Mark 6

Mark 6

The big picture

Mark 6 opens in verse 1 with “And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 28 with “And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to…”, and closes in verse 56 with “And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick…” Repeated or prominent terms include Herod, John, disciples, king, loaves. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Mark · King James Version · 56

Mark 6:1-8

1–8: He went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his…

Mark 6:1–8 opens with “And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.” and reaches “And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Rejection at Nazareth, the twelve sent, John’s death reported, the crowd fed, and Jesus walking on the sea, with particular weight carried by began, country, hands.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include country, disciples, follow. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

Mark 6:1-8

King James Version

1And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

2And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

4But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

5And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

7And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

8And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

Mark 6:9-16

9–16: Be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

Mark 6:9–16 opens with “But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.” and reaches “But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Rejection at Nazareth, the twelve sent, John’s death reported, the crowd fed, and Jesus walking on the sea, with particular weight carried by dead, depart, Herod.

Context that brings the passage to life

“But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Mark 6:9-16

King James Version

9But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

10And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

11And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

12And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

13And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

14And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

15Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.

16But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

Mark 6:17-24

17–24: For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him…

Mark 6:17–24 opens with “For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’…” and reaches “And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Rejection at Nazareth, the twelve sent, John’s death reported, the crowd fed, and Jesus walking on the sea, with particular weight carried by Herod, John, Herodias.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

Mark 6:17-24

King James Version

17For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her.

18For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.

19Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

20For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

21And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

22And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

23And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

24And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

Mark 6:25-32

25–32: She came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I…

Mark 6:25–32 opens with “And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give…” and reaches “And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Rejection at Nazareth, the twelve sent, John’s death reported, the crowd fed, and Jesus walking on the sea, with particular weight carried by head, king, charger.

Context that brings the passage to life

“And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a…” Naming Baptist and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

Mark 6:25-32

King James Version

25And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

26And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

27And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

29And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

30And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

31And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

32And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

Mark 6:33-40

33–40: The people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither…

Mark 6:33–40 opens with “And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities…” and reaches “And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Rejection at Nazareth, the twelve sent, John’s death reported, the crowd fed, and Jesus walking on the sea, with particular weight carried by bread, knew, people.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include afoot, cities, departing. Its relationship to verses 34 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is…” The line’s distinctive content terms include desert, disciples, passed. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

Mark 6:33-40

King James Version

33And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

34And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

35And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

36Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

37He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

38He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.

39And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

Mark 6:41-48

41–48: When he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to…

Mark 6:41–48 opens with “And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed…” and reaches “And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Rejection at Nazareth, the twelve sent, John’s death reported, the crowd fed, and Jesus walking on the sea, with particular weight carried by fishes, loaves, disciples.

Context that brings the passage to life

“And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.” The number twelve makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

Mark 6:41-48

King James Version

41And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

42And they did all eat, and were filled.

43And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

44And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

45And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

48And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

Mark 6:49-56

49–56: When they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a…

Mark 6:49–56 opens with “But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:” and reaches “And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Rejection at Nazareth, the twelve sent, John’s death reported, the crowd fed, and Jesus walking on the sea, with particular weight carried by ship, sick, whole.

Context that brings the passage to life

“But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:” The line’s distinctive content terms include cried, spirit, supposed. Its relationship to verses 50 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure…” The line’s distinctive content terms include amazed, ceased, measure. Its relationship to verses 50 and 52 shows what work it does in this passage.

Mark 6:49-56

King James Version

49But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

51And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

52For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

53And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

54And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

55And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

56And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Details worth noticing

56verses in this reading
7major movements
12verses with speech
5questions in the KJV text

The opening image

Mark 6:1 begins with “And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.”

Where the chapter turns

Mark 6:24 forms a natural hinge: “And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.”

The final note

Mark 6:56 leaves the reader with “And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were…”

A word trail through the chapter

The words Herod, John, disciples, king, loaves, place help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

What repeated description explains the judgment?

The earth is corrupt and filled with violence, especially in verses 11-13.

What does obedience look like here?

Detailed preparation, gathering provisions and constructing what God commands.

KJV words made clear

unto
to
thee
you
thou
you
thy
your
hath
has

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.