of Christ, though not mentioned; and it was afterward used by those elders of the church, to whom by the Spirit was given the gift of healing, Jam 5:14. It is certain here, and therefore probable there, that anointing the sick with oil, is appropriated to that extraordinary power which has long ceased, and therefore that sign must cease with it.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
6:7-13 Jesus now sent the disciples out to preach and heal. During this mission, Jesus’ memorable teachings were engraved in their minds by retelling, and it prepared them to remember and retell later what Jesus did and taught (Luke 1:2). 6:7 two by two: This practice fulfilled the Old Testament requirement of two witnesses (Num 35:30; Deut 17:6; 19:15; see Matt 18:16) and provided for companionship and mutual help (Acts 13:1-3; 15:22, 39, 40). • giving them authority: Jesus can delegate his authority (see Mark 1:27; 2:10) to others. • The disciples were to cast out evil spirits and to preach and heal (6:12-13; see 6:30).