Carpenter - Mark 6:3
The word
carpenter refers to a craftsman or builder who may have worked not only with wood, but also with stone. They referred to him as
Mary's son. This may simply indicate that his father Joseph had already died. Joseph is not mentioned anywhere in Mark's gospel. On the other hand, it may be an example of the local gossip about Jesus' reported illegitimate birth. The people's astonishment was mixed with unbelief. Rather than being proud of one of their own, they were
offended that he seemed to be so much more than they had thought when he was younger.
Proverbial saying - Mark 6:4
Jesus quoted what seems to have been a well-known proverbial saying.
His messiahship would not allow it. - Mark 6:5
Why was Jesus
unable to perform many miracles there? It was not because he lacked the power. It was because he was a suffering Messiah who was headed toward the cross. To display messianic power to those who refused to believe would be to
throw your pearls to pigs (Matt. 7:6). It wasn't that Jesus didn't have the power to do miracles there. It was that the character of his messiahship would not allow it in the face of such blatant unbelief.
The people had been amazed - Mark 6:6
In verse 2 the people had been
amazed. Then in verse 6 Jesus became
amazed at their unbelief. Mark continues throughout these chapters to stress this kind of a reaction to Jesus and his ministry.
Jesus and the Twelve - Mark 6:7-13
This major section of the Gospel opened in 3:7-19 with Jesus calling the twelve. It concludes here with Jesus sending out the twelve. Jesus was extending his ministry through them. He had called them to be with him (3:14) so they could learn from him. Then he sent them out like he would send them out after his resurrection.
Instructions to his disciples- Mark 6:8-9
There have been many different attempts to explain the differences between the three reports of Jesus' instructions to his disciples in Matt 10:9, 10; Mark 6:8, 9; and Luke 10:4. No explanation that has been suggested is fully satisfactory. Most likely is the view that Jesus encouraged the disciples to wear the tunic and sandals they had on, carry the staff they already had, but to take no extras or other supplies. Instead they were to trust God and God's people for provision. The instructions, with the absence of commands to prepare for the trip, stress the urgency of their mission to proclaim the gospel and their true need to depend completely on God for their needs.
Shake dust off - Mark 6:11
To
shake the dust off their feet was a prophetic act of condemnation. Refusal to accept the gospel message brought judgment.
Trained in his authority - Mark 6:12-13
The disciples both preached and healed many people, just like Jesus who trained and sent them in his authority.
Ministry Beyond Galilee - Mark 6:14-8:26
Influence and Ministry Beyond Galilee. In this section of Mark's Gospel there is a continuing emphasis on Jesus' powerful ministry, his growing popularity with the crowds, and the opposition of the Jewish leaders. There is also a growing focus on the misunderstandings of Jesus' disciples and on how Jesus was training them.
Beheading of John the Baptist - Mark 6:14-29
This paragraph is a parenthesis that reports what happened while the disciples were away on their mission.
They could not truly identify Jesus. - Mark 6:14-15
John the Baptist... Elijah ... a prophet. People continued to be in awe of Jesus, but could not understand who he really was. He did not fit any of their categories. These are some of the suggestions that were made. The drama of Mark's Gospel continues to build. The person and work of Jesus demand a response, but no one was able to truly identify him.
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