ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Mark 6

Mark 6:1–2 synagogue. See note on Luke 4:16 and The Synagogue and Jewish Worship. Jesus was most likely asked to give a message following the reading of Scripture (compare Luke 4:16–30, which was probably the same incident). Where did this man get these things? Until he began his ministry, Jesus’ divine nature was hidden. Even people in his hometown, who had known him since childhood, had no idea that he was also fully God.

Mark 6:3 Is not this . . . the son of Mary may hint that some people thought Jesus was an illegitimate child. Joseph must have had at least four sons, among whom were James (see Acts 12:17; Gal. 1:19; 2:9; 12) and Judas (not the betrayer; see Introduction to Jude: Author, Date, and Recipients), as well as at least two daughters (on Jesus’ brothers and sisters, see note on Matt. 13:55–56).

Mark 6:4 Like other prophets before him (e.g., 2 Chron. 36:16; Jer. 11:21; Mark 6:17), Jesus is not honored by his own family or by his hometown.

Mark 6:5–6 could do no mighty work there. Jesus will not force his miracles on a hostile, skeptical audience. Nevertheless, he continues teaching (see 1:22; 4:1; 2; 6:2, etc.).

Mark 6:7–8:26 Work beyond Galilee. The disciples are sent out to spread the message of God’s kingdom, to heal, and to cast out demons. Jesus again demonstrates his authority and warns his disciples against hard hearts.

Mark 6:7–13 Jesus sends out the twelve disciples to proclaim repentance (vv. 10–12), cast out unclean spirits (v. 7), and heal (v. 13). See 3:14–15.

Mark 6:8–9 no bread, no bag, no money in their belts. These provisions are to come from people who repent upon hearing the disciples’ message. See note on Luke 9:3.

Mark 6:11 Jews who returned from Gentile regions were to shake off the dust that is on their feet as a form of cleansing. Here the action also serves as a sign against towns that reject God’s message.

Mark 6:13 Oil was commonly used in prayer for healing (see note on James 5:13–14).

Mark 6:14–56 The death of John the Baptist casts an ominous shadow on Jesus’ future. Jesus’ life is in danger, partly because of his authoritative, miraculous deeds.

Mark 6:14a Herod Antipas served under Rome as an administrator of Galilee and Perea (4 b.c.–a.d. 39). He was not technically a King, although his contemporaries may have referred to him as such (see v. 23).

Mark 6:14b–15 The list of popular beliefs about Jesus includes that he is (1) the revived John the Baptist, (2) the expected Elijah (see Mal. 3:1–2; 4:5–6), or (3) one of the prophets. Many Jews expected that Elijah, who was caught up to heaven without dying (2 Kings 2:11), would return at the end of time. (See Mark 9:11–13; Luke 1:17.) The third belief—that Jesus was “a prophet, like one of the prophets of old”—might have been based on Deut. 18:15, 18.

Mark 6:17 John the Baptist had publicly charged Herod Antipas with breaking the law by marrying Herodias, the former wife of his still living half brother (see Lev. 18:16; 20:21). In response, Herod had put John in prison (see note on Matt. 14:3–4).

Mark 6:18 It is not lawful. Even though Herod Antipas was not a Jew, John did not hesitate to tell him he had violated God’s moral law (see Lev. 18:16).

Mark 6:19–20 Herod feared John. Perhaps he feared an uprising on account of John’s popularity (1:5). Or perhaps he feared divine punishment for his sin.

Mark 6:23 Up to half of my kingdom should be seen as a figure of speech rather than a literal promise.

Mark 6:30 returned. See vv. 7–13.

Mark 6:34 like sheep without a shepherd. See Num. 27:17; Ezek. 34:4–5. Jesus teaches the people, functioning as the good shepherd (compare Ps. 23:1–4; Isa. 40:11; Jer. 23:4).

Mark 6:36–37 Two hundred denarii represented 200 days’ wages for a laborer.

Mark 6:41–42 As God provided manna in the desert, so Jesus provides food in a deserted place. The feeding of the 5,000 reinforces Jesus’ proclamation: after feeding them the Word of God (v. 34), he miraculously provides physical food.

Mark 6:43 they took up twelve baskets full. As with the miracles of Elijah and Elisha (see 1 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 4:7, 42–44), much food is left over. Jesus did not want any food to be wasted.

Mark 6:45 Bethsaida. See note on Luke 9:10.

Mark 6:48 fourth watch. 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. The Sea of Galilee is 696 feet (212 m) below sea level, resulting in violent downdrafts and sudden windstorms (see 4:37). Jesus sees the disciples’ need and walks on water toward them (compare Job 9:8; Ps. 77:20; Isa. 43:16). He meant to pass by them, not to avoid them, but so that they would see him walking on the water. The passage echoes the incident where God “passed” before Moses (Ex. 33:19; 22; 34:6), giving a glimpse of his glory. See Job 9:11, where Job says that God “passes by” him. By walking on the water, Jesus is essentially proclaiming his deity.

Mark 6:49–50 “It is I” echoes Ex. 3:14.

Mark 6:51–52 Even though Jesus had multiplied the loaves and had walked on the water, the disciples’ hearts were hardened and they didn’t realize who he was. See 8:18–21.

Mark 6:53 The northeasterly wind had caused the ship to drift southwestward, bringing them to Gennesaret instead of their intended destination of Bethsaida.